Caggy’s Rumor Mill: Rangers Waive Fritsche; More Moves Coming?

This afternoon the New York Rangers placed forward Dan Fritsche on waivers (as confirmed by RDS). Fritsche, the twenty-four year old native of Parma, Ohio registered 1 goal on the season along with 3 assists for 4 total points in only 16 games this season. He was acquired alongside Nikolai Zherdev in a trade this summer, and his acquisition was a puzzling one as earlier that day the Rangers had come to terms with Patrick Rissmiller (who was also waived earlier this season) and Aaron Voros.

The excess of subpar forwards is finally starting to dwindle as Fritsche became the second Ranger waiver victim in the past two months. I truly believe he is a highly skilled player, with his blazing speed having much to do with that, but he was never given a chance. Had I been Glen Sather, I would have waived Voros over him, but that’s why I’m not a general manager in the NHL.

Now this releasing begs the question; is this the first of a series of moves the Rangers will make to improve themselves? They have barely any cap room left (now approximately $2 million with this latest transaction) and that still isn’t enough to secure a star player. So maybe the Rangers will make smaller moves.

If there is one team and player that I have heard mentioned around the rumor mill more then any others, it the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ole-Kristian Tollefson. The Rangers and Jackets have made moves already (both of which worked out for both teams) so that leads me to believe that if either GM wanted a trade to get done, it would be a lot easier.

The Rangers lack a physical stay at home defensemen more then anything else, and Tollefson would cover that lacking. He’s only played in fifteen games this season but has shown his worth with his defensive play and his bone rattling checks. Will we see him in Ranger Blue very soon?

Another move that the Rangers could make involves Dan Fritsche. It’s been said that the Edmonton Oilers have been looking at acquiring him for some time now and if he clears waivers and becomes Rangers property again, they would even be willing to offer former 2004 first round draft pick Rob Schremp in return. Just a few things to consider on this week’s edition of CRM.

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Caggy’s Rumor Mill: Jovanovski to the Rangers is a Strong Possibility
Caggy’s Rumor Mill: Martin Gerber to the New York Islanders?
Caggy’s Rumor Mill: An NHL Return for Jaromir Jagr?
Caggy’s Rumor Mill: Deal Between Rangers and Blues in the Works?
Shark Watch: Little Sharks Pack a Mean Bite
The Capitals: Trade Deadline Winners?

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