The drums are beating louder.
If free agent center Michael Peca passes a physical and is willing to accept a performance-bonus-laden contract, he could become a Ranger this week, we're hearing.
As written here weeks ago, I think adding Peca---if he can stay healthy---makes sense on a team gunning for the Cup.
Sure there's some risk.
And yes, Peca, 33, temporarily blocks a spot for a younger player---barring a trade.
But a healthy Peca brings skills and smarts on the PK and on faceoffs, as well as playoff experience. He's not the same guy he once was, for sure, but worth a roll of the dice, I think.
The Rangers have centers in the wings: Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, but are either ready for a full-time role on a contender?
From a team once shallow at center, the Rangers seem to be filling the void.
Comments (38)
Walk away from Peca.
I like the move.
Rangers have a small window with Jagr and Straka and Shanny getting long in the tooth - this is probably the best chance they've had to win it all since 94 - I say go for it with Peca. It isn't like the Rangers are giving up on Dubinsky or Anisimov, just giving them another year of seasoning and I'm sure with injuries we'll see them at some point anyway.
yeah i can see it being a good move to keep him and a good move to walk away from him. Theres pros and cons to both.
Personally i dont want him, especially if hes more than a million a year because lets be honest hes not putting up more that 30 points this year.
On the other hand he would bring deep playoff experience, some leadership and a solid PKer. SO i guess we just need to wait and see what happens. But we literally cant afford to sign him for even a decent ammount of money.
I'm changing my stance on Peca... I want to crush those Isles fans this season. Peca will help make that happen.
I'm changing my stance on Peca... I want to crush those Isles fans this season. Peca will help make that happen.
If Peca wants to join the Rangers, which he apparently does, he'll sign an (easily attained) incentive laden contract like Shanahan did. Such contracts allow the incentive $ to be deferred to next year's Cap. If these things can be worked out, it's really a no-brainer. Granted, he's not the player he once was, but NYR needs a dominant defensive forward (no disrespect to Blair Betts)& penalty killer. Plus, I like his attitude & leadership. I'd love to see a line of Peca, Avery & Callihan. It could be "the Pain-in-the Arse" line & drive opponents to penalties. Since Sather is obviously going for it, it makes sense to add Peca.
Peca is the missing piece???
What color is the sky in your world?
Let's not forget we already have Avery and Lundqvist to sign after next season, so all these salary deferments to next season can be costly a year from now.
Would Peca help? Yeah, probably. But he isn't needed. Let's keep the team young and use Dusbinsky or Asinimov at center. We're not talking about that much ice time here, especially with our first two lines. We need energy, speed, and grit from our 3rd and 4th lines, and the Hartford kids can do that well enough, I'm sure.
I'm also a bit concerned about have new centers on our top 3 lines, it's a major risk in regards to the chemistry of the team. Better to use Dubsinsky, who even though would be a rookie, is not new to the team and has played with many of the current Rangers (including his potential winger, Callahan) up in Hartford.
Peca is a shell of his old self. But, we are defensively weak and a solid D forward will help. I think Peca is a great adition and I applaud it. Sather for President!!(anyone but Hil)
Peca is washed up and a waste of time. Give the kids a chance man...and vote rudy.
Lets Go Rangers!
There's no getting around the concern that Sather feels the same as 50% of the fans. A hole at center needs to be filled. I really don't see a hole. But it seems that many do. Peca will miss at least 30 games this season. If Sather wants to be effective next yr, he better play those boys in place of the already "broken wing" Peca.
He'll add all the things people say he will add. Leadership, PKing, etc.
I guess the only questions left to ask after they sign him is, How long will he last? How long will he be out?
Sather for president, heck Jim anyone for President at this point.
Completely endorse bringing Peca aboard. Very limited downside with a one-year deal. He's a good stopgap guy. Good penalty-killer, excellent compete level, and a physical presence down the middle. Like Dubinsky's upside for sure, but as the third center this year? Possibly between Callahan and Prucha. Not yet.
Hey Dennis not going to happen huh? Get ready brother I said Wed.
Im gonna join the band wagon for Peca, even though yours truly was against it 2 weeks ago. Oh well, anyway I think since he apparently only wants to sign w the Rangers now, he'd most likely sign a reasonable deal with those bonuses to keep him motivated as Steve said. Also if he goes down w an injury you have the 2 kids who can get plugged in.
THE INFORMATION IM ABOUT TO TELL YOU IS FROM HOCKEYBUZZ.COM (i put that in caps so you would all see that im not stating this as fact because hockeybuzz is less than credible)
Allegedcly we are discussing moving montoya to the kings. Who we were going to get remained unidentified. Unfortunettly i dunno who we would get thats worht anything. A month ago you would have heard me talk about visnovki but hes signed for 5 million a year and we simply dont have that kind of room unless we remove mara and someone else. Anyone have any ideas as to who we could get form the kings?
I know, you were right. You words hold true and are ringing in my ears.
Joe,
Visnovsky for Montoya and Mara (or Kasper,Malik) would work out just fine. That Visnovsky kid is something to watch.
Young and very talented. Now that's something to get excited about, but...
We'll see, HockeyBuzz makes things up as they go along, not even worth a grain of salt.
Montoya is a good start but who wants Kaspar? Mara has been passed around more than a hooker on nickel-night. Malik is a possibility but remember, they just signed this guy to a 5 year deal averaging 5.5 mil/yr...you'll have to clear more salary somewhere.
Dennis- you think Visnovsky is special? C'mon man, open your eyes!
What isn't to like? He's a great PP Blueliner, great hands and an eye for the ice. He's small, 5'8" 190, but he's bigger than Dawes and you like him. Open my eyes to what?
There must be 20 videos of Visnovsky setting up plays and scoring goals all over youtube. Maybe you need to open your eyes Jim. Besides, his numbers are better than Malik and Mara put together. Except +/-. Maybe that's because LA's goaltenders suck balls. He can one time the puck from the blueline, which we all know is something Rozy has BIG TIME trouble doing. A 5 yr vet with over 50 points in his last two seasons. 33 last season on the PP. And you don't like him why?
Something tells me your not the Real Jim from Woodbury.
C'mon, of course that isn't the real Jim.
Real Jim doesn't post here anymore because of these morons.
Dennis,
Yeah your right i forgot we havent taken Kaspar off the cap yet. That would take off like 5.8 million dollars which would make room for Visnovki. I agree that kid can do wonders for our power play and hes only 31 so it could be worse. On his bad side he only has 1 point in 12 games in the playoffs, but im sure Drury Gomez and Jagr can change that. I would deff take the risk.
I thought that wasn't him. I'm down with Visnovsky... might be just a pipe dream though. Hockey buzz can be full of it sometimes.
Gord,
Nylander was passed around awhile too.
If one the the three, Malik, Mara or Kasper go with Montoya, they'll be 2-3 million to play with, not including Peca.
Dennis-Visnovsky has a crap plus/minus due to lack of defensive play. He's small and a defensive liability. Yes, Im a Dawes fan, having seen him live 10-15x.
Peca is being considered because of the perception in mngmnt that our defense is weak. Last thing we need is an undersized defensive liability guy :and, no, this is not the imposter. She's probably busy on the Islander site being me.
Could he have a crappy plus minus because of the worst goaltending in the league? You only repeated what I already said about plus minus and size. You have offered nothing to the conversation so far. Very much un like Woodbury. Maybe Parrot is a better imposter name?
LOL- everyone is an imposter. What analysis do you need? He's not a defensive d-man, not a crease clearer. Not a guy who hits the corners. Yes, his Left shot at the point would be swell...but, we have enough O talent for a decade. Obviously, the Rangers lack depth on the D. agreed?
Peca is not a Monday Night guy. He doesnt get Pizza Box Night and the importance of the dutiful preparations. You all talk LA, but, the trade bait is AZ, the home of the Grand Puba.
What does this say about Sather's faith in your prospects?
Not trying to start a fight but I have to wonder if this starts the calls for his head. The only way I see a kid worked in is if they limit Peca to 60 games. They may have to just to keep him healthy.
Will all 5 forks sticking out of Peca's back also fit into the Garden? Talk about a broken down player! lol!!!
"What does this say about Sather's faith in your prospects?"
Just wait to the beginning of the 2008-2009 season and the Rangers introduce, in the Garden, their new young Russian superstar tandem of Artem Ansminov and Alexei Cherepanov!!!!!!!!
But before then, the Rangers are going to take care of a little something called winning a Stanley Cup.
Peca has called, and he is BEGGING to come along for the ride, he promises to backcheck, win his faceoffs, and kill penalties like Jed used to do.
Ok Peca, come along little one, come along.
I agree. Not 100%, but we can agree to disagree on the differences.
HockyBuzz will probably never follow up on these rumors, and if they do, it won't be anything like the tiny little bit of info reported yesterday. Spector's mentioned nothing about this.
My guess is there's no more truth on this page about who's trading who, than Hockey buzz all together.
Peca is desperate to play here...he's 50 years old, skating on two fragile twigs and sees a chance at a cup. Funny how he was demanding $2.5 and now he's down to $1.25...before long you could probably get him for the league minimum.
As for Visnovsky, this guy is an offensive stud. You are right his ± suffered because Cloutier was a black hole and the team wasn't that good. I still don't think you will get him but if you did, Montoya would have to go.
Interesting though, LaBarbera is fighting for the starting job now.
Rangers have to trade Montoya at some point.
His cap hit if he were to play at the NHL level will be 1.8 million, Rangers can't handle that hit.
I would expect him to be traded before the season starts.
Bring on Peca! He will hands down improve this team. No doubt about it.
LaBarbera would easily lose that job up against Montoya.
Huh?
Monotya vs. LaBarbera...who knows? Maybe you're right but LaBarbera's numbers don't stink. Remember LA didn't want to bring him up last year because he would have to clear waivers and they knew someone would take him. Montoya is younger but statistically they're pretty close.