Rangers bolster minor-league depth by signing Cholowski, Gawdin

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With Wednesday’s flurry of NHL moves behind them, the New York Rangers added some help for their the American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, on Thursday by signing defenseman Dennis Cholowski and forward Glenn Gawdin,

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Each signed a two-year contract worth $1.75 million ($875,000 average annual value). According to PuckPedia, Cholowski is guaranteed $450,000 at the AHL level in 2026-27, and $900,000 in 2027-28; Gawdin is guaranteed $700,000 this season and $750,000 in the second year of the deal.

Cholowski had two assists while averaging 14:40 time on ice in 17 games with the New Jersey Devils last season. The 2016 first-round pick (No. 20) by the Detroit Red Wings has 42 points (13 goals, 29 assists) and is minus-60 in 173 NHL games. The 28-year-old played just 23 games for the Devils after they acquired him from the New York Islanders on March 7, 2025.

Gawdin has played just 13 NHL games since the St. Louis Blues selected him in the fourth round (No. 116) of the 2015 NHL Draft. The 29-year-old has one assist and has not dressed for an NHL game since March 6, 2024, when he played with the Anaheim Ducks.

At a minimum, they’ll be counted on to boost Hartford, which finished last in the 30-team AHL standings in 2025-26 with 60 points (26-38-5-3).

Cholowski: A fringe NHL defenseman who can play in a pinch

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Of the two, Cholowski would appear to have a better chance at spending time in the NHL. The 28-year-old could compete for the seventh defenseman spot with the Rangers, especially if they decide to start No. 5 overall pick Alberts Šmits in Hartford.

But Cholowski appears more likely to spend the bulk of the season with the Wolf Pack, barring significant injuries. He’ll be counted on to provide veteran leadership and mentor young blueliners while also producing offensively. Cholowski had 93 points (12 goals, 81 assists) in 185 AHL games in the past five seasons.

At 6-2 and 210, he has NHL size and is a passable third-pair defenseman if the Rangers need injury reinforcements. But he’s struggled to produce points in the NHL — despite his career 64.9 percent offensive-zone starts over seven seasons. His best NHL offensive season was 2018-19, when he had career highs in games played (52), goals (7), assists (9) and points (16) with Detroit. 

However, something will have gone horribly awry if Cholowski spends any significant time with the Rangers this season. He’s played just 85 NHL games since the start of 2020-21, was waived twice during that time and was left unprotected by the Red Wings in the 2021 Expansion Draft.

Gawdin: A solid AHL center but likely nothing more

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If Cholowski is a fringe NHL player, then Gawdin is a career AHL veteran who hasn’t done much during a few cups of coffee in the NHL.

The 6-1, 195-pound right-shot center has been a good point producer in the AHL. He is coming off a 16-goal, 51-point season with Ontario, the Los Angeles Kings’ top affiliate, where he finished second on the team in assists and fourth in points. His best offensive season was 2024-25, when he had career highs in goals (26), assists (36), points (62) and plus-minus (plus-23) for Ontario.

However, Gawdin has never played more than seven NHL games in any season; he played that many with the Calgary Flames in 2020-21. At best, he figures to be a top-six forward for Hartford — one who will be counted on to score goals and produce offense under first-year coach Jay Leach. Barring a rash of injuries up front, it’s hard to imagine he’ll see any action with the Rangers.

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