New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Today we look at New York Rangers' unrestricted free agents Ruslan Fedotenko and Todd White.

Ruslan Fedotenko, Wing
Reasons to stay – Seems to enjoy playing for Torts, meets Torts’ demands of skillful and physical

Reasons to leave – May get a free agent offer too sweet to turn down as his last contract was for $1M/year. Young talent nipping at his heels in the form of two year AHL vet Evgeny Grachev, along with pro hockey noobs Christian Thomas, and Carl Hagelin.

Analysis – The Rangers are a team that desperately needs the production and defensive steadiness of a player like Fedotenko. Fedotenko is a veteran winger. The Ukranian forward has 10 years of NHL hockey under his belt. In seasons where he plays at least 60 games (the fewest he’s ever played in a NHL season is 65) he can be counted on for at least 10 goals and 25 points. The Rangers also need his flexibility as Fedotenko can play both right and left wing. The flip side of the coin is that the Rangers may be getting ready to integrate young forwards into the team. If Fedotenko re-signs on a one way contract, he could become cover if any of the aforementioned young left wingers rise to prominence.

Speculation – Too close to call. Whether or not Fedotenko re-signs with New York depends on too many x-factors. If he should re-sign, the 32 year-old Fedotenko could find himself riding the pine, existing as a living reminder that the club has experienced options if forwards get lazy. If the Rangers’ future stars aren’t ready for the penetratingly bright lights of Manhattan, Fedotenko will be sorely needed to both score goals and help the defense keep its shape and composure. On the strength of his professional relationship with Tortorella, and the current needs of the Rangers for flexible veteran forwards, Fedotenko probably re-signs on a one year/one way deal plus incentive bonuses.


Todd White, Center/Wing
Reasons to stay – Few that I can think of as he was demoted to the Connecticut Whale, passing through waivers to do so (this means that no one else in the league wanted to take on his contract).

Reasons to leave – Doesn’t seem to fit into the Sather/Torterella vision of the Rangers’ future as he is not an intimidating figure, outstanding in ability, or young (White turned 36 this May). The Rangers have signed a number of forwards that will compete for places with the Rangers and their AHL affiliate.

Analysis – Played 18 games for the Rangers with little result. Had 5 points in 9 games for Hartford/Connecticut in the AHL.


Speculation – White is an older player, didn’t get a ton of games, his contract has expired, and he passed through waivers without any sniffs upon his demotion to the AHL. White will test free agency and examine whether or not he wants to continue as a professional hockey player. White is nearing the end of his career - may retire or accept sweet free agent dollars to provide depth for a rebuilding team. White is clearly being phased out, with the Rangers recouping the $2.375M in cap space. Don’t expect him back.

Tomorrow's segment will feature unrestricted free agents Jeremy Williams and Chad Kolarik.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

This is the first in a series discussing the New York Rangers' players who are currently unrestricted or restricted free agents. Today we begin with unrestricted free agent forwards Alexander Frolov and Vaclav Prospal.

Alexander Frolov, Left Wing

Reasons to stay – New York is a major media market. The Rangers are in the process of building a team that will contend for years. Failed to boost his salary/trade value and needs a complete and successful season to do so.

Reasons to leave – Trying to stay out of Torts’ doghouse gets stale quickly. Frolov admittedly signed with New York to boost his salary/trade value so perhaps has little attachment to club or city.

Analysis – Frolov isn’t a bad player, but at his current salary of $3M/year the Rangers expect much more than 43 games and 16 points. With his production dwindling (points since ‘06-’07: 71, 67, 59, 51, and then 16 in his injury shortened stint in Manhattan) the 29 year-old Frolov would have to accept a drastic salary cut to stay.

Speculation – As his agent will expect more money, and the Rangers won’t want to give it, expect Frolov to hit the bricks and test unrestricted free agency. If he and his agent can’t find the deal they are looking for in the NHL, expect Frolov to head for Russia in search of big KHL rubles.

Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal, Left Wing/Center

Reasons to stay – Prospal has enjoyed success with the Rangers. He seems to enjoy playing for Torts. Though the Rangers are attempting to build something long lasting for the future.

Reasons to leave – Prospal has offered his services to the Rangers at a steep discount for two years now as he nears the end of his career – money talks.

Analysis – When healthy (60 games or better), Prospal is a reliable 40-80 point player. Prospal has played well, producing better numbers in less games than teammates that make far much more money than he does. Prospal can play center as well as wing, and allows the Rangers great flexibility, which the Rangers need, as Tortorella loves to bench players to make his point.

Speculation – Rangers will again offer Prospal a short term contract but with lucrative incentives. As Prospal isn’t getting any younger, he will likely re-sign with the Rangers.

Tune in for tomorrow where we will look at the situations of Ruslan Fedotenko and Todd White.

FIFA and/or EA Sports must really hate the United States

So I was at home, hangin’ out playing FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa for XBox 360. You might ask “Why?”. I would answer that my FIFA 2011 game disc is useless now because of small fractures that occur when placing the game disc on its spindle in the case, and when taking the game disc off of said spindle. It’s the second time that I have had a disc damaged this way. At $60 a go, and no way to really contact anyone at the company it’s a bit irritating. But I digress. We’re here to talk about FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa. Good news! I won the World Cup with America....wOOt! Won fair and square Portugal 0:2 United States...it was awesome. So I wanted to see if I had won the Golden Boot for Jozy Altidore. Apparently not. Apparently he had only scored the two goals in the final, and that’s all. I knew that couldn’t be true, so I checked the team stats for United States. It turns out that the game records indicated that NO ONE Had scored a goal other than Jozy scoring his two in the Final. This is impossible. Also for what is probably the first time in the history of the World Cup (video game or real-life) no one from the championship side was selected to the All-Tournament team or won either the Gold Ball, Silver Ball, or Bronze Ball. Weird eh? Skeptical?...I thought you’d be, so I made some photographs of the screens to prove it. FIFA and/or EA Sports...shame on you. Do you really feel the need to blot out American achievements even in a video game? We yanks have been unable to win the actual World Cup Finals...could you at least let us dream of doing it?

p.s. - It’s hurtful when the game news text in FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa keeps saying that every team in the world should beat the USA...You would like to think America's recent positive results against Argentina, Spain, & England would entitle the USA to a little bit of football respect...apparently not.