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After the New York Rangers announced that Mike
Richter was out for the rest of the season they knew they had to do
something. Many had speculated that the team was going to approach the St.
Louis Blues about Fred
Brathwaite, but the recent injury to Tom
Barrasso has secured Brathwaite's position with the team even when
alleged #1 Brent
Johnson returns. So instead they approached the Nashville Predators and
acquired Mike
Dunham for Rem
Murray, Tomas
Kloucek and
Marek Zidlicky.
This deal is as much about the future as it is about the present. The
Rangers needed a veteran starter who could take the pressure off of 2nd year
netminder Dan
Blackburn. The 'Blue Shirts' were probably worried about the young
goalie's confidence and felt acquiring Dunham was the logical answer. This
is a great deal for the Preds. Tomas
Vokoun is more than capable of taking over as the team's #1 'tender and
the addition of Murray who's solid in both ends (but is a standout
defensively) and the defensive d-man Kloucek can only help the young
Nashville squad. Zidliky is a long term project, but could become a decent
blueliner.
Fantasy Impact: This is a deal that could really help both teams. The
Rangers are still in the hunt for a playoff spot and a veteran goaltender
that can spell off Blackburn could be very important to them. As for the
Predators, this deal is huge. This is a deal that could add a lot of
confidence to a lot of their young players. None of the players the Preds
acquired are fantasy standouts, but the addition of depth could make a
difference to players like Scott
Hartnell and David
Legwand. |
