New York Rangers Get Frolov On Sale

A-Fro needs a new number, Rangers already have a 24.

The New York Rangers have finally added another goal scoring threat to their lineup to be the secondary scorer behind Marian Gaborik. A role that was in sore need of casting, it seems the Ranger’s general manager Glen Sather has actually been paying attention. While he has added a lot of grit and youth to the team this off-season, it seemed that Glen Sather had all but forgotten about the fact that the Rangers were 16th in scoring last season. Alexander Frolov is a 6’2″ Russian with a goal scoring touch, who has scored more than 50 points a season in his last four campaigns. He’s played in one of the most irrelevant hockey cities in the world, and instead of taking the easy (KHL) money, he has decided to come to the world’s most (in)famous arena to display his talents.

Frolov only signed a one year deal worth around 3 million, which is a far cry from the 4 years, 20 million that he left on the table to play in Russia. He could easily fit into top six role, which means he may be featured with Marian Gaborik on the top line, or he may be the star of his own second line. With players like Artem Anisimov, Marian Gaborik, Mats Zuccarello Aasan, Brandon Dubinsky, and Vinny Prospal he should be able to find a couple of linemates he can work with. This signing points to Evgeny Grachev and Derek Steppan being top line players in Hartford this season, but that could be exactly what both players need. There may be more in store for the Rangers prior to training camp, but the way the team is currently built, I see a playoff berth in their future.

There may be some fans out there who worry about this becoming a lot like the year Zherdev had when he became a Ranger two seasons ago. There’s a big difference in this case, and that’s number 10, Marian Gaborik. Frolov will not have to be the Rangers number one threat, like Zherdev was, and that alone should ease his stay on Broadway. Also, coach John Tortorella and Nik Zherdev were forced to deal with each other deep into the season. With Frolov, Torts can actually gameplan around what he has with A-Fro, instead of trying to force a scheme onto the player. Not that this coach is smart enough to do that, but you never know. Did I mention how much better the nickname A-fro is than anything you can do with Zherdev’s name?

Please sign Marc Staal already… PLEASE!

Source: Real GM