| 27 July 2010
From NHL.com:
Hoping to bolster their offense, the New York Rangers signed free-agent left wing Alexander Frolovon Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although Newsday is reporting it's a one-year contract for $3 million.
Frolov, 28, had 19 goals and 32 assists in 81 games for the Los Angeles Kingslast season. The Moscow native has surpassed the 20-goal plateau in five of his seven NHL seasons, all with Los Angeles. In 536 games, Frolov has 168 goals and 213 assists, along with 210 penalty minutes.
Glen Sather, GM of the New York Rangers - a fairly unpopular GM with some fans - brings in yet another Russian (or former Soviet State) forward to try and boost NY's offense. In 2008-2009, he brought in Nik Antropov (Kazakhstan) in at the deadline but let the giant winger walk after posting 16 points in 25 games (regular season + play-offs). Nik Zherdev (Russia), former 4th overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, played all 82 games for the Rangers in 2008-2009, notching 23 goals and 58 points. After being held pointless in the post-season, the Russian winger left for the KHL only to return for the upcoming season as a Flyer.
And now - it's Frolov's turn to help Slovakian sniper Marian Gaborik to bring the Eastern European fire to the Rangers' lineup.
"Alex is a highly skilled player who we feel will play a key role in improving our offense and play in all situations. He is a strong competitor and has the ability to play either wing position."--Glen Sather
Just like all the other ones you've brought in... right, Slats?
At least it's good to see that players are still getting signed amidst all the Kovalchuk hullabaloo. The NHLPA kind of did a screw job to the Free Agent Market by waiting until yesterday to file the grievance - when everyone knew within 5 seconds of the contract being rejected that they were going to do so. So now there are still guys like Lee Stempniak, Max Afinogenov, and yeah - even Andreas Lilja who will most likely have to wait at least two weeks before contracts begin being signed.
