Are The Rangers Built To Last?

A very significant event is occurring this afternoon in Philadelphia, with Peter Forsberg and Flyers' Owner Ed Snider meeting to discuss the future of the oft-injured Philly center. The acquisition of two wingers - Pascal Dupuis and Sean Avery - by the New York Rangers in the last week means that something may be cooking.

Head Coach Tom Renney now has greater flexibility with his lineup. Avery's grit and ability to score goals has given the Rangers' top 12 much better balance.

Right now the Rangers' front office has to decide what the potential is for this current edition of the Blueshirts and who they are willing to give up for Forsberg. Make no mistake, Peter the Great is one of the best players in the world when healthy, however, the reason he would become available is that his recurring foot problems have made him a risky proposition. Is it high-risk high-reward? From what I have read it appears as though Philly is going to demand two number one picks and one or two current NHL players. That would mean Peter Prucha and Fedor Tyutin from the Rangers' roster, and that's before we look at what they have in the minors and juniors.

The trade deadline looms in the NHL and with that comes big decisions from GMs around the league. Do you mortgage the future for a guy who may play one game and then be done for not only this season but his career? Yes, Forsberg's status appears to be that tenuous at this point.

Too risky for me, but Glen Sather and Don Maloney are the guys calling the shots. Let's see if they take the bait or pass on Peter the Great.