Rangers May Bring Back Immonen (Schoenfeld: No interest)
Quote:
In two seasons in the Rangers organization, Immonen had 50 goals and 66 assists in 128 games with the Wolf Pack and three goals and six assists in 20 games with the Blueshirts, who didn’t re-sign him in 2007. Immonen returned home and played two seasons in Finland and then two in Russia and helped the Finns win the bronze medal in the 2010 Olympics.
The Rangers still retain Immonen’s rights, and they haven’t forgotten about him. When asked via email Monday if the Rangers might re-sign Immonen, assistant coach/assistant general manager/Connecticut Whale GM Jim Schoenfeld replied from the team’s organizational meetings that began Monday in La Quinta, California: “He will be part of the discussion.”
Not sure where he'd fit in our lineup (and he certainly shouldn't make us not pursue Richards) but I think Immonen could be an asset, even with his slow foot speed.
He was great in the World Championship, and put up pretty good numbers in the KHL (38 points in both of the last two seasons -- for comparison, Jagr put up 51 and 42 points over the same span).
If anything, I'd say he'd have a much easier time earning a spot on the LW. However, I don't recall him ever playing the wing -- I think he was always a center.
If he can play LW, I'd be very happy letting him compete with Hagelin, Grachev, Kreider (if signed), etc. for the 2nd/3rd line LW. Still pursue Richards, and assuming Hagelin, Grachev, and Kreider aren't ready for the big leagues out of camp, run with:
Have the idea that Jarkko wasn't that happy with us the first time around. Can't see him wanting to repeat that without some kind of guarantee that he won't be stuck down in the AHL.
Have the idea that Jarkko wasn't that happy with us the first time around. Can't see him wanting to repeat that without some kind of guarantee that he won't be stuck down in the AHL.
If he doesn't make the NHL roster, we can simply let him return to the KHL.
If we're not gonna go outside to fill the top center need then if I'm Torts I want as many people as possible to audition for that role. Bring him in to add competition.
I'm not saying it's either Richards or Immonen, that would be preposterous. I'm saying that if the Rangers signing Richards fails it's tough to fathom why another potential person to click with Gabby wouldn't be brought over.
Plus I don't really see Jarkko coming over unless he has a guaranteed NHL spot; something I don't think the Rangers can give him.
If we're not gonna go outside to fill the top center need then if I'm Torts I want as many people as possible to audition for that role. Bring him in to add competition.
I'm not saying it's either Richards or Immonen, that would be preposterous. I'm saying that if Richards fails it's tough to fathom why another potential person to click with Gabby wouldn't be brought over.
Plus I don't really see Jarkko coming over unless he has a guaranteed NHL spot; something I don't think the Rangers can give him.
I'm not saying they go hand in hand but I think if the Rangers fail to bring in a center they certainly have their eyes on (Richards) you might see them make a harder push for Immonen.
I'm not saying they go hand in hand but I think if the Rangers fail to bring in a center they certainly have their eyes on (Richards) you might see them make a harder push for Immonen.
Again, I don't see the two related at all. The response to missing on a legit #1 center is not collecting "what ifs" and guys who played in the NHL in 5 years.
If they find value in Immomen (and I thing Schoenfeld's comment is hardly enthusiasm or a ringing endorsement), then they'll bring him in Richards or no Richards.
Also, I think Immonen's lack of foot speed is a tad overblown. He certainly wasn't a swift skater, but I see people talk about him like he was skating in cement.
If we put him on the wing, it would be less of an issue. Vinny Prospal, with his drastically reduced speed, was still able to be a productive player for us.
