Scouting the Free Agents: Martin Havlat
The off-season brings one of the most exciting times in hockey, the free agency period. Now you all know what I think the Rangers should do this off-season, but the Rangers do have other options they can look into. So through the rest of this month all the way up to July 1st (when free agency opens) we will be giving you weekly reports on players the Rangers might be interested in signing. So let's dive right in with: Martin Havlat.
The former Ottawa Senator-now Chicago Blackhawk-winger will be one of the prized free agents to hit the open market. Havlat is a brilliant player who has a great scoring touch along with great on-ice vision. This season he played in 81 games registering 29 goals and 48 assists for 77 points. Thus far in the playoffs he has played in 11 games notching 5 goals-one game winner-and 6 assists. He has great speed and does play with a little bit of an edge. The guy makes his own space and has awesome hands; he will be a great addition to wherever he ends up going.
On the plus side Havlat is only 28 years old and he is a prolific goal scorer. The Rangers could definitely use his help on the power play, especially because the guy shoots from anywhere. He has tons of playoff experience playing in 62 games. In those 62 games he has19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points, of those 19 goals 6 were game winners. He would be a great addition to both the regular season and the playoffs ... if he could remain healthy.
Staying healthy has rarely been easy for him. This season Havlat played in 81 games, a career high. Last season Havlat only dressed for 35 games, the year before he dressed for 56, and three years ago he only played 18 games. Havlat is no doubt one of the better players in the league when he is healthy, but he is very injury prone. Is it worth risking a high salary on a player who has only stayed healthy one season?
Currently Havlat is making 6 million dollars a year on the Blackhawks. I would have to assume he will be offered roughly 6.5-7 on the open market. Unfortunately if this is the case then he will be too expensive for the Rangers to afford. Plus with his injury liability he really isn't worth 7 million a year. If he would put his name onto paper for 6 million a year I say sign him, In the end he will probably be too rich for the Rangers blood, but they may take a look at him if other moves are made to clear cap room. .
0 recs |
13 comments
|
Comments
Intriguing talent, but best to pass on this guy. I would hope we learned our lesson on injury prone players with Eric Lindros
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 10, 2009 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Or Pavel Bure
The Ranger Reporter - My Ranger Blog!
by Joe Fortunato on May 10, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
forgot about him, still pissed the Rangers let him wear number 9
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 10, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh whatever he was really really good
The Ranger Reporter - My Ranger Blog!
by Joe Fortunato on May 10, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for Vancouver
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers
Big Blue View: Unofficial New York Giants blog
by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 10, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
potentially would've been really really good for the Rangers if not for the injuries
he was on a 40-goal pace (in the slow slow slow pre-lockout NHL) before he was sidelined for good in 2002-03, and was second on the team in goals even though he only played half a season. maybe it was a bad trade in view of the injury risk but his effectiveness was never the issue.
by JoshNY on May 11, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
$
Too much money. Buy low sell high; we don’t have the cap space.
Plus, he is playing a third line role with Chicago but getting primo PP time…
by Rob Luker on May 10, 2009 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I would pass on him.
I think we need to focus on repairing our current roster…by cleaning up the overpaid.
We can always find some AHL or CHL unsigned prospects.
by Peterman700 on May 10, 2009 11:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the type of player
the Rangers NEED to PASS on. Injury prone plus while he put up 29 goals, 48 assists, he played on a line with Jonathon Toews, who is much better than any C on the Rangers.
by FreeBradshaw on May 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i like
Hes like a good zherdev.
the upside with zherdev… he has immense talent.
the downside is … he disappears for weeks.
The upside to Havlat, He a solid scorer.
The down side, Hes never healthy.
so the way i see it…. when he plays he is like having zherdev playing well. But when he is hurt its like when zherdev disappears for weeks on end.
its risky cause of his history but he should be hitting his prime. Him and Gaborik are HUGE risks but the rangers shoudl take a look
by ImaMoose on May 11, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I myself have to pass but man if only he could stay healthy
regardless he is going to be WAYYY too expensive
The Ranger Reporter - My Ranger Blog!
by Joe Fortunato on May 11, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
NO
WAY too much of an injury risk. This year is the first time he’s ever played more than 75 games in a season, and the first time since the lockout he’s played more than 56. Just… no.
by JoshNY on May 11, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If they could somehow get
Rosival or Redden off the team and Havlat on it, Id do it. If he’s hurt, I still think he helps more than a healthy Redden.
by FreeBradshaw on May 11, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

by 





























