AND WHAT OF VALIQUETTE?

As we wrote Friday night based upon the sources we spoke to, the Checkers have been assigned Miika Wiikman and the Rangers have a new backup netminder in New York in Alex Auld.

It appears now, for the time being anyway that all of the Rangers goaltending jobs are filled. Auld provides a legitimate NHL backup. With Wiikman off to Charlotte to at least sharing the playing time with Ryan Munce and Matt Zaba and Chad Johnson as the co number ones it would seen that the apparent odd man is Steve Valiquette.

Valiquette originally came to the Rangers organization, along with current Worcester Shark, Dwight “Dewey” Helminen, and a 2004 second round draft choice, as part of the deal with Edmonton for Petr Nedved and Jussi Markkanen on March 3rd, 2004.

That 2004 second round draft choice turned out to be 2010 Hartford Wolf Pack captain, Dane Byers.

The 6’6” 220 pound goaltender from Etobicoke, Ontario (just outside of Toronto) is injured with a busted up hand. According to the rules of the league nothing can happen to him in terms of being released etc., as long as he’s hurt. Once he does heal from his injury, it will be interesting to see how the organization handles a good standup person who has been a good soldier for the past six years, the last four of which riding shotgun for Henrik Lundqvist in New York.

Valiquette is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. It’s extremely unlikely that he will get another NHL team to give him a one-way contract given how his play between the pipes has deteriorated this season. It’s an even safer bet that he won’t be back in Hartford.

Valiquette was originally selected by the Los Angeles Kings round 8 (#190 overall) in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He will turn 33 on August 20th.

Here are Valiquette’s career statistics:

Here is the official release on Wiikman’s move back to Charlotte:

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that goaltender Miika Wiikman has been assigned to the Charlotte Checkers of the ECHL.
Wiikman, 25, returns to Charlotte where he has posted a record of 9-2-1-2, along with a 2.77 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and one shutout in 16 games this season.  He leads the Checkers in goals against average, is tied for first on the team in save percentage and shutouts, and ranks second in wins.  Wiikman recorded his first career ECHL shutout, stopping all 36 shots faced in a 7-0 win vs. South Carolina on November 18.  He also posted an ECHL career-high four-game winning streak from December 20 vs. South Carolina to January 6 vs. South Carolina.  Wiikman has also appeared in seven games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, posting a 2-4-0 record with a 4.20 goals against average and an .869 save percentage.  He posted back-to-back wins on October 24 vs. Lowell (5-2) and October 25 vs. Worcester (4-3), registering a 2.50 goals against average and stopping 66-of-71 shots for a .930 save percentage over the span.
The Mariestad, Sweden native was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on April 24, 2008.

(Valiquette photo courtesy of sover.net)