New York Rangers Sign Viktor Stalberg
We lose one speedy Swede forward in a trade, and find another in free agency.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="no" dir="ltr">New York Rangers adding Viktor Stahlberg.</p>— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/616318116629512192">July 1, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="de" dir="ltr">$1.1 million for Stahlberg and New York Rangers.</p>— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenDreger/status/616319286529888256">July 1, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The Rangers have added a valuable, speedy depth forward today when they grabbed Viktor Stalberg who, according to some, could either be in the mix for the Rangers' third line or find himself watching Tanner Glass play as the team's 13th forward. Stalberg is 29 years old and has a Stanley Cup ring from his time with the Blackhawks.
Stalberg represents an addition of speed and responsible play in the Blueshirts' roster. He won't be scoring 22 goals like he did in 2011-12 with the Blackhawks, but he honestly isn't that big of a step down from Carl Hagelin and he will be, in all likelihood, at least $2 million cheaper on the cap. All in all, this feels like a very good move for the Rangers that is very low-risk with a one-year deal with a cap hit of $1.1 million.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zucc-Brassard-Nash Kreider-Stepan-Hayes Miller-Lindberg-Etem Stalberg-Moore-Fast That would be some dynamite stuff.</p>— Adam Herman (@AdamHerman_BSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamHerman_BSB/status/616319747999854596">July 1, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Oh, Adam, don't get me excited. We're still almost 100 days away from actual hockey.
Seriously, can we find a way to move Tanner Glass? Any way at all? I'm sure the Bruins would like him on a line with Zac Rinaldo. The Stalberg deal doesn't feel all that different from the Lee Stempniak signing last offseason. He's a guy that can move up in the lineup if there's an injury but for the most part he will be slugging it out in the bottom six and likely will be fighting for a roster spot with players he is superior to. We'll keep you updated on any more news and details on this signing and any other big Rangers news today. Buckle up, my friends. It's a busy day and apparently Keith Yandle is in play.