New York Rangers Trade Christopher Higgins and Ales Kotalik to Calgary Flames for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust

The New York Rangers trade a player who wasn’t playing and another who worked hard for the most part but didn’t finish and score goals. Ales Kotalik was brought in to bring his big slap shot to the power play and Christopher Higgins was part of the Canadiens trade that sent overrated Scott Gomez (aka Lazy Boy) packing. Trading the bloated Gomez contract allowed the signing of Marian Gaborik/ Kotalik was shooting the puck on the pass and scoring in the first 11 games of the year. Since then he was too inconsistent and was brutal at playing two-way hockey. He stopped playing one-way hockey! Higgins worked hard but simply couldn’t score. I lost count of the scoring chances where Higgy would miss the net by many feet. Jokinen has talent and will most likely center the top line. He wasn’t thrilled about the trade and took it as a slap in the face but is looking forward to playing with Gaborik. Prust is ranked second in 5 minute fighting majors in the NHL this season and is two-thirds the age of current Ranger enforcer Donald Brashear. Someone will be scratched on the 4th line and I hope it’s not Aaron Voros. He’s one of the few players that’s gives 100% every shift in limited ice time. The Blueshirts need a solid shutdown defenseman in the image of Jeff Beukeboom. Both players should be in uniform and ready to go in LA tonight. The Kings are playing very well and I hope it’s a good game. I can see Olli wearing his #21 since Higgy had it before.