The Rangers are in talks with winger Ruslan Fedotenko about a two-year deal aimed at preventing the impending unrestricted free agent from hitting the market on July 1, but a gap remains regarding the dollar figures, Slap Shots has learned.
It seems foolish for GM Glen Sather to grind Fedotenko, one of coach John Tortorella's go-to guys (with whom the Blueshirts were 39-23-4 when he was in the lineup, but 5-10-1 when he was sidelined with injuries) over what amounts to comparative nickels and dimes.
And especially when the club is going to need to spend a significant amount of additional dollars to be in position to receive full dispensation by placing Chris Drury on LTI (long-term injury) at the start of the season.
I would prefer a one-year deal and he shouldn't be making more than 1M really at this point. I know he probably wants a little job security and 2 years isn't so long, but you never know when a guy is gonna just run out of gas and the older they are the more likely the day just comes out of nowhere when they don't have "it" anymore.
I would prefer a one-year deal and he shouldn't be making more than 1M really at this point. I know he probably wants a little job security and 2 years isn't so long, but you never know when a guy is gonna just run out of gas and the older they are the more likely the day just comes out of nowhere when they don't have "it" anymore.
He's not old, 32 isn't that old for hockey. A two year deal for 900k per season would be great. Same deal EC signed would be good. It's also not like teams were beating down Feds door last offseason. If EC gets 900k, Feds should get the same thing.
Feds was good but this should probably mean no Grachev or Hagelin next year. I'm not sure the Rangers bite the bullet and send Avery down. They get all $4M of his salary if they send him down, right?
to me this blocks or gives time for a kid to play in CT. However you want to look at it.
Fedotenko takes a spot I would of had booked for Hagelin or Grachev
but the hey may be asking for too much and with this Drury crap I dont think Sather signs a UFA until they see if they can fit in Richards and their RFAs
to me this blocks or gives time for a kid to play in CT. However you want to look at it.
Fedotenko takes a spot I would of had booked for Hagelin or Grachev
but the hey may be asking for too much and with this Drury crap I dont think Sather signs a UFA until they see if they can fit in Richards and their RFAs
The better players are going to play regardless, Feds can watch from up top if necessary.... Not that I think he will. But with Feds possibly returning and hagelin challenging for a spot it pushes a bum like EC or Avery out which isn't a bad thing.
Feds was good but this should probably mean no Grachev or Hagelin next year. I'm not sure the Rangers bite the bullet and send Avery down. They get all $4M of his salary if they send him down, right?
I'm not sure where this sentiment that Fedotenko takes a spot away from a rookie (Grachev or Hagelin) comes from? The plan should be to reunite Feds with Boyle and Prust (one of Avery or EC should be 13th forward or in AHL). Then there should be two spots open to play wings on Stepan line assuming Wolski stays and he's given another chance on the 1st line with BR or another center and Gaborik. Pack line stays intact to open the season. Not too shabby to compete in the East.
Feds is awesome. Even if his play deteriorates and his hands go, he can still be a good 4th liner/spare forward. Seems pretty popular and a good guy in the locker room as well.
This is a good thing clearly Torts wants to put together is defense unit he leaned on quite a bit with
Feds - Boyle - Prust
the good news about this is Torts doesn't like carrying a spare forward and so we can forget about using the left wing spot on the fourth line for a heavy weight fighter..
