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Ok so before Rangers fans panic at the Nedved button understand his invitation is only an insurance policy. In the event that the Sundin train pulls into MSG the club will have to clear cap room. Moving a center like Blair Betts plus to a club like LA who still needs to reach the cap floor is an option. What's attractive to opposing teams is that a few of the Rangers surplus forwards are on minimal dollar one year deals. So getting back to Nedved,look for him to step into a third even fourth line center position if the team feels Artem Anisimov is still not ready for the big club. If the Russian playmaker turns heads in camp, the invitation to the former Ranger will only amount to an audition for needy teams or as a last good bye. However,if Petr steps into camp and works his tail off he could provide the Rangers with a nice bridge to next year or even give a Hartford player a few months in the AHL to work on his game. When the player is ready to make the jump Nedved then becomes a cheap asset to a team that may have suffered an injury.Despite Bett's hard work and penalty killing skills,he still has a hard time finding the back of the net. Nedved on the other still has a lethal wrist shot and was never accused of a lack of defensive play. He also managed to excel playing with glorified 4th liners in Sandy McCarthy and Matt Barnaby a few years back.

Again I see this only as an insurance policy if Sundin decides he wants to finish his career in NY. Speaking of Mats,the Cap is getting tired of the whole waiting game too. But Mats reached out to NY first and now his friend and countrymen Markus Naslund is on board. With the Rangers leery of last years chemistry issues involving Jagr /Gomez/Drury,Mats gives them one more option up front. I also think Having Dubinsky shift to the wing would best fit the team. He has the ability to be one of elite power forwards in the game and fill a position that we may have lacked since Graves went to San Jose. Simply shifting him over on draws vs. Carter and larger centers in the league,gives Renny another advantage too. Ultimately adding any of these vets is a plus to the Rangers,because it gages the clubs over success and development over these past few years. Not only do players want to win here and play here,but they are willing to take less money as appose to exploited the team and retire in Westchester.Here's another thing to think about.What if Jagr put in a request to take care of his old buddy in NY while he sells Cherepanov on the big lights and big city he may want to join next year.

UPDATE: After sitting here at my desk a thought came to me. Why has the Rangers website not given Nik Zeredev the #13 just yet? A few weeks ago it was next to his name. HMMMMMMMM
Filed Under:   RANGERS   FLYERS   MAPLE LEAFS   KINGS   NHL   CAPMESS11  
July 31, 2008 2:57 PM ET | Delete
Why would the Rangers move Betts? Like you said, he's a hard worker and a great penalty killer - players like him play an important role in any team that doesn't involve scoring. Most importantly (especially if the Rangers land Sundin, which I personally hope doesn't happen for their Sake), he makes near the league minimum. If Nedved makes the team, he'd probably be the third line center, with Dubinsky shifting to wing like you suggested.
July 31, 2008 2:59 PM ET | Delete
Mats would be deadly in a ranger sweater send a friends invite you better take it lol
July 31, 2008 3:04 PM ET | Delete
Ha, Thanks Flamester. As for you question there Giggy ( one of my Favs) Nedved would have to take close to the bottom dollar as well. It could be a matter of Rangers management telling Anisimov to continue putting on that extra weight to sustain the 82 game schedule. Even though I'm glad you see Bett's value they will have some challenges finding roster spots in the next year or so.If another team likes Bett's game they may provide some needed cap relief.
July 31, 2008 3:26 PM ET | Delete
How could anyone not love J-S?! Anyway, the only problem I have with moving Betts (besides the fact that I've always liked him) is that it would leave a gap in the PK unit. With Straka and Shanahan gone, he and Dru are the only "real" penalty killers left.
July 31, 2008 3:34 PM ET | Delete
Yeah I hear you,but Scotty Gomez saw his PK time jump up and they may want to use Dubinskys excellent face off % on the defensive side. Also Dan Fritsche who was picked up is a few years younger and I think saw time on Speacial teams. If all these players make a push in camp something has to give.
July 31, 2008 5:41 PM ET | Delete
Callahan is a great penalty killer. He was fabulous in the playoff round vs the Devils on the PK
July 31, 2008 9:54 PM ET | Delete
the rangers invited nedved to camp???? wow. thats just crazy. hasn't he been horrible for the rangers before and rangers fans mercilessly boo him whenever possible? i would think the rags would be better served letting some of the young guys with fresh legs play on the 3rd/4th lines instead of an over the hill nedved.
August 1, 2008 12:58 AM ET | Delete
i am cringeing at who we will have to get rid of to fit Sundin under the cap
August 1, 2008 9:16 AM ET | Delete
BDT- Nedved actually gained repect from Rangers fans as he managed to play as gritty as a foward with his size could have. He had a few unbelievable seasons with Dvorak and Halvic,and loved being a Ranger even though the team was in the dumps. BlueDru- no matter what the Rangers have they will have to find room for new young kids or whats even more an issue,what if Sanguinetti is ready this year and the Rangers are stuck with Reddens 6 year deal ( my next Blog)
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