The slumping Rangers made a move Thursday to shake up their veteran forward corps, placing fourth-line center Nick Bonino on waivers.
The 35-year-old Bonino, whose 868 career NHL games included a three-year stint playing for current Rangers coach Peter Laviolette with the Predators, was signed to a one-year deal worth $800,000 as a free agent in July.
But he has registered only one goal and five points in 45 games this season.
Laviolette said that Bonino met with Rangers president Chris Drury on Thursday morning, and he was held out of practice ahead of Friday’s home game against the Golden Knights.
“That was the decision that was made,” Laviolette said. “Nick’s a great person and a great teammate. Again, just an organizational decision.”
Bonino has not played in the minor leagues since 2011-’12, but he conceivably could be sent to AHL Hartford if he goes unclaimed via waivers.
“I don’t know what Nick’s intentions are. So it would be wrong for me to comment on that,” Laviolette said.
“But like I said, I’ve worked with Nick for quite a few years, going back to Nashville, and I can’t speak enough about him as a person, just a good guy, a good teammate.”
