Day: July 12, 2009

Zherdev and Kotalik – Signing one or the other is an interesting question, although its not always that black and white. I think the Rangers made a decision during their team planning sessions prior to the draft that Zherdev and Antropov were not coming back, unless it was at a reasonable price. Antropov’s demands were silly and Zherdev filed for arbitration. Neither situation made Sather happy.

And because of the ridiculous timing of the arbitration hearings, well after the draft and free agent signing start, teams have to make big decisions on players without knowing the facts.

The New York Post caught up with the Rangers latest signing: Marian Gaborik. Gaborik spent last week vacationing in Italy, but is currently in town to check out to search for an apartment. The 27 year old winger admits the move is going to be a big change, after having played his entire career to date with the Minnesota Wild under coach Jacques Lemaire.

Still, it sounds as if he’s confident he’ll have success, though it was interesting to note that he mentioned he preferred a center who can set him up in the open, something the Rangers lack with their current roster of centermen. Brandon Dubinsky and Chris Drury aren’t noted passers, while the likes of Artem Anisimov, Tyler Arnason and Brian Boyle are more inclined to battle for the final two center spots than the spot alongside Gaborik.