With the Rangers hanging on the edge of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, they have added some size and some grit in the form of former San Jose Shark Ryane Clowe.
Feb 28, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Ryane Clowe (29) checks Detroit Red Wings center Cory Emmerton (25) during the second period at HP Pavilion. The Detroit Red Wings defeated the San Jose Sharks 2-1 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Clowe is goal-less in 28 games this season and has 11 assists. However, he is a 2 time 20 goal scorer and has at lease 15 in each of his 5 full NHL seasons. I think the change of scenery will do wonders for Clowe, but I don’t know about his ability to help the Rangers make the post-season, since I believe the problems in Manhattan lie primarily with the man behind the bench rather than the players on it. Even if he cannot recover his scoring touch, Clowe will add a physical element with a lot of size to the Rangers forward units.
In return for Clowe, the Rangers are sending the Sharks an as yet unreleased combination of draft picks.
As of the time of this writing, it is a deal that is done pending Clowe waiving his no trade clause.