Stay or Go: Anton Stralman

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 defenseman Anton Stralman.

2011-12 Regular season & playoffs statistics- 73 GP 5 goals 19 assists 24 points

Contract History- Signed 1 year, $900,000 contract in 2011

Cap hit- $900,000K (RFA) (capgeek.com)

Season Review:

Signed a 1 year deal on November 3rd 2011, after Ranger coaches decided that rookie Tim Erixon wasn't quite ready for the NHL and looked elsewhere for depth with Marc Staal still out with concussion symptoms and Michael Sauer playing big minutes with a nagging shoulder injury. Stralman didn't even see the ice until 6 weeks after his signing when Torts benched Jeff Woywitka and inserted Stralman into the lineup where he stayed for the rest of the season. Stralman, who admittedly was a defensive liability in his own end drastically improved his defensive play and was counted upon by the coaches in key situations for the stretch run.

Stay or Go: 

This is a tough one. First I can't imagine that if Stralman comes back, his salary and subsequent cap hit will go higher than the $800k he made this season. Second, the health and availability of Michael Sauer will likely have a direct impact on whether or not he does come back as there may not be room on the Rangers top 6 for Stralman. Also depends on any trades that Sather makes in the offseason (Justin Schultz) or competition from Ranger prospects behind Stralman (Dylan McIlrath, Tim Erixon.) Stralman does have a little trade value as well. I have the chances at 50% of an Anton Stralman return to Broadway next season.