New York Rangers Should Pass On Curtis Glencross
As the NHL Trade Deadline of March 2nd approaches, the names of some prominent trade targets for the New York Rangers start to ring louder and louder.
Some fans are on the itching for a Glen Sather move to be done in hopes of making another run to the Stanley cup. Others not so much. But whichever side you are on, the potential targets are there for the taking. It’s just a matter of the right deal to be struck.
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One name that has surfaced is Curtis Glencross. On February 20th, SNYRangers .com reported that the Rangers have shown interest in the left winger. It has been no secret that Glencross has requested a trade from his present hockey club, the Calgary Flames. This season, his role on the team has been reduced. Despite being an alternate captain and originally giving the team a hometown discount when he signed his contract back in 2011, the Flames are content on letting Glencross go.
According to an article posted on www.calgary sun.com, Wes Gilbertson writes:
“(Flames General Manager) Burke admitted Friday it’s “likely” that Glencross will be switching jerseys before the Saddledome-dwellers return from their seven-game road-trip during the 2015 Brier hosted at the Dome.”
So what does this mean for the Rangers?
Honestly, nothing as of yet. This is the first inkling of management showing interest in the 32-year old. For the season, Glencross has eight goals and 27 points in 50 games. In his five recent games, he has only registered one point with a -4 rating. Last season, he was riddled with injuries with kept him out of the lineup for an extended period of time.
Also, Glencross does have a connection with the Rangers. And, it’s not a good thing. During the 2009-10 regular season, then-Rangers captain Chris Drury was a recipient of a blind-side hit delivered by Glencross:
The injury occurred at the 33 seconds into the first period. As a result, Drury sustained a concussion.
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So where would he fit, if acquired. That is, if the rumors reports are true. The team is already stacked at the left wing position first through third lines (Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, and Carl Hagelin). The iffy is Tanner Glass, who has been this year’s Rangers player to pick on. However, he has been playing steady, as of late. Also, you have interchangeable parts with J.T. Miller and Lee Stempniak.
Also, what is puzzling is that Glencross did not list the Rangers as a team he would waive his no-trade clause for. So why would general manager Glen Sather show any interest in a player that appears to not want to come to a contending team? He would be coming to a team that is 10 points better and vying for a division title. Plus, it’s New York. You can’t get much bigger than here. Lights, camera, action surround you 24/7.
It might be that he realizes that he would be in another diminished role, relegated to the third or fourth line. Who knows? But there are better options to choose from. This sounds too much like a “trade just to make a trade” type of situation.