Update 1:55 p.m.:Gross at Ranger Rants has this quote from John Tortorella on waiving Valiquette...
“We’d like to send (Valiquette) down on conditioning but I don’t think we can because of our cap problems,” Tortorella said. “We want to get him down there playing and get his game back. Johnson gets to practice with us. I’m not sure where it all sits with him playing. It’s a tough situation for Valley. He hasn’t played a whole bunch. Sometimes your skills may diminish. It’s just been a little bit of a struggle for him. He works his butt off on the ice but he hasn’t played much and I think that’s hurt him. If he goes through, he gets an opportunity to play some minutes and get his game back.”
Gross adds that Johnson is 10-6-1 with a 2.10 goals-against and a .926 save percentage this season for Hartford.
While Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has this quote from Torts on Christensen...
"Christensen, we claimed him. I haven’t seen him play in a while, the scouts were involved in this here. Brash is out, he’s hurt. I’m not sure what it’s going to be (how long). It’s a guy I know our scouts have watched and have had interest in him, a center ice man, and it’s an opportunity for him. Dubi’s still out, it’s a situation we’ll see what it’s about and when Dubi comes back some decisions will have to be made. This is basically a chance for him."
Neither Gross nor Zipay think that Valiquette will clear recall waivers or that Johnson is the final answer to the Rangers back-up goaltending issue.
Update 1:45 p.m.
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants, via Twitter, is reporting that G Chad Johnson is being recalled from Hartford.
...i'm excited about this move.
Gross is also reporting that Donald Brashear missed today's practice due to an unspecified injury, which lead to the team claiming Christensen.
...i'm even more excited to hear about a possible long-term Brashear absence.
Original Post:
TSN is reporting that the Rangers have claimed Erik Christensen off waivers from Anaheim and placed Steve Valiquette on waivers Wednesday.
Christensen has no goals and no assists and is a -3 in nine games with Anaheim this season. In 226 career games, he has 42 goals, 56 assists and is a -28 for Pittsburgh, Atlanta and Anaheim.
Valiquette was 2-3-0 with a 3.70 gaa and .852 save % this season.
...it was only a matter of time until this happened. Torts is notoriously tough on goaltenders and Valiquette has been miserable lately. Not sure what the Rangers plan is for a back-up now. Chad Johnson has been awesome lately down in Hartford or they could sign a veteran free agent like a Curtis Joseph.
...assuming if Valiquette clears waivers he'll be headed to Hartford. It's been nice knowing you Vali, we'll always remember your shootout victory against the Blues three years ago that pretty much saved the season and catapulted the Rangers into a major run that ended in the Conference Semi-Finals against Chris Drury and the Sabres.
...scratching my head at the Christensen move. The Rangers need a play making center and this guy is the furthest thing from that. Plus he's a career -28!!!
...hat tip to Ranger Rants and blog reader rusty.
6 comments:
Rad. I hope they just throw Johnson in there. He looked ridiculous in pre-season action. He has a unique style.
Im freaking pissed. Not only does Tortarella suck horribly and is mismatched for this team, but I'm sure he was instrumental in sending away Valli who can be a damn good backup.
Even you, NYR blogger sir, praised Valli big time at the beginning of this season, if I recall correctly. Of course, Torts, who said he would play Valli much more to help with Lundy's load, totally did not follow through.
God Torts can't suck enough, and I hope we bring back Renney so we at least pretend to look good.
I continue to stick by my awesome preseason positions of hating Torts and Brashear, and I eagerly await props from all readers.
thank you.
I'd like for NY media to ask Rangers management harder questions and no the usual softballs.
!JustDance, you recalled correctly. I felt the last few years that Vali was the perfect back-up. Played well when called upon and Lundy really liked him.
But this year, whether it was Torts or not, Vali just wasn't getting the job done. If the Rangers want to give Lundy extra rest and Torts doesn't have the confidence to put Vali in they needed to do this.
Having said that Chad Johnson is not the answer. Not sure if the Rangers could bring in a Cujo or a former NHLer in the KHL, but that has to be done.
It isn't really Tortorella's fault what happened to Vally. Vally's career changed after that 10-2 debacle to Dallas last year. His numbers skyrocketed and never came down. Plus, he never got into a rhythm under Torts and apparently Tort's faith in him dwindled very quickly. I wish all the best to Valiquette seeing as how his rangers career is almost definitely over. If he plays well enough in the minors to deserve a comeback (which I think he will), he will get claimed on reentry waivers by another team and that will be the last we hear of him...assuming he doesn't get claimed outright tomorrow.
Let's go Knicks
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