Peca Says Rangers "Would Be A Great Fit"
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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.
