In an offseason filled with moves I really don’t agree with, I think there is one move out there that needs to happen. Sign Michael Peca.
Ive been a strong advocate of this ever since that article cropped up on TSN stating vaguely that the Rangers may be interested. It simply is a move that makes sense. Here is my reasoning…
First, I don’t want to make the same mistake we made last year. Where we went into camp more or less leaving a spot to be won by a kid, only to have to scramble at the last second to find a suitable replacement. Last year we saw Avery, Hollweg, Immonen, Dubinsky, Cullen and Betts playing out of position to try to accommodate a 2nd line center position that simply could not be filled. Eventually we had to split the trio of Nylander Straka and Jagr apart to patch work a 2nd line that did reasonably well with Avery Straka and Shanny. I do not want that to happen again this year. I am more than happy to bring up kids to fill in for injuries (and there will be injuries folks) which allows them to make a case to earn a job. This year, a year where the Rangers have effectively gone for broke with the deplorable contracts handed to Gomez, and to a slightly lesser degree Drury, they need to lock everything down. Michael Peca lets you do that.
Second, penalty killing. Last year our top 6 penalty killers, in my opinion, were Betts, Ortmeyer, Cullen, Avery, Shanny. This year we are 2 men down. Assuming Drury can step in for one of those spots, who steps in for the other? More importantly who steps in for Shanny so the man isn’t completely winded come the playoffs? Peca is still an elite penalty killer. He also plays a very effective 2 way game. You can pencil in 15 goals and about 30 assists playing between Prucha and Callahan, along with a lower goals against output for that trio.
Next you have role. I think Peca was looked at as a key cog, a real important piece of the puzzle to the Leafs last year, as well as the Oilers before that. Now he can play a role without any pressure of having to score the big goal. If we lose because Peca isn’t scoring enough goals, we have some serious problems.
To sum it up, it just makes sense. Seriously. The only negative argument I hear when it comes to this guy is his injury history (which is VASTLY overstated) and his lack of production offensively. But to me, I am not looking for offense from this guy, I am looking for defense and grit. If he gives that, and can be signed for say 1 year at 1.5, then you have the makings of a legitimate stanley cup favorite in new york. Also it would give a very balanced defensive mentality from your 4 centers. All 4 would be guys who play their own end of the ice, and do so very well. This is important for a team that plays a defensive system as we do. Worst comes to worse, he is hurt, and you have Dubinsky up in the middle of the year anyway. To me, thats better than just handing him the job, even if he isn’t ready, and if last year in Hartford showed us anything, its that he could use a little bit more time there (1/2 a season should be enough).
Make it happen Glen.
-Inferno
