Rangers Making Moves (UPDATED)

And so it begins.  C’mon, you didn’t think the Rangers brass was going to sit back and let all this losing continue without making some moves, did you?  The Rangers announced today that backup netminder Stephen Valiquette has been waived.  Hartford goaltender Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson has been called up from Hartford.  Also, the Rangers claimed Anaheim centerman Erik Christensen off waivers.

Big day.

According to Andrew Gross at Rangers Rants, the team hopes that Valiquette clears waivers and they can assign him to Hartford to retool his form.  This move isn’t that big of shock.  Vally has started 5 games this year, his record is 2-3 and his GAA is 3.74.  His cap hit this year is $0.725 million and he becomes a free agent next season.  I can’t see a way that Valiquette makes it through waivers twice.  If he did get to Hartford, a team could claim him on re-entry waivers for half of his salary.  While he is having a down season, he’s still a serviceable backup at a very cheap price.

Johnson comes in with a 10-6-1 record in Hartford, a 2.10 GAA, and a .926 save percentage.  According to Gross, it doesn’t seem like Johnson will be getting much playing time with the Rangers because the team is searching for a more experienced backup.

In my opinion, the Rangers have a pretty good idea of who that experienced backup is going to be.  I don’t think you put Valiquette on waivers if you don’t have a deal close to done for another goaltender.  It’s not like Vally’s salary was a burden on the Rangers.  And if Henrik’s going to play anyway, moving Valiquette signals to me that a new backup will be coming into the fold shortly.  Again, nothing to back that up, but I don’t think the transaction makes sense any other way.

Finally, bringing in Erik Christensen is a minor move that the Rangers desperately needed to make.  Not saying that a guy who hasn’t scored a goal in nine games this season is the plug in this sinking ship, but with all the injuries and lack of production from the center position, somethings got to give.  Christensen had 18 G and 16 A in 2006-2007…so we’ve got that going for us.

We’re still a ways away from the trade deadline, so you have to believe that this is just the beginning for Slats.  Erik and I are recording a show tonight, so be sure to check back for our takes on this move and more.

Update: Stephen Valiquette has made it through waivers and will be assigned to Hartford.  Still, I can’t see Vally making it back through re-entry when a team can take him for half of his salary.  If you haven’t listened to the latest episode of NYRangerscast, we have some discussion about what this move means if a experienced goaltender isn’t brought in to replace Vally.  Check it out and let us know what you think.