Monday, June 21, 2010

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Erik Christensen


Erik Christensen provided a bit of stability for the Rangers’ ’09-’10 campaign at the center position. After being claimed off of waivers from Anaheim, Christensen ultimately ended up centering the Rangers’ top line which featured Slovak scoring sensation Marion Gaborik.

Christensen played in 49 matches (also played in 9 matches for Anaheim) for the Rangers last season. He scored 8 goals and added 18 assists for 26 points. He was +11 in plus/minus which tied him for second on the club. He wins roughly half of his face-offs. He spent the better part of 16 minutes a game on the ice.

The last year of his contract paid him $750,000. He is now a restricted free agent.

Prediction:

Rangers will re-sign Christensen if his salary demands aren’t excessive. Christensen is still relatively young and clearly has upside. A veteran player with 275 NHL matches under his belt, Christensen must help hold the fort for the Rangers until some of their prospects at center, such as Corey Locke, Paul Crowder, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Bourque, Ethan Werek, and Derek Stepan are ready to take the ice in Manhattan.

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