His salary will be a large hurdle against sticking with the Rangers, but Todd White wants the chance to reprove himself as a three-time 20-goal, 50-point forward.
Acquired by the Rangers from the Thrashers yesterday for Donald Brashear and Patrick Rassmiller, White, 35, will earn $2.375 million next season. He went 7-19-26 last season, after scoring 22 goals with 51 assists the year before, helped by playing with Ilya Kovalchuk.
“I think I’d be a major asset to the team,” White said. “I’m extremely motivated after not having as successful a season as I would have liked. It was a tough season all around, and I’m looking forward to coming to camp and proving I can be the player I have been.”
The Rangers managed to shed Brashear and his $1.4 million cap hit, as well as the final $1 million year of Rassmiller’s deal.
“I can play different roles, like a strong two-way centerman, in either offensive or defensive situations, or play wing. Whatever’s needed,” said White, who has also played for the Flyers, Senators and Wild.