A Rangers Masterpiece? Decisions Remain, Including Brendan Shanahan's Future

It's hard for me to believe that the Rangers have completed all their offseason movement. The team is about $3 million from the cap, rumors of Shanahan's return are constant, and the team has seven players who are either penciled in as fourth-line players or have played that position at some point last year. There is a total of 16 forwards in the Rangers lineup (including Greg Moore and Lauri Korpikoski), and it just seems hard to believe that any team is comfortable with knowing that at a minimum of four paid forwards will be in the press box regularly. In the salary cap era, that's inexcusable mismanagement. 

First of all, let's address the possible return of Shanahan. Published reports have his agent quoted as saying Shanny wants to play one more year, and isn't really looking anywhere else. Personally, I don't want Shanahan back, simply because the Rangers have to start relying on their younger players for leadership, and Shanahan's return takes minutes away from them (especially on the power play), and, again, makes a player like Dawes the third or fourth option.

At this point, Gomez, Drury, and Naslund will be counted on to lead the forward group...Shanahan becomes a luxury that the Rangers truly cannot afford. Leadership-wise he does bring an intangible, of that there's no doubt; but, as said before, in the salary cap era, teams need to think monetarily, and the way things are now, he almost certainly can't fit (he made $2.5 million last year, and would barely fit if things didn't change).

The only way I can see him sneaking in under the cap is if he takes an incentive-laden contract, or if the Rangers trade Petr Prucha. If Prucha's $1.6 million goes, then all of a sudden Shanahan is a possibility under last year's salary. Prucha often was the 13th forward last year, and might not fit into what Renney's trying to do. He seems like the logical man out if it's decided that Shanny needs to come back. 

In terms of the Rangers crowded fourth line...they have seven players I could see fitting into that checking role (and this is after the trading of Ryan Hollweg). Blair Betts, Colton Orr, Fredrik Sjostrom, and Lauri Korpikoski all saw time there. With the additions of Aaron Voros, Patrick Rissmiller, and Dan Fritsche, there is without a doubt a log jam.

That's also not taking into account a player like Dane Byers in Hartford, whom I personally feel is ready to make quite an impact as a role player. In terms of solutions, it's very odd to me that a player like Korpikoski is making $1 million-plus per year. That's a lot of money to be paid to a player that has one playoff game on his resume.

Do I see him as a contributor? Absolutely, and in the one game he played he was quite the spark plug. However, in a salary cap world, can the Rangers afford him? He is a former first-round pick, and the Rangers could get a decent return for him (probably another mid-range prospect).

Fredrik Sjostrom might be available, but I personally see his offensive potential, and believe he'll be seriously looked at as a third-line two-way specialist, maybe being counted on for 15 or so goals. Honestly, I think he'll be promoted before he's traded, considering what we gave up to get him (Al Montoya).

The other player that might be traded could be one of my personal favorites, Blair Betts. I like the guy because he does the things that you never really see unless you look. The guy can win faceoffs, block shots, and continuously make the smart play. I can't recall a time I heard Sam Rosen say "...and a giveaway by Betts." No, he's the guy on the defensive side that causes the giveaways, and the guy who almost always has been pitted against a team's top line. He's constantly the team's top penalty killer.

This year he won't have Ryan Hollweg on his wing, so his numbers might look better...however, with Dan Fritsche signed, the Rangers have five centers (not including Artem Anisimov, who was impressive in last year's camp. Prucha and Korpikoski also can play center). Could he be expendable due to numbers? His salary isn't hefty, but, again, how much room is there for a player like him, with a few minor leaguers waiting in the wings, and a guy who they traded for? 

There it is, the few guys I think the Rangers might be looking to move: Petr Prucha, Lauri Korpikoski and Blair Betts. I'm sure all won't be traded, two at the most. Any thoughts?