Rangers Report Blog

News and insight about the New York Rangers by Rick Carpiniello


It’s done

Posted by: Carp - Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 02, 2010

According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Rangers-Flames trade has been finalized.

As reported last night, it’s Jokinen and Prust for Kotalik and Higgins.

The thing that kind of fascinates me is this: The Rangers are getting rid of a guy who was a total overpaid bust, and another guy who was supposed to score and didn’t, and wasn’t coming back as a UFA anyway.  They are getting a guy who’s a big overpaid dog and who will also be leaving in the summer … if not at the trade deadline, and a fourth-liner.

And yet you guys are extremely excited and on pins and needles for about, what, 30 hours now? It’s quite a phenomenon.
——————————————-
It would really be unfair if Aaron Voros gets booted off the roster because of this, and because Brashear has the unmovable contract that doesn’t come off the books whether he’s banished to Hartford or bought out.

But I’m sure you all will like Prust a lot better. A lot better.

 
 
 
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103 Responses to “It’s done”


  1. tr-808

    not first?

  2. MAKO

    ITS DONE!!

    Dreger!
    One of the most bizarre trades I have ever covered. Jokinen+Prust for Higgins and Kotalik. Good night. more on http://www.tsn.ca

  3. William

    Life as a Blueblood!

    @@

  4. evitageN

    Woooooooooooo! Should we feel bad for Montreal and Calgary since we totally ripped em off?

    Sather keep the good trades coming, and stop signing Free Agents…

  5. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    we are not well Carp, you should know that by now!

  6. tr-808

    wow.
    crazy…
    wasnt expecting that.

    cleared close to 10.5 mil for next season. can give staal and girardi raises and have enough money left over to spend too much on the next ufa.

  7. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    DarrenDreger One of the most bizarre trades I have ever covered. Jokinen+Prust for Higgins and Kotalik. Good night. more on http://www.tsn.ca

    LMFAO!!!!!!

  8. MAKO

    Larry Brooks:

    Acquisition of Prust, 2d in NHL with 18 fights, may spell doom for either Voros or Brashear….or both.
    less than a minute ago from web

    Kotalik as Hamlet relents. Going to Calgary with Higgins for Jokinen and Prust.
    2 minutes ago from web

  9. Carp

    See, this is what I don’t get: The “we totally ripped them off.” A bum and a fourth-liner for two bums.

  10. Olga Folkyerself

    It’s Sather, folks. No good can come of this…

  11. True fans bleed RW&B

    BOOM!

    (...goes the dynamite that Kotalik’s wife mails him in Calgary)!

    Ya!

  12. Matt Calamia

    It’s just fun when trades happen, especially for two guys no one particularly liked, nor will miss.

    Kotalik wasn’t even playing, so to lose him is no big deal. Higgins on the other hand had so much upside, but did ZERO. He makes Wade Redden not look like that bad of a hockey player.

    Like you said, Jokinen isn’t Wayne Gretzky, but he’ll do more than both of those losers.

    At best, we just dumped Kotalik’s contract

  13. William

    “Hellboy and Prust”

    @@

  14. nyr326

    Carp,

    I’m just excited to free up the money and maybe get a little backbone on this team.

  15. MAKO

    Gross:

    Multiple outlets now reporting deal is done: #NYRangers get Olli Jokinen, Brandon Prust. #Flames get Ales Kotalik, Christopher Higgins.
    4 minutes ago from web

  16. michabenjamin

    Carp, it’s that someone is going to call about OJ. Who would have called and offered as much as they can get for him compared to Kotalik or Higgins?

  17. Dino

    i have a scary feeling that jokinen will play very well for the rangers this season, be resigned, and then be utter crap

  18. Rick (No, not that one)

    Prust is a hell of a middleweight.
    And maybe we catch lightning in a bottle with Jokinen
    going back to a more uptempo style than Sutter has.
    One can hope, anyways.
    Not to mention Kotalik’s salary is off the books.
    I’d do it just for that.

  19. MAKO

    Girardi shouldnt be on this team next year. I hope they trade for a decent defenceman.

  20. tr-808

    https://images.tmuscle.com/forum_images/2/5/25ad8-slow_clap.gif

    bravo!
    lol
    6 mil off the cap for the next 2 years!
    pizza party time kids!

  21. William

    The most important aspect of this trade is that Kotalik is off the register for 2010-2011, and 2011-2012!

    @@

  22. True fans bleed RW&B

    Its like Christmas Carp!

  23. Rob M

    we are all happy about this for what it does for us NEXT season, nobody is sayin jokinen is going to carry us to the east finals or anything.. and plus any guy who has 35 pts and is on the rangers is definitely not a bum in rangers standards for this year.. i will take it!

  24. MAKO

    TSN!!!!!

    http://www.tsn.ca/

  25. michabenjamin

    Dino, saying that before you go to sleep is like a kid watching a scary movie before bed and expecting them to sleep soundly through the night.

    Thanks a lot. No doze for me.

  26. ThisYearsModel

    Kotalik was horrible. Higgins, not so much. It was the 2 additional years at $3MM that make me happy about this deal. Yes, Jokinen is a dog…...a free agent dog with a huge salary coming off the books. I am thrilled to be rid of Kotalik.

  27. True fans bleed RW&B

    and you shouldn’t let anything ruin Christmas!

  28. Olga Folkyerself

    Dino- spot on. Don’t forget, he gets a NTC, too.

  29. evitageN

    Carp, we got a UFA and RFA, for a guy signed next year and teh year after… That’s ripping them off no?

    I woulda done a 7th for Kotalik and been happy…

  30. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    none of that money should go to girardi!!

  31. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    well at least we can chant PRUUUUUUUUUUU again if this guy can do puddins job!

  32. William

    Ok… going to finish my beer and fade into that good night…

    good night all…

    for the record,

    “Hellboy” on Broadway??!

    @@

  33. True fans bleed RW&B

    Honestly, even if it only lasts 5 games before we hate him… Its 5 more games I won’t watch because I’m a Rangers loving zombie. There’s actually something to root for and potential for a slightly different outcome (although we all understand it will be very much the same).

  34. Carp

    As cw said about the Gomez trade:

    They traded Kotalik and Higgins for No Kotalik and No Higgins.

  35. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    PIZZA PARTY COURTESY OF CAPTAIN CLUTCH!!

    remember, order the mouthguard with everything!

  36. Salty

    probably been said, but this of course equates to “Kotalik for No Kotalik”

    I also enjoy seeing Higgins kicked the F out of NY. Good luck getting a contract this summer, douche bag.

  37. Carp

    Hope Prust doesn’t get Prucha’d

  38. michabenjamin

    TSNBobMcKenzie

    From TSN’s Ryan Rishaug in Cgy: Jokinen and Prust just walked up to Darryl Sutter’s office with a member of team’s pr staff.

  39. I_Bleed_Blue16

    TSNBobMcKenzie

    From TSN’s Ryan Rishaug in Cgy: Jokinen and Prust just walked up to Darryl Sutter’s office with a member of team’s pr staff.
    less than 5 seconds ago from UberTwitter

  40. MAKO

    always have hope he will fit well with Gabby!!!

  41. Billy C

    this is a great trade because at the very least it frees up 3 million in cap space the next two season which could go to re-upping staal and perhaps girardi.
    Jokinen has had a pretty bad year but he has had many good post lock-out years. He’s had 29 or more goals for the last four years and helps a team that is thin down the middle. At the best they might have gotten a legit first line center. If the change of scenery doesn’t do Jokinen any good, then the team is no worse off. I think we have all had enough of Kotalik and Higgins. They were not going to do anything spectacular.

  42. Olga Folkyerself

    Christmas my ass! It’s Ground Hog Day and I’ve seen these Sather moves endless times before.

  43. Spiderpig

    Higaliks for Prukinen! You did it Glennie! What does this mean for the Fire Sather Rally? Props to Carp for sticking around past midnight again.

    Sexyness!

  44. MAKO

    From @DarrenDreger: Trade call is over. Done deal.
    less than 5 seconds ago from UberTwitter

  45. michabenjamin

    haha

    Calgary radio just said that this probably isn’t a big deal here in NY and it’s 1am so no one is really paying attention basically lol

    They wanted to call Brooks but said he doesn’t return calls lol

    Carp you taking calling from the west?

  46. Carp

    if somebody’s calling at this hour, they better have some benjamins, michabenjamin.

  47. Rob E

    good call, mako.
    if he fits well with gabby, win, win!

  48. michabenjamin

    lol carp

  49. Rob E

    It’s all about the Benjamins, michabenjamin.

  50. Salty

    FACT

    Kotalik = 45games, 8g, 14a

    Drury = 51 games, 8g, 11a

    Drury = Dough Boy

  51. evitageN

    Now just don’t give Jokinen 2 years at 8 million, and then trade him next mid season Sather.

  52. I_Bleed_Blue16

    nothing reported on nhl network yet….

  53. True fans bleed RW&B

    Carp,
    I’m gonna say Dreger or Mac were right when they said the flames just needed the players tonight for crucial points and that’s the hold up. Kotalik probably went to NY to meet his family or pack. Your guess was true in part, but I think Uncle Larry flat out lied.

  54. MAKO

    Hell Yeah Rob

    You never know. He’s big and will make room for Gaborik to skate & shoot. That will be a great Top Line.

    Even though Gabby is pretty low maintenance Im sure having an actual play making center (No Offense Vinny) will light a spark :) Im very hopeful about this :)

  55. michabenjamin

    Do you think there’s a dual Fire the GM gathering in both NY and Calgary coming up?

  56. Olga Folkyerself

    All you people that are happy now- wait until the trade deadline.

    You blacklisted! I name names!

  57. Dan LD

    Honestly, not so psyched about this one. Jokinen was overhyped in Calgary and not very well liked from the fans, mostly because of his numbers. But who knows, maybe he needs a change of scenery.

    It’s a pipe dream, but maybe they’ll clear enough dead weight off the books to sign Kovalchuk. Now THAT would be something.

  58. Carp

    True Fans, mine wasn’t a guess.

    Olga, you got me blacklisted at Hop Sing’s?

  59. fIREHOSE

    it’s the same thing every year. this team is a disaster

  60. Salty

    People are bashing Kotalik… and he was often a healthy scratch… but he put up better numbers than our $7M captain for less than half the cost.

    JUST SAYIN’.

  61. michabenjamin

    I think Glen’s calling Burke’s voicemail right now singing, “ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO BETTER…”

  62. True fans bleed RW&B

    Olga, unless Jokinen gets an extension or flipped for Vinny L or Komaserik, this is a very good move.

  63. Carp

    wasn’t I going to bed about an hour ago?

  64. Spiderpig

    Or, we can call it Higaliks for cap space next season. Now reading some of your posts, it makes me wonder if Sather will turn right around and trade Jokinen’s expiring contract along with one of our defensemen, probably Rozsival or Girardi since Redden is almost unmovable, for a better defenseman in return. We shall see, my friends! Guess what, as it stands now, we have more room to sign Staal (not getting much $ yet) and Prospal for next season, with pretty much an even trade on this season’s cap. Flames fans must be frenzied at this moment, as the team looks like it’s firing crap at the wall and seeing what sticks.

  65. MAKO

    Hey Im not downing on Koalik. I didnt want to see him go. I think he got treated unfairly and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Im pissed because they gave Higgins so many chances, Rozi, Redden, Drury. I wish him the best. Unfortunately, we cant control the players go.

  66. michabenjamin

    CARP, question for ya…

    What was Mess’ influence in signing free agents when he played?

  67. Carp

    Somebody just reminded me that this is almost about the time that Willie Randolph got fired out in California.

  68. michabenjamin

    basically did the people he wanted to sign do well for the rangers?>

  69. Olga Folkyerself

    True Fans- It’s still Sather. What do you think will happen?

  70. Carp

    I don’t remember a trade taking this long since the whole Flyers/Rangers/Nordiques/Lindros/Larry Bertuzzi fiasco.

  71. MAKO

    michabenjamin
    February 2nd, 2010 at 1:06 am
    I think Glen’s calling Burke’s voicemail right now singing, “ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO BETTER…”

    *********************************************

    LMAO!!! Well I can barely keep my eyes open. Good night Fellas and Ladies! Thanks Rick to hanging with us!

  72. evitageN

    Salty, great points, Chris Drury, Wade Redden, and Michal Roszival gotta go next!

  73. Miami Pimp

    For goodness sakes, we just traded two POS for 1 POS and 1 expendable …

    Where the F is Kovalchuk …

    Flip these clowns and get Kovalchuk please.

    Sweets dreams, son.

  74. Spiderpig

    michabenjamin – hahaha. Now let’s see Redden for Phaneuf straight up. I’d take it!

  75. True fans bleed RW&B

    He free’d up cap space to sign Drury to an extension?

  76. Carp

    I’m sure Messier had some input, which was welcomed, especially later in his career. He wasn’t always right, though.

  77. Carp

    Miami, shouldn’t that be iPOS?

  78. Bill nyR

    Ned Isakoff???

  79. michabenjamin

    thanks for answering

  80. MikeA

    Salty, the thing with Kotalik was he couldn’t play 5 on 5, doesn’t PK, and doesn’t check very well. At least Drury can be a great PKer and has his moments defensively.

    Just please no Marleau this offseason. That’s gonna be Drury 2.0 and he’ll lose all his mojo without Thornton.

  81. Spiderpig

    Look at that, Redden and Phaneuf have the exact same cap number, $6.5 million, and contract remaining, through 2013-14, according to NHL Numbers. Burke’s too smart to do that, right?

  82. MAKO

    Oh one last thing from BOBMcKenzie

    Iggy, Boyd, Lndmrk, Hagman, Bourque, Glncrss, Higgins, Kotalik, Moss(inj), Dawes(inj). That’s a lot of wingers. Gotta be more moves coming.
    9 minutes ago from UberTwitter

  83. True fans bleed RW&B

    Calgary will flip Higgins for Kovalchuk. Watch it happen.

  84. Miami Pimp

    iCARP:

    i only have one thing to say and i’ll say it before that iPOS even gets here …

    Joke-inen iS iBush-iLeague

  85. michabenjamin

    Good night everyone.

  86. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    lmao you guys are too much!!

  87. Spiderpig

    MAKO – Yeah, I liked Kotalik for his offense, too. He should have had more chances than Higgins, but I’m guessing there was some sort of rift with Tortorella involved. It must break Higgins’s little heart to be traded away from Montreal and New York in the span of about eight months.

    Carp – Randolph’s firing news came down at about 3:15 a.m. ET.

  88. Miami Pimp

    True fans:

    WRONG. Let me correct it for you …

    Calgary will flip Kotalik for Kovalchuk. Watch it happen.

  89. Linda is attempting to make chocolate chip/white chocolate chip/cherry cookies and keep up with you guys

    best part about this deal is the money it HOPEFULLY freed up to do something SMART in the offseason!! Also, this guys face is going to make for a fun final third of the season!

  90. Salty

    Hey Im not downing on Koalik. I didnt want to see him go. I think he got treated unfairly and fell out of favor with the coaching staff. Im pissed because they gave Higgins so many chances, Rozi, Redden, Drury. I wish him the best. Unfortunately, we cant control the players go.

    .......

    I’m with you. Kotalik, I didn’t care for him one way or another, but it was obvious he became a scapegoat when there are many more players on the team who should have far more accountability.

    Higgins on the other hand was given unlimited opportunity and I have zero sympathy for him, and I admit a lot of it has to do with his unkempt appearance…if you’re not producing, you should also not be looking hungover at every single game.

  91. Olga Folkyerself

    linda- FIRE SATHER, babe!

  92. wicky doesn't wear a face shield and wants gabby to break jagr's record!

    I also think there is a deal or two on the horizon and that if olli isn’t part of it, then it will probably be dubi and I think a d man or two deal is gonna happen no matter what! Now sit lisin and put prust in his roster place and move boyle up a line!

  93. Carp

    new post.

  94. Spiderpig

    This is why we won this trade, from Chris Botta: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2010/02/02/olli-jokinen-a-low-risk-high-reward-gamble-for-the-rangers/

    Btw, Higgins deserved to have his heart re-broken for the poor effort he put into the games here.

  95. michabenjamin

    Before I go, I just had a vision of Glen Sather waving his hands in front of his face at Rangers fans ala John Cena saying, “You can’t fire me!”

  96. Ely

    You know maybe if Slather had any ability in assessing players he wouldn’t have to gamble on getting lucky and getting rid of the players he signs…maybe Dolan can get lucky and trade Slather for a GM with one year left on his contract

  97. True fans bleed RW&B

    It might be Higgins, Kotalik, and a former Leaf for Kovy… But calgary will probably get him. They were active last year and again this year, making big moves. Good for them.

  98. jae

    I do not see a single bad thing about this trade.

    -The Rangers shed Kotalik’s awful contract for the next few years.

    -Higgins seemed to work hard and had some really good years in MTL a while back, but he hasn’t been the same guy and he couldn’t buy a goal here in NY. Plus there are rumors that him and Redden like to rage too much and are snorting their money away….

    -The Rangers now have more room to sign Staal and possibly make other moves now and in the future.

    -The Rangers get a good, young fighter/agitator in Prust who should help bring some needed grit to the team.

    -The Rangers get Jokinen, who not so long ago (before his brief stint in PHO and in Calgary) was one of the elite players in the NHL. Jokinen is a big guy, and gives the Rangers the #1 center they have needed all season. Plus he will be a FA after the season and will give NY even more $ to play with. If anything, playing in the East again, Jokinen could provide a needed spark to this team. He may mesh very well with Gabby or whoever he is paired with. Let’s not forget that he was a good player before going to Calgary and it is obvious that Calgary had some serious locker room issues. Some say Jokinen is a locker room cancer, but let’s not forget the same was said about Avery before he came here and look how that turned out. Just about all of us love Avery. From 2002-2008 Jokinen played in EVERY game EVERY season and in that time frame he racked up an average of 75 points a season, scoring 30+ goals in 4 of those seasons.

    I am not saying Jokinen is gonna be the savior of this team and he may be a complete bust like many of the aging stars that come to NY. However he is a hell of a lot better than Higgins and Kotalik COMBINED. If he doesn’t produce, then no big deal, we either let him walk or ship him out. It’s a win-win situation for the Rangers.

    I DO NOT SEE A SINGLE DOWNSIDE TO THIS TRADE! Unless of course Slats give Jokinen a raise and a contract extension, or if he packages Jokinen, Staal, Dubi, Cally & a pick to ATL for Kovalchuck….

  99. mightymatt

    Doesn’t this trade make you wonder WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY did we sign Brashear instead of orr?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

  100. ilb2001

    Just to make the number nice 100:
    You guys are nuts!

  101. Domi28

    Slats is just presenting Brashear with a LETS MAKE A DEAL offer: You can take Door #1 go down to hartford or Door #2 take a buyout package, bottomline someone show Donald the door.

  102. Izzy Mandlebaum

    last

  103. Izzy Mandlebaum

    really last



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