Are the Rangers interested in Sami Lepisto?

According to this Finnish report, the New York Rangers are currently in contract talks with defenseman Sami Lepisto.

Lepisto, 26, has spent NHL time with the Washington Capitals, Phoenix Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Capitals drafted him in round-three of the 2004 draft, and he played in 14 games with them.

Last season, Lepisto played in 51 games with the Coyotes, and he registered four goals and seven assists. He also totaled 37-penalty minutes and he finished with a plus-7 rating. Lepisto was traded to Columbus at the 2011 trade deadline. He recorded five assists and 18-penalty minutes in 19 games with the team. He finished a plus-3 rating.

Lepisto has a strong outlet pass, and he has strong puck-moving skills. He twice registered 40 points in the AHL with Hershey Bears.

He would be an interesting pick-up for the Rangers. I don't know if he really fits the category of a "veteran-defenseman", but he would be a solid addition for the bottom defensive pairing.

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