Blog Archives
Emerson Etem ready for bigger role and new challenges
Bobby Bevilacqua
Now on a new team with a chance to break into a more important offensive role, Emerson Etem is ready to make the most of this opportunity. Photo courtesy of Jeff Gross/Getty Images.
With salary cap constraints and guys like Derek Stepan looking for long-term contracts (potentially very expensive), the Rangers were almost forced to trade away Carl Hagelin, a dependable, strong possession winger that has anchored the Rangers third line since 2011. However, Jeff Gorton was still able to bring in a young player with a lot of potential.
Emerson Etem, born in Long Beach, California, was selected in the first round of the 2010 NHL draft by the Anaheim Ducks, keeping him in the state that he grew up in, and allowing family and friends to watch him begin his professional hockey career.
While that makes for a great story, things did not work out as Etem hoped, bouncing between the NHL and AHL affiliate Norfolk over the past three seasons, never playing more than 45 games with the Ducks in a single year. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Update: Qualifying offers extended to all but Conor Allen
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers extended qualifying offers to eight of their nine RFAs, choosing to let Conor Allen walk and become a free agent. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the deadline to qualify restricted free agents ending yesterday, the New York Rangers sent qualifying offers to eight of their nine restricted free agents. The only RFA that didn’t get an offer was 25 year old defenseman Conor Allen. He will become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow, July 1st.
Allen was a free agent signing by the Rangers out of UMass-Amherst in March of 2013. Since then, he has appeared in seven NHL games with, spending most of his time with the Hartford Wolf Pack. In his brief NHL career, he has no points, four shots on goal and a minus two rating. This past season with Hartford, Allen tallied 34 points (11-23-34) in 72 games. He also added a goal and an assist in 12 playoff appearances.
Allen is a solid defenseman, so it’s odd to see him go unqualified, but he has the disadvantage of being a left-side defenseman. On that side, the Rangers have Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Keith Yandle in the NHL, with other left defensive prospects in the organization. Unfortunately, the Rangers don’t really have much of an opportunity for Allen, and are looking elsewhere. Allen is a quality prospect, and I’m sure he will get snatched up soon. Read the rest of this entry
Moving Hagelin hurts, but the Rangers can afford to lose him
Bobby Bevilacqua
With Carl Hegelin out of the picture for next season, the Rangers need to reach to the youth to help fill out the depth spots on the roster. Oscar Lindberg deserves a promotion next season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
As fans and spectators of the game, it’s often hard to remember that hockey is a business. We grow attached to our favorite players that play hard and represent the Rangers well, only to see them traded away or lost in free agency.
Carl Hagelin was “a great Ranger” as Assistant GM Jeff Gorton said. He was a Rangers draft pick in the sixth round, and impressed as a rookie, with 14 goals and 24 assists in his first 64 NHL games. His lightning speed was fun to watch, and he was an excellent defensive player that added depth to the lineup.
Now I’m not saying that the Rangers’ didn’t lose depth or that they’re a better team after the trade. That remains to be seen. But when looking at what Glen Sather got in return as well as some other factors, the team could afford to make this decision. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers trade Carl Hagelin to Anaheim for Emerson Etem
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers have traded the rights to Carl Hagelin as well as some picks to the Anaheim Ducks for Emerson Etem and a higher second round draft pick. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers made their first big trade of the day, and it didn’t involve Cam Talbot (yet).
During the second round of the draft, the Rangers traded the rights to Carl Hagelin along with the 59th and 179th pick to the Anaheim Ducks for Emerson Etem and the 41st pick in the second round.
Carl Hagelin is an upcoming RFA, and was due for a big raise, something that the Rangers could not afford. Hagelin earned $2.25 million this past season, and was expected to command over $4 million. With Sather needing to sign Derek Stepan, as well as some other key players like Jesper Fast and JT Miller, there was very little room to sign Hagelin. Read the rest of this entry
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