Preseason Performance Earns Fedotenko Deal With Rangers

When most players agree to join a team on a tryout basis during the preseason, it's probably not going to work out when cuts need to be made. Plenty of them have occurred in recent weeks to players that otherwise wouldn't have had any trouble inking actual deals in previous yearss. But when it comes down to proving themselves in this tryout capacity, a player really needs to go above and beyond.

For the New York Rangers, Ruslan Fedotenko most certainly did that. Throughout the Rangers' six-game exhibition schedule, Fedotenko established himself as a reliable scorer who led the team in points (seven) and developed a great deal of chemistry on the team's third line with agitator Sean Avery and young hopeful Derek Stepan.

The cap-cautious Rangers did not have a ton of wiggle room under the $59.4 maximum allowable salary to sign the 31-year old Ukrainian native. But the two parties agreed on a one year deal worth $1 million, which is $800,000 less than he earned in a down year with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

This signing may have less of a financial impact if reports are true from The New York Post's Larry Brooks about Vaclav Prospal's right knee injury status. Brooks' sources have indicated to him that the rest Prospal is receiving over a mandated two-week period may not cure his ailments and season-ending surgery could be required to fix the problem. Prospal re-signed with the Rangers this summer on a one year deal with a base salary of $1.08 million and bonuses totaling $1.4 million. If placed on long-term IR, the Rangers would be free to spend his $2.48 million in total compensation elsewhere.

Another Year In NY For Prospal, Two More In Anaheim For Koivu, Cullen Joins Up With Minny For Three

~ Vaclav Prospal came to New York last season with something to prove after being bought out by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He joined up with his old head coach, played with Marian Gaborik and managed to be an absolute steal at $1.15 million in cost to the Rangers by posting 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points in 75 games. It was a no-brainer to bring him back, and General Manager Glen Sather made sure to get it done. Prospal will return on another one year contract for a what will be a base salary of $1 million with $1.1 in what The New York Post's Larry Brooks calls "easily achievable bonuses." At 35 years old, he's still holding up pretty well and provides a good veteran presence for a team looking to get younger. He's a character guy, great leader and still strong offensively. And, he came cheap yet again. Great re-signing.

~ Saku Koivu clearly had a good time last year in his first season out of Montreal. He's coming back to the Anaheim Ducks on a two-year deal worth $2.5 million per season. the 35-year old Finnish center is coming off a campaign with 19 goals and 33 assists for 52 points in 71 games. That's pretty much what the Ducks are going to get out of Koivu offensively going forward, and always have his strong leadership skills to boot.

~ The Ottawa Senators wanted to keep him around, but that wasn't to be and now Minnesota will reep the benefits of responsible, two-way play from 33-year old center Matt Cullen. Cullen heads to his sixth NHL franchise in 12 seasons and will earn $10.5 million over three years with the Wild. Cullen is very dependable player who can go in all situations. He isn't the most dynamic offensive player, but he is a 15- to 20-goal scorer and 30 assist guy. In Minnesota, he will likely play No. 2 center duties behind Mikko Koivu.