That is what many New York Rangers pundits and fans alike are wondering after the team announced it traded defenseman Michal Rozsival to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for forward Wojtek Wolski.
When it comes to Rozsival, he was not a terrible defenseman for the Blueshirts. He produced, he provided stability, he had a great shot and he was a veteran for a relatively young Rangers blueline.
With that said, however, it became apparent that Rangers fans did not think so highly of the team's right defenseman. Whenever he touched the puck, the crowd would boo him right away because they remembered all the times Rozsival was out of position or gave up the puck. The crowd even booed him when his name was announced after he scored a goal or even picked up an assist.
As such, it was time for Rozsival to move on to greener pastures, and GM Don Maloney and his Phoenix Coyotes may be the key to reigniting Rozsival's skill level and help him become a productive player again. Coyotes fans will certainly be more forgiving than Blueshirts fans.
On the other side, the Rangers now have Wolski, a 24-year-old forward who is now on his third team in less than one year, previously with the Avalanche and Coyotes. What the Rangers are getting is a player who is looking to find a team where he can produce consistently and ultimately find a home. With Alexander Frolov done for the year, John Tortorella is hoping Wolski can fill in for that vacancy.
Wolski had several productive seasons for the Avalanche from 2006-2010 in which he had seasons of 6 points (in nine games), 50 points, 48 points, 42 points, 47 points (in 62 games) before moving onto the Coyotes at the deadline last season. With the Coyotes for the stretch run last spring, he tallied 18 points in 18 games and certainly opened up some eyes in the organization.
Unfortunately for the Coyotes, Wolski has been inconsistent this season (both offensively and defensively) with 16 points in 36 games; and as a result, the Coyotes moved him for a veteran defenseman in Rozsival that should fill a void that was left by fellow Czech, Zbynek Michalek.
Overall, this trade works out for both teams as the Coyotes get another veteran presence on the blueline and the Rangers get a forward who is a bit younger but has experience.
Photo credit: Getty Images
When it comes to Rozsival, he was not a terrible defenseman for the Blueshirts. He produced, he provided stability, he had a great shot and he was a veteran for a relatively young Rangers blueline.
With that said, however, it became apparent that Rangers fans did not think so highly of the team's right defenseman. Whenever he touched the puck, the crowd would boo him right away because they remembered all the times Rozsival was out of position or gave up the puck. The crowd even booed him when his name was announced after he scored a goal or even picked up an assist.
As such, it was time for Rozsival to move on to greener pastures, and GM Don Maloney and his Phoenix Coyotes may be the key to reigniting Rozsival's skill level and help him become a productive player again. Coyotes fans will certainly be more forgiving than Blueshirts fans.
On the other side, the Rangers now have Wolski, a 24-year-old forward who is now on his third team in less than one year, previously with the Avalanche and Coyotes. What the Rangers are getting is a player who is looking to find a team where he can produce consistently and ultimately find a home. With Alexander Frolov done for the year, John Tortorella is hoping Wolski can fill in for that vacancy.
Wolski had several productive seasons for the Avalanche from 2006-2010 in which he had seasons of 6 points (in nine games), 50 points, 48 points, 42 points, 47 points (in 62 games) before moving onto the Coyotes at the deadline last season. With the Coyotes for the stretch run last spring, he tallied 18 points in 18 games and certainly opened up some eyes in the organization.
Unfortunately for the Coyotes, Wolski has been inconsistent this season (both offensively and defensively) with 16 points in 36 games; and as a result, the Coyotes moved him for a veteran defenseman in Rozsival that should fill a void that was left by fellow Czech, Zbynek Michalek.
Overall, this trade works out for both teams as the Coyotes get another veteran presence on the blueline and the Rangers get a forward who is a bit younger but has experience.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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