If they finish as they did last season the top 4 looked pretty solid and Eminger is the vet, so is that third pairing spot going to come down to MDZ vs Erixon?
Staal Girardi
Sauer McD
Eminger ?
For the sake of discussion how do these two compare head to head?
I don't necessarily think Eminger is a lock for the 3rd pairing.... Between MDZ, Erixon, and V-Tank, we could very well have 2 of those 3 outplay Eminger is camp and earn 3rd pairing spots...
But to me, MDZ needs time to develop in the AHL, at least a full-season of a lot of minutes if they ever want him to become more than a 3rd pairing guy.
What's the deal with Erixon, del Zotto and Valentenko? Who can they send down to Hartford without having to clear waivers? I remember reading somewhere that Valentenko had to clear waivers to be able to be sent down to the AHL but I'm not sure about that.
If that's the case I can see the Rangers giving him the spot if it's a close call for the final spot. If not, MDZ and Erixon are higher on the depth chart and I believe they will get the shot. Wouldn't be suprised though if Valentenko got some chances over the year...
What's the deal with Erixon, del Zotto and Valentenko? Who can they send down to Hartford without having to clear waivers? I remember reading somewhere that Valentenko had to clear waivers to be able to be sent down to the AHL but I'm not sure about that.
If that's the case I can see the Rangers giving him the spot if it's a close call for the final spot. If not, MDZ and Erixon are higher on the depth chart and I believe they will get the shot. Wouldn't be suprised though if Valentenko got some chances over the year...
Valtenko has to clear waivers, i believe Erixon and MDZ are exempt
Valtenko and Erixon 3rd pair. MDZ starts in Hartford
Valtenko has to clear waivers, i believe Erixon and MDZ are exempt
Valtenko and Erixon 3rd pair. MDZ starts in Hartford
Thank you!
Yeah, so unless someone ****s up completely, or if someone knocks it out of the park I think Valentenko will be on the roster for sure. He's got too much of an upside to be lost on waivers.
Valtenko has to clear waivers, i believe Erixon and MDZ are exempt
Valtenko and Erixon 3rd pair. MDZ starts in Hartford
None of them have to clear waivers. I thought the same thing earlier in the summer but because he went to the KHL for a couple of years it rolls over for (1) more year.
Who says Erixon will play in the AHL? If he doesn't make the team he may go back to Sweden and play int he SEL.
I really think Del Zotto has to blow the coaching staff away during Training Camp and pre-season to earn a spot back on the Rangers. I think they want him to go back to Hartford and get the time down there he was supposed to get last season before his injuries.
As far as I know, Valentenko does NOT need waivers...but this I think is the tops on the confusing NYR off-season list. RB always sets everyone straight when this topic comes up.
My guess?
Staal - Girardi
McD - Sauer
Erixon - Valentenko/Eminger (sort of like the Sauer/Gilroy/Emmy rotation of last season to start)
What's the deal with Erixon, del Zotto and Valentenko? Who can they send down to Hartford without having to clear waivers? I remember reading somewhere that Valentenko had to clear waivers to be able to be sent down to the AHL but I'm not sure about that.
If that's the case I can see the Rangers giving him the spot if it's a close call for the final spot. If not, MDZ and Erixon are higher on the depth chart and I believe they will get the shot. Wouldn't be suprised though if Valentenko got some chances over the year...
My impression of what I remember hearing is Vtank is use or lose, no options (Wiese, also may be the same boat).
I think they have some increased leverage with Del Zotto in that regard, but not much. Perhaps something like half a season where he can go up or down and then he's gotta stay or go.
Someone who knows for sure, please feel free to confirm or correct my recollections.
Not having to give up a valued asset for nothing is key consideration in who makes the roster. After that, based on who plays best, though if one offers more dimension in a needed area or a basis of specialty --- shot from the point, puck moving skills, etc. --- that could be more paramount for better overall results.
I stand by my position on record.
Girardi has more established value than anyone other than Marc Staal, who is not being moved.
He should be moved or bundled to move to either help get an elite D w/offensive skills, or just to get us a better scoring F, preferably all around, preferably LW.
I am willing to take our chances on the D collectively playing well enough.
Getting more scoring, minutes of offensive play in the opposing end, would be worth it, IMO.
That would open up a spot on the roster somewhat alleviating the logjam as well, unless the return is a premier D.
Last edited by bernmeister: 09-09-2011 at 12:13 PM.
Reason: added content
Yeah, so unless someone ****s up completely, or if someone knocks it out of the park I think Valentenko will be on the roster for sure. He's got too much of an upside to be lost on waivers.
Not unless he beats out players that have better resumes.
Erixon is going to be a beast, I'm very excited, I still say he ends up with Staal or McDonagh, he's just too good of a skater. Stamina-wise, he should be fine, he played a lot of games last year between the SEL and the WC. This guy is NHL read, he's played against the elite already and succeeded in shutting them down.
Depending on how healthy MDZ's hand is, he may get an extended camp in Hartford. There's no doubt in my mind he'll be playing in NY and playing well. The pressure is off, Staal is the top defender, Erixon is the young kid, Richards is the PPQB, Gaborik is the AllStar, MDZ is just someone else and he's ready to take his rightful place back as a PMD.
I still think that it's going to be Dan Girardi's lack of foot speed landing him on the 3rd pairing. Love the Iron Man Dan, but this defense is that good that it can happen.
Valtenko has to clear waivers, i believe Erixon and MDZ are exempt
Valtenko and Erixon 3rd pair. MDZ starts in Hartford
Vally is 24 and in the short term the rangers don't have a lot of defensive depth. If he can't make the rangers, nobody will bother to pick him up. Would you bother to pick up some scrub who couldn't make Carolina?
I'm guessing Valentenko has an edge because of his waiver status. So IMO It's Staal, Sauer, Girardi, McD, Eminger, Valenteko, Erixon/Del Zotto. So I do think it's MDZ V. Erixon
Vally is 24 and in the short term the rangers don't have a lot of defensive depth. If he can't make the rangers, nobody will bother to pick him up. Would you bother to pick up some scrub who couldn't make Carolina?
I'd have to evaluate that on a scrub-to-scrub basis
A 21 year old that had a "sophomore slump" and scored 37 points his rookie season as a 19 year old.
Age has everything to do with it. He's playing the hardest position in hockey to learn. And the position where mistakes are more glaring then any other position in the sport.
It takes a lot of NHL defensemen till their mid-20's to start getting it right.
A 21 year old that had a "sophomore slump" and scored 37 points his rookie season as a 19 year old.
Age has everything to do with it. He's playing the hardest position in hockey to learn. And the position where mistakes are more glaring then any other position in the sport.
It takes a lot of NHL defensemen till their mid-20's to start getting it right.
