In the middle of #VeseyWatch, the Rangers did add a college free agent defenseman Wednesday. They signed John Gilmour to an entry level contract.

The 23-year old played four years at Providence College. The Friars won their first Frozen Four national championship in 2015 carried by Flames’ goalie prospect Jon Gillies. During his junior season, Gilmour contributed four goals and seven assists in Hockey East. He came on with nine goal and 14 assists for a college best 23 points during his senior year.

Gilmour was originally selected by Calgary in the seventh round in the 2013 NHL Draft. The Flames didn’t sign him. So, the Rangers added some blue line depth. What is Gilmour exactly? I have no clue.

Obviously, he’ll start with Hartford if he’s good enough. The Rangers boast plenty of depth at the back end with Adam Clendening, Dan Girardi, Nick Holden, Kevin Klein, Ryan McDonagh, Dylan McIlrath, Brady Skjei and Marc Staal. Unless something drastic changes, both Girardi and Staal will be back. How effective they are remains to be seen.

I’m holding out hope for Ryan Graves to get a look sometime next year. But that’s only if things fall apart. The organization believes they can still contend. As long as Henrik Lundqvist is here, that’s their approach. I wish I was optimistic.