Rangers claim Christensen, swap goalies
Photo credit: AP | Erik Christensen (26) tries to create some offense while being defended by Detroit Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader (8). (November 14, 2009)
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Nov. 30: Penguins 5, Rangers 2
In the first multi-player shuffle of the season, the slumping Rangers claimed center Erik Christensen on waivers Wednesday, called up rookie goaltender Chad Johnson from Hartford and sent backup goalie Steve Valiquette there to sharpen his game - if he clears waivers.
With the 13-13-1 Rangers thin in the middle, Christensen, 25, who scored 18 goals and added 15 assists and eight shootout goals for the Penguins as a rookie in 2006-07, was claimed from the Ducks. The Edmonton native, considered a perimeter player with a quality shot and very good on faceoffs, will compete with Brian Boyle for the fourth-line role.
Christensen, who earns $750,000, will fill a lineup spot vacated by winger Donald Brashear, who missed yesterday's practice with an undisclosed injury. The veteran enforcer has been troubled by a hand/wrist problem that may have flared up. But if the 6-1, 205-pound Christensen, who had no points in nine games with Anaheim, is effective, he could stick when center Brandon Dubinsky (broken hand) returns later this month.
"He's a guy I know our scouts have watched," coach John Tortorella said. "It's an opportunity for him. Brash is hurt. I'm not sure [how long] it's going to be. When Dubi comes back, some decisions will have to be made."
Tortorella said Valiquette, who allowed four third-period goals in his sixth appearance of the season in Pittsburgh on Saturday, needs consistent work. Sending a player to the minors for conditioning doesn't remove him from the salary cap, and the Rangers are close to the ceiling. So Valiquette and his $725,000 salary had to be placed on waivers.
"We want to get him down there playing and get his game back. If he goes through [Thursday], he gets an opportunity to play some minutes," Tortorella said. "It's a tough situation for Vally, he hasn't played a whole bunch. Sometimes your skills may diminish. He works his [butt] off on the ice but he hasn't played much and I think that's hurt him."
If Valiquette, who has played in only 46 NHL games over seven seasons, doesn't clear waivers in the next day or is claimed on recall from Hartford whenever that occurs, the Rangers could seek a veteran backup. Earlier in the year, Tortorella said he hoped Valiquette could spell Henrik Lundqvist for about 15 games.
Johnson, 23, who was acquired from the Penguins during last summer's draft for a fifth-round pick, appeared in 18 games for the Wolf Pack, with a 2.10 GAA and three shutouts. Said to be a favorite of GM Glen Sather's, Johnson was MVP of the CCHA when playing at the University of Alaska/Fairbanks.
