Source: AP Photo
According to multiple sources, the New York Rangers have signed Ruslan Fedotenko, after his training camp tryout, to a one year deal for $1 million. Fedotenko was brought in to add some much-needed goal scoring depth on the Rangers middle lines, and after leading the team in preseason scoring with seven points, the Rangers sign him to a bargain deal.
While Fedotenko is not expected to be a force of any kind, I would still pencil him in for around 15-20 goals and 35 points. He had shown both great passing ability and a nose for the net during the preseason and will most likely find himself on the third line. He will also add a key veteran presence to a very young Rangers team.
For the second straight season, the Rangers have brought in an ex-Tortorella/Tampa Bay Lightning player to act as one of Glen Sather’s famous reclamation projects. The first, Vinny Prospal, was a shining success last season when he scored 58 points while making the same salary of $1 million. Prospal was also able to hold down the job as Rangers number one center for most of the season. Fedotenko’s role will come with less pressure, though I do hope he will be given ample powerplay time.
Hats off to management for a great signing and knowing that even though the movement is toward youth, veterans are still needed for success.
As a side note completely unrelated to this, Steve Zipay this morning on Twitter hinted that the Rangers may have some interest in Bill Guerin, after he was released from a semi-successful tryout with the Philadelphia Flyers today. This may have just been an inciting Tweet from his part, as I do not think the Rangers would be interested in the 40-year-old forward. However, not to advocate signing him, but the Rangers are lacking depth on right-wing and Guerin did score 45 points last season, which would have placed him third on the Rangers.
