New York Rangers: What if we didn’t give up on Tambellini?
Typically when a player is drafted, there is an idea of how long a player will take to become NHL ready. The New York Rangers had those expectations with Adam Tambellini.
Drafted in 2013 by the New York Rangers, Adam Tambellini was a pleasant pick for the New York Rangers. His selection provided a potential increase in size at the center position.
Son of Steve Tambellini and brother of Jeff Tambellini, the Rangers had high hopes for Adam. Steve had put up over 300 points in 500 career NHL games. Jeff had performed a little less successfully at the NHL level, however, Jeff played a few solid seasons in Europe.
The chances in the NHL for his relatives is always a case for a player to be a potential player in the league.
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However, for a player like Tambellini, it truly is hard to say what would have become of him as a player. He may not have gotten a fair shot in the Rangers system. Despite his time in the organization, other players leapt over him to spots in the NHL.
His entry level contract came to an end this season for the Rangers and Jeff Gorton chose not to qualify him as a restricted free agent.
His play in Hartford was somewhat underwhelming, although it got better over the seasons. Newer acquisitions like Vinni Lettieri, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil took on bigger roles than Tambellini.
As more of a role player, Tambellini just did not produce offensively. He tallied 99 points in three seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack. In his final season with the Calgary Hitmen, Tambellini totalled 86 points in 71 games.
The size of Tambellini was always a plus to his game, helping him produce a little more in his junior days
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The Conclusion
Had the Rangers not given up on Adam Tambellini, it is possible that one day he would find his way into the Rangers lineup.
However, it would potentially take a few more years than both himself and the Rangers brass would hope. The amount of depth in the center position for the Rangers puts Tambellini in a brutal position.
The truth is, Tambellini may not have ever had the chance even if the Rangers gave him the opportunity. It may have been a better decision to have let Tambellini go then try to facilitate his improvement.
Particularly with the many new prospects and young players the Rangers are bringing in.
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The bottom line is that the Rangers could have given a larger opportunity to Tambellini. Unfortunately, it may not have amounted to anything. Tambellini will be presented with new scenery and perhaps that will spark his play.
However, Jeff Gorton made the correct decision to let Tambellini go.