This series discusses New York Rangers' players who are currently unrestricted or restricted free agents, examining their unique situations from the player’s point of view. Today we examine the situation of unrestricted free agent Chad Johnson.
Chad Johnson, Goaltender
Reasons to Stay:
Wants to earn himself a shot at backing up Henrik Lundqvist, and maybe get his name on the Stanley Cup.
Reasons to Leave:
Is tired of spending most of his time earning $62,500 playing for the Connecticut Whale in the AHL. At 25, there is still the chance to start for another NHL team. Was benched in the Whale’s Calder Cup run, in favor of Cameron Talbot who played all 9 matches in the cup.
Analysis:
For three years, Chad Johnson has toiled for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. He has posted good if not overwhelming numbers (62 victories, 55 losses, 11 drawn, 6 shutouts, 2.57 goals against average, and a .911 save percentage). In that time he has made 6 appearances for the New York Rangers, earning a win, 2 losses, and a draw. He posted NHL numbers in goals against average and save percentage nearly identical to his AHL stats, 2.59 and .911.
Speculation:
The closest thing Chad Johson has had to a real audition for the New York Rangers was his run of 5 games in 2009-10, backing up Henrik Lundqvist after regular backup Steve Valiquette had been waived. In the next off-season, Martin Biron was signed by the Rangers as a free agent for the purposes of backing up Lundqvist. In last season’s Calder Cup run, Johnson was shown the bench in favor of Cameron Talbot, despite Johnson playing 49 matches in the regular season for the Whale to Talbot’s 33. All indicators point to the fact that the club has lost faith in their ability to develop Johnson into an NHL goaltender. With young goaltending prospect Scott Stajcer waiting in the wings, it is likely that Johnson will be thanked for his service to the club, and wished the best of luck in his future endeavors. The Rangers won’t offer a contract to Johnson, allowing him to pursue free agency. Should current NHL backup Martin Biron not re-sign, the situation changes greatly. The Rangers would then have to decide to go with Johnson as the NHL backup, sign a free agent to back up Lundqvist, or come up with a third alternative (Talbot? Stajcer?).
Tomorrow’s segment begins our look at the New York Rangers’ restricted free agents. Featured: Brandon Prust and Casey Wellman.
Chad Johnson, Goaltender
Reasons to Stay:
Wants to earn himself a shot at backing up Henrik Lundqvist, and maybe get his name on the Stanley Cup.
Reasons to Leave:
Is tired of spending most of his time earning $62,500 playing for the Connecticut Whale in the AHL. At 25, there is still the chance to start for another NHL team. Was benched in the Whale’s Calder Cup run, in favor of Cameron Talbot who played all 9 matches in the cup.
Analysis:
For three years, Chad Johnson has toiled for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. He has posted good if not overwhelming numbers (62 victories, 55 losses, 11 drawn, 6 shutouts, 2.57 goals against average, and a .911 save percentage). In that time he has made 6 appearances for the New York Rangers, earning a win, 2 losses, and a draw. He posted NHL numbers in goals against average and save percentage nearly identical to his AHL stats, 2.59 and .911.
Speculation:
The closest thing Chad Johson has had to a real audition for the New York Rangers was his run of 5 games in 2009-10, backing up Henrik Lundqvist after regular backup Steve Valiquette had been waived. In the next off-season, Martin Biron was signed by the Rangers as a free agent for the purposes of backing up Lundqvist. In last season’s Calder Cup run, Johnson was shown the bench in favor of Cameron Talbot, despite Johnson playing 49 matches in the regular season for the Whale to Talbot’s 33. All indicators point to the fact that the club has lost faith in their ability to develop Johnson into an NHL goaltender. With young goaltending prospect Scott Stajcer waiting in the wings, it is likely that Johnson will be thanked for his service to the club, and wished the best of luck in his future endeavors. The Rangers won’t offer a contract to Johnson, allowing him to pursue free agency. Should current NHL backup Martin Biron not re-sign, the situation changes greatly. The Rangers would then have to decide to go with Johnson as the NHL backup, sign a free agent to back up Lundqvist, or come up with a third alternative (Talbot? Stajcer?).
Tomorrow’s segment begins our look at the New York Rangers’ restricted free agents. Featured: Brandon Prust and Casey Wellman.
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