Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports that Wisconsin defenseman Ryan McDonagh will forego his senior year and sign with the Rangers..."The Post has been told that McDonagh, who had been undecided between turning pro and returning to Madison for his senior season, was won over by the environment at last week's Rangers' prospect camp during which he mixed with fellow hopefuls and the team's front-office personnel, notably general manager Glen Sather, coach John Tortorella and special assistants Mark Messier and Adam Graves."
Brooks also says Sather is in the market for a veteran free-agent defenseman who would serve as the team's sixth or seventh.
...if true, you've got to give the Rangers credit for putting on the full court press last week. Maybe the Knicks should use some of the Rangers strategies on LeBron.
...expect McDonagh to get a real shot at making the team in camp.
5 comments:
First of all, I'm thrilled about this development with McD!!! It almost all but seals Redden's fate. I'm hoping McD can bring some real stability to the D cops and show some of these guys how to clear a crease.
Aside from the $ in the Boogie man's contract, I think this offseason has been a positive one for the Rangers. I'm wondering what some of you might think about trying to swing a deal for Gange now that he had agreed to waive his NTC. We are all aware of his injury history but that is the nature of the beast. I like his scoring and his one year contract with a reasonable price tag. He could provide the secondary scoring threat we have been looking for. I'm not sure what it would take but knowing that Philly needs to shed salary perhaps Sather could package a pick and Rosy. What do you guys think?
Let's not expect too much from McD too soon. He's a solid prospect and probably a top 2 d-man in the NHL, but don't expect him to step in and redefine the Rangers' backline in his first season. I hope he makes the team and occupies a full time role in the top 6. That would be a great start to his career.
As for you're proposed Gagne trade: no way Philly takes on Rozy. Philly already has a ton of payroll invested in one of the deepest D-corps in the league. No way they take on Rozy's contract and hand over Gagne to a conference rival. Never going to happen.
Pretty much agreeing with you, James.
I would love to see McDonagh make the team out of training camp, but like you said, can't expect too much too soon.
Hopefully this year we see the "patience" at work that the organization is talking about. If some of these young guys are ready to enter the league, give them the chance and let them gain some experience. Whether he's a full-timer remains to be seen, but I'm sure we get to see Grachev on the ice this year even if it's just a call-up from Hartford.
As for Gagne, I'm sure they're at least looking at it. Here's where I differ with you James: the Flyers aren't concerned about handing him over to a rival; it's just business and the Flyers, like every other team, is trying to run theirs best they can. All teams are rivals. That said, the Rozsi trade, or any deal, seems unlikely. They're still looking for a veteran D-man that can provide what they probably wanted from Redden. I gotta think Souray is still a possibility, but that's a hefty price tag too.
We'll see . . .
James, both good points. I did not mean to make it seem that McD would be the savior but rather a step in the right direction. I would much rather watch a young prospect push himself to achieve at this level (assuming the coaches felt he was ready) than watch the likes of Redden ever again. Even if, and when, McD shows signs of struggle and fatigue, at least you know he is banking lessons for better play than just a paycheck like Redden.
As for the trade idea, you have a good point about salary going back to Philly. Perhaps Sather could swing a deal for picks. Who knows.
I think with Micdonugh in the fold we already have a veteran #7 defenseman, Wade Redden.
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