#45's #s: 21 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, +4, 37 PIM.
Take the good: Shelley gave the Rangers the legitimate tough guy they lacked since Colton Orr left town over the summer. He did pick his spots fighting - just three tilts, two against former rivals - but he added alot more than fisticuffs to the 'goon' position. While Arty moved the puck and got to shooting positions, Prust worked the boards and Shelley worked the slot, using his big body to his advantage. He battled for room and earned it with his size and power. And, despite his outward appearance, Shelley was articulate and interesting in interviews and really appeared to become a leader on the team. Take the bad: Um, he went 18 games without scoring to start his Ranger career? He didn't knock out any of the three guys he fought (although Hockeyfights had him at 2-1)? He coulda and maybe shoulda taken on Shawn Thornton during that disastrous 2-1 loss to Boston? I donno, there isn't a whole lot of bad when the enforcer that was picked up on the cheap at the deadline becomes part of the best line during a miraculous stretch run.
Take them both and then we have: Everything that we were promised when Sather mistakenly signed Donald Brashear. If the Rangers don't re-sign him, they'll give the Sharks their 2011 sixth-round pick; if Shelley stays in New York, they'll have to give the Sharks their 2011 fifth-round pick. Either way, this was another stroke of genius trade by Glen Sather.
3 comments:
Nothing can be a "stroke of genuis trade by Glen Sather". Its his fault that the Rangers wound up with the Donald, and another albatross contract.
I like your blog, but please stop stroking this guy. He is the 2nd WORST thing about the Rangers other than Jimmy Dolan.
Me? Stroking Sather? How long have you been reading here? I've advocated we go to his house and lynch the guy in the past for his signings. But at the same time, you have to recognize that the man can make a trade - dealing Gomez, dealing Kotalik, etc.
I guess this person thinks it's all black and white....nobody is all bad or all good. And you're right to give Sather some credit on his trades from this season--he has improved the team with trades after kneecapping the roster with ridiculous free-agent signings.
That's why there's still hope for dumping Redden or Roszival. And it's not a small, fading hope either.
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