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

Today's segment examines two of the New York Rangers unrestricted free agents. In today's case we will examine Bryan McCabe & Steve Eminger.

Bryan McCabe, Defense

Reasons to stay – I can’t think of any, and McCabe’s forgettable late season addition didn’t exactly impress the Rangers’ fans.

Reasons to leave – Can test the market as an unrestricted free agent, and probably finds a place on someone’s blue line for maybe a bit more than the Rangers are willing to offer.

Analysis – The trade that sent young Tim Kennedy to Florida for McCabe was a rental gamble that McCabe would be a steadying veteran presence on the power play. This gamble failed.

Speculation – The Rangers let the 35 year-old (36 in June) defenseman and his $5.750M contract drop off of the salary cap. McCabe walks in search of greener pastures.



Steve Eminger, Defense

Reasons to stay – Torts likes Eminger’s physicality and has given him preference for ice time – perhaps over players who are more talented and skillful.

Reasons to leave – Eminger has perhaps grown tired of being the pawn in the power struggle between Tortorella and Del Zotto.

Analysis – Athough Eminger is a more consistent player than Del Zotto, it seemed over the course of last season that when one was playing, the other was a healthy scratch. Eminger brings consistency and physical play to the Rangers' blue line. Conversely, Eminger is nearly 30, and is not the passer, shooter, nor skater that Del Zotto is. Should Eminger re-sign with the club, he continue to compete directly with Gilroy and Del Zotto for a place in the starting six defensemen. If it’s Eminger’s goal to sign a one-way contract with the Rangers, he might have to acknowledge that he may be the seventh defenseman and ride the pine pony.

Speculation – The million dollar question, literally, is: Does Eminger love playing for Torts and the Rangers enough to risk riding the pine when his betters figure out how to appease Tortzilla? If the Rangers still feel they need Eminger as cover for Del Zotto, Gilroy, and McDonagh they must re-sign him. Then, it’s a matter of price. For Eminger’s skill level and age, the Rangers won’t be prepared to pay more than the $1.125M he was making on his previous contract. So if he likes playing in New York, he’ll accept a renewal of the previous contract or a slight pay cut. If Eminger is interested in a higher salary, he might be able to find it, but not in New York. This one is too close to call.


In tomorrow's segment I will begin examining the New York Rangers' restricted free agents. The first two RFAs up will be Ryan Callahan & Brandon Dubinsky.