The Rangers have agreed to terms with 24-year-old Ilkka Heikkinen, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound Finn who had eight goals and 26 assists with HIFK Helsinski of the SM-liiga.
This could be insurance for next season if Bobby Sanguinetti and/or Corey Potter and/or Mike Sauer or any of the Rangers other young defense prospects don't earn a roster spot and the Rangers have not re-signed Paul Mara and Derek Morris. Or, Heikkinen could be a player. We just won't know until training camp opens in September.
Andrew,
What do you make of all the stock piling of young defensemen? Do you think this means they will be targeting offense early in the draft?
Posted by: Jim | May 21, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Jim,
Absolutely, they're biggest need in the draft is forwards with scoring potential, though I think they'd be wise to draft a promising goalie as well.
Posted by: Andrew Gross | May 21, 2009 at 03:59 PM
offensive wingers then get a decent goalie in the third. issue again tho is that we pick so low that u can't expect great offensive talent, especially as there are no really skilled russian wingers who people will be scared of drafting
Posted by: Pete | May 21, 2009 at 05:34 PM
i'd say you could sign a free agent goalie a la matt zaba, someone like mark guggenberger from ranger prospect tysen dowzak's kelowna storm. he's been a force in the whl playoffs according to jess over at prospect park, and i've seen him dominate stretches in the memorial cup against the best of the juniors. also available for somewhere in the 4th or 5th rounds would be slovak jaroslav janus, who plays for the erie otters in the ohl and almost singlehandedly propelled the slovakian team into the wjc medal rounds. i'm thinking natural scoring in the first two rounds.
Posted by: amos | May 22, 2009 at 04:17 PM