Former Ranger Petr Prucha was put on re-entry waivers today and with the New York Rangers rash of injuries one has to wonder if the club should and/or will consider putting a claim in on Prucha. Prucha, 28 , struggled in his time in the NHL this season scoring no goals and having only one assist in 11 games before being sent down to the AHL by the Phoenix Coyotes. Since his demotion he has been tearing up the AHL with 7 goals and 10 assists in 16 games, which is likely what has prompted Phoenix to try and recall him either to play for them or in hopes of him being claimed.
The Rangers interest is likely higher than it should be given the vast number of injuries that the team has been dealing with right now. With Callahan out for another few weeks, Prospal having a set-back, and the most recent injury to Fedotenko the club might have interest in bringing in an experienced NHL player. What works in his favor is that given his base salary of 1.1 million, the fact that there is only half the year remaining and the fifty percent discount on re-entry the Rangers would only be on the hook for about 275K which makes it a very low cost gamble to take on a player they have had before.
Personally I do not see much upside to the move since Prucha’s best season since 2006-07 was last year when he only registered 22 points. There is a nostalgia element for many fans on Prucha and the hope he finally regains the form that netted him 30 goals in his rookie year and 22 the following year, but that player is gone. I would pass, but I could see the Rangers taking the gamble.
