Grachev to Hartford

Word coming in that the Rangers are reducing their roster to 22 by sending 19-year-old wing Evgeny Grachev, who had a goal in this afternoon's 4-3 loss to the Capitals and, one day, no doubt will be a top six forward in the NHL, to Hartford (AHL).

Talent aside, the move makes sense from a business standpoint since Grachev would have earned a reported $875,000, or nearly as much as Aaron Voros ($1 million) if he stayed with the Rangers. Plus, Grachev doesn't have to pass through waivers so he can come back to the Rangers much more easily than Voros. Brian Boyle doens't have to pass through waivers either but the Rangers need center depth for now since it looks like Vinny Prospal will play left wing, at least in Sean Avery's absence. Artem Anisimov was staying, And I don't think there's any doubt Grachev will wear a Ranger uniform again at some point this season. As for Anisimov, Tortorella is going to find a way to get him ice time. He's just got too much raw talent right now that can help the Rangers immediately.

Grachev has a tremendous amount of raw talent as well and had a goal and two assists in five preseason games. He's a very fluid skater for a bigger guy and he's got a potent, quick shot as he showed today on his goal. But he's still immature physically and probably could take his conditioning up a notch for Tortorella's liking.

The move leaves the Rangers with 13 forwards: Chris Drury, Christopher Higgins, Brandon Dubinsky, Marian Gaborik, Ales Kotalik, Enver Lisin, Vinny Prospal, Ryan Callahan, Artem Anisimov, Sean Avery (out for now with a sprained right knee), Donald Brashear, Brian Boyle and Aaron Voros.

It also means, we presume, that 19-year-old defenseman Michael Del Zotto starts the season with the Rangers. As noted, the Rangers have nine games in which he plays to decide whether to keep him for the whole season or return him to the OHL. Del Zotto cannot be assigned to Hartford until after his junior season ends.
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Comments

[CP (Chris)]

Smart move for the time being. He needs to develop some in Hartford.

[Rangers Tribune]

This was the correct decision.

[paulieplatypus]

With Avery injured and Brashear suspended to start the season, I suppose the Rangers will play 11 forwards and 7 Defenseman until they come back?

[TheOriginaljpg]

wait! huh?!?!?
what are you talking about Brashear suspended? never heard about that. what are you talking about?

as far as Grachev. still would have been happier if Voros and Redden/Roszival were sent down......especially Rozy who is once again showing himself to be a fine mess.

[laurie]

I don't think Boyle is subject to waivers this season, is he? He signed his first pro contract in 2007 at the age of 23 and has only played 36 NHL games. Best I can tell from the CBA he's got one more year of waiver exemption left.

As for Grachev, this is the correct thing to do. There are still areas of his game that need work, and playing top line minutes in all situations in Hartford will be far more beneficial for him.

[LI Joe]

paulie - i think brashear served his suspension in rd 2 of the playoffs

[Charles]

Sensible and expected. Better he should get 20+ minutes a night in Hartford on a First line, than sporadic time here in NY ... at least for 20+ games.

[Matty]

Yeah Brashear was suspended for 6 games and the Caps played game 7 against us plus a 7 game series vs the Penguins

[jeph]

I'll say this for Grachev: of the games I watched this pre-season, he had one bad period, and that was the 1st period today, mainly at the hands of AO. To Grachev's credit, he bounced back from it, and even scored a nice goal in the 3rd. That showed me something. Not sure what he's going to learn at Hartford that will better equip him to deal with the NHL; I'd rather have him developing with the varsity against the better competition, where I believe he's already capable of success. And so I disagree with those of you who endorse this move for that reason. To be sure, there's a numbers problem, particularly on the wing; that, to me, is the only reason to send this kid down. For now.

[CP (Chris)]

I think he'll gain confidence by playing in Hartford. He's played decent before today's game with a couple of primary assists, but if he can't score in preseason, except for today, when at least six players from the opposing team will play in the AHL, I think it would benefit him to be the go-to-guy for a month or two. Moreover, I really think we need to focus on Anisimov's game first and give him a shot at TOI instead of transitioning both of them simulataneously.

[Andrew Gross]

Laurie,

My bad on Boyle. Confirmed with the Rangers he does not have to pass through waivers. Should be better at this but all the CBA stuff gives me a headache.

[Charles]

I definitely love Grachev's comments after the game. This kid either has his "head on straight" naturally, or he's very well coached by his agent. I'm tending to think the former as his English is also excellent for a 19 year old Russian, heck it's better than a number of 30+ year old Russian NHLers. He says all the right things and is willing to point the finger at himself. How refreshing is that from a 19 year old potential stud???

Let him get comfortable under the system in Hartford for a bit and score some goals. There's no need to rush him even though he may very well be able to handle the NHL at this point --- then again let's remember we're only talking about 6-7 preseason games, we've all seen kids (guys) do well in the preseason only to be sent down to the AHL before the dawn of the month of November.

[oleosmirf]

Prospal-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Higgins-Drury-Kotalik
Avery-Anisimov-Callahan
Brashear-Boyle-Lisin

Redden-Rozsival
Staal-Gilroy
Del Zotto-Girardi

If Avery can't play Lisin moves up and Voros takes his spot...

[KV]

I have a feeling that Rozsival will be gone before redden. Redden hasnt looked impressive but steady. Rozsival continually mishandles pucks at the blue line. It is mind boggling. Hes like the chuck knoblauch of hockey.

[CP (Chris)]

I'm not judging either of them, yet. Until their play/contribution actually counts towards an end-goal, they have a clean slate with me, and I'm not going to critique them for every little mistake as there will be quite a few in the beginning by everyone, especially the newcomers in Torts' system.

[Charles]

Good point Chris. Aside from Gilroy and MDZ, no one has looked all that great ... and Gilroy/MDZ have both been guilty of numerous rookie errors. Staal has looked reliable, although unspectacular. Girardi has not been noticeable and in fact looks worse than last year. Redden has looked "ok" (an improvement over last year). Rosie has been the worst d'man in camp (out of the remaining 7), but he's better than that. Semenov looks acceptable as a 6/7, but a little too slow for the "new" NHL which has caused him to take a number of lazy penalties.

All that said, this is pre-season. Wipe the slate clean and let's judge them after October when the games really count. The same holds true even for those who looked pretty good like Lisin, AA, Gaborik, Callahan, etc.

[CP (Chris)]

Well said, Charles. Semenov is slow, but I still like his presence on the blueline, especially against the teams that forecheck hard, like the Flyers. Russian presence on the blueline will put the Russian forwards at ease, as well.

[lennynyr]

There has been some discussions elsewhere about Torts handling of Girardi and Rozsival,namely chewing out Girardi while no public words for Rozsival who has probably been the worst player in camp. Here's my take on it....

You don't bash a player (Rozi) if you are trying to build up that player for a possible deal. I hope that's why. In Girardi's case, Torts needs him at his best and is pushing him.

You media guys have given Sather a free pass for 10 years, he should have been gone long ago. Took him almost 7 years to finally put a decent scouting staff together, 9 years to finally hire a decent coach and not one of his buddies or somebody who writes a long resume, and he still hasn't learned not to sign somebody else's rejects, overpay them and sign them for much too long a period.

On the present team, that would be Drury, Redden, Rozsival, Kotalik, Voros for starters. Prospal signing is the way it should be done, 1 year for 1.1 million, a versatile useful player. Kotalik is his worse signing this season, a big guy who plays small, afraid of contact and afraid of carrying the puck, lethal shot but who knows where it goes most of the time? For this Sather gives him 3 million for 3 years? Sather took his stupid pills again like he did with Boyle.

In Boyle's case, thinking Boyle shut down Anisimov in the AHL playoffs when Boyle didn't even play against Anisimov much less shut him down. Cost a 3rd round pick and with the good scouting system now in place, could have been an excellent prospect. Where is the media when Sather makes these idiotic moves? Nice that you provide coverage and provide this blog but take the next step and call him out once in a while.

[GK]

Has anyone heard any news regarding the Rangers being interested in Randy Jones (Flyers)? Just read that the Flyers don't have room for him and that the Rangers are interested.

[CP (Chris)]

I think it's ridiculous to already start thinking about possible trades as if Torts has some kind self-fulfilling prophecy for Rozsival and Redden to play poorly.

The reason we were able to get Prospal so cheap is because he was bought out of his contract with TB and the Rangers could low ball him knowing he's making a lot more than $1.1M this year. This scenario rarely happens with a guy this versatile.

As far as Kotalik, he's good enough defensively to play the point on D, solid set-up guy, and skates really well. He's overpaid, but anyone with 5 years NHL experience on this team is, too.

[Charles]

Regarding Kotalik, perhaps he got 1 year too many and a few $'s more than necessary, but he's not going to be the salary cap problem here, nor will his play cause us a lot of head scratching. He's a pretty solid player, albeit not a big time top 6 forward. I believe he was brought in for two reasons, one to better Drury and two, to provide us with insurance in the event the young forwards aren't quite up to the task. The second reason also holds true for Prospal. I have no doubt however that before the trade deadline or during the off season, one or two forwards will be moved to provide more room for the younger prospects. Prospal may very well be a casualty if he expects a real hefty raise from the $1.1 million he's currently making, which as Chris points out was a true UFA salary aberration unlike Kotalik.

[CP (Chris)]

I want to make one more point regarding this team. I think it's an excellent sign that the scoring was well distributed amongst the top the 3 lines during preseason. I know there were different lineups from game-to-game, but it's a big change from only scoring when the big name, skilled guys are on the ice. Hopefully, this trend continues into the regular season.

[KV]

I wonder what kind of news is out about Mcdonagh? I wonder how far off he is from the NHL level. Anyone?

[Andrew Gross]

GK,

Checked in on Randy Jones. The Rangers may have interest but, even if they do, it's not happening because of salary cap concerns.

[LI Joe]

andrew

semenov would have to be signed before oct 1st correct? isn't that the date that rosters are set and have to be cap compliant.

i presume betts will be signed by philly