Offensive Help Coming From Overseas?
Most Rangers fans think any offensive help the Rangers might get from overseas will come in the form of Mats Zuccarello, but Katie Strang at ESPN.com informs us that 2010 sixth round pick Jesper Fasth is available now that his Swedish Elite League team has been eliminated fromt he playoffs.
The 21-year-old Fasth, who signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers last spring and does not have to clear waivers, finished this season with 18 goals and 17 assists in 47 games for HV71.
It's an easy comparison to make I know, but Fasth definitely has a bit of Hagelin about him. #NYR fans will enjoy him. Excited.
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) March 21, 2013
...if you've read this blog for awhile you know I'm very cautious about young, foreign imports. I find it very doubtful that a 21-year old playing in the Swedish Elite League will magically conform to the North American game over night. Would much rather him get some experience in the AHL for the Whale's stretch run and playoffs to have him ready for camp next season.
...having said that, desperate times call for desperate measures.
The Rangers other Swedish prospect, Oscar Lindberg, is not yet available as his team has advanced into the semi-final round.
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Can't hurt to try him out. If he don't play well just bring him down.
With no risk there is no reward.
@PrimsJim All swedes know how to play hockey. Two way players he and Lindbergh can play.
I totally disagree, the SEL is much better league than the AHL... If he can play there he can play in the AHL. Not much different than a call up from Hartford. Anyone is better than Halpern and Pyatt. He can't be any worse. Plus Oscar Lindbergh should come over as well.
@Lordstanleybroadway Agreed, but it's a different style of play and a different sized hockey rink. Would still like to see him get some AHL under his belt but you know what, why not give him a shot and see what he can do.
@Betweentheworlds I hear ya I think the NA argument is overrated if u can play u can play no matter what. Ill take my chances on a young hungry fast swede any day of the week.
@Lordstanleybroadway @Betweentheworlds You got something against slow overrated Americans?
I honestly believe that if they had Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, and Maurice Richard...all in their prime...Tortarella would find a way to stop them from scoring.
I have to agree - I can't see this guy as the savior without any NHL experience. His numbers were solid in Sweden but not outstanding. He needs a year in the AHL and with that his future as an NHL star looks bright. This team has got to stop thinking desperate. We have a good line up. Now it's up to our coaching staff to bring our potential into fruition. 18 games and we are still in the hunt. Motivate these guys to play hard, get traffic in front of the net while continuing their solid D and we're in.
I hope I eat my words but this group is not going to win a cup, they may not even make the playoffs so why not bring him in as well as zuc. All offense all the time.
@NYR44 This team never was a cup team. A few pieces of the puzzle still missing. I became quite unpopular pointing this out before the season but it's true. Having said that we are still good enough that if we fired on all cylinders and Hank stood on his head and lady luck was with us that raising the cup would not be out of the question but we still have a bit to go, though not as much as this season so far would indicate. I hope we both eat our words :)
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I have a better idea for offensive help and doesn't involve any player personnel changes: Stop with the blind passes to no wheresville that lead to odd man rushes the other way and get somebody besides Cally in the crease. Lastly, a pump fake instead putting your head down and taking a blind slap shot from the point might actually open some ice for a better shot......Gabby's blocked shot from point on the powerplay leading to the panthers 3rd empty net goal. I've ranted....no lets pray they can build something out of this loss n turn things around.
@calithirteen maybe try hitting the net once or twice while you're at it as well. Why Gabby telegraphed that shot from a vulnerable position is beyond me, after he gave us a chance no less. When you're slumping you over think, make mental errors and there are your results. This coaching staff needs to take some pressure off and loosen these guys up. A lucky goal or 2 next game might just do it/
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Anyone who thinks Fasth would go straight to the Rangers is dreaming...if anything he'd go to the AHL to learn how to play on the smaller rinks (aka Zuccarello). If he showed himself to be awesome down there then he'd get called up.
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@gravey94 move Boyle down to 4th line center, and Miller centers Fasth and Kreider?
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Whatever.... this is not solving our team's problems. The only thing doing that is buying out Brad Richards, and finding a legitimate 1st or 2nd line center
@TheNYRBlog unless management like myself is already on to thinking about how to fix the team for next year
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I think the whole "he's soft - plays the European game" thing is largely a thing of the past. A bias clung to by the neanderthal's in western Canada that believe it's "their game". Smaller rinks - ok, a slight adjustment. but the good players from europe don't take long if at all to adjust.
@KevinDeLury I hear you. In any event it's unlikely Fasth is going to be a difference maker this year.
@rangersfan @KevinDeLury 35 points in 47 games and 5 points in 5 playoff games not bad for a 21 year old in a much better league than the AHL. Lindbergh is 20 years old and has amassed 44 points in 52 games. These kids can play. Can't be worse than bottom 6 we have now minus miller and Kreider.
@TheNYRBlog could be a smoke screen to other GM to lower demands if they think nyr can call on their own
As you said, desperate times call for desperate measures. The European game is definitely different than the North American game but inserting something new is worth a shot. Nobody knew how to handle Kreider last year when he came up, maybe this could be the same type of situation.
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I think they'd be better served signing a free agent witch doctor to come up and break the curse that was obviously put on any Ranger entering the offensive zone.
@TheNYRBlog also Torts' desire for PP QB means nothing if NYR don't move, get in front of net, move puck along boards, can't get into zone
@TheNYRBlog let me guess eh can block shots and cycle the puck and hates using the slot. Perfect fit for torts
@TheNYRBlog and how much NHL time did Lundqvist have before his first season with the Rangers?? SEL is a good league.
@Rangerfan41 Definitely a solid league, but Zucc & Erixon have soured me on how affective a young player from that league can be.
Not for offense, but to add depth to our bottom six which desperately needs it. No one thought JT Miller would be called up and look where he's at.
@TheNYRBlog it can't hurt to see what he's got in practice. Tort didn't play the 4th line after Haley went down.
@TheNYRBlog an NCAA player with no pro experience helped in the post season....stranger things have happened.
