This one is a mystery to us. The Rangers have signed yet another defenseman, Sam Klassen. With Klassen getting one of the 50 the Rangers can offer, and the numbers of players they have already under contract, the question remains, where are all these guys going to play? Klassen appears to be another physical defensive defenseman and it’s safe to assume that he’s projected to compete for a spot in Hartford.
Here’s the announcement:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Sam Klassen.
Klassen, 20, skated in 72 games with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season, registering two goals and 18 assists for 20 points, along with 92 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played, goals and plus-minus rating (plus-27). Klassen ranked fourth among team defensemen in assists and fifth in points. He also finished fourth on the club with 92 penalty minutes, while his plus-27 rating ranked seventh on the Blades. The Watrous, Saskatchewan native recorded a season-high, three-game assist streak from November 22 against Brandon to November 30 at Prince George, collecting six assists over the span. Klassen tied his career-high for most assists in a game with three assists in the final game of the streak. In addition, he recorded one assist and 10 penalty minutes in seven postseason contests with Saskatoon.
The 6-2, 200-pounder has skated in 182 career WHL games with Saskatoon, registering four goals and 47 assists for 51 points, along with 247 penalty minutes. In 2007-08, Klassen established career-highs in assists (24), points (25) and penalty minutes (103). He also had a stretch of seven assists in eight games from November 13 against Brandon to November 30 at Lethbridge, and recorded a career-high, four-game assist streak (six assists) from February 20 vs. Prince Albert to February 26 against Lethbridge during the 2007-08 season. Klassen made his WHL debut with Saskatoon on December 16, 2006 against Swift Current, and collected his first WHL point with an assist on the game-winning goal in the final minutes of regulation on December 30, 2006 vs. Regina. Prior to joining Saskatoon during the 2006-07 season, Klassen recorded 11 points (two goals and nine assists) and 74 penalty minutes in 32 games with the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).
Jess Rubenstein of The Prospect Park, has this scouting report on Klassen.
I project him as a 3-4 at Hartford, he is never going to set records for points but at least he understands his job is to cover for the offensive minded defenders. Good skater who is going to stand up for his teammates but is not a heavyweight more like large middleweight.
I think he will start in Charlotte this season due to the numbers game
(Photo courtesy of flickr.com)
Mitch- would you have a count on the total signings? (50,if that.) How many are defensemen? I assume all will be invited to Ranger trainer camp - at least just to see how they perform before being sent down. Or, maybe some will just get an invite to Traverse City tournament.
Thanks.
Posted by: rcm | July 27, 2009 at 05:09 PM
Mitch- That question I asked may be too much of a research question -Chris Krieder,just signed as 1st draft pick, may be one of the 50 . He is going back to school. Don't bother if you don't have this listed somewhere.
Posted by: rcm | July 27, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Forget it. I don't think Krieder could have been signed.
Posted by: rcm | July 27, 2009 at 05:30 PM
if guys like DelZotto, Grachev,Kundratek go back to Junior, do their contracts count toward the 50? Right now, unless the rangers sign an NHL D man, maybe Gilroy, Heikennen and Potter all make the big club as D's 5-6-7?
Posted by: elsie | July 27, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Elsie
It has always been my understanding that while a prospect is not playing in a professional league that his contract does not count towards the 50.
The reason being is that the contract is not being paid to the player.
Posted by: Jess | July 28, 2009 at 01:21 AM
When the player is sent back to Juniors they do not count against the total of 50.
But they need to come to camp on a contract -- insurance purposes.
Posted by: david | August 06, 2009 at 10:37 AM
not sure david is accurate - didn't unsigned draftees such as Del Zotto attend camp last year?
Posted by: benny | August 06, 2009 at 11:59 AM