08-09 Recap: Steve Valiquette
Name: Stephen Valiquette #40
Born: Aug 20 ’77 (Age 31)
Height: 6′ 6″ Weight: 210
How Acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 1, 2006.
Contract For Next Year: Signed for $725,000.
08-09 Salary: $725,000
08-09 Regular Stats: Five wins, five losses and two overtime losses. One shutout, a 2.84 GAA .907 save percentage.
08-09 Playoff Stats: 0-0-0 in two games played with a 0.00 GAA and a 1.000 save percentage in relief of Henrik Lundqvist.
Career Stats: 14 wins, 11 losses and five overtime losses in 40 career games. Three shutouts, a 2.58 GAA and a .912 save percentage.
Thoughts: With Henrik Lundqvist as the Rangers starting goalie of the present and future, Steve Valiquette is the perfect back-up. Vally is someone who has bounced around many levels since being drafted but has found a home with the Rangers and goaltending coach Benoit Allaire. Allaire has helped turn Vally into a very serviceable back-up who in his time in New York has played very well for the Rangers, especially against the Philadelphia Flyers. Vally will again back-up Henrik Lundqvist next season.
