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Clowe a Ranger - Good Move or Bad? |
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Rangers trade their second round pick in 2013, Florida's third round pick in 2013 a conditional second round pick in 2014, which is conditional on Clowe re-signing with the Rangers or the team winning two playoff rounds otherwise it becomes a fifth-round choice.
First of all let me say I have always been a big Ryane Clowe fan. Second, style-wise, he fits the Rangers perfectly. That out of the way, this in my opinion is a major overpayment. Maybe Clowe reverts back to the form he showed in 2008-2010, during which he signed his four-year deal with San Jose. But his scoring regression started last year and he basically has fallen off a cliff this year, making Marian Gaborik look like Sidney Crosby with his production, tallying just 11 assists with no goals in 28 games. In addition, when you compare him what players like Derek Roy, who is smallish but a playmaker, something the Rangers need, as well as Jaromir Jagr went for - though I like the prospect Dallas acquired for Roy - it seems as if the Rangers gave up a lot for someone with such little production. In addition, I would have rather seen them use a pick to acquire Marc-Andre Bergeron PP specialist, given what little Hamrlik has given them. Maybe with MAB going to Carolina, they deal Jamie McBain. Also, Anton Babchuk, who is a FA, could be acquired or possible Ron Hainsey.
Hopefully, the change of scenery helps him and he produces even as much as he did last year. My main issue is not with him but the cost to acquire it. From what it sounds like, there is a good shot of him re-signing in NY, but with so many UFAs and RFAs (Stepan, Hagelin, McDonagh) and the team already in cap constraints, unless he takes Prust like money, or hopefully less, on a short term deal, I am unsure how the Rangers will lock him up. The comparison to Prust is an apt one, as others have said, would you rather have the picks and Prust or Clowe and the answer to me is obvious, though Clowe has more scoring upside. The difference between them becomes even starker if the Rangers give Clowe, Prust-like money, because then, not signing Prust looks even sillier.
The Rangers now need to move a forward, possibly two if Fast suits up. Maybe Kreider or Miller, who saw minimal ice-time Monday, go down to Connecticut, Maybe Boyle or Pyatt gets moved, as has been rumored. But someone needs to go. I expect Clowe to slide up and down the lineup until Tortorella finds the best fit for him, but the third line makes the most sense given the current top-six construction. Though, Carl Hagelin does have one goal in his last 16 games and played just 10:55 Monday, but his speed creates chances that makes more room for Stepan and Callahan. Maybe Zuccarello is moved off the line with Richards and Gaborik, but I think Clowe starts on the third line and possibly gets moved up.
Also, thanks to Brandon and Ed for filling in for me.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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