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The curious case of Erik Christensen continues to turn
for the New York Rangers and the frustration with him only mounts with each
passing game. Christensen has been given
numerous opportunities at all levels of the lineup and continually fails to
make a consistent impact on the game, at least in the first 65 minutes of
action. The only thing that he does do
consistently is perform in the shootout.
Over the past few days I have been thinking about how much value a
shootout specialist has in the NHL right now with the combination of the tight
playoff races and how crucial the extra point can be at this time of year. Obviously, come the playoffs there is no
value to a player who cannot consistently produce during real action as opposed
to the skills competition, but does Christensen’s shootout prowess save his
spot in the lineup down the stretch until the playoffs begin?
My gut reaction is no because I want the best 12
forwards to be playing the first 65 minutes so I am not relying on the skill competition
for an extra point. Clearly he is not
one of those 12 as since coming back seven games ago the point total is zero,
only five shots have even hit the net and he has earned more than 11:06 in ice
time just once. I would rather have less skilled guys like Kris Newbury who are going to give total effort in their roles during the game, then hope that a specialist like Christensen will be necessary at the end.
Last night for me was a clear example for me as
Christensen had a downed goaltender and no defenders near him, but instead of
being confident with the puck and taking his time to actually finish the goal
he rushed and shanked it wide. That miss
was not the sole reason that the Rangers lost to the Devils, but it reminds me
why the 12 guys to play the first 65 minutes of the game are what matters not a
guy who is a specialist for an event the Rangers have only seen eight times
this year, which likely equals the number of games Christensen has made an
impact. How many points would keeping
him in the lineup for his specialty cost the Rangers in regulation as opposed
to gain them in the shootout? If the
number is close to even, then he is not worthy having out there.
There is also the potential to market his shootout
skill in a trade to a Western Conference team where they have some roster voids
he might be able to be hidden and his prowess could be the real difference in
making the playoffs or not. I do not
think the Rangers get that much for him, but a fourth round pick would feel
pretty good for a guy who if we are lucky does something good every eight games
or so.
