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Opinion: Lock up Blair Betts

by Brian Monzo on November 25th, 2008 at 10:36 pm

A lot of things go unseen.  A lot of players get mixed in the shuffle and don’t get the recognition they deserve.  When I look at the Rangers roster, a lot of guys slip through the cracks and don’t get much praise for their job well done.

Two players come to the top of my list.  One is Dan Girardi and the other is Blair Betts.  Good news, Girardi is locked up through next year and is a RFA at the end of the season.  However, Betts, 28,  is an UFA at the end of the season.  My memo to Glen Sather is simple: Get this guy signed for another three years.  He is without a doubt, one of the top 4th line centers in the NHL and a top notch penalty killer.  Another attribute to his success is his face-off winning percentage.

Since the lockout, his FO% is 53.7, 52.3, 50.3 and his 48.5 this season.  One thing that makes complete teams successful is role players.  The Red Wings have Kirk Maltby, the Devils have Jay Pandolfo and the Rangers have Betts.

While the superstar players get their recognition, it’s the role players that change games.  Betts is fearless in blocking shots on the PK and if you ask any Ranger fan, in the defensive zone, Betts is the guy you want taking the face-off.

So Mr. Sather, make the move and throw out that offer to Blair Betts.  The numbers? 3-years/4.8 million.

Should the Rangers sign Blair Betts to a long-term deal?

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  • SouthJerseyBlue

    Yes Betts is the man. I also like Paul Mara. You have to have players like this to win in the playoffs.

    • waynefromwestbury

      I like Blair Betts too. But to me he’s got to put up 15 goals for his ice time to be worth it. He plays quite a bit and players like that need to score 15-20 goals, if you want to be an elite team in the NHL. Look at Hudler, Cleary and Fillpula in Detroit. And Clowe, Pavelski, and Michalek in San Jose. If you want to play with the big boys that’s what has to be! LETS GO RANGERS!!!!

  • iamaranger

    mara is having his best season by far in the nhl. it seems that’s he finally dropped the thoughts of being brian leetch and is becoming the best paul mara he can be.

    also agreed with brian, sign up betts. he’s aces.

  • waynefromwestbury

    I like Betts on face offs. i love his grit on the pk. he has to score more. ok 15-20 is a reach but he has to give the team 12-15 goals. Other wise my Ranger fan friends you can find another guy to give you grit and play well on the pk if thats going to be the job description. You can find them all over the league. I’ll list them if you want me to. Bottom line ice time needs to be supported with production period, if you want to be an elite team, LETS GO RANGERS.

  • waynefromwestbury

    By the way Dan Girardi has been on my fantasy team since the start of the season. If he stays healthy 50 points is a very real possibility. I would like to see Staal step it up some time this season too. These two guys can make a tremendous impact later this year if they continue to develop. It’s a long season and I think this can happen.

  • Gozer

    How much more can Staal step up? He’s already our best defenseman.

    I agree with Wayne on Betts. Blair deserves all the praise he gets, but I stop well short of categorizing him as irreplaceable or calling for them to lock him up long term. Sure I’d sign him for three years – if he continues to play for the peanut-rate he’s currently signed at. But with the Rangers already up against the salary cap ceiling, I’ve got my eyes on guys like Dubinsky, Zherdev, and Staal. Heck, Paul Mara’s only playing on a one-year deal this season – I’d sign him to an extension before I think about Betts. In my opinion, it’s become fashionable to laud Betts. It’s like, hey, look, I know my hockey, I love the 4th line defensive specialist! Well that’s just dandy, but if you know your hockey, you also know that half the team in the league have unsung heroes like Betts on their roster. I’m not saying they’re not valuable cogs, but none of them should be a GMs priority right now.