Ranger News: Semenov Back For More? Exelby Taking His Big Hits To Broadway?

First off, let's all remember the people and families that suffered greatly 9 years ago today. May the deceased all RIP and never be forgotten. May God bless their families.

Now, according to a tweet from Alan Walsh, Russian defenseman Alexei Semenov has agreed to a try-out with the New York Rangers. He also mentions that the 6'5, 235lb defender has been training in New York all summer. The 29 year old who had been drafted by the Edmonton Oilers 36th overall in 1999 had attended the Rangers training camp last year. The Rangers offered him a contract at the conclusion of camp, but unfortunately he had to reject the offer. Reportedly, this was due to his wife demanding that he continue his career in Russia. While informing GM Glen Sather of his decision, he was literally in tears. Personally, I would rather have Semenov on the team as the 7th defenseman than Steve Eminger. He is better defensively and clearly MUCH bigger than Eminger.

Also rumoured to be attending the Ranger's training camp is hard-hitting Garnet Exelby. While I like that he brings physicality (and much of it), he can also be a defensive liability, and a big one at that. Even on the Maple Leafs last season, he wasn't a regular. This was the second worst team in hockey. While admittedly they had a pretty good defense, if he couldn't crack that line-up why would the Rangers want him? The only reason he even played in some games before the deadline was because he had demanded a trade and Brian Burke was showing off his talents to other teams to see if there was even marginal interest. There wasn't. He is a penalty machine and is awful positionally. Teams tend to carry a 7th defenseman who is solid defensively. Exelby isn't that. With Matt Gilroy and Ryan McDonagh vying for spots on the Rangers blue line this year, our 7th defenseman will be playing a lot of games. Both those two young d-men aren't ready for a rigorous 82 game schedule. Gilroy didn't play 1 game during the stretch run last season, and McDonagh is accustomed to a college schedule which isn't very demanding physically. Semenov would be the much better option.