Continued

With many players becoming unrestricted free agent on July 1, the burning question becomes who will return in September. Let’s do this alphabetically.

Avery

For sure, the Ranger have more wins when Avery is in the lineup then not but at what cost do we resign him. I am not in favor of paying Avery $4million for four seasons. Lacerated spleen aside, he has proven to be injury prone. He disappeared in the second round of the playoffs and unwittingly made the Rangers the laughingstock of the league with his antics in front of Marty Brodeur. Some are saying those antics were worse then Cindy Crosby’s diving. I am not in favor of having an overpaid, loose cannon on the Rangers with no one to reign him in. (Shanahan). I would take him back but no more than $3million tops four years.

Jagr

Anyone who has read this blog before knows that I am not the biggest fan of Jaromir Jagr. Great player, yes. First ballot Hall of Famer, undoubtedly. 2008-2009 New York Ranger, No. I predict Jagr will not come back and I will venture a guess that it is by his design. Jagr’s play during the lion share of the regular season begs the question, did he even want to make his contract triggers?  Would I re-sign him for one year for $5million plus incentives, maybe. But the way I see it, it’s time for the Rangers to bite the bullet and bring up more youth. Spend the money on better defense and maybe another sniper.

Malik

There’s nothing left to say but Adios to Harry. 

Mara

Paul Mara is an enigma to me. He is large enough but not tough enough. He has a decent shot but he doesn’t really shoot a lot. He doesn’t step up. At 29 years of age and coming off a $3million dollar contract, I do not see a raise being warranted. I’d offer him 3 years at $2.5 million only after locking up the best available defensemen out there. (either via trade or free agency.)

Rozsival

The Rangers need to let Rozsival walk. Even if he does come back to be a Ranger killer on some other team, not having him on the Ranger’s is addition by subtraction. I think of all the player’s in the playoffs I am most disappointed by Rozsival.

Shanahan 

If I knew Brendan personally, I would beg him to retire. He has been and always will be my favorite hockey player but it is clearly time for Shanny to hang them up. Because of the Cup, Messier was able to come back to the Rangers and play four dissolute seasons without destroying his legacy. I fear such would not be the case here for Brendan. I am eternally grateful to the Hockey Gods that I got to see him play as a New York Ranger. Now, if the Hockey Gods could just make him Commissioner, all my prayers will be answered.

Go raimh mile a mah agat, Brendan agus Slan.

Straka

Marty Straka has been a player’s player while a New York Ranger but it is time for Marty to follow his heart and go back home and raise his children in the Czech Republic. All the best to a guy with the heart of a lion. 

Strudwick

After seeing Jason Strudwick in a Ranger uniform for the better part of three seasons, I would not be adverse to seeing him come back. He wouldn’t be a big hit on the cap. He has proven to be reliable and willing to play or not play as instructed. Unless or until Baranka, Sauer or Sanguinetti are ready, keeping Strudwick isn’t the worst idea.

I do not wish to even address trading the players we presently have signed. It is an exercise in futility until we see how the Draft pans out and deal with our unrestricted free agents.