The NYR Facts Of Life: #84 Corey Locke

For each player who suited up in a Blueshirt this season we will take the good, we will take the bad and take them both and see what we have. Believe it or not, that includes #84 Corey Locke, who saw just 18:54 of ice time this season - the lowest total of any Ranger. (Sorry about the photo quality, I couldn't find anything from his stint online and just had a poor shot from my cell phone.)

#84's #s: 3 games, 0 goals, 0 assists, +1, 0 PIM.

Take the good: Locke showed a good hockey IQ while being handcuffed with linemates who couldn't score. He made a few smart, quick plays to get pucks out of the Ranger end and start a rush. The Rangers won all three of the games that he played in.

Take the bad: Corey's lack of size (no way was he even his listed 5'9, 189) did hurt as was out-muscled a few times along the boards. Locke went 1-6 at the faceoff dot and never really showed off his talents. For a guy who had 85 points and averaged 2.6 shots per night in Hartford, Locke had all of two shots in his three appearances. That being said, he didn't get any power play time or a chance to skate with other skill players like Gabby.

Take them both and then we have: An AHL star who deserves at least a look in the NHL - one that he certainly did not get this season. With six seasons at the A, Locke has nothing left to prove in the bus league and you have to expect the UFA will go to the team that promises him a real shot at the big league this fall.