With 18 games remaining in the season, I can sincerely praise Glen Sather for a job well done at the deadline.
We Lost: Prucha,Dawes,Kalinin, Reitz
We Got: Antropov, Morris, Avery
How can one say with a straight face that we did not improve at the deadline? Ranger fans have a strange relationship with former winger Petr Prucha. Granted this guy scored 30 goals his rookie year and showed heart night and night out on the ice. I do understand it, as I to was not thrilled about seeing him go.
Petr was always a nice guy to me when I have met him in person, but from a standpoint of improving the team he was expendable. Many say that Prucha will net 30 again in Phoenix, I disagree. Phoenix is place where you bury players, Prucha will never again reach the 30-goal plateau.
My prediction is he will go back to Europe next season, because he will never receive a $1.6 million contract offer as a RFA by the Coyotes. Prove me wrong Petr, because I am rooting for you.
On Nigel Dawes this is a guy who was easily expendable. Tom Renney ruined his development and Dawes will probably never develop into nothing more than a 15-20 goal scorer his entire career.
When you are a small guy like Dawes you must make up for it in other areas. Dawes lacked many components in his game and this is why he was expendable. Last season and this season, Renney toyed with him in the the lineup and for some players that just kills them mentally.
Again I never saw Dawes as a 30-goal scorer in this league, but the potential was certainly there. Hopefully for his sake he will not be invisible on the ice with a plethora of young talent in Phoenix.
Dimitiri Kalinin was not as bad as most Ranger fans made him out to be. Watching games around the league on a nightly basis there are many NHL defenseman who make careless mistakes often. Kalinin on occasion fell victim to the Garden boobirds, but was never given credit for his solid play in his own end.
Kalinin was just like all the other Ranger d-man and not one part of his game ever stood out. He was the poster boy of a Renney D-man, and we all know what that is.
Under Tortorella he was becoming to be utilized on the PP. Maybe there was something there, maybe there was not. We will never know, enjoy Phoenix for the next 20 or so games, because I am sure you won't re-sign there.
Nik Antropov brings this Rangers team with size that is most certainly lacks. Granted he did not show up on numerous nights in Toronto, but maybe we have something in Antropov.
If this team and coaching staff can motivate him on a nightly basis here is a guy who can put up 25-30 goals yearly. Antropov drives to the net on the Power Play something we lack and will love when Antropov utilizes his 6'6" frame.
He is not known to be physical, but hopefully his play if he shows up will overshadow that. Many think we will never be able to sign him in the off season. If he plays well down the stretch, realistically he is worth around $3-3.5 million a season based off his point production. Anything more than that and you show him the door July 1.
Derek Morris is the physical grinding d-man we lack. His offensive production has lacked over the past few seasons, but the potential to regain that remains. I hope Ranger fans do not hope we are getting a true anchor for our power play some 60 games into the season.
I do not think Morris will bring that aspect to his game now, but his physicality is something that we should watch out for. Morris is not huge, but he lines opponents up and finishes his checks.
He will most likely not be retained in the offseason, unless he takes a discount on his current $4 million salary. Morris is coming off a mediocre season in Phoenix, so wishful thinking here. I suppose in NY a few mediocre seasons with a different team will warrant you a six year, $39 million contract.
Sean Avery, hate him or love him, we all know what he brings to the table. I am not an Avery fan, but I am being optimistic and hoping he positively attributes to this team on the ice as well in the locker room.
With that said: Let's Go Rangers!
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