Rangers Options: Six Players the Rangers Should Get Rid of Before 2010-1

For a brief introduction, there a few players that the Rangers could, and should, get rid of. Getting rid of some of these players would open up roster spots, and cap space. Some of the players could bring something valuable back in return (through a trade). So without further a due, here I go…
Oh but first… Honorable mention goes to Marc Staal

6. Brian Boyle

Boyle did not play the way many Ranger fans expected. What I expected to see from him, was a hard hitting, back-checking forward. What we got was a 6’7” softy. He never used his big body to his advantage, and was never the rough player I expected him to be. He doesn’t have to be traded, but perhaps a season in Hartford would help greatly.

5. Matt Gilroy

Gilroy was yet another disappointment last season, but I believe the main reason for that was the fact that he made the jump to the NHL without any professional practice in Hartford. He could possibly be traded in a package for something useful, but if the Rangers plan on keeping, then a season in Hartford would be extremely helpful to this former “Hobey Baker Award” winner

4. Chris Drury

Obviously letting go of Chris Drury and his insane contract would be excellent. But as long as he is captain, it probably won’t happen. Last season the Rangers traded Scott Gomez to Montreal and that could’ve been their chance to get rid of Drury. If Montreal took Gomez and his contract, why wouldn’t they take Drury and his contract? The Rangers will not be able to waive Drury to Hartford because of his NMC (No-Movement Clause), but finding a trading partner may not be too hard. The team that they would trade him to would have to be a team with cap-space, and a need for a center. Thrashers could be a possible team, and for a moment I believed Drury would be traded to Atlanta. But it wasn’t to be. So for now, we are stuck with Drury and his insane contract.

3. Brandon Dubinsky

Most Ranger fans and personal see something great in Brandon Dubinsky. Whatever they see, I don’t. Dubinsky is not going to be a big time goal scorer, and Glen Sather has to realize that. The Rangers had a chance to deal Dubinsky to the Senators in a deal that would give them Dany Heatley, but Sather wouldn’t pull the trigger. He did nothing to prove himself last season, after going through a contract war with Glen Sather all the way into pre-season. If Dubinsky remains a Ranger for the 2010-11 season, he has a lot to prove to the Rangers organization if he wants another contract next July (when he becomes a Free Agent).

2. Michael Rozsival

I was crossing my fingers all night Monday night before the Todd White trade went through, hoping that Michael Rozsival was indeed part of that trade. No Ranger fan wants anything to do with Rozi or his $5million cap hit. Waiving him to Hartford would work, but trading him is the more probable route of getting rid of him. Rozsival has trade value, believe it or not, and put together with the right package he can bring back something very useful. If you remember, Rozsival was also part of the trade package that would’ve brought Dany Heatley to New York. If Sather finds a taker for Rozsival, I would expect him to make a trade right away.

1.Wade Redden

The obvious choice! Redden has to go, and it seems like the only possible ways are by waiving him to Hartford, or by buying him out of his contract. If the Rangers want to resign Staal, are acquire another player this off-season, Wade Redden will have to go. If he cannot prove to Glen Sather and John Tortorella that he belongs in the NHL, than he is good as gone before the 2010-11 season.