The NYR Facts Of Life: #29 Chad Johnson

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. And this time around we started with the high numbers and are up to #29, Chad Johnson.

#29's #s: 1 period, 6.00 gaa (two goals against on 11 shots), .818 save %.

Take the good: Chad can tell all of his friends he played in the NHL this year.

Take the bad: They will still likely mock him for his performance. Johnson's lone NHL appearance came in that March 31st abomination on the Island. He came in to play the third period after Hank got the hook for allowing four straight goals in the second. Here are the lowlights, Chad is in at the 1:55 mark. DosNueve did not have John Tortorella's confidence and did nothing to gain it. Down at the Whale he played 40 games, had a 16-19-3 record with a 2.72 gaa and .901 save %.

Take them both and then we have: Perhaps the next Ranger goalie headed to Italy. Matt Zaba went that route this year after realizing he had no future with the franchise and Chad might soon follow, or at least head elsewhere. He is an RFA this summer and it is hard to imagine the Blueshirts bringing him back. Cam Talbot put up decent numbers behind Dov Grumet-Morris at the Whale, the Rangers signed Jason Missiaen, they have the rights to Scott Stajcer (who helped Owen Sound win the OHL title to advance to the Memorial Cup) and are all but certain to draft at least another goaltender this summer.

The NYR Facts Of Life: #29 Chad Johnson

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. Going in number order, the first goalie we come across is #29, Chad Johnson.

#29's #s: 5 games, 1-2-1, 2.35 gaa, .919 save %.

Take the good: First action aside, Chad showed a poise that belied his lack of experience. He had four starts and gave the Rangers a chance to win all four. They couldn't beat the Moose in Atlanta to lose in a shootout, they were stymied by Chris Mason to lose 4-1 to the Blues and they came out flat against Phoenix, giving up three goals in the first period on the way to a 3-2 loss.

Take the bad: In that Phoenix game Chad allowed the first goal against and couldn't recover before allowing another 39 seconds later; rookie nerves or something. And that is what ultimately cost him - not the goals, just the fact that he was a rookie with little pro experience. Despite his calm demeanor, he was unable to gain any confidence from the coach and was bounced back to the minors when they were able to get a vet in. But, seeing as they wanted to ride Hank, that could ultimately be a good thing for Chad as they would rather have him start in Hartford than get splinters in his behind on Broadway.

Take them both and then we have: A goaltending prospect who got a taste of the show. Torts wants a vet to back up Hank so DosNueve's time is not near but it should come. He is no Al Montoya; he actually should get a shot with the franchise down the line. Detroit's Jimmy Howard was in the AHL for what, four seasons? And look at him now ...