Rangers Wave Valiquette!

Steve Valiquette has been put on waivers by the New York Rangers. If no other team claims him - a possibility given his performance this year - he will join the Rangers AHL affiliate in Hartford.

To take his place the Rangers have promoted goalie Chad Johnson to the NHL club. There's no indication that he'll play - and the thinking is that the Rangers will be looking for a veteran backup goalie to give Hank some real rest.

As we've said a few times here - I'd love to see Chad get a shot. He looked very impressive in preseason. And after a slow start, Chad has a 2.10 GAA and a .926 save percentage in Hartford. But Torts may not be thinking that way.

The Ranger coach also spoke about Steve getting time in Hartford to "get his game back". But there's also a good chance someone else will claim him. Either way - there's a real possibility we will never again see Valiquette wearing Ranger Blue and his Spiderman Mask on the ice again.

It is the right move. Steve V. was not someone we could put in net with confidence. As a result hank was getting overworked again - and his game is starting to slip. But still, I'll miss the big guy.

Thanks for wearing the colors Steve - and best of luck.

There was a second move as well - the Rangers have claimed center Erik Christensen on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks, Christensen was sent down after not scoring in 9 appearances. He's just short of his 26th birthday, shoots lefty and weights 208 and is just over 6 feet tall. In 2006 with the Penguins Erik had 18 goals and 15 assists in 61 games. We're short on centers right now with Dubi hurt - so let's see what he can do.

And of course with Slats - you never know if this is just part one of a larger move. Stay tuned....