New York Rangers | CollegeHockeyPlayers

10Oct

Marc-Andre Cliche(22) Manchester Monarchs

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Manchester Monarchs‘ team captain, center Marc-Andre Cliche(22) makes an argument for an early season call-up to Los Angeles with a hat-trick in the AHL season opener. Going into his 5th year pro, he’s only managed one NHL game with no points registered.

Originally New York Rangers‘ 2005 2nd round pick (#56 overall), he has played in the Kings‘ system since 2007 and been a character guy for Manchester each season. The biggest knock on him would be size. He’s listed at 6’0″ 203 lbs. but that’s as they say being generous.

05Oct

Dale Weise(23) Vancouver Canucks

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Still looking to add the right measure of toughness to their starting lineup on opening night, Vancouver Canucks claims forward Dale Weise(23) off waivers from New York Rangers. He was impressive in training camp for the Blueshirts but was one of a few odd-men out when it came down to the final cuts. It’s doubtful the Rangers thought they would lose the big guy (6’2″ 206 lbs.) on his first trip through the wire post his 3-year entry level deal.

He needs to stay healthy (had issues last year) but could be an effective fourth line agitator with the ability to put the puck in the net from time-to-time.

Connecticut Whale will miss this guy.

10/20: Weise scores his 1st NHL goal.

15Sep

Chad Wiseman(19) New Jersey / Albany Devils

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Originally a San Jose Sharks‘ 8th round draft pick in 2000 (#246 overall), wing Chad Wiseman(19) enters his 11th pro season and third with New Jersey Devils‘ organization (2nd go round). He played 23 games in 2008/2009 with Lowell Devils.

Signing another one-year, two-way deal, this will his 2nd season with Albany. Last year he had 44 points (16 goals and 28 assists) in 48 games.

He’s played 9 games in the NHL (4 with the Sharks and 5 with New York Rangers) scoring 1 goal to go along with 1 assist.

If the Devils suck again this season, I could see him getting in a few games at the Pru.

08Sep

Dane Byers(34) Columbus Blue Jackets

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Dane Byers(34) had a busy AHL season last year getting traded from New York Rangers (Hartford Wolf Pack) to Columbus Blue Jackets (Springfield Falcons) early in the season and then Phoenix Coyotes (San Antonio) at the trade deadline.

Not being signed by Phoenix at the start of unrestricted free agency, Columbus came right back to the table and offered him a one-year, two-way contract for 2011/2012.

In 5 years, he’s played 6 NHL games scoring 1 goal but we expect to see him in Springfield to help them into the Calder Cup for the first time in forever.

05Sep

Justin Soryal(47) Carolina Hurricanes / Connecticut Whale

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After three years in the New York Rangers organization, fearless tough guy Justin Soryal(47) was snapped up on the second day of free agency by Carolina Hurricanes and signed to a one-year, two-way deal that will most likely have him see most of the 2011/2012 season wearing a Charlotte Checkers‘ sweater.

He has yet to play in his first NHL game but the undrafted forward could see some of his first action this season. He’s definitely first and foremost there to protect other players but it wouldn’t hurt him to put a couple more pucks in the net either. He’s got good size (6’2″ 215 pounds) to stand in front and screen the goalie.

01Sep

Bobby Sanguinetti(6) Carolina Hurricanes

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4th year defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti(6) knows its time to step up in his 2nd season with Carolina Hurricanes‘ organization.

He was New York Rangers‘ 2006 1st round selection (#21 overall) but unceremoniously dished to the Hurricanes for a couple of draft picks in 2010.

He missed most of last season with an injury but came back early, which impressed them enough to re-sign him. He has plenty to prove considering all the hype surrounding him coming out of juniors.