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 situations of unrestricted free agents Brendan Bell and Martin Biron.
Brendan Bell, Defense
Reasons to Stay:
Likes playing with the Connecticut Whale in the AHL, and wants to help them win a Calder Cup.
Reasons to Leave:
Bell only played one game for the Rangers last season. This is not likely to inspire confidence that the Rangers are serious about getting him major NHL ice time. At the age of 29, Bell doesn’t have a lot of career left to waste with teams that aren’t serious about playing him at the NHL level.
Analysis:
Performed admirably at the AHL level with the Connecticut Whale. Bell played 65 matches scoring 7 goals and 33 points. Bell averages slightly over a penalty minute a game, thus demonstrating his ability to avoid the penalty box. Has 102 matches of NHL experience, scoring 7 goals and 28 points in his career.
Speculation:
Rangers will offer a contract to Bell, but only with the understanding that he is unlikely to play in the NHL. I doubt this will suit Bell, and he and his agent may reject the Rangers’ offer. I predict that Bell will leave the organization if an NHL club needing experience and depth offers him a one-way contract. If there are no free agent nibbles, there are worse things than to play AHL hockey for $200,000/year. Bell has played in Europe for two different teams. I doubt he and his agent would decline a reasonable offer from a european club.
Martin Biron, Goaltender
Reasons to Stay:
Made $800,000 dollars last season backing up one of the best goaltenders in professional hockey, on a club that nearly won the league, and made the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup.
Reasons to Leave:
Wants to play more than 20 or so games a season. Has developed an ego. May be looking for a different challenge at this stage in his career.
Analysis: Biron has done an excellent job of playing well, when first choice goaltender Henrik Lundqvist needs a rest. Over the last two seasons, Biron has posted 20 victories and 12 losses in 38 starts, maintaining a save percentage of over 90%. Biron has more than proved that he can stop the puck well, and would be a good first choice for most NHL teams. There is not so much depth at goaltender behind Biron in the Rangers organization. Neither Chad Johnson, nor Cameron Talbot have been given an extended NHL audition with the Rangers. Biron has 500 matches of NHL experience in goal.
Speculation:
The lack of an extended audition in goal for Johnson and Talbot, is a pretty clear indicator that the Rangers don’t think either goaltending prospect is ready to take on the role of Lundqvist’s backup. The Rangers need Biron, or someone of comparable skill and experience. Rangers will offer Biron another 2 year one-way deal. 12-6 record and 2.46 goals against average, could see Biron earn a small pay bump, as he was exceptional as a backup last season.
Tomorrow’s segment will feature New York Rangers’ unrestricted free agent Chad Johnson.
Brendan Bell, Defense
Reasons to Stay:
Likes playing with the Connecticut Whale in the AHL, and wants to help them win a Calder Cup.
Reasons to Leave:
Bell only played one game for the Rangers last season. This is not likely to inspire confidence that the Rangers are serious about getting him major NHL ice time. At the age of 29, Bell doesn’t have a lot of career left to waste with teams that aren’t serious about playing him at the NHL level.
Analysis:
Performed admirably at the AHL level with the Connecticut Whale. Bell played 65 matches scoring 7 goals and 33 points. Bell averages slightly over a penalty minute a game, thus demonstrating his ability to avoid the penalty box. Has 102 matches of NHL experience, scoring 7 goals and 28 points in his career.
Speculation:
Rangers will offer a contract to Bell, but only with the understanding that he is unlikely to play in the NHL. I doubt this will suit Bell, and he and his agent may reject the Rangers’ offer. I predict that Bell will leave the organization if an NHL club needing experience and depth offers him a one-way contract. If there are no free agent nibbles, there are worse things than to play AHL hockey for $200,000/year. Bell has played in Europe for two different teams. I doubt he and his agent would decline a reasonable offer from a european club.
Martin Biron, Goaltender
Reasons to Stay:
Made $800,000 dollars last season backing up one of the best goaltenders in professional hockey, on a club that nearly won the league, and made the semi-finals of the Stanley Cup.
Reasons to Leave:
Wants to play more than 20 or so games a season. Has developed an ego. May be looking for a different challenge at this stage in his career.
Analysis: Biron has done an excellent job of playing well, when first choice goaltender Henrik Lundqvist needs a rest. Over the last two seasons, Biron has posted 20 victories and 12 losses in 38 starts, maintaining a save percentage of over 90%. Biron has more than proved that he can stop the puck well, and would be a good first choice for most NHL teams. There is not so much depth at goaltender behind Biron in the Rangers organization. Neither Chad Johnson, nor Cameron Talbot have been given an extended NHL audition with the Rangers. Biron has 500 matches of NHL experience in goal.
Speculation:
The lack of an extended audition in goal for Johnson and Talbot, is a pretty clear indicator that the Rangers don’t think either goaltending prospect is ready to take on the role of Lundqvist’s backup. The Rangers need Biron, or someone of comparable skill and experience. Rangers will offer Biron another 2 year one-way deal. 12-6 record and 2.46 goals against average, could see Biron earn a small pay bump, as he was exceptional as a backup last season.
Tomorrow’s segment will feature New York Rangers’ unrestricted free agent Chad Johnson.
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