HFNHL Rangers Re-sign Two Key Players

[SPG]

NEW YORK -- The HFNHL Rangers announced today they have re-signed two important pieces in winger Milan Michalek and starting goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Both have signed 4 year contracts.

Michalek and Lehtonen were both acquired last season from Nashville in the Tim Thomas trade.

GM Gaffney commented at the press conference announcing the signings:

"These were two players that we absolutely needed to re-sign. The Tim Thomas trade was a deal that will have an impact on our organization for years, and it was vital that we retained the two key players we received back. We're very happy with how the games of these two players have progressed since pulling the trigger on the trade last winter."

It's been a down season for the team, and the Rangers have traded a few veteran players in an effort to get younger. It's a quasi-rebuilding process, but it is imperative for the organization to retain players like Michalek and Lehtonen. Negotiations with other free agents are still under way.

[Ohio Jones]

Absolutely key. Were they auto-signs, or were you able to negotiate long-term deals for these players?

[SPG]

Originally Posted by Ohio Jones

Absolutely key. Were they auto-signs, or were you able to negotiate long-term deals for these players?

Both are long-term. 4 year deals. Didn't come cheap.

[Ohio Jones]

Originally Posted by SPG

Both are long-term. 4 year deals. Didn't come cheap.

Sorry, I was asking whether you'd matched NHL salaries, but I see their NHL deals both run out next year, so you struck your own deals. Interesting. Hope they work out for you!