Analysis: Redden will teach young Rangers defenders
Wade Redden spent 11 years in Ottawa, but lost his job on the top pairing this season. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
Ryan Kennedy
2008-07-01 20:26:41
Defenseman Wade Redden needed a change of scenery, so he chose the most scenic: Central Park.
The Ottawa mainstay is taking his game to Broadway, joining a New York Rangers defense corps that already features some nice pieces in youngsters Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, plus returning vets Fedor Tyutin and the newly re-signed Michal Rozsival.
Redden had taken a lot of heat in Ottawa and a new sweater will look good on him. He signed with the Rangers for six years at $6.5 million per season, which is a very reasonable deal for a top-notch defender who will only be 37 by the end of the contract.
As one of the key cogs during the semi-halcyon days of the Senators, Redden was a No. 1 rearguard who could put up about 45 points in a campaign. As the ship went down this year (and to a degree, the year prior), Redden was often a target of scorn for what was seen as a slip in his play. Chris Phillips and Anton Volchenkov t
In Girardi, Staal and Bobby Sanguinetti, the Blueshirts have some blue chips in their future and present. If Redden can give them some scholarly advice along the way, then all the better.
As it is, the veteran can log plenty of minutes and play solid two-way defense.
Though the spotlight will be bright in Manhattan, anywhere is better than Ottawa right now and Redden has a chance to prove that for years to come.
Defensemen are going fast on Day 1, with six of THN's top 10 free agent blueliners off the board. It goes without saying those teams who need help on the back end may have to overpay now for a Brooks Orpik, Mark Streit or Ron Hainsey.
Lana Foreman(Sinclair) (Posted 2008-07-31 23:34:39)
I am a cousin to Wade Redden and upset that one of our homeboys will be playing for an American team. I wish Wade would stay with a Canadian team. He is a great defenceman and does great things for our communities and the children. I have always followed Wade and that would be the team I would cheer for, but it will be hard to cheer for an American team now. Since Wade has been traded I am going to have to change my mind,MAYBE. I do hope he does well and I wish him and his family the very best.
Cheryl Beach (Posted 2008-07-28 13:37:36)
Right on sch, I just wish someone would trade away Murray!
sch (Posted 2008-07-06 20:46:35)
Would just like to say that I will be a Rangers fan, since they have got our best defenseman now, Redden! He took a lot of heat in Ottawa, but it wasn't just him that was playing poorly. They had to put the blame on somebody. Murray didn't like which is why he got rid of him, but now Murray is stuck with a weak defense. haha!!!!
Shawn (Posted 2008-07-02 13:44:01)
He's going to be getting paid a year somewhere close to what Lundquist gets.. I think.. if I did my math correctly..
That seems somewhat ridiculous.
He's going to be the teacher and in a few years.. they won't be able to keep the students.. hmmmm..
Ash (Posted 2008-07-02 13:30:59)
Its a loss not only for the Sens but for the city of Ottawa. Redden did alot for this community especially the kids. Good Luck Redden and Thank you.
john (Posted 2008-07-02 09:56:13)
that's a hell of a lot of money to be just a teacher. Whats's he gonna teach them? get 30- 45 points a year, underachieve and then get 6 million frickin dollars? His best days are way behind him, he was always overated, a terrible signing by the Ranggers in my opinion
Raymond Newton (Posted 2008-07-02 00:25:58)
So much for hometown discount Melnyk. Should have signed Chara back in the day, Damn! Thanx for the years Red et bon chance. We know where the soft spot is in Manhattan. Cheers & happy Canada day all!
D-Rock (Posted 2008-07-01 22:54:27)
Hahaha that's gotta be it OneTimer. He is ALL YOURS.
OneTimer (Posted 2008-07-01 22:51:28)
Boo-hoo! You're just bitter 'cause your team lost a good player. Who are you to judge a person you don't even know personally...everybody deserves a second chance...a better life in New York.
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