New York Rangers Trade Chad Kolarik, Recall Kris Newbury

The New York Rangers announced the trade of center Chad Kolarik to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for 25-year-old winger Benn Ferriero.

Dec 23, 2011; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Benn Ferriero (78) warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at HP Pavilion. San Jose defeated Los Angeles 2-1 in shootouts. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Ferriero, a Boston College product, has played in 92 NHL games and recorded 14 goals and 8 assists. While finding success in the AHL during previous seasons (50 points in 58 games, 20 points in 20 games, 33 points in 43 games), Ferriero has not ben able to translate it into sustained NHL productivity. His 2012-13 season has not been as particularly good as his previous years in the minors with just 4 goals and 14 assists in 34 games.

Hockey’s Future had this to say on Ferriero’s profile page:

"Ferriero is a tenacious, fiercely competitive forward who plays equally well at both ends of the ice. He has great hockey instincts and does a superb job of reading and following plays. While Ferriero may be small he is by no means weak. His strength makes him a difficult player to move off of the puck and the way he plays his game makes covering him a daunting task for opposing defenders. Ferriero has shown a willingness to go to and take the punishment in front of the net to create scoring opportunities. He is also powerful skater. While his offensive ability is outstanding, Ferriero could stand to shoot the puck more often.GDA head coach Peter Kravchuk’s insights on Benn Ferriero: “Benn is a tenacious competitor and he loves having the puck on his stick. He’s plays bigger than his 5’11/ 175 lbs frame and is never afraid to play physically or with an edge. He is strong on his skates and is a very good skater. Of the players I’ve coached he has the best lateral movement and the ability to change directions in an instant. Benn has a good understanding of the game. He played regularly here as a freshman primarily because he was reliable in his own end. He never lost that conscientiousness to play at both ends of the ice. For the past couple of years we used him in every situation and he is equally effective as an offensive or defensive presence.”"

Rangers fans had been hoping Kolarik, who turns 27 on Saturday, would see some action with the Blueshirts this year with his hot start in Connecticut, 16 goals and 19 assists in 41 games. In his career Kolarik has only managed to play in 6 NHL games despite scoring 83 goals over his AHL career.

This move is a little confusing on the surface. Kolarik has been outstanding this year and looks more deserving of a spot in the NHL than the likes of Mike Rupp and Stu Bickel. I have not seen Ferriero play but in looking at his stats and reading his scouting report I can somewhat understand the Rangers thinking. Kolarik is a player more in the mold of an Erik Christensen who needs minutes to be effective as offense is his game and a bottom six role isn’t super idealistic. Ferriero on the other hands sounds talented defensively and provide some depth for the third or fourth line. I never want to wish a player ill-will, however, I do not think I can handle watching Kolarik light it up in a Penguins jersey.

The Rangers also announced they have called up center Kris Newbury from Connecticut, Newbury has 15 goals and 21 assists this year. I like Newbury and he is a good player but this never seems to work out between him and the Rangers. He deserves the call up, but we have seen this before and it never lasts.

This call up can also mean two things: (1) Arron Asham’s groin is a little worse than expected and he needs a few more games off or (2) the Rangers are seriously considering sending Chris Kreider back down to Connecticut. I am leaning towards believing Asham needs a few more days and Torts not wanting to keep Bickel on the fourth line and who can blame him? If it is indeed Asham needing to sit out it sounds like the Rangers want to make sure they have a little more toughness on the team for tonight’s Flyers game.