New York Rangers: Was signing Tokarski the right call?

The New York Rangers made a late offseason move in signing goalie Dustin Tokarski to a one year deal. Could he be the Rangers’ answer to their backup situation?

After letting Ondrej Pavelec go at the end of his one year contract, the New York Rangers have signed 28 year old Dustin Tokarski. Tokarski has been a journeyman throughout his career, playing for three different NHL teams and bouncing between their AHL affiliates. With the vacant backup position, Tokarski has a good chance of making the Rangers roster. But, would this be the most beneficial thing for the team?

Tokarski’s Career

Tokarski was drafted in the fifth round, 122nd overall in 2008 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played just seven games with the Lightning, posting a 1-3-1 record. He was then traded to the Montreal Canadiens in 2013.

Most Ranger fans will remember Tokarski for replacing the injured Carey Price during the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals. Outside of that run, he played 22 games for the Canadiens, posting a 9-9-4 record.

This was the most Tokarski played for any NHL teams. From Montreal, he was shipped off to the Anaheim Ducks, where he played in just one game. From there, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he played no NHL games, but played for their AHL affiliate, the Leigh Valley Phantoms.

All in all, Tokarski has played in just 34 NHL games, starting 10 of them. In these games, he recorded a 10-12-5.

The Competition

Tokarski’s main competition for the backup position is Alexandar Georgiev. Georgiev is only 22, and just started playing for the Rangers last season. He spent the majority of the time playing with their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.

The struggling Wolf Pack went through a revolving door of goalies last season. Despite this, Georgiev played 37 games and started 29 of them. During this time, he went 14-13-2. Eventually, Pavelec went down with an injury, which led to Georgiev getting the call up. Because they Rangers were nowhere near making the playoffs, Georgiev was allowed to start in quite a few games. In nine games started and 10 games played, Georgiev went 4-4-1.

However, Georgiev played miles better than what his record showed. Though he looked shaky at the beginning, he quickly proved that he had the ability to play at the NHL level. He looked steady in net and prevented the Rangers from being totally embarrassed on some nights. Tokarski played in slightly more games than Georgiev in the AHL with 39, starting in 30. In this period, he went 20-8-2.

So, did the Rangers make the right call on signing Tokarski? If they signed him to play at the NHL level, no. Tokarski has played one NHL game in the past two years. I don’t think he would be able to succeed in the amount of games he would be required to start in. Additionally, Tokarski, at 28, is not exactly going to be a part of the long term future while Georgiev will be.

Overall, i think it would be most beneficial for the future to have Georgiev in the backup position.However, Tokarski could provide stability and veteran leadership for the Wolf Pack. Making the AHL the best place for him to be and to succeed.