Rangers re-sign Sjostrom

August 2, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

I’m a few days late but the Rangers have brought back forward Fredrik Sjostrom for another year. The 25 year-old Swede came over from the Coyotes last Feb.26 before the trade deadline along with Josh Gratton, David LeNevue plus a 2009 fifth round pick for Marcel Hossa and Al Montoya.

In 18 games as a Ranger, he tallied two goals and registered an assist during the postseason. Overall, Sjostrom played in a combined 69 regular season games with Phoenix and New York registering a career high 12 goals and nine helpers for 21 points along with 22 penalty minutes.

Expect the speedy left wing who provides energy to shifts to be a fixture on the checking line with Blair Betts. As for who plays alongside them, that could just depend on camp where a few prospects will be pushing club enforcer Colton Orr for ice-time. Figure former first rounders Lauri Korpikoski and Hugh Jessiman to be in the mix.

Oddly enough, one of the dreams I had last night saw the 2003 first rounder from Dartmouth finally debuting for the Rangers and netting a goal off some hard work behind the net before coming out and going to the backhand five-hole. I then came away impressed with his skating which had improved and liked the power move he made to finish. Keep in mind this was a dream and most of mine never seem to make logical sense.

Still. Who wouldn’t want to see Jessiman do exactly that finally after five years?

As Hasan noted in his previous entry, the three locals’ preseason schedules are finally out. So, be sure to check them out. The Rangers host Ottawa on September 22 at the Garden completing a home and home with the Sens with the exhibition season starting Sept.20. They’ll play just six games including a couple versus the Devils before heading to Prague for a two-game series with the Lightning Oct.4-5.

For more Blueshirts, check out Bobby Sanguinetti’s NHL blog from Rangers Youth Camp with recently drafted third rounder Ryan Hillier.