Glen Sather has managed to erase another mistake, this one a dandy.
The Rangers have expunged Donald Brashear and his looming $1.4 million over-35 cap hit from the books by dealing the faded fighter and Hartford winger Patrick Rissmiller to the Thrashers for forward Todd White.
White, a 35-year-old veteran who plays center and left wing, is entering the final year of his contract under which he’ll earn $2.375 million. He is coming off the worst season of his career, recording seven goals and 26 points for Atlanta one year after posting a career-best 51 assists and 73 points, largely compiled playing with Ilya Kovalchuk.
“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. He had 50- and 60-point seasons with the Senators in 2001-02 and 2002-03.
But unless White can beat out either Erik Christensen or Vinny Prospal during training camp for a spot in the middle on either of the first two lines, it’s more likely than not he would be placed on waivers and sent to the AHL Wolf Pack. The Rangers, who have a glut of bottom-six forwards but a glaring absence of upper-echelon talent, will have no need, and likely no room, for a $2.375 million third- or fourth-liner.
“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.”
Brashear played 36 games for the Rangers after leaving Washington as a free agent to sign a two-year, $2.8 million contract at head coach John Tortorella’s urging. This came two months after Brashear, who had spent years thugging it up against the Rangers, concussed Blair Betts in Game 6 of the playoffs.
The signing was an insult to the fan base. Booed at the Garden from the moment he took the ice during the exhibition season, Brashear was utterly ineffective last year, failing to intimidate or provide protection. He recorded one point, an assist, in 36 games in which he averaged 6:15 per. He was waived to Hartford on Feb. 12 after complaining about his role and demanding a trade.
Rissmiller represents another summer blunder, this one committed in 2008 when the winger was signed to a three-year, $3 million free agent deal out of San Jose. Rissmiller played two games for the Rangers before spending nearly all of the past two seasons with the Wolf Pack.
The Rangers, who have yet to sign restricted free agent defenseman Marc Staal, have approximately $6.7 million remaining under the summer cap.
With Mark Everson