Stu Bickel, Defense
Reasons to stay – For now, has a regular place in the team with the Connecticut Whale in the AHL.
Reasons to leave – At 24 years of age, Bickel may be looking to take his rugged style of play to a club that needs a first team player. Would probably like an AHL salary better than $62,500. The Rangers have a several defensemen in the system and promotion to New York from the farm seems currently out of reach.
Analysis – This season was the first where Bickel played close to a full AHL season(60 games between Syracuse and Hartford/Connecticut). Performed reasonably well, but nothing outstanding. Bickel is super rugged - a very hard player.
Speculation – The Rangers would be smart to retain Bickel, but he’s going to want an AHL raise. The contract will have to be two-way, but the AHL salary is going to have to go up if the club is serious about him. Bickel will probably sign a 1-2 year deal for in the range of NHL $875K/AHL $70-85K. The leverage is in the hands of the club, so probably not a big raise. Redden, Parlett, Niemi, Valentenko, Nightingale, Kundratek, maybe Del Zotto, and McIlrath will all be needing minutes, who will have a chair to sit down in when the music stops?
Chad Johnson, Goaltender
Reasons to stay – Johnson carries the bulk of the load in minutes played for the Connecticut Whale. Johnson may be able to position himself as the Rangers’ new backup. As restricted free agent, he may not have a lot of options to move.
Reasons to leave – At 24 years old, he has to be wondering if he’s going to become an NHL player or a career AHL player.
Analysis – Though he has 87 games and 40 wins under his belt for the Wolf Pack/Whale, he has only appeared 6 times for the parent club – acquitting himself quite well when called upon with 1 win, 2 losses, with an overtime result, a .911 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average. Was at entry level AHL salary of $62,500 at the end of his contract. Clearly Johnson is good at stopping pucks.
Speculation – Johnson is only behind Rangers’ backup Martin Biron on the organizations depth chart. Although the Rangers’ number one goalie Henrik Lundqvist is on a long term contract, Martin Biron’s expires after the 2010-11 season. If the Rangers are unable to or unwilling to re-sign Biron, Johnson may get his chance to join the Rangers’ squad. Rangers will offer a reasonable if unspectacular two-way deal and in all likelihood Johnson will sign.
In tomorrow's segment we examine Rangers' restricted free agents Dale Weise & Devin DiDiomete.
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UPDATE - The New York Daily News has reported that the New York Rangers intend to buy out the contract of center and captain Chris Drury.
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