Trade Specs: Jonathan Cheechoo For Michal Rozsival

by John Merrigan on Jun 5, 2009 2:00 PM EDT in New York Rangers Analysis

Pure Speculation

There has been some chatter and speculation of a possible trade between the Rangers and the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks have suffered another quick exit after a dominate regular season in which they captured the President's Trophy with the NHL's best record. Rumors of change in San Jose hint that Sharks GM Doug Wilson may make players such as Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, and Jonathan Cheechoo available for trade. The Rangers are also looking to change the makeup of their team, could the two be trading partners?

Steve Zipay recently proposed that the Rangers make a move for Jonathan Cheechoo, the former Rocket Richard winner. Since his '05-'06 campaign when he notched a league leading 56 goals, his numbers have steadily tailed off from 37 goals in '06-'07 to 23 goals in '07-'08 to 12 goals last season. Considering he just recently turned 30, it's difficult to believe that his decline is due to diminishing skills. He has been bumped around the Sharks lineup, finding himself on the 3rd line for most of last season. He fits the bill for a 'change in scenery will do ya good' type player.

The proposed trade would be Michal Rozsival for Jonathan Cheechoo. Although this trade would be entirely based on Rob Blake retiring or moving to another club, it's not such a farfetched dream as the Marleau for Drury proposal of a few weeks ago.

If Blake retires or moves to another club, Rozsival's $5 million cap hit could occupy the slot left by his departure. Rozsival could also fill the void left by Blake as the secondary puck moving defenseman on the team (Dan Boyle is the goto guy). Although the 40+ year old Rob Blake put up better numbers than Rozsival did last season, the high powered offense in San Jose would certainly provide a boost to Rozsival's stat line. With two years remaining on his contract, Rozsival isn't the kind of gamble by the Sharks that could seriously hamstring them in the future (w-a-d-e-r-e-d-d-e-n). Rangers fans are brutal on the Czech defenseman at MSG and laid back Cali might be a nice destination for him.

As for Cheechoo, he has two years and $6 million remaining on his deal. With a relatively small cap hit of $3 million per even the Rangers can fit him into their tight salary cap. Even though Cheechoo statistically has been on the decline, he's a calculated risk that has a better upside than 2 more years of Michal Rozsival. Cheechoo could do well in a new environment and with the opportunity to play alongside Scott Gomez. He fits the Rangers need of size and scoring on the wing.

But if he didn't and continued to put up poor numbers, the Rangers cleared $2 million in cap space that can be devoted to re-signing Marc Staal next summer. They also opened a spot that can be filled by Bobby Sanguinetti or Matt Gilroy. Cheechoo is a risk and right now doesn't have a whole lot of trade value, but comparatively speaking, he's cheaper than most other players on the trade market and the $2 million net cap space from the trade is a much needed bonus.

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It would take more than Rozsival to get Cheechoo. Assume the Rangers are forced to take Lukowich and his $1.567 salary cap hit for this season, and assume a late pick (5th) going to SJ.

Blue Seat Blogs

by Dave Shapiro on Jun 5, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

cheechoo’s trade value isn’t that high, although taking salary in return would probably be a part of the deal. i don’t think they’d throw in Lukowich just to move some salary. he’s still a valuable player in his own right.

The Manic Ranger

by John Merrigan on Jun 5, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Cheechoo still has value as a former 50 goal scorer, which means it takes more than Rozsival to get it done. I don’t mean to say that he is necessarily worth more, but market value dictates he will command more in the trade market. Former 50 goal scorer at a relatively low cap hit, it’s worth something now, especially with the cap going down.

As for Lukowich, I say that purely from a salary cap relief point of view. They will need that cap space to resign Clowe, who is an RFA.

Blue Seat Blogs

by Dave Shapiro on Jun 5, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

he scored 56 goals 4 years ago and since has declined, he scored only 12 goals last year and 29 points. they’re not selling a 50 goal scorer anymore. of course rozsival wouldn’t be the only player involved, probably mid range prospect or a draft pick.

The Manic Ranger

by John Merrigan on Jun 5, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Sather should jump aboard the Cheechoo train, but not because of his play.

I’m not sure Cheechoo’s trade value is as high as one might think. There is a large difference between a “player who scored 50 goals” and a “50 goal scorer.” Everything points to consistency, which Cheechoo has not displayed whatsoever since netting 56 goals in 05-06…37, 23, and 12 respectively over the past three seasons.

Again, Cheechoo’s production has declined significantly each year since the first year out of the lockout. The key for Cheechoo then was the play of Joe Thornton. After being dealt by the Bruins, Thornton played with a chip on his shoulder the rest of the year and eventually overtook Jagr for the scoring lead. Cheechoo was a great beneficiary as Thornton is a top playmaking center who had a career year.

While it will likely take more then Rozsival straight up to obtain Cheechoo, I don’t think the bounty is as high as some people might think. Although I would prefer not doing so, taking Lukowich back is not a bad thing, he’s a proven winner that can help some of the younger defenseman (essentially taking Mara’s role).

The question remains as to whether Cheechoo can help this team on the ice. If we don’t take back anymore salary, this deal makes 100% sense from a cap perspective. But from a hockey perspective, don’t expect this guy to touch 50 or 40 or even 30 goals if he comes here. Perfect fit for the second line.

by brozer on Jun 5, 2009 3:16 PM EDT reply actions

wow

if this has any truth to it I would be ecstatic.

Cheechoo isn’t a 50 goal scorer, but if he manages to come close to the 37 and 32 season a few years ago that would be more than enough.

To get rid of Rosival and to give Gilroy or Sanguinetti their chance would be nice too.

by FreeBradshaw on Jun 5, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions

I think we are agreeing here tmr, but just arguing over points. It would definitely take more than Rozsival to get it done, probably a draft pick, and since the Sharks need to resign Clowe, we will need to take on extra salary to get it done.

I wonder how Cheechoo would do on a line with Gomez and Avery? Maybe he would be with Dubinsky on the left and Drury down the middle?

With Rozsival gone, you would have Redden, Girardi, Staal, Lukowich (assuming he is in the deal), Gilroy, and an open spot.

Blue Seat Blogs

by Dave Shapiro on Jun 5, 2009 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

i was hypothetically thinking about putting cheechoo with gomez too.

by Pookie on Jun 5, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

i think we are too, i agree with you that the rangers will either have to take some salary back and/or give up a prospect/draft pick.

i think right away you need to give cheechoo the opportunity at the 1st line with gomez, if anything just becase if zherdev does return, they’ve already tried that with him and it’s worth a shot with cheechoo

The Manic Ranger

by John Merrigan on Jun 5, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I would say a first line of

Zherdev-Gomez-Cheechoo would be awesome

The Ranger Reporter - My Ranger Blog!

by Joe Fortunato on Jun 5, 2009 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn’t mind Cheechoo for Rozi. We have defensive depth and Cheechoo would be a good risk. This club needs offense in a big way and with the cap restrictions we have to find it in creative ways like this one.

by Lunkwill Fook on Jun 5, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

At the risk of spamming my own blog:

http://www.blueseatblogs.com/2009/06/05/garrioch-rangers-may-waive-redden/

I think the title of the article says it all. Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun is saying that the Rangers are rumored to be considering waiving Redden.

Interesting….

Blue Seat Blogs

by Dave Shapiro on Jun 5, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

ROSIVAL FOR CHEECHOO ??

WHILE THERE AT IT HOW ABOUT ROSIVAL AND DRURY FOR MARLEAU AND CHEECHOO I WOULD DO IT IN A HEARTBEAT IT MAKES SENSE FOR BOTH TEAMS TO DO IT ……

by lohaus#54 on Jun 6, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

Make this trade

Now!!

Lopez wants it away, and it's hit deep to left center, Andruw Jones on the run, this one has a chance... home run!!, Mike Piazza!, and the Mets lead 3 to 2!!
-Howie Rose
Gary Thorne=Simply the Best!

by The American Mr.Hockey on Jun 6, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions

Problem with Marleau.....

There is a downside to Patrick when it comes down to the playoffs…… I would be the first one to suggest Marleau to any team until I heard this. Many Sharks fans don’t know what happens to Marleau when the playoffs begin. I doubt the Rangers would trade away their captain…..

by rolston12 on Jun 7, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

Cheechoo!!

God bless you…

that is all.

Is it September yet?

by mrs.jrs1940 on Jun 8, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

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Trade Specs: Jonathan Cheechoo For Michal Rozsival

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