Valentenko is a signed player. His ELC extended 1 year for the time he spent in the KHL. Gordie Clark likes him. Jim Cerny spoke to Clark on Rangers radio last fall. Clark said Valentenko is a North American type of player. Hard nose. Blocks shots. Physical. Clark said Valentenko wanted to return to the NHL next season.
He may even be paired with fellow country man Pashnin (who plays more of a 2 way game). I think this team has more than enough defensive prospects by now. Not to mention "the supposed core guys" on their current roster (mdz, staal, girardi) and Gilroy. As far as trades go, (imo) I'll bet team's are interested in all but 2 or 3. Hopefully Sather finds the right balance.
hopefully it wouldnt be redden and we can bury him in the minors. thats a good solid young core of players. maybe even be able to trade girardi to anahiem for their 2nd round pick and get to really solid players in the second round along with our 10th pick
Stay at home type that throws the body and blocks a ton of shots.
Is Valentenko Russian for Girardi? If so, I'd be happy then I think Girardi is a solid D-man. (aside from the Gabo incident) If V can compete as pointed out earlier and wins a spot maybe the Rangers will have a crease clearer after all. I bet Hank would be thrilled.
If you don't check out Beyond The Blueshirts, or follow him on Twitter, I recommend it. Great source for all overseas hockey news, especially when in comes to NYR prospects
Didn't he leave because he was unhappy to be stuck in Hamilton (AHL)?
It was more complicated than that. His family needed money, they convinced him to come home to deal with family issues, but when he got there his dad had a lucrative contract with Dynamo on the table for him to sign. He's said all along that he wanted to come back and try to make the NHL when that contract was up.
That said, I think those who are penciling him into the opening night line-up are being way too optimistic. In two years in Russia he managed to play only 15 games. His first season he suffered a serious back injury. Last year he missed almost the entire season after a pre-season shoulder injury required surgery. He came back for a couple games, then suffered another, minor, injury. But even after he recovered from that and was completely healthy he wasn't able to win a spot in the line-up.
While I'm sure he's coming over intending to win a spot in the NHL, given how the past two years have gone, you can bet he understands there's a very good chance he'll need to prove himself in the AHL first.
Sorry guys, to me this is the typical internet hype of a "prospect". Until I see the kid play I'm not convinced that he's playing in the NHL next season, let alone starting the season in New York. Like Laurie said, he hasn't played much the past 2 seasons in Russia, what makes you think he's ready to play in the NHL?
yeah i just heard he had a big shot....dont need much offensive instincts to be a weapon on the point on the PP if u got a shot....just ask kotalik.
So maybe he is used on the power play much more often than I thought. IDK.
But don't forget how effective Kotalik is when it comes to shoot outs !! He might have a heavy shot, but I heard the same thing about Staal. I haven't seen him use it yet though. We'll see what happens. This team (like I was saying) have so many prospects on the back end, I can't wait to see what this defense looks like 5 years from now.
Last edited by gravytrain6t: 06-17-2010 at 09:39 PM.
Sorry guys, to me this is the typical internet hype of a "prospect". Until I see the kid play I'm not convinced that he's playing in the NHL next season, let alone starting the season in New York. Like Laurie said, he hasn't played much the past 2 seasons in Russia, what makes you think he's ready to play in the NHL?
Well he missed 3 months while having shoulder surgery done last season. IDK, if he's injury prone and that's the reason he hasn't played much.....
Maybe they don't like the fact he plays North American style hockey?
Sorry guys, to me this is the typical internet hype of a "prospect". Until I see the kid play I'm not convinced that he's playing in the NHL next season, let alone starting the season in New York. Like Laurie said, he hasn't played much the past 2 seasons in Russia, what makes you think he's ready to play in the NHL?
Well it's a good thing you're not making decsions for our organization.
Well it's a good thing you're not making decsions for our organization.
Bottom pair d man.... Valentenko >>>>> Gilroy
Can we wait for Valetenko to play an NHL game before we make that analysis?
Not saying it won't be true in the future but it seems like every time a new prospect is mentioned he's the second coming of Brian Leetch and automatically in the Rangers opening night roster. 9 times out of 10 these instant love affairs for some relatively unknown player turn out to be over before they even get started
Can we wait for Valetenko to play an NHL game before we make that analysis?
Not saying it won't be true in the future but it seems like every time a new prospect is mentioned he's the second coming of Brian Leetch and automatically in the Rangers opening night roster. 9 times out of 10 these instant love affairs for some relatively unknown player turn out to be over before they even get started
Coming from someone who has seen Valentenko play (when healthy), and considering you've admitted you haven't, Valentenko >>>> Gilroy.
If Sangs beats him out so be it. That's fine. The only thing Gilroy has proven is that he's not an NHL player. This would be best possible thing for the Rangers.
Valentenko is a signed player. His ELC extended 1 year for the time he spent in the KHL. Gordie Clark likes him. Jim Cerny spoke to Clark on Rangers radio last fall. Clark said Valentenko is a North American type of player. Hard nose. Blocks shots. Physical. Clark said Valentenko wanted to return to the NHL next season.
Redden buried. Valentenko makes the perfect bottom pair d-man.
Gilroy GONE. SEE YAAAAAA MATTY. It's cute your'e from Long guyland and all but either go back to BU and coach or go play SOMEWHERE ELSE.
Redden/Gilroy GONE + Valentenko playing bottom pair = ABSOLUTE BEST CASE SCENARIO FOR THE RANGERS
Best case scenario is Redden waived and demoted to hartford, we sign Mcdonagh and Valentenko, trade gilroy and another prospect to the bruins for wheeler. Sign Hamhuis
Best case scenario is Redden waived and demoted to hartford, we sign Mcdonagh and Valentenko, trade gilroy and another prospect to the bruins for wheeler. Sign Hamhuis
!! He might have a heavy shot, but I heard the same thing about Staal. I haven't seen him use it yet though. We'll see what happens. This team (like I was saying) have so many prospects on the back end, I can't wait to see what this defense looks like 5 years from now.
