redden's job is not on the line. there's no room for his 6.5 mil cap hit when staal signs his deal. just not going to happen. on top of that ryan mcdonagh signed his deal to play in new york right away. he's not going to be in hartford. so with staal rosy girardi mdz gilroy eminger and mcdonagh already here the writing is clearly on the wall for redden. he's not coming back.
redden's job is not on the line. there's no room for his 6.5 mil cap hit when staal signs his deal. just not going to happen. on top of that ryan mcdonagh signed his deal to play in new york right away. he's not going to be in hartford. so with staal rosy girardi mdz gilroy eminger and mcdonagh already here the writing is clearly on the wall for redden. he's not coming back.
it's not like there aren't other guys that can't be sent down. MZA has a two-way contract (but i feel he'll make it.) and Todd White? really? 2.375mil for a 4th line center? no. he won't be here either.
edit: Redden's gonna get his fair shot to make the team this year, but if he plays like Wade Redden, there's no way he makes it.
I think we can all agree on the fact that if Redden plays in the pre-season the way he has been playing since he signed with this team then he is gone. What happens though if he is our best or second best D man in the pre-season? The chances of that are remote, but they do exist, and if so the Rangers would have a dilemma.
I wonder how MZA is looking in those preseason practice jerseys... I still want to know if he will wear #36 or #48 and whether or not 'Zuccarello Aasen' will be the name on his jersey instead of 'Zuccarello' or 'Aasen'
That little cool spell of weather last week got me even more excited for hockey, cant wait.
Its funny how that when you read the OP, everything is positive and happy sounding until you get to the name "Redden" and your emotions completely change. They need to get this S.O.B. off the team, dont even let him try out. lol.
Obviously it's not a bad thing for anyone to show up early. That said, some quick thoughts on the early arrivals:
Redden & White: both there because they know the Hartford writing is on the wall. This is of course the right thing for them to do - sadly, I am actually hoping it doesn't make any difference for either. (In fact, I wish the Rangers had simply made a Huet like arrangement for Redden prior to the start of camp.)
Eminger: similar boat to Redden & White, even though he's a lot younger - he knows he's been traded five times in the last couple of years. I have more hope for him, both because he's younger and because he's capable of being the extra player in the pressbox, which neither Redden nor White is.
Lundqvist: consumate professional - I wouldn't worry if he was the last guy on the ice, but I'm not surprised he's one of the first.
Drury: would expect nothing less, but then again, it's never about effort with him anyway. I honestly don't take anything from his presence other than the fact that he clearly wasn't abducted by aliens over the summer.
Dubi: good to see. You always worry that a kid like this is going to rest on his laurels. He needs to take another step and he knows it. I'm not sure if he'll take it, but it's a good sign that he's here early.
AA: also good to see. Really came on towards the end last year, looking to continue that trend up. I get the feeling that early on in camp we're going to look at him and realize that we've now got a legit top-6 forward on our hands. (Knock wood.)
Grachev, Aasen, Valentenko: LOVE to see it. Hungry kids looking to get a leg up. My bet is at least one earns a spot - and it would be great if all three did (that would cause some interesting roster problems, eh...?)
Biggest disappointments that they're not there: MDZ (don't get a big head now, kid, you've got lots to work on) and Christensen (this is a HUGE year for him and I have to say I'm shocked he's not one of the first ones there).
Biggest "meh" that they're not there: Rozsival (well-established veteran with a history of injuries), Frolov (another veteran and also likely only here for one year) and Biron (another consumate professional - and the biggest thing he has to work on is staying sharp after not playing for two weeks).
Yes, it's a complete overanalysis (especially if most of the guys who are absent show up tomorrow), but what can I say - I'm desperate for hockey.
