October 1, 2010, Atlantic Division Notebook for HockeyPrimeTime.com

‘Redd’ the writing on the wall

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Written by Denis Gorman

Friday, October 01, 2010 00:00

Wade Redden, who was assigned to Hartford on Monday, may have become an American Hockey Leaguer overnight. But the Rangers' defenseman planted seeds of doubt in Madison Square Garden much earlier. The beginning of the end of Wade Redden’s career as a New York Ranger occurred on the morning of December 17, 2009. A little more than 12 hours after a disgraceful 2-1 loss to the rival Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, Redden came to work and found that he was scratched for that night’s game. The defenseman had earned John Tortorella’s ire for not eliminating Jack Hillen from a play that led to the Islanders' first goal. AROUND THE ATLANTIC Hillen had skated behind Henrik Lundqvist’s cage, ignored Redden’s half-hearted stick check attempt, and then threw a pass that bounced off of Jon Sim’s skate and past the Rangers goaltender. In an abbreviated, profanity-laced post-game press conference, Tortorella was brutal in his analysis. “It is horses—t coverage around the corners; just brings it around the net. It’s a fluky goal but we don’t get them,” the Rangers coach spat. “It’s simply unacceptable. There has to be something done. And we’ll see along the way here, before (the) game and see what we go with. It’s simply unacceptable how we started that game. I wish I could give you a f—in’ explanation. I can’t.” Enraged at being scratched, Redden exchanged angry words with his coach at the Coliseum the morning after the loss. Following having his “a— skated off,” the defenseman pled his case to the beat reporters that cover the team. “I’m not too pleased about it," Redden said. "The fact that I’m sitting out, I’m not too happy about it. He wants to shake things up. I can deal with that. There’s lots of different ways to handle it and I have to do what’s best for me." The former All-Star claimed that he was “singled out” and made an “example” out of. “It comes down to performance. (Tortorella) feels like I have a lot more to give. I want to get out there and play more and get that chance.” Nine months later, Redden learned that he will not get that opportunity – at least not at the NHL level – this year. The Rangers placed the 13-year veteran on waivers last weekend. He cleared waivers and was shipped to AHL Hartford on Monday. Signed to a six-year, $39 million contract in the summer of 2008, Redden’s tenure on Broadway could be viewed in the same light as a Michael Bay movie: Full of hype that did not deliver. In 156 games over two seasons, the Lloydminster, Sask., native totaled five goals, 35 assists, 40 points, 78 penalty minutes and was plus-3, sometimes appearing to be anywhere but the 200 by 85 sheet of ice between 32nd and 33rd streets in Midtown Manhattan. His oft-passive play earned him the enmity of the Garden’s denizens, a fan base that can worship and deride with equal amounts of passion. For a group that can wistfully recall the blueline exploits of Brian Leetch, Harry Howell, Brad Park and Jeff Beukeboom, among others, Redden’s seeming inability to decide whether to rush the puck, stay back, throw the body, take the body, make a good first outlet pass, block a shot, protect his goaltender, or fight was viewed as an unforgivable sin. A lack of talent can be forgiven; the perception of laziness is a different matter. On the morning of December 17, Redden said of his benching by Tortorella, “All I can do is show him I want to be out there. If they want me out there, then I have to deliver.” Now, he no longer has that opportunity. Notes The Islanders and Flyers absorbed disheartening injury news. The Islanders lost defenseman Mark Streit and right wing Kyle Okposo to long-term injuries. Streit suffered a torn labrum and a torn rotator cuff after colliding with Matt Moulson in practice. ... Ian Laperriere told reporters Tuesday that he should not have returned to the Flyers lineup for the Eastern Conference Final and Stanley Cup Final after being struck in the face with a slapshot in the first round of the playoffs, and that the right wing is experiencing post-concussion symptoms. ... G Michael Leighton has a bulging disc in his back according to Phillyburbs.com and is expected to miss four weeks. ... Evgeni Malkin is a quiet sort. The 24-year old Russian, unlike countryman Alex Ovechkin, who he is most often compared to, does not often display personality in interviews. That may change, according to his teammates, who told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the Hard Knocks-style program HBO will air leading to the Winter Classic will introduce the United States television-viewing audience to the Malkin they know. … It is never fun to for teams to play against the Penguins. That’s what happens when facing the prospects of spending a couple hours skating against Sidney Crosby, Malkin, Jordan Staal, Marc-Andre Fleury and Paul Martin. But Pens coach Dan Bylsma may have created a line that may change opponents dread to outright hatred according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Bylsma has put together a checking line of Aaron Asham, Max Talbot and Matt Cooke. Talbot told the newspaper that he “wouldn’t want to play against us, that’s for sure.” … With two dates with the Islanders remaining before the games count, the Devils are still getting to know each other, reports the Record of Hackensack. D Henrik Tallinder jokingly told the newspaper that he has to “introduce” himself to top line of Ilya Kovalchuk, Travis Zajac and Zach Parise. All photos courtesy of Getty Images

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