This is the first of a new installment we like to call: Scouting The Market. In it, we discuss which potential free agents could pique the Rangers interest. First up: Tomas Plekanec.
Tomas Plekanec is a 28 year old center, currently skating for the Canadiens. Born in the same town as Jaromir Jagr, Plekanec put up great numbers this year, with a final line of 25-45-70. With 20 plus goals in all of his full seasons in the league, Plekanec has established himself as a top-notch scorer. His assists aren’t consistent, ranging anywhere from 19 to 45. 2008-2009 was his worst year, putting together only 19 assists, while playing in all but two games. He’s a scorer, and he would certainly take pressure off of Marian Gaborik. He’s also sound defensively, and plays on the PK. His assists totals would probably increase centering Gaborik.
Does he fit financially? I plugged in the numbers to CapGeek, and here’s what I came up with:
Marian Gaborik — $7,500,000 Chris Drury — $7,050,000 * Tomas Plekanec — $4,500,000 Ryan Callahan — $2,300,000 Sean Avery — $1,937,500 Brandon Dubinsky — $1,850,000 Artem Anisimov — $821,666 * Erik Christensen — $750,000 * Jody Shelley — $725,000 Dale Weise ($80,000) $700,000 Brian Boyle — $525,000 * Brandon Prust — $500,000 DEFENSEMEN Michal Rozsival — $5,000,000 * Marc Staal — $2,500,000 * Daniel Girardi — $1,750,000 Matt Gilroy — $1,750,000 Michael Del Zotto ($212,500) $1,087,500 Bobby Sanguinetti — $855,000 GOALTENDERS Henrik Lundqvist — $6,875,000 Chad Johnson ($170,000) $850,000 BUYOUTS NONE LOST VIA REENTRY WAIVERS NONE CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS ROSTER SIZE 20 SALARY CAP $56,800,000 PAYROLL $49,826,666 BONUSES $462,500 CAP SPACE $7,435,834
I bought out Redden and Voros, added Sanguinetti to the D, gave an increase to Staal and Girardi, let Prospal go, and put Dale Weise on the team. Of course, with almost 7.5 million to play with, they can add another couple of scorers.
For fun’s sake, here’s what the lines could look like, if the only addition was Plekanec:
Dubinsky-Plekanec-Gaborik
Callahan-Christensen-Avery
Prust-Anisimov-Shelley
Weise-Drury-Boyle
Anisimov’s probably not a third line center, but that line was so good last year that I had to put him there. What do you think of Plekanec? Is he worth probably 4.5, maybe 5 million? How long would you sign him for? Let us know in the comments.
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