Take a look at the Rangers projected roster for 2008-2009. The top 3 lines and the defense are pretty much set, but there seem to be too many forwards.
Zherdev-Gomez-Naslund
Prucha-Drury-Dawes
Callahan-Dubinsky-Sjostrom
Voros-Fritsche/Rissmiller-[Anisimov?]
Hollweg/[Byers?]-Betts-Orr/[Moore?]
Redden-Staal
Rozsival-Girardi
Mara-Kalinin-[Sanguinetti?]
By my calculations the Rangers have an excess of 3 NHL forwards plus 3 more NHL-caliber forwards currently in Hartford. Because of this, it might be a good idea to make a salary-clearing trade for draft picks. It’s safe to say that the Rangers still have interest in signing a proven goal-scorer either during the off-season or before the trade deadline next year. If the Rangers can add some cap space to the $3.3 million they currently have, they would be in the running to make a play for a top-quality winger.
Update: Forgot about Kalinin. Thanks to the commenter “Jagr”.
You forgot about Kalinin on D. Also I don’t think there is any way Prucha plays second line. My guess is that he gets traded. He was in and out of the lineup last year. Also, I’d be surprised if Hollweg and Orr were both with the squad when the season starts as at leats one of them becomes expendable because of the Voros and Rissmiller signings. Korpikoski will also get a look at the big squad. Also, with the depth up the middle (Gomez, Drury, Dubinsky, Rissmiller, Fritsche), I think there is a chance that Betts could go to a contender for a draft pick or a defenseman.
i think they should either trade prucha or start him in hartford. theres also probably no place for hollweg anymore…
1) Prucha would never clear wavers to get to Hartford. If he’s not slated to be on one of the top 2 lines it would make sense to deal him