You get the feeling that it’s going to be now or never for Mike Sauer. The Minnesota native has faithfully toiled for 3 seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack, awaiting his chance to finally make the Rangers squad. By the numbers, Sauer has played in 177 matches for the Wolf Pack, totaling 13 goals, 33 assists, for 46 points, +29, and served 160 minutes in Penalties. Sauer made $62.5K (His AHL salary, had he played for the Rangers it would have been $600K) this last season, and now his contract is up.
By all accounts Sauer is a gritty and hard-working defenseman, sacrificing scoring chances and flashy play for disciplined positioning and delivering punishing body checks with his 220 lb. frame. Despite this, he has only played 3 matches for the New York Rangers.
The Rangers now have 10 prospects at defense, 11 if you count Friday’s drafting of Dylan McIlrath, a punishing, uncompromising, gritty, tenacious competitor who also skates very well and possesses the potential for great offensive upside. Space could be made for Sauer on the Rangers, but you have to wonder if Sauer is the sort of player that head coach John Tortorella wants in his team.
Sauer’s achievements seem to speak for themselves, but in the endgame, Sauer’s work ethic and discipline may have nothing to do with whether he stays in the Rangers organization or moves on as a restricted free agent.
Prediction: The Rangers let Sauer test free agency.
Word on the street is that Torts wants a defenseman who will jump into the rush and is comfortable pinching for 50/50 pucks in the attacking zone. Sauer is not this type of defenseman. Instead Sauer is known to play a more conservative and disciplined game in the model of the stay-home defenseman. The decision will have less to do with Sauer’s actual skill and commitment, and more to do with the style of the current Rangers’ head coach. Sauer will play in the NHL, the question is...will it be with the Rangers?
No comments:
Post a Comment