Why not make a deal with slumping Colorado?

I've spent so much time thinking of deals that would get Gaborik out of New York, so now I'm going to throw one out here to you guys that would bring in support for him rather than ship him away.

If anyone has been following the Colorado Ave's, you'd know that Colorado has lost 10 of its last 11, is now 1 game under 500, and virtually has no shot at making the playoffs with a very competitive Western Conference. I happen to watch them a lot on center ice and I've got to tell you, I would love to see Paul Stastny in a Ranger sweater.

So here's my proposal: Paul Stastny and Kevin Shattenkirk for Artem Anisemov Michael Del Zotto and a 1st round pick.

Stastny has quietly become one of the premier center iceman in the game. For those of you who are not familiar with Stastny, he put up 78 points his rookie season (06-07), and has eclipsed the 70 point mark 3 times in 4 NHL seasons. He reminds me more and more of Henrik Sedin every time I watch him. His vision is superb, he has incredible hands, and always makes smart decisions on the ice. Hell, the most talented player he's played with in Colorado is Milan Hejduk. Not that I have anything against Hejduk, but this isn't the same Hejduk that won the cup with Colorado in 01. Imagine a guy like that with Marian Gaborik? Gaborik could have 50 goals with ease and Stastny would push 90 points.


Stastny and Shattenkirk celebrating together.

The other component to this trade is Kevin Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk has quietly had a very nice rookie campaign, with 26 points in just over 40 games for Colorado. Playing on the second powerplay unit (John Michael Liles gets most of the top powerplay time on the point), Shattenkirk has shown some very nice poise back on the blue line, and should develop nicely into a solid blue liner for the powerplay.



I know this proposal is going to upset you Andrew, but lets face facts. Anisemov will NEVER be as good of a player as Stastny. Not only has Stastny put up 70 points in 3 of his first 4 seasons, but he won a silver medal with the US olympic team alongside Callahan. He plays a hardworking game just like the American core on this team, and will be a perfect complement for the system the Rangers have implemented under the assistant coach of that Olympic team. The 26 year old centerman is just another young leader that would fit in nicely on this Ranger team building for the next 2-3 years. While I agree that Anisemov can develop into a very good big man with soft hands, I would take Stastny any day of the week.


I think all New York Ranger fans have lost patience with Michael Del Zotto. After an impressive rookie year, he looks absolutely lost on the ice and scares the shit out of all New York fans every time he is in his own defensive zone. In my mind, this is the perfect trade for the Rangers. Colorado has to realize playoffs are no longer in the picture. With Matt Duchene clearly the up and coming star of that franchise, they have plenty of time to develop a player like Anisemov, while the Rangers who are trying to make a push for the cup in the next 2-4 years do not.

Colorado's biggest problem is their lack of solid goaltending. Craig Anderson backed up by Peter Budaj. If they were able to move Stastny's 6.67 mil a year contract and replace it w a guy like Anisemov, they would have plenty of room to sign a big time goalie this off season, say Tomas Vokoun.

Weigh in on this proposal.