According to Jess Spector, the New York Rangers and tryout Ruslan Fedotenko have agreed to a one-year contract. Fedotenko was the Rangers' leading scorer in preseason, scoring one goal and adding six assists for seven points in five games.
“Fedotenko was our leading scorer in camp, and he’s had a really good camp,” John Tortorella said this morning, before the contract was finalized. “Hockey-wise, his play speaks for itself.”
Because his preseason performance was so strong, there were other teams interested in Fedotenko, but he agreed to stay to open the season on a line with Sean Avery and rookie Derek Stepan that has found instant chemistry.
“For some reason, me, Aves and Feds just seemed to click the first game we played together,” Stepan said. “I feel like this is a good spot, and I’m excited.”
This really doesn’t come as a surprise, especially since he and John Tortorella already have a ton of chemistry from their Stanley Cup Tampa Bay Lightning Team in 2004.
Spector is correct that Fedotenko did have a huge amount of success with Sean Avery and Derek Stepan, and their line was one of the more successful lines for the Rangers.
In Fedotenko the Rangers get a veteran guy who will likely put up around 15 goals and add 20 assists, along with bringing veteran leadership for a guy like Stepan.
This contract, of course, leaves even more questions about who will and won’t be on the team when Chris Drury (finger) and Vaclav Prospal (knee) get back from their injuries.