If the Rangers are to be considered legitimate contenders this season and into the spring and early summer, they are going to need to solidify the defense in front of King Henrik and have the big bread winner Wade Redden return to the player he once was. And as of now, it looks like they are on their way to getting just that.
Eight months ago, Larry Brooks of the New York Post called Redden's contract, "the worst in the history of the NHL," and Redden's play through his first year on Broadway made it hard to argue with Brooks' assessment. But through the first two weeks of Redden's second season under the bright lights, it looks like the once-prominent defenseman is doing his best to turn around his declining career to become the Ottawa defenseman that New York thought they were getting for six years and $39 million.
After posting his lowest point total in 10 seasons and finishing in the red in plus-minus for the first time in eight years, Redden has stepped up his game through the first six games of this season. Auditioning nightly to win back the trust of the true blue fans that have called him by derogatory names more than his actual birth name over the past year, Redden has passed the test early on this year.
With a goal and two assists in the season's first six games and a plus-4 rating, it looks like Sather might be able to salvage the remainder of Redden's albatross contract … if he can continue to compete at this level.
Redden began last season with a pair of goals and three points in his first three games as a Ranger before falling on his face and becoming the most overpaid player in the game. And even though John Tortorella didn't take over as head coach until midway through last season, he must remember Redden's hot start because has yet to anoint the former All-Star as a proven player in the Big Apple.
"He’s played pretty well here and I’m glad he gets rewarded (with a goal and two assists)," Tortorella told the Journal News. "He’s been good. He hasn’t been great, but he’s been good, and if we can get him — because he has put up numbers — in that type of mindset of bringing offense … we want everybody involved in this."
The difference in Redden's game has certainly been evident even though six games might not be a true measuring stick, and even if Tortorella is hesitant to jump on Redden's bandwagon. And while the MSG fans have made it a habit to get on their insanely overpaid defenseman over the last 12 months, at some point they are going to need to get his back, as will Tortorella.
A strong defense in front of the game's top goaltender is the only thing holding Sather's Rangers from realizing their potential. And believe it or not, Redden has the ability to be the most important piece of the 2009-10 puzzle.
