GRACHEV SENT PACKING

We hate to say we told you so, but we told you so.

For all they press attention that surrounded Evgeny Grachev, repeatedly Howlings readers were told that it was just that – Hype.

While we’re completely sure that he won’t ever say so publicly or otherwise, we’d be willing to bet that the happiest man in the New York Rangers organization today is Connecticut Whale head coach Ken Gernander.

Why?

Well, the Rangers today traded Grachev to the St. Louis Blues organization in exchange for a third round pick in this years’ draft. The team then turned the 72nd pick in the draft into 18-year old forward, Minnesota native, Steven Fogarty.

Grachev was consistently inconsistent throughout his days playing in Hartford. In practice he didn’t really push himself and was not exactly a charmer in the locker room.

The 21-year old from Khabarovsk, Russia will likely play in Peoria with their AHL affiliate.

According to a tweet from New York Post writer, Larry Brooks, “Sather: Grachev asked out, wanted new start. GM had been shopping him for year, Blues only team interested“

What does that tell you?

We predict Grachev plays one year in Peoria and then heads back t Russia.

Here’s the official release:

RANGERS TRADE EVGENY GRACHEV TO ST. LOUIS

New York acquires a third round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft
New York, June 25, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has traded forward Evgeny Grachev to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a third round draft pick, 72nd overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.  The Rangers selected forward Steven Fogarty with the pick.

Fogarty, 18, skated in 24 games with the Edina Hornets of the Minnesota Boys High School Hockey League (High-MN) last season, registering 23 goals and 17 assists for 40 points, along with 12 penalty minutes and a plus-14 rating.  He established career-highs in goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, power play goals (three), game-winning goals (four), and shorthanded goals (two).  Fogarty led the Hornets in goals, points, plus/minus rating, game-winning goals, and shorthanded goals.  He also tied for second in assists and third in power play goals.  Fogarty recorded a career-high, nine multi-point performances, including three hat tricks.  He notched a career-high, four goals, and added two assists to tie his career-high with six points on January 27 vs. Hopkins.  The Chambersburg, Pennsylvania native posted a career-high, 11-game point streak from December 4 vs. Eagan to January 20 vs. Wayzata, registering 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) over the span.

In 2011 playoff action, Fogarty led the Hornets with 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in six games en route to a fourth-place finish in the High-MN Class AA State Tournament.  He registered at least one point in each of the six contests, including a two-assist effort in the Third Place Game on March 12 vs. Eagan.  Fogarty led the team with five assists, tied for first in scoring with seven points and third with two goals in three games during the Section Playoffs to help Edina advance to the State Tournament.  He tied for the team lead with four points and three assists in three tournament contests.

The 6-3, 200-pounder has appeared in 49 career games over two seasons with Edina, registering 41 goals and 29 assists for 70 points, along with 16 penalty minutes and a plus-26 rating.  In addition, Fogarty has tallied 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 12 career playoff contests.

Grachev, 21, skated in 73 games with the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season, registering 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points, along with 24 penalty minutes and a plus-21 rating.  He also tallied two assists in six playoff contests with the Whale.  The Khabarovsk, Russia native was originally selected as the Rangers’ third round choice, 75th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.