If you haven't heard the news yet, Vinny Prospal will be out for around three weeks after undergoing surgery this morning. Apparently he suffered a lateral meniscus tear during the Islander game, which explains why he played so poorly. Even though he disappears for big stretches at a time, Prospal has been a big part of the Rangers this season and leaves a big void. So what can we do? This is how I see it:
*Option #1: Put Erik Christensen back into the lineup and juggle everyone else around. The Blueshirts dealt with Dubi being out, this really isn't much different. Christensen hasn't really gotten himself a chance to shine as of yet, so maybe this is the opportunity he needs. HOWEVER, January is a ridiculously busy month with 16 games so they might feel too desperate to give Crosby's former running partner a real chance - as they haven't to date.
*Option #2: Call up Corey Locke. Locke is the AHL's leading scorer with 41 points in 34 games with Hartford and has them above .500 at 16-13-5 despite poor goaltending. Valley has a 0.890 save percentage in seven games down there (he is 3-3-1 in case you were curious) and Matt Zaba has been even worse. Locke is undersized but a great puck mover and may just click with a sniper like Gabby. HOWEVER, if the Rangers call up Locke, I believe they risk losing him through waivers on the way back down, which is almost a certainty for any other team that wants to win this season's Calder Cup.
*Option #3: Trade for someone. Sather loves dealing with Phoenix, Robert Lang has 20 points in 39 games and makes just a million bucks so he would be a great fit. HOWEVER, you can be sure Maloney will ask for a high draft pick and a prospect in return - he's no dummy, especially with Sather on the ropes. Plus Phoenix is doing quite well right now despite their ownership so maybe not. Maybe an underachiever like Edmonton's Patrick O'Sullivan would be someone Sather would look at but the 24 year old is just 24 and makes more money so the cost would be high. Is he worth Bobby Sanguinetti and a pick?
*Option #4: Somehow make some cap space and swing a waiver deal with Washington for Michael Nylander. Nylander has 14 points (13 assists) in 11 games with Grand Rapids and knows New York. The Caps would love nothing better than to get rid of him and his salary. HOWEVER, even at half price, the slow 37 year old would have a $1.5 million cap hit for the rest of this season and a $2.4 million hit for next year (thanks CapGeek!).
*Option #5: Go completely off the map, make some massive trade for another half-dead, bloated loser who will hang around the Rangers neck like the albatrosses of Redden, Rozsival and Drury. HOWEVER, what kind of sane general manager would do that?
Personally, I believe that the team will go with the first option for a little while before panicking and making a move of any kind - let's face it, there are other problems that have to be dealt with as well (Kotalik, you SUCK! Three million dollars a year for three years of what? YOUUUUU SUUUUUCK!!!). But, seeing as this is Glen Sather we are talking about, I would lean towards the final option and just be pleasantly surprised if he doesn't drop the ball ...
13 comments:
I like O'Sully Scott but the idea of trading for Mueller makes more sense.
I like the thought of Robert Lang, but only because I'd never stop calling him "Clubber."
Dude I kind of knew it was bad but that link to Rangers on CapGeek is terrible ( http://www.capgeek.com/cap_calculator.php?Team=22 ). Just looking down it makes me sick
I mean Boyle is pretty worthless on the ice but at least his cap hit reflects that. Drury and Redden combined would be the equivalent of 28 Brian Boyles. Not that anyone would want that and I know its not really news but you tend to forget the business part of it. Just looking at the numbers and then the product on the ice its really striking how mis-managed this team really is (and thats after we some how got rid of the Gomez contract).
Wait I think this view is even worse
http://www.capgeek.com/charts.php?Team=22
I mean not only are we screwed now but for years to come.... I didn't wanna have to say it, but someone has to put Redden on the IR.... like permanently
Do what it takes to get Filatov!
Pete you're corny, must still be a virgin no doubt
Nope, not a virgin...just very corny.
Douchebag.
Use Christensen... from all indications, Locke is just a good AHLer, but not NHL material. Not much of a difference there.
If there's gonna be a trade, it should be for a legit force, not depth that would blend in perfectly with the has-beens and never-wases we got.
-j0e
Not so sure Locke would work. Seems like lately AHL doesn't transfer to NHL. I saw the Wolfpack/Soundtigers game last week and although Locke scored and hustled his butt off, he is really small. My guess something like 5' 8" like Dawes. Sanguinetti looked average at best and made a few bad plays. Valley was aweful and looked nervous at times. I think he gave up a goal on his first shot too. I like Scotty's first option with moving up Chirstiansen and let him proof himself. Seems to have decent skills.
What about Theo Fleury? He wants to come back, is past his prime, and will accept a bloated long-term contract. He's also had substance abuse issues in the past, so this is someone Sather will not want to pass on.
pete, looking at that photo of you, it is clear that you are either a virgin or you paid for it with allowance money you save up for.
Dave - Theo has officially retired.
Anon, let's just keep this to hockey, alright?
And from what was written today, Higgins will go top line with Dubi and Gabby while Christensen will get back into the lineup. Let's hope he gets a real chance and not four minutes on the fourth line with Brashear ...
Sorry Scotty, I know you and pete are in a consensual gay relationship with a sexual component. But if you see I was talking about hockey when I mentioned that tidbit about Fleury.
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