Keep or Dump? - Part II
Editors note: This was a group project here at Blueshirt Banter; with Jim, Ryan, Joe, and myself all chipping in for different players. Players were randomly assigned and will be presented in two parts, with five coming in the last part and six more coming here; all in alphabetical order.
- Paul Mara
2008-2009 Salary: 1.95 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 1.95 Mil.
Situation: UFA
Jrs1940 says:
This was a tough one. I actually typed "dump", and then after I thought about it I eventually changed my decision. This is going to be a very tough decision for the Rangers, as there are some good young defensemen on the way up through the Rangers system, and Mara could be squeezed out in a numbers game. But, I think the reason he could go is the same reason he SHOULD stay: The Rangers have young defensemen on the way, and Mara has been the Rangers go-to guy to partner with the kids (Staal, Potter, and Sauer have all teamed with Mara). If he will sign at a reasonable price, I think he should be back.
Decision: Keep
- Derek Morris
2008-2009 Salary: 3.95 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 3,916,667 Mil.
Situation: UFA
TheSchwab (Rob) says:
When the Rangers traded for Derek Morris from Phoenix, I really liked the trade. I have nothing against him, but for some reason he just did not cut the grade for me in his short time with the Rangers. Morris has a great physical frame at 6 foot and 220 pounds, but I didn't see him use it enough as he should. His skating is average or above average, and because of it he struggles to get into the right positions to unleash the solid shot he possesses. Plus, what pains me the most is that he makes nearly 4 Mil; and although his asking price should come down for next season, I can't validate spending around 3 Mil for a depth defenseman (But Sather probably will).
Decision: Dump
- Colton Orr
2008-2009 Salary: 550 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 537,500 K
Situation: UFA
Tmranger says:
The one game that Colton Orr does not play in happened to be the same one that Donald Brashear takes a few liberties with Blair Betts and nearly loses his head. Coincidence? The Rangers also didn't lose many players to injuries this season. Coincidence? For just above the league minimum, the Rangers can sign the baddest dog on the block. Over the past two seasons, Orr has evolved into something more than just an enforcer. He can now play solid fourth line minutes without being a huge liability. There is no real reason not to re-sign Orr.
Decision: Keep
- Fredrik Sjostrom
2008-2009 Salary: 840 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 840 K
Situation: RFA*
TheSchwab says:
To me, Fredrik Sjostrom is a player I can't live with and can't live without. He works just as hard as anyone on the ice at any single moment, and is always solid in his own zone not to mention his contributions on the penalty kill. At the same time, he has limited offensive upside (His 13 points is 10 below the league average of 23) because of his north-south skating mentality. Do the pros outweigh the cons? I think they do, but only for the right price. Nothing more than a Million, maybe 1.15, Slats.
Decision: Keep*
- Stephen Valiquette
2008-2009 Salary: 725 K
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 725 K
Situation: UFA
Tmranger says:
Valiquette has already re-signed for the 2009-2010 season (725 K; I believe it's for one year). He has proved to be a very capable backup and has a good relationship with Henrik Lundqvist; what more can you ask for?
Decision: Kept
- Nikolai Zherdev
2008-2009 Salary: 3.25 Mil.
2008-2009 Salary Cap Hit: 2.5 Mil.
Situation: RFA*
Ranger Reporter says:
Zherdev is probably the hardest decision when it comes to the keep or dump game. Basically there are two sides of the fence, and very little room in between. On the one hand you have the facts that he consistently takes games off at a time, he was literally pointless in the post season, and he doesn't seem to have any desire to push himself. On the other hand he is 24 years young, he is absolutely brimming with talent, and was a key to the Rangers-already very minimal-offense last year. In my personal opinion he is way too young and too talented to not give a harder and longer look. Sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal and then even if he doesn't work out he could be trade bait.
Decision: Keep - (Also, take a look at tmranger's look at Zherdev from Thursday for more)
So that ends the two part Keep or Dump series focusing on the Rangers Free Agent players. What do you think of the decisions in Part II? Too much keeping and not enough players out on the curb? If most of these players are kept, is this a good core to keep building around for the Rangers? Would you fight Colton Orr looking like that (in the picture above) for a Million dollars? Have at it, Blueshirt Faithful.
