Now that Steve Valliquette has been waived, it seems to me that this will be the last we’ll see of our dependable backup goalie. Why? Because they would not have sent him down. Look, I understand that Valliquette needs playing time to stay sharp–and he’s not going to get that in New York. But because he was so bad, and because the Rangers are seemingly okay with Chad Johnson as an emergency backup, I fear that Valliquette will no longer be donning the Ranger blue. The Rangers would not have made this move if they thought he was the answer as a backup. For one, Valliquette could be claimed by another team. Rangers apparently aren’t scared of that. Two, even if he plays well in Hartford, trust in Vally has been lost. This is the last we’ve seen of Valliquette. I’ve always been a fan of him. But, this is a business, and the best players win out.  I also think that the Rangers will make a move for an experienced backup–someone like Marty Biron, Patrick Lalime, Ty Conklin.

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