Strength in the net

One of the Rangers' biggest needs going into this year's draft was improving their goaltending depth. And the early signs are they addressed it pretty well in acquiring Chad Johnson from the Penguins for a fifth-round pick and also using a second fifth-round pick to draft Scott Stajcer.

Johnson, 23, a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker award last season as an Alaska-Fairbanks senior, was good in last night's 3-2 shootout loss at New Jersey, particularly in the third period and overtime as he was able to keep rebounds under control. He gave up a goal on his first shot then stopped the next 19 and stopped four of the six shots in the shootout. Tall and lanky at 6-3, 200 pounds, Johnson positions himself well and was aggressive in the shootout in coming out and challenging the skaters.

Johnson will likely play in one of the two road preseason games this weekend - Friday in Detroit or, most likely, Saturday at Boston. Meanwhile, Stajcer, 18, a fifth-round pick, just walked out the door to catch a flight to Toronto so he could rejoin his junior club, Owen Sound (OHL) tomorrow. But his work in scrimmages and in yesterday's 4-3 AHL loss to Lowell at New Jersey impressed the Rangers' brass.
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Johnson told me earlier this afternoon his goal is to make the Rangers (which should be the goal for everybody who stepped through the doors this weekend, no matter how realistic or unrealistic that might be).

But with Steve Valiquette under contract for one more season as Henrik Lundqvist's backup, the Rangers are set. Johnson could compete for one of the two Hartford spots with Matt Zaba and Miika Wiikman, both who played for the Wolf Pack last season. Or, he could start the season at Charlotte (ECHL). But even based on just a few scrimmages/two preseason games, it seems obvious that Johnson has a chance to quickly move up the organizational goaltending ladder.

"I think, for me, the more I can be around and be with NHL caliber players and shooters, I'll get used to the speed of the shots and the game," Johnson said.

The Penguins chose Johnson, who had a 1.66 goals-against average and a 14-16-5 record for Alaska-Fairbanks last season, in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. But Johnson said he didn't think the Penguins organization was a good fit for him in terms of opportunities and was prepared to wait until Aug. 15 this summer to become a free agent. Instead, the Penguins sent him to the Rangers in a trade that pleased Johnson for two reasons: He knew there was more of a chance to move up in the Rangers' organization and he would have the chance to work with goaltending coach Benoit Allaire.

One of the people Johnson spoke with about Allaire was former Rangers goalie Jason LaBarbara, now a Coyotes' backup.

"He teaches consistency and consistency on rebounds," Johnson said. "The goal is to make this team but if I do get sent down, I'll take it in stride. For me, it doesn't matter where I'm playing, whether it's the NHL, the AHL or the ECHL.

Stajcer, too, had ample opportunity to work with Allaire and Lundqvist. During one timed drill in which Stajcer worked with Lundqvist, trying to match or best the All-Star goalie's speed and moves, Stajcer reported with some amazement how Lundqvist was consistently one second faster than him, or one repetition better.

So the bar has been set fairly high for both Johnson and Stajcer. But the Rangers feel much better about their goaltending depth now than three months ago.

Comments

[bvllets]

Trade Valiquette now for a drafty.

[Charles]

Johnson carried Alaska on his back, as anyone who has seen his college team play knows. This kid suffered on some bad/mediocre teams for 4 years, his performance here doesn't surprise me in the least. I know the Penguins had some depth at the goaltending position, but I think they misjudged Johnson to let him go for a measely 5th round choice. There's ZERO reason to start this kid in Charlotte, he should be in the AHL --- probably with Zaba.

[Keith]

I don't care if Valiquette has a contract-if Johnson is possibly a better player keep him on the team. Are you kidding me? Vally has been a servicable backup but he's no Scott Clemmensen. Johnson played in a good program up there at UAF-even if the teams he backstopped were not the strongest. He could be a steal. Also-can somebody post a list of the remaining players lef in camp after the cuts? I am interested to see who still has a chance of making the final

[CP (Chris)]

Vali, at least, was solid against the Flyers. I think if Lundqvist is going to get fewer starts in goal this year, I would rather have a vet who is trusted by the players in front of him, instead of a rookie who could be vulnerable against Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin, etc...

[Charles]

Johnson should get 40+ games in Hartford, not 15 in New York. He's only played 30 minutes of a pre-season game, I would wait a while before annointing him as better than Valli --= at least a year.