New York Rangers: Why The Rangers Should Go After Marc-Andre Bergeron

In the Rangers 2-1 shootout victory over the Nashville Predators Saturday afternoon, the Rangers were a disappointing 0-4 on the power play. In the Rangers last five games, they have gone 4-21 on the power play, and they have dropped to seventeenth place in the NHL when it comes to power play percentage.

Free agent defenseman, Marc-Andre Bergeron, is currently talking to 10 different teams regarding a contract. One of those teams are believed to be the New York Rangers.

Bergeron is known for his power play skill, and his ability to quarterback a top power play unit. If the Rangers GM Glen Sather can pull off a low-cost, low risk one-year contract to acquire Bergeron, he will. Sather is currently in search of a left-handed, veteran defenseman, and he would prefer a power play specialist such as Marc-Andre Bergeron.

Bergeron would be an excellent addition to the current New York Rangers roster, and since the 2010-11 NHL season is still very young, a small acquisition like Bergeron would not have a major effect on the Rangers current game plan.

Expect Bergeron to sign very soon, as he has recently been cleared to play, and expect the Rangers to be top competitors in the Bergeron sweepstakes.

NHL Rumors: Bergeron Not Returning to Habs, Bieksa to The Islanders?

A couple of rumors from around the NHL....

Bergeron ready to return, but not with Montreal

According to SpectorsHockey.net (via RDS.ca), defenceman Marc-Andre Bergeron has been given medical clearance to play, but won't be returning with the Montreal Canadiens, who he played for last season.
The report states that the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are all believed to be interested in the 30-year-old.

Bergeron played in 60 games with the Habs last season, putting up 34 points, including 13 goals. In 399-career NHL regular season games, Bergeron has 75 goals and 119 assists.

Kevin Bieksa to the Islanders?

This isn't to say the Vancouver Canucks will ship defenceman Kevin Bieksa to the New York Islanders, but it is possible.

The Islanders, who were riding a 14-game losing streaking going into Friday afternoon's tilt with the New Jersey Devils, are looking to make a trade, according to TheFourthPeriod.com.

The report says the Islanders have over $16 million in cap space to work with, meaning general manager Garth Snow might be willing to take on a large contract to help another team with its cap problems.

Kelly Friesen, meanwhile, reported via Twitter that Bieksa had been "supposedly traded," however turned out that Bieksa never did get traded. Still, it has been widely reported for what seems to be ages now that Bieksa is on the trade block, and that many teams have been calling Canucks general manager Mike Gillis to discuss a trade.

The Islanders sat last in the NHL with just four wins and 13 points through their first 21 games. They lack the defensive talent neccessary to make it into the playoffs and there is no doubt Bieksa would recieve top-four minutes, possibly even top-two minutes, in New York.

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