Uggg, I wanted nothing more than EC gone last year, as long as we didnt have a number 1 center, I knew he would keep rearing his head on the top line.
Now that we have Richards, I say keep EC as a spare forward
His cap hit isn't a problem, but we could still use some cap space if we are going to sign Eminger.
Unless we are going to buy out Wolski, we will probably go with a 22 man roster. That means either 13 forwards or 6 dmen. If we can trade EC for a pick, it makes things a bit easier.
This, but my vote would be to both buy out wolski and deal EC for cap. I'd perfer at least a third outright, but would even go w/a sweetner, say a 5th + EC for a 3rd.
I'm sticking with EC as a low priced reserve player and shootout ringer. Don't love him, don't hate him, but most importantly, don't really care if he's the one riding the bench waiting for someone else to get benched.
his lower cap hit works in his favor when it comes to discussions of who is the 13th forward and who gets waived...but if you can get back an asset for him then its a no brainer. we have the cap space to carry a more expensive 13th forward
Unless we can completely swindle Les Habs again like we did with Gomez for McDonagh I wouldn't make a trade. Christensen as a depth player is actually quite serviceable. Like someone said before, he going to grab us at least 3-4 pts this season on his shootout merits alone. We even saw that he's the type of player that can get you a goal out of no where once every few games. Even further, he's one of the guys I want to see get a try on Richards' LW. He really is a hell of a talent, I just wish he could put it together.
I'm sticking with EC as a low priced reserve player and shootout ringer. Don't love him, don't hate him, but most importantly, don't really care if he's the one riding the bench waiting for someone else to get benched.
Thats how i feel.
When the Rangers make signings like Rupp and Fedotenko, and people get all bent out shape when they look at the depth on LW, and an extra journeyman defenseman is invited to camp, etc. - these are GOOD problems to have.
Its a GOOD thing we have another skilled centerman with a hit less than 1M in Christensen, because he's exactly that, depth. Its easy to look at the lineup in absolutes, but in this league you need depth, and the more the better if you can fit them in. Look at all the injuries last season, it could happen again and you need bodies, not just AHL fodder who are lucky to be up in the big show.
While Christensen can be frustrating as heck to watch some nights, he also has the ability to rattle off 3 or 4 productive games on a top line - not to mention his prowess in the SO. So you retain that option if you can, and he practices with the team - only makes the Rangers stronger IMO.
I like EC to be honest. When he is on, he is an affective weapon for us. And in the shootouts (which really do win games) he is lights out.
I know he is a scrub in 10 games and then in 4 games he is scoring and looking like a great pickup. Is there a better option out there? Maybe. But I dont mind sticking with Eric Christiansen because he is cheap and he can snipe some goals.
His shot is accurate. He can pinpoint anywhere in the net he wants when he TRIES. Some goals last year were where the goalie got caught cheating and leaning to the other side anticipating a pass and on the line EC roofs the puck from a near impossible angle to the top corner. Thats a talent.
Depending on what the return would be. If it is a 4th round pick to a 7th round pick I dont want it. If it is a 3rd round pick in next years draft I would think about it. But who replaces him.
Do we sign Prospal with the money we save with EC? I dont know.
Yup that one and there was another one where he was on the goal line and roofed it. Looked like an impossible angle but he did it with ease
And that was a playoff goal. So you know he can play in the playoffs too
No we don't. It was his first ever play-off goal and only happened because a young goalie played that completely wrong. I'm all for keeping him around for the depth but that one goal proved nothing.
It may be that the Rangers kind of get cap strapped--wanting to sign Prospal and Eminger. If we need the space--we could move Christensen or Wolski. As of now though I don't see the point. In NHL terms he's worth what he's making. 3rd round picks are long shots for the most part--and then usually 3rd-4th liners and 3rd round picks in the bank do nothing for your team in the standings when you're faced with a shootout during the regular season. Get a 2nd rounder for him--at least that's a good return.
I'm sticking with EC as a low priced reserve player and shootout ringer. Don't love him, don't hate him, but most importantly, don't really care if he's the one riding the bench waiting for someone else to get benched.
That's completely fair. I'm cool with not trading him at all. He's gone after this season most likely.
Trade them WW instead. EC is a servicable player. Good depth player that can jump in and produce anywhere in the lineup for short periods. Extended his game drops off too much. His cap hit is reasonable. I would keep him and trade of WW, he's far too slow and too much of a cap hit.
Aaron Palushaj(Pool-ya-shall). Montreal acquired him for Matt D'Agostini. Palushaj was a good player at Michigan. 57 points in 68 AHL games last season. Will be a 3rd year pro this season.
Aaron Palushaj(Pool-ya-shall). Montreal acquired him for Matt D'Agostini. Palushaj was a good player at Michigan. 57 points in 68 AHL games last season. Will be a 3rd year pro this season.
Aaron Palushaj(Pool-ya-shall). Montreal acquired him for Matt D'Agostini. Palushaj was a good player at Michigan. 57 points in 68 AHL games last season. Will be a 3rd year pro this season.
The Rangers traded the Canadians Scott Gomez (and some throwaway parts) for McDonagh, Valentenko, and Higgins. Practically everyone viewed Gomez as a negative value at the time, given his $7.3m cap hit.
If a negative asset in Gomez can net you McDonagh, Valentenko, and Higgins, imagine what Slats will get in return for a moderately positive valued asset in Christensen!
I'm a bit concerned how we're going to fit Price and Subban given our already deep goaltending and defensive corps, but I'm sure Sather will make it work.
