08-09 Recap: Freddy Sjostrom
Name: Fredrik Sjostrom #20
Born: May 06 ’83 (Age 26)
Height: 6′ 1″ Weight: 218
How Acquired: Acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes on February 26, along with goaltender David LeNeveu, forward Josh Gratton and a conditional draft pick in exchange for goaltender Al Montoya and forward Marcel Hossa.
Contract For Next Year: Restricted Free Agent
08-09 Salary: $840,000
08-09 Regular Stats: Seven goals and six assists in 79 games.
08-09 Playoff Stats: One assist in seven games.
Career Stats: 41 goals and 47 assists in 358 games.
Thoughts: Freddy Sjostrom was a constant burst of energy for the Rangers this season. The guy’s motor just never stopped and was usually the main reason that the fourth line ever had pressure or puck possesion. Sjostrom and Blair Betts formed arguably the best penalty-kill combination in the league last season and John Tortorella relied heavily on them. Tortortella also moved Sjostrom up to the third line for a while hoping that his speed and forechecking could create offense. As an RFA the Ranger hold Sjostrom’s rights and thus can include him in a trade if they so choose but I think the Rangers will re-sign him for a year or two with a slight raise. Torts likes him and losing him on the PK would be a big loss.
Monzo: Need to respectfully disagree with Rotter here. Sjostrom is a nice a player — he has speed and energy. But again, is very replaceable for a player within the Rangers system. Greg Moore still hasn’t gotten much of a shot and again, with Brodie Dupont and Dane Byers perhaps NHL bound, Sjostrom is very expendable, and could maybe get a 3rd or 4th round pick back in return.
