About

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A former amateur hockey player myself, for the last four years, I have been evaluating and writing about the Rangers’ prospects for Hockey’s Future.

Leslie Treff

Comments

5 Responses to “About”

  1. Rob Nielsen says:
    November 12, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    Hi Leslie –

    I’m an NYR fan who lives in San Francisco (not many of us out here!) and your blog has been really helpful in figuring out the future of NYR.

    Curious what your thoughts are about Chad Johnson’s potential . . . with a yr left on Vali’s contract, do you think he’ll be the King’s backup next year (or even this year?).

    Thanks,
    Rob

  2. Leslie Treff says:
    November 13, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    Rob, glad that I could be help to you out there on the left coast.

    As for Johnson’s potential, its probably unhelpful to say that I am unsure, but its the truth. I first saw him play in Traverse City and there was a big build up for him, as the Rangers were very excited to have him. Several Rangers scouts thought they got a steal from Pittsburgh, others were not quite as sure. The Penguins organization was not anywhere near as high on him as the Rangers were, so it was a good trade for everyone, including Chad. In Traverse City, Johnson was up and down. I saw some severe rebound issues, but good instincts. Scott Stajcer was the better performer in the tournament, so I thought at that point that Johnson would wind up in Charlotte. But Johnson played very well in camp and in exhibitions with the Rangers, so in the minds of many in the Rangers organization, he moved up the depth charts. But his early appearances with the Pack were not impressive. Then he did a turn around and now seems to be the number one. He definitely looks better, but I still see rebound issues that would kill him at the NHL level.

    That’s a long-winded “I don’t” know,” but I was trying to give you a feel for my lack of strong feeling about whether Johnson will be the back-up in New York next year. I think we have to wait and see as to how he does over the course of the season. I don’t see him in New York this season, but Zaba has not played well enough either to be the back-up should Lundqvist or Valliquette be unable to go. At this point, I would look for the Rangers to sign one of the cheap experienced free agents, should that happen.

    Hope that helps, Leslie

  3. Nick Furlong says:
    August 25, 2010 at 10:28 am

    when can we NYR fans look forward to new info/blog; possibly for Traverse City? thanks for all your earlier efforts both here and at HF

  4. Leslie Treff says:
    September 18, 2010 at 8:09 pm

    Teresa, I played hockey and have many years experience scouting and writing for a living. A major in journalism is a start.

  5. ole says:
    October 23, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Following your blog, and the New York Rangers from Norway

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