Slats wheels and deals to improve forwards, Pens re-sign Malkin and Orpik

July 2, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

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One thing that I’ve always known is that Glen Sather is very unpredictable. He’s not quite as out there as Lou Lamoriello but the experienced President and GM has a way of pulling off deals out of his magic hat which most observers never see coming.

That means you Larry Brooks and good New York Hockey Report buddy Joe McDonald who wondered what the heck the Ranger executive was doing about the lack of scoring up front. Well, the one thing I couldn’t figure out myself was when Sather committed lots of years and dollars to Wade Redden and re-signed Michal Rozsival, what exactly did he have planned to address the gaping hole with only a limited amount of cap space?

In assessing our blueline, I kind of came to the conclusion that maybe something was up and a deal would be made utilizing the team’s tremendous depth from that position. Not surprisingly, Slats opted to trade Fedor Tyutin along with everyone’s fave deadline pickup Christian Backman to Columbus in exchange for Russian forward Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche.

By making such a calculated move, it appears he’s addressed the issue in acquiring the talented Zherdev, who flourished under Ken Hitchcock posting 26 goals along with a career best 35 helpers for a new career high in points (61) this past season. Only 23, the former Blue Jackets’ 2003 fourth overall selection has registered 181 points (76-105-181) in 283 games over four seasons. He’ll be expected to produce under Tom Renney and likely be teamed with speedy No.1 pivot Scott Gomez. On paper, it seems a likely match. We’ll see how it evolves this Fall.

As for Fritsche, he’s also on the young side at 22 though he’ll turn 23 in less than two weeks and a former second round pick. After a solid junior career which saw him star alongside current Ranger forward Ryan Callahan on Team USA, the Parma, Ohio native has played parts of four NHL seasons while missing games due to an assortment of injuries. New York hopes that’s in the past after he got into a career best 69 in 2007-08 totaling 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points.

The most production thus far for Fritsche was in 2006-07 when he put up 27 points (12-15-27) in 10 fewer contests. He’s an energy player who can be a complement on a third line. If I recall correctly, he got to play with Callahan a few years ago. So, it would see logical to team them up. They both possess speed and can kill penalties.

On the whole, this looks like a good deal by Sather. With Redden on board with Rozsival, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, the soon to be 25 year-old Tyutin became expendable. The former 2001 second round pick was a solid player in four seasons here but never reached his full potential which might be why he has a new address. Following an impressive 2007 postseason teamed with Girardi, many were expecting him to take that next step up but instead he had an unsteady season despite playing all 82 games and posting 20 points (5-15-20) and a plus-five rating with just 43 penalty minutes.

Toots sometimes did play solid in his end taking the body and getting a little involved offensively with a booming shot which probably could’ve been double the goal production. There were also games where the Russian struggled in his decision making unable to take the physical punishment in corners and turnover prone. This had to frustrate the Ranger staff. He also had been re-signed by Sather to a four-year extension worth nearly an average of three million. At the time, it seemed like overpayment. Now when you look at the NHL land$cape, it no longer seems that way.

I believe this is a good deal for both clubs which should benefit Tyutin, who can only improve under Hitchcock. As for Backman, he never seemed comfortable here after coming over from St. Louis at the deadline and was set to make too much money for a third pair defenseman. Perhaps the change of scenery will work for the skilled former Blue.

The only question I have for Columbus is where’s the offense? They dealt away one of their most productive players and Raffi Torres isn’t an offensive powerhouse. Who will support Rick Nash? What is the thinking there?

Oh well.

With Tyutin gone, expect former second round pick Michael Sauer to get a long look in training camp along with top prospect Bobby Sanguinetti. 

Pens Lock Up Orpik, Malkin signs extension: In other news, the Pens finally got someone to return aside from Pascal Dupuis locking up physical defender Brooks Orpik to a reasonable six-year $22.5 million contract. Amazing that he took less money to stay in Pittsburgh. God bless him and the Pens who had become desperate after Marian Hossa turned into a traitor.

They also re-signed center Evgeni Malkin to a five-year extension worth a reported average of $8.7 million. Great news for Pens fans.

Figure them to take a run at bringing Jaromir Jagr back to Pittsburgh. A Martin Straka return for a third time wouldn’t be a shock either as the complementary wing always fit in well there and would be warmly received. Another possible option could be original Pen Markus Naslund. Don’t you think the veteran Swede would be rejuvenated playing alongside Sid the Kid?

The Sens also inked former Pens’ pest Jarkko Ruutu to a three-year deal. A good move for a team who’s always had a ‘soft’ label.

Hainsey Lands in Atlanta: In other news, Atlanta signed former Columbus defenseman Ron Hainsey to a five-year, $22.5 million contract. The 27 year-old Bolton, Connecticut native put up his second straight 30+ point season with eight goals and 24 helpers for 32 points in 78 GP. Not bad production for a former Habs’ prospect who was a waiver pickup. Now he’s cashed in. It’s definitely overpayment but the Thrashers needed to do something to get blueline help and he is a good skater who can contribute offensively and run the power play.

We’ll have even more later if you can actually believe that.