All the talk about dumping Malik to St. Louis or Tampa Bay was just that, talk. In fact the Stealth GM likes Malik so much he got his clone in someone named Christian Backman. He is another no hitter. Now, with Mara out, the Rangers defense does have more no hitters than Nolan Ryan. Just what we needed. We needed a tough defender who could clear the crease and we needed a D man who could quarterback the power play. We got neither.
Brian Campbell who would have filled the bill, especially on the PP, was purchased by the Sharks for Steve Bernier and a number 0ne draft pick. You don't think the Stealth should have tried harder? Bernier in all of 59 games has a grand total of 13 goals and 23 points. You don't think we could have beaten that deal? The Devils traded Cam Janssen for Bryce Salvador also of St. Louis. Salvador had 61 hits and 91 blocked shots. Backman had 18 and 38. You think we could have gotten Salvador, a tough D man, for Colton Orr? Did we try? Backman, a first round pick in 1998, has only played in 45 games this year. This is his fourth year in the NHL and he has not played a complete season yet. So he is soft in more ways than one. Welcome home Christian. You will fit right in.
The other deal involving Montoya and Hossa is baffling to me. Why the deal? Do we need more players in the minor league system? Do we owe Don Maloney a favor? Fredrik Sjostrom is the only regular in the deal and he will probably be riding the Hartford-New York shuttle. The other two, enforcer Josh Gratten and goalie David LeNeveu are both headed for the minors. For this we gave up a blue chip goalie prospect. Of course losing Hossa is an addition by subtraction but you would think we could have gotten more for Montoya.
But we didn't need anyone. We are all set. If you don't believe me ask the Maven, Stan Fischler, who bravely roared, the Rangers don't need any additions. Feel better now? Remember that's the same guy who predicted the Rangers would win the Cup this year. Now I know you feel better. And after you analyze what Pittsburgh did, I'm sure you will feel much better. Let the games continue.
ICINGS:
Here is the breakdown of the Atlantic Division Trades. . .
Globe on Hockey Blog:
Mirtle: A deadline day roundup -- 25 trades, 45 players, 21 picks [entire NHL]
It looks like 6' 6" Marián Hossa is literally and figuratively the big fish in the above list. And coincidently the Rangers traded his brother, Marcel Hossa, to Phoenix on the same day.Rangers Acquired Gave up
D - CHRISTIAN BACKMAN 2008 4TH ROUND PICK
F - FREDRIK SJOSTROM F - MARCEL HOSSA
G - DAVID LENEVEU G - AL MONTOYA
F - JOSH GRATTON
New Jersey Acquired Gave up
D - BRYCE SALVADOR F - CAM JANSSEN
Philadelphia No trades
Islanders Acquired Gave up
D - ROB DAVISON 7TH ROUND PICK
3RD ROUND PICK D - MARC-ANDRE BERGERON
6TH ROUND PICK F - CHRIS SIMON
Penguins Acquired Gave up
F - MARIAN HOSSA F - ANGELO ESPOSITO
F - PASCAL DUPUIS F - COLBY ARMSTRONG
D - HAL GILL F - ERIK CHRISTENSEN
1ST ROUND PICK
2ND ROUND PICK
5TH ROUND PICK
In case you missed it you can still listen to the unmasked Stephen Lindsay, aka The Dark Ranger on the replay of WGBB(AM 1240) Hockey Talk.
Stan knows all Pundit. I am glad you remembered that. Interesting that Slats only dealt with those "Slats-friendly" in Phoenix and St. Louis and, how strangely, he got the 'sheit' end of the deal.
I don't understand any of this. Hossa was horrible - a bad experiment...I get it, but two nothings and a 4th liner for a former first-round AHL goalkeeper?
Bizzaro today.
tdr
The other bad thing about Christian Backman might be his contract.
Wikipedia said:
St. Louis Blues announced on August 10, 2006, that the club re-signed Bäckman for a multi-year contract, although no contract details was released. According to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet the contract gives Bäckman 50 million Swedish kronor (approx. $7 million) over three years.
That works out to about $2.33 million per year. If the Blues were on the hook for paying him in Kronors it could be even more given the slide in the value of the dollar.
After having a night to sleep on it, I am not upset. Disappointed, yes. Why?
1. Christian Backman is okay. Mara and Malik can now go next year. He sure is better than Malik. We still need a top defenseman, but the price now was too high.
2. Montoya obviously was not as good as his press and I hoped. No one else thought he had value.
IF we believe that Montoya and Leneveu are of equal value then we got two disappointing first rounders for Hossa (another disappointing first rounder). The two are Swedes that Lundquist obviously likes. Maybe this can work out okay.
AND MOST IMPORTANT - WE DID NOT GIVE UP ANY OF THE KIDS!!!
I think that the Rangers have been pretty good at evaluating talent over the past few years. My guess is we gave up value equal to what we got .. but what we got filled a need with Mara hurt and the need to bench or threaten to bench Malik.
the dark ranger-It is interesting. Two ex-Rangers, Davidson and Maloney, the buddy system. I'm surprised we didn't do something with Edmonton, who didn't move a soul.
jb-Money, money, money. That's all you think about. But its a good point.
section 335-I slept on it too and after reading Brooks blast the drafting of Montoya I know they are circling the wagons. We are not better and our defense got a little softer.
Mike, my guess is we were bidding on the other Hossa till the last minute. I have no idea who we were going to lose, but I think a lot. I suspect the price got too high - which is why the Pittsburgh offer is so absurd. That is why we let his brother go AFTER Pittsburgh got Marian
If Slats forced Pittsburgh to bid so high for a rental, he did a good job.
Mike
Read the Brooks article. For once, he and I agree.
section 335-Funny, I don't remember him rapping the Montoya pick when we first drafted him.
Regarding Backman's contract, Dellapina at the Daily News said this:
"And although St. Louis wasn't eager to be rid of him, his $3.4 million salary for next season ($2.3 million against the salary cap) became a problem once the Blues signed Barret Jackman to a contract extension Monday night."
And Dubi at Bulletshirt Bulletin added:
"Given his size, his [Backman] good stick skills, and his lack of physicality, one can best compare him to Marek Malik. Indeed, St. Louis fans treated him much the way Ranger fans treat Malik."
That's great. "Backman" is not a bad name for defenseman, but how far back has he set the Ranger D? Will he be another Sandis Ozolinsh?
FYI: Sandis by the way was playing with San Jose (38 games). His ice time was dropping and he hasn't played since Feb. 14th. He had 3 goals, 8 assists and a -8 (+/-) rating.
Maybe Slats will get one of these D-man trades right one day.
At the time Montoya was picked, 2004, the Rangers needed a goalie and he was the best available. Pittsburgh Penguins used their 2003 first-round draft pick and the No. 1 overall choice in the draft for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. At the time, it was hard to argue with what was done. It is easy in retrospect.
jb-You're killing me. Now you say we have another Malik only he is more expensive. Egad! This is getting worse.
section 335-For Brooks it is very easy to do. He is always right, even when he is wrong. Final thought on the subject. Bad moves and see jb for cap problems.