The Wolf Pack have lost center Greg Moore to free agency. But fans of the Lisbon, Maine native will still get to see the Pack’s former captain at least ten times over the next season. How is that possible? NHL.com reports that Moore has signed a one year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders.Unless Moore secures a position "The Show" with the Islanders, he will spend his season with the team's AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Moore originally came to the New York Rangers’ organization along with goaltender Jaime McLennon and center Blair Betts. Moore, McLennon and Betts were all acquired for forward Chris Simon as part of the infamous purge day of March 6, 2004 when the Rangers purged their line up of all of their veterans, including as you may recall, the end of Brian Leetch’s tenure with the club.
Moore has skated in a total of six games for the big club during the 2007-08 season. You may also remember that Howlings renamed the Merritt Parkway “The Greg Moore Highway” for the number of times that he was recalled and sent back that season.
As a member of the Hartford Wolf Pack, the 6'1, 210 pound center compiled a total of 58g and 74a for 132 points in 224 games during his four seasons. Moore represented the Wolf Pack at the 2008 AHL All-Star Classic game playing for PlanetUSA. The 25 year old now ex-Pack was originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 2003 National Hockey League Entry Draft where he was selected 143rd overall in the fifth round.
In other ex-Pack news, TSN.ca reports that center Jeff Taffe has signed with the Florida Panthers.
Howlings does have one question...? Why are teams (and especially the Rangers) hesitating on signing ex-Pack Alexandre Giroux? He would be a tremendous addition to the New York roster. Giroux had a MONSTER season in 2008-2009 with the champion Hershey Bears potting 60 goals and adding 37 assists for 97 points in just 69 games.
(Photo courtesy of mlive.com)
yeah, i as soon as I saw him listed as UFA on the NHL site, I figured he was a long-shot to return. The recent acquisitions of Locke, Arnason and Boyle, before resigning Moore, likely encouraged him to look for a big-league shot elsewhere
Posted by: Bronc | July 07, 2009 at 10:08 AM
B/c Giroux points and success at the AHL level has not translated to similar output at the NHL level. His skating and his defensive play are not NHL caliber, that is why he would be a great addition to HFD, but not NYR. He is like many others who have had monster AHL seasons, but cannot do it at the NHL level: Krog, Haydar to name a couple.
He skating/d-zone problems are why cannot be a 3rd/4th liner in the NHL. His skating is why he cannot be a top 6 forward in the NHL.
Posted by: Joe | July 07, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Giroux- Washington had a good look at his game the last two years. Played about 12 games each year with Washington . His plus/minus last year was plus 4. They should have put out an offer but passed. I believe you have to put him in the Krog group. Maybe it is his speed . Or that he is nearing 30 years of age.
Posted by: rcm | July 07, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Moore's play in the playoffs the past two season's has been disgraceful. I know that is a strong word but to watch the gliding and failure to go strong after the puck in the offensive zone has been tought to watch. This past spring, wearing the C, made it downright painful. He has some skill and some speed but he apparently lack the heart.
In regard to Giroux, it is his skating. He is fast enough for the AHL but not the NHL. He looks like he is slogging through mud at times. Too bad. He has a wonderful shot and obvious knack for the net.
Posted by: david | July 08, 2009 at 01:48 PM