Rangers News: Rangers sign Prospal, Mark Messier accepts front office position
[Note by Jim Schmiedeberg, 08/16/09 11:07 AM EDT thanks to Joe and b4mv01, both of whom had the Prospal story up, I just wanted to combine it into one story. As usual, Ranger fans are all over it!]
Well guys, we've got some Rangers news today.
First, the New York Post is reporting that the Rangers have signed Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal to a one year deal.
Prospal became a free agent when the Lightning bought out the remaining three years of his contract.
Highlights from the story:
Prospal, who played for head coach John Tortorella before and after the Lightning's 2004 Cup-winning season in which he was in Anaheim, recorded 45 points (19-26) last year. The 12-year NHL veteran scored 33 goals two years ago for the Lightning and Flyers and recording 80 points and 55 assists with Tampa Bay in 2005-06.
The New York Post is also reporting that Mark Messier is returning to the Rangers in a front office role, as a special assistant to Glen Sather. Larry Brooks says this should not be interpreted as Sather hiring his heir apparent. I'll believe that when I see it.
Here is the full story from the NY Post.
Highlights:
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to move back to New York with my family, to learn from Glen and to work for the Rangers," Messier said yesterday by phone from the Bahamas. "I'm going to come in and get my feet wet and get an overview of how the business runs and how the team runs and take it from there."
"While I believe I have a lot to offer, I know I have a lot to learn about the management and business side of the sport," Messier said. "From the hockey side, I'm going to try and get a feel for the players we have under contract, the depth of our organization, the operation in [AHL] Hartford.
