After the report earlier today, it appears that it's true and the Rangers have signed forward Tim Kennedy to a one-year deal. While the financial details of the deal are still a bit unknown, it's believed he signed for $550,000. After winning a $1 million award in arbitration from the Sabres, settling for a salary just above league minimum has to feel a bit stinging.
That is until you consider that the Sabres are paying him $333,333 after buying out his arbitration-won contract. I don't suppose that Tim Kennedy will be fired up to play Buffalo this year at all.
As for what this does for the Rangers, Andrew Gross from Rangers Rants spills some of the details for us.
However, the Rangers are projecting Kennedy more as a center so he'll get a chance to earn a roster spot in the middle. As an organization, the Rangers' greatest depth need is at center. This is sort of like pitching, the Rangers figure they cannot have enough centers. Right now, if Kennedy is included, he joins Erik Christensen, Todd White, Chris Drury (who could be moved to the wing), Brian Boyle (ditto), Artem Anisimov and possibly Prospal as center candidates.
That's an awfully crowded house and considering Kennedy played on the wing for Buffalo last year, there's flexibility all over the place. At the very least, the Rangers are over-prepared for guys to be tossed out of the face-off circle.
Wow, it looks like the Rangers are going to be holding public tryouts at this rate. This is the biggest collection of mens league players I have ever seen and the signings just keep getting worse. I'm thinking of contacting the Rangers for a tryout soon. Maybe he can play with Callahan and they both can do everything, but score all year. The only positive from this signing is that maybe we will compete for the 1st overall draft pick next year. This team is going to be so bad that it's going to be comical. At least we have Boogarrd to kick peoples asses. If we are going to lose every game I guess we'll lose fighting. As sorry as this team is I will still be at their home opener on 10/15 :( What the hell is wrong with me?