He never played a game for the Rangers last year, but was he still under contract to the team. Wade Redden perhaps surprisingly to many, will potentially see post season action with the Boston Bruins after a four year trip through the hockey wilderness.
A number of other contracted players, no longer with the Blueshirts, will not be joining him however. We take a look at who is missing out on the Rangers’ third straight trip to the playoffs.
The Columbus Blue Jackets quartet of Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon and Marian Gaborik pulled their team within a single win of a rare post season appearance for the Ohio based team. Dubinsky played 31 playoff games with New York over a five year span, while Anisimov and Gaborik played made 26 and 25 appearances respectively. Erixon has yet to play in the post season.
Brendan Bell suited up for just one regular season game last year after spending the 2010-11 season in Europe. He returned to Europe this year and played in the Swedish Elitserien. Erik Christensen also played off-shore, featuring in the Czech Republic’s first KHL franchise based in Prague. Bell never played for the Rangers in the post-season, while Christensen appeared five times in all five games of the 4-1 series loss to the Capitals in 2011.
Depth players Andre Deveaux and Jeff Woywitka didn’t play for the Rangers in the post season either, and didn’t manage to make it even into the NHL this year, although Woywitka’s St Louis Blues still could use his services if they suffer injuries on the blueline.
Ukraine native Ruslan Fedotenko elected to return to Philadelphia for a third stint, but joins the rest of the Flyers on the sidelines after failing to make the playoffs. Likewise John Mitchell signed a lucrative offer with the Colorado Avalanche, and despite a career year, will also watch the playoffs on TV. Fedotenko appeared in the playoffs both years he was with the Rangers, while Mitchell made 18 starts in his first post-season action last year.
Another free agent departee, John Scott also will watch from the stands, after his Buffalo Sabres once again failed to make a post-season push. Goaltender Chad Johnson also made a move as a UFA, heading to Phoenix, where he impressed in limited duty. Unfortunately for Johnson, the Coyotes did not qualify either.
The three remaining 2011-12 Ranger alumni all will get a chance to play more meaningful games, with Brandon Prust (MON), Mike Rupp (MIN) and Wojtek Wolski (WAS) all qualifying. Whether Rupp (injury) or Wolski (coach’s choice) get to play, remains to be seen.