No To Prospal

July 29, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Yesterday, the Lightning bought out Vaclav Prospal a year after signing him to a four-year $14 million contract. Welcome to the bizarro world of Tampa where there’s never any stability.

Didn’t they just give away Jussi Jokinen to the Candy Canes for garbage this past Spring? Funny enough, it sounds like they’re back in the market for a top six forward and could be after either Petr Sykora or Alex Tanguay, who still hasn’t landed in the Desert due to asking price.

I just don’t get this team. Not that Prospal was anything special. But why bring him back last summer only to reverse course? And don’t forget how the Radim Vrbata experiment worked out. Is Phil Esposito back running things in the hot Florida sun? Well, at least they still got Vinny Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, who could explode in Year Two if he builds off a strong finish.

Of course, with the Bolts buying out the remaining three years on the 34 year-old Prospal in which they’ll pay out $1.167 million each of the next five years, already Ranger country is wondering if he’d be a fit for former coach John Tortorella. I’ve never disliked his game and only a season prior he posted a career best 33 goals with Tampa and Philadelphia. However, I’m not keen on bringing him in. Even at a reduced rate, he’s not getting any younger and is coming off a disappointing season where production dropped to 19 goals and 45 points along with a dismal minus-20 rating. But as most would contend, the latter comes when you’re on a bad team.

There’s sentiment to bring in the versatile Czech vet and play him with Marian Gaborik resolving our lack of a No.1 pivot. While that seems logical, what happens to Brandon Dubinsky? Remember, the Rangers still must re-sign him. Glen Sather holds all the cards because he couldn’t file for arbitration meaning he’ll continue to play hardball and wait it out to see what happens with Nikolai Zherdev’s hearing Friday.

Complicating matters, we don’t exactly have room for another forward. Especially if the cap falls from 56 to the rumored 52-53. So, how can anyone be in favor of adding another guy who will run probably between 1.5 and 2.5 M? Shouldn’t the club be searching for a power play quarterback? We have plenty of forwards. If they added Prospal, he’d likely push Dubinsky down unless the interchangeable vet shifts to the left side.

I’m trying to figure out how this would be positive for Artem Anisimov’s chances. I want to see this team keep their promise and give a prospect a realistic shot instead of the same old song and dance. Anisimov is fresh off an 81-point season with Hartford and Tort’s even talked about maybe seeing what he could do with Gaborik even though it was probably just smoke. I’d like to see the former second round pick start on the third line with Enver Lisin and Sean Avery. Of course, most Blueshirt supporters will tell you they want Evgeny Grachev to make the big club and round out an all Russian line. That still seems far fetched considering our top prospect is just 19 and coming off his first season in North America. Trying to make the jump from one year of junior to the NHL is a lot to ask. I expect him to see time with the Wolf Pack unless he blows them away. No reason to rush the kid.

If Zherdev isn’t back especially if his reward comes anywhere close to that preposterous $4.5 million asking price, that frees up a spot. That’s if Slats can’t find a taker. You know he doesn’t want to walk away, losing him for zilch a year removed from giving up Fedor Tyutin to Columbus.

This summer, the Rangers have already added Gaborik, Lisin, Chris Higgins, Ales Kotalik, Brian Boyle and Donald Brashear up front leaving only Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan, Avery, Dubinsky and Aaron Voros as the only holdovers. No. Patrick Rismiller doesn’t count. That’s 11 forwards excluding Anisimov along with potential fourth liners Dane Byers and Brodie Dupont. Unless there’s a trade, where’s the room for Prospal?

If it were me, I’d try to find a taker for Zherdev. Carolina would be ideal if we could get Babchuk but they’d have to toss another contract our way to make it work. And the Canes have plenty of ammunition already. Why would they want an overpriced headcase? If he’s gone, so be it. Here’s our potential lines minus more changes:

Callahan-Dubinsky-Gaborik

Higgins-Drury-Kotalik

Avery-Anisimov-Lisin

Voros/Brashear-Boyle-Byers/Dupont

Don’t discount Voros because he’s played with Gaborik before and Tort liked what he saw in his brief trial by fire last Spring. Though I’m all for removing stone hands and his million dollar salary to Hartford. Why did they sign Brashear again? It’s also probably wishful thinking to think Dupont will even get a look. He can be sent down. I really hope Byers impresses and sticks.

Notice how there’s no mention of Tyler Arnason. He’s AHL fodder. If I see him anywhere near our roster, I’ll eat my shoe.