Ranger Analysis: Corey Locke

Hey everyone; sorry for the late start my computer crashed and I lost my story.

This past off-season there was a Ranger signing that went overlooked, so why not talk about it on a lazy Sunday. Corey Lockewas signed by Sather this off-season from the Minnesota Wild. At 25 he is a little older, and with only 1 games of NHL experience he is very inexperienced; but his AHL numbers have been fantastic.

This year Locke put up 25 goals 54 assists for 79 points in 77 games, in the AHL. In the 20 playoff games he played in he put up 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points. The year before that Locke put up 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points in 78 games; while notching 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 22 playoff games.

The kid seems to have some unreal numbers in the AHL, although those tend to be deceiving. If you don’t believe me look at Jason Krog’s numbers here, and tell me that he shouldn’t be in the NHL. But for whatever reason when Krog hits the NHL ice he just can’t do it. Pardon me for a baseball term but some guys are just AAAA players. Too good for AAA but not good enough for the Majors. What isn’t deceiving is that in the past two years Locke has 45 playoff points in 42 playoff games; you can’t teach scoring when it counts.

Locke though is only 25 and you know in this new Tortorella system he will be given every chance to make the team—and succeed—by John Tortorella. Maybe Locke takes a spot on the fourth line, maybe Locke takes away Anisimov’s spot on the third line. Regardless it will be an interesting camp. Maybe Jess from the Prospect Park will see this story and give us a little lesson on the kinda player Locke is, but for now I think he is good discussion.

So have at it, what do you think about Corey Locke.