Stay or Go: Ruslan Fedotenko

In recapping the Rangers offseason, the Just Blueshirts blog will one by one go over each and every one of the 2011-12 New York Rangers whose contracts will have to be renewed going into the 2012-13 season.

Today I ask "stay or go" regarding the future of forward Ruslan Fedotenko.

2011-12 Regular season and playoffs statistics- 93 GP 11 goals 16 assists 27 points

Contract history- signed 1 year $1,400,000 contract in 2011

Cap hit- $1,400,000 (UFA) (capgeek.com)

Season Review:

Signed second 1 year contract with the Rangers last offseason and was a stready 3rd/4th liner grinder who potted in some timely goals for the Rangers this season. I was stunned to realize that Feds is only 33 and may still have something in the tank. However, his offensive production has steadily declined since joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2008 up until this season.

Stay or Go:

Feds is one of Torts' guys. Does everything the coach asks him to do, after all Feds did win a Cup with Torts behind the bench in Tampa. Big time veteran presence and Stanley Cup champion in the locker room especially for a younger team like the Rangers is important. To me, it's ultimately up to Ruslan as to whether or not he comes back. I personally would like him back but at a slightly cheaper deal and I would put my chances of his return at 75%.