Rangers defenseman Ivan Baranka, a restricted free agent, will be playing in Russia next season, according to eurohockey.net.
The 6-3 Slovakian defenseman, who was 5-21-26 and a plus-9 in 61 games in Hartford last season, will skate for Spartak Moskva, the site reports.
I am awaiting confirmation with the Rangers.
Comments (15)
We dont even get a chance to make a counter-offer, do we. If this is true, this is NOT good. it might push sather to re-sign roszival, not good at all.
Rangers were hardly relying on Baranka, and PS the reason he will play in Russia is because no other NHL team was relying on him either. Not really a sad day when a AHL D man defects. I am always impressed though with how many fans here think that Hartford has the answer to all the Rangers needs. The yplay in the AHL for a reason, and it is usually because they aren't ready for the NHL. SO do, some don't, some never will. Baranka obviously knew he was a never would. NO LOSS!
If the Rangers were waiting with baited breath for an average prospect to take over Rozsival's spot, they're in big trouble. Something tells me, though, they have a better plan than that.
screw Renney and Sather. When will they finally die so we could dance on their graves?
this is what happens when you don't give prospects a chenge and instead play garbage vets like Backman.
In all fairness, I've really liked what I've seen of Baranka, but the dude is injury prone and there are others (Sauer, Potter, Sanguinetti) on the depth chart that are ahead of him.
I'm not going to pretend that this is a crisis for the Rangers by any means, because it's not. But, if Baranka follows through and plays in Russia next season, the Rangers will be very thin on defensive depth -- specifically at the start of next season. Sauer shredded his ACL and won't be ready for training camp. Based on his play at the end of this season, Sanguinetti is going to need to spend some time in Hartford rounding out his game and building up his strength. Pock -- not that I believe he's anything more than a 7th defenseman -- may also go to Europe. That potentially leaves Potter as the only defenseman who would realistically be able to step in should injuries strike. The Rangers have been extremely fortunate with injuries the past few seasons, that luck will run out eventually. So Sather needs to look at not only filling the Rangers free agency holes on defense this summer, but filling in some depth on 2-way contracts as well.
Please lets be honest, the difference in the Western series and the Eastern is pretty ridiculous. I've watched these games and the speed and intendity difference is obvious. Tonights game in Philly is the slowest these teams have played yet. The Det/Dal series is so much more uptempo this id like the NHL vs an AHL game. If either of these teams intend on playing Det at this intensity level then there is no reason to even play the games.As to Baranka it is silly to even have determined him to be a prospect, not even close, and some think Backman is a non prospect, wake up if you thought this was better. Of course Sather seems to know better than the fans at this blog, yet the opinions here know more that Sather in their minds. Yeah, Baranka was better than Backman, get a clue please! Question is NO NHL team was going to be interested in Baranka as a RFA, that's why he jumped early, if Backman was available tomorrow do you think there might be an NHL taker? Of course there would as Backman is an NHL D man and Barnanka is an AHL D man, big difference.
Philly has mustered 7 shots on goal and Pens 15, what an amazing display of hockey, can these two teams play any less conservative, maybe they should simply look at each other and hope that the puck can go in the net by osmosis. If either of these teams want to truly compete for the Cup they are going to have to play hockey, this is SAD! God. as a Ranger fan I am ashamed to say I have to belong to the Eastern Conference. This is not even close to the West. Hell, Dallas is better than either of these teams.
msg4ever are you a moron? Baranka was going to be a RFA, not UFA. So other teams wouldn't be interested. And he got fed up by the way Rangers ignored him and gave your boy Backman a spot over him. But to you it was a right move. Anyway Baranka probably did the right thing. He will get good money in Russia. Rangers management is a joke.
Bob finally you said something I agree with and that is Rangers management is a joke. Saddly it will be until sather is gone.
Bob is a joke
The sky is falling! The sky is falling.
Look out for the blue sky Bob... LLLLOOOOOKKKK OOOUUUTTT!!
yeah, ok
I wish I could act like the world is coming to an end and it's the worst thing in the world that Baranka will play in Russia next year, but, then again, I have rational thoughts.
sorry, but I won't be jumping off any bridges
Sorry, I didn't realize that Baranka was the second coming of Bobby Orr. Wow, the talent level of this guy must be something that everyone in the NHL is missing. Amazing that a guy this talented has to go play in Russia. For the Bob's of the world (who are so much brighter than the Rangers mgmt) Baranka was the answer to all the Rangers needs. Only Bob has the insight to realize that the Rangers were stupid not to play Baranka. This guy must have been ripping up the AHL! Oops, he was simply average at best. Tough to be average in the AHL and not stand out in the NHL. Amazing how many AVERAGE AHL players are ripping it up in the NHL. They must be in BOB's NHL wherever that is.