Peca Says Rangers "Would Be A Great Fit"

Yesterday, TSN ran an article on Michael Peca's continuing job hunt.  Not surprisingly, the New York Rangers came up.  After trading away center Matt Cullen, the Rangers were left with a potential hole in the middle.  Who would replace Cullen as the third line centerman?  Many suggest that the position can be filled from within by any one of the following players: Straka, Drury, Dubinsky or even Avery (assuming he's resigned- an assumption that becomes just a bit more complicated given the Oiler$ most recent RFA fiasco). 

As I've written before, none of the aforementioned options make sense to me.  Not one of the players listed above qualifies as a legitimate third line centermen.  According to Peca, the Rangers may have shown an interest in signing him.  If Peca's right, it would appear that the Rangers' brass is not sold on the Rangers internal options either. 

Is Peca the answer?  The skeptics (and up until recently, I was definitely one of them) argue that Peca's fragile health makes him a risk that should be avoided.  The Rangers already have an aging superstar in Jaromir Jagr, whose health has been a cause for concern for some time now.  Add to that two other aging and fragile top six forwards, Brendan Shanahan and Martin Straka.  Does it make sense to add Peca to the mix?  Peca would likely become an instant fan favorite and an important piece of the over all puzzle.  What would happen to the teams morale if (or should I say when) he goes down with another injury?  Should the Rangers take that chance while gearing up for a serious run at the Cup?  What about the wasted cap space?

On the other hand, is Peca's injury history really as prohibitive as it's made out to be?  In 2006-07, Peca missed the last 46 games of the season with a broken leg.  Perhaps that was more of a freak accident than a chronic problem.  When asked if he thought that teams were apprehensive about signing him due to the leg injury, Peca was quoted as saying, ''I don't think they would be if they looked at my medical reports and checked on my progress as far as healing. Matt Nichol, the strength and conditioning coach in Toronto, could vouch for me as much as anybody how ready I am to play...I feel very comfortable and confident, with the physical part of my game and my leg...And mentally, I've been saying since the end of last season, I just feel very excited about getting back out and playing.''   According to TSN, Peca says that there are no lingering effects from the injury.

In 2005-06, Peca played 71 regular season games and 24 playoff games for the Oiler$.  Very respectable totals. 

In 2003-04 (2004-05 was the lockout season during which Peca did not play anywhere), Peca played 76 regular season games and all 5 playoff games for the Isles.  In 2002-03 Peca played only 66 regular season games for the Isles.  He did, however, manage to score 42 points during that span.  He also managed to play in all 5 of the Isles playoff matches.  In 2001-02 Peca had a career year for the Isles appearing in 80 regular season games while scoring 25 goals, 35 assists and posting a +19 rating.  In the playoffs, however, he played in only 5 of the teams 7 matches (or was it 5 of 6?). 

Peca's actual numbers are not as bad as some may believe.  Is he a risk? Yes.  Is he too much of a risk? Not necessarily.  If the Rangers are interested, they'll obviously have to do their due diligence.  If the medical records and exams look good and he's willing to sign for one season for under $2m, the Rangers should seriously consider this option.

Last but certainly not least would be Peca's desire to play in New York.  Peca is quoted as saying that his preference would be to stay in Toronto.  If he does come to Broadway, it would have to be for the right reasons.  Ranger fans are far too familiar with the problems caused by players who come to New York for the wrong reasons. 

Obviously this is all speculation.  But it's late July and I'm bored!  Let me hear what you think.  Post your comments and vote in the opinion poll below!

                

Comments

[MOSS]

Do I think Peca is a good fit? The answer is, I really don't know. A 'Peca-type' player is precisely what we need, especially for that role. But, while the broken leg may be considered a freak- rather than chronic- incident, it nonetheless is an indication that Peca does injure easily. And lets not kid ourselves. Ever since the Darcy Tucker incident, Peca hasn't been a shell of himself. Ultimately, if he were willing to take a 1-year deal for no more than $1.5M, I would consider it. But then again, I'm not the GM. I still believe that if you want to take a shot at another centerman with injury history, you go for Mr. Forsberg. Then you slide Drury to the 3-hole, giving you a 1-2-3 of Gomez, Forsberg, Drury. Or Forsberg, Gomez, Drury- whoever clicks better w/ Jags. I don't know what you think, but that's far better than Gomez, Drury, Avery. What do you think, Rabbi?

[The Hockey Rabbi]

I don't like the Forsberg idea. He's not a #3 center. Superstars like him have a hard time fading into the background gracefully (remeber Messier?). Drury is also not a 3rd line center. You can't put square pegs into round holes, it disrupts the chemistry of the team. The Rangers have centermen for their top 2 lines. They have to select an appropriate 3rd liner.

[thedirtyboy]

From an Islander fan's standpoint I can vouch for Peca with the same confidence that I bashed Yashin. Peca has never been the same player since the Tucker hit- especially offensively. Having said that, he would be an excellent addition to any team. Also, if he was still that player, we wouldn't be having this discussion because you wouldn't be able to sign him for these kinds of numbers.

[rangerbill94]

I'd rather go with a young Dubinsky centering an energy 4th line and use Betts centering a defensive 3rd line. If the Dubinsky line begins to click, move them up to 3rd line ice time.

[The Hockey Rabbi]

rangerbill94:

thanks for the comment. I've seen you post comments on other sites before. Welcome to this one!

under your scenario, where would you put straka and hossa?

[Mike]

Not for nothing, but aren't the Rangers at $49 million and still have some arbitration deals to contend with? While I would love to see your backs up against the wall financially, I doubt you really need Peca. Rangerbill94 is right, throw some kids in there and get them ice time on the third and fourth lines.

Then again, I speak for a team who's big off season acquisition so far has been Isbister (ugh). So bias and a tad bit of jealousy is lacing my comments :)

[Mike]

Not for nothing, but aren't the Rangers at $49 million and still have some arbitration deals to contend with? While I would love to see your backs up against the wall financially, I doubt you really need Peca. Rangerbill94 is right, throw some kids in there and get them ice time on the third and fourth lines.

Then again, I speak for a team who's big off season acquisition so far has been Isbister (ugh). So bias and a tad bit of jealousy is lacing my comments :)

[The Dark Ranger]

I cannot imagine they can find the room; the only way is to not re-sign both Hossa and Avery. That wouldn't be a good thing, I think. Maybe Mess is coming back.

tdr