Samsonov A Good Fit for Rangers Top Line?
Lyle Richardson at The Hockey News feels that with the Rangers struggling to find a left winger for Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik that unsigned free agent Sergei Samsonov would be the best fit.Richardson adds that if Sather opts to go the trade route, Chicago's Rostislav Olesz could be available, but his $3.125 million per season cap hit would be a problem for the Rangers.
...all I have to say is if the Rangers sign the 32-year-old Samsonov, who has surpassed the 15 goal mark just once in the last six years, I might shut the blog down. Would love to hear Richardson actually explain why Samsonov would be such a good fit. The days of the Rangers bringing in aging players to plug in holes is over. Right?
Richardson also wonders if defenseman Anton Stralman, who is also unsigned following his tryout with the Devils, might be a nice pick-up on defense if Marc Staal ends up being out long term.
...Stralman is a career -40. Next.
Meanwhile, Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report feels Derek Stepan is the answer to the top line's left wing woes...
"He has the skill and speed to play with those guys. He's not the best on the team along the boards, but he's not the worst, either, and he's willing to go to the wall and battle for pucks. He has the instincts and hockey IQ to do something with the puck when he gets it; gives Richards another target who can score goals; is not bad defensively."
...so Carp feels the best person to play with Richards and Gaborik would be good along the boards, able to battle for pucks, has instincts and hockey IQ, can chip in a few goals and is not bad defensively. Hmmmm, sound exactly like a super pest the Rangers recently waived. Just sayin'.
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"good along the boards, able to battle for pucks, has instincts and hockey IQ, can chip in a few goals and is not bad defensively" sounds a lot more like Dubinsky than Avery.
also, i want the rangers to sign samsonov and put im on a line with Zuke and Boyle in the middle.
Wolski or Dubinsky should be the topline left wing. End of discussion. Wolski is skilled and should be able to pop 20 goals, Dubinsky is significantly grittier but maybe not as skilled. Either way they are more than serviceable topline options. Long term maybe Haeglin? Either way it should be solved internally and not thru more veteran purchases.
Prospal off to a good start playing with Nash and Carter on the top line in Columbus. I didn't want Prospal to return because I thought his knees were a concern. But watch this guy have a solid year if he stays healthy (Just our Luck). And he would have been the Rangers best option to play with Gaborik and Richards.
@paul.dubsky11@IHateNJ82 Good for Prospal. Still glad Rangers didn't re-sign him. Doubt he'll be putting up same numbers in January.
been saying avery should be on the top line since richards was sign, with steps a close 2nd just so he can learn from richards, but no one had more assists to gabby last year than avery, so torts doesnt look at whats right just cuz he hates avery
Bring back Avery! He can't do any worse than any of there other players that they keep mentioning & he certainly could be better. He has something to prove. HoweverTorts would have to
swallow his pride & eat his hat which is something he's not about to do since he such an
ego-maniac!
Gotta give wolly a few games up there, along with step, step is extremly talented. Feds also along with a lil more dubi, but I think dubi should be with cally and arty, but a few more games wouldnt be to bad.
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@ChrisP I hate everyone saying Wolski struggled on the top line. When exactly did that happen? The guy has a groin injury and should be put back on the top line when healthy.
