Whither Werek?

Ehtan Werek's team was eliminated from the OHL payoffs last night and the Rangers really should take a shot of the oft injured, once suspended, better than a point a game big forward. Werek was the Rangers's second round pick in the Kreider draft, and he has done nothing but score at the OHL level. After missing time with another injury, Werek was suspended after he launched a Bionic Elbow at the head of an opposing player. Deeply uncool, and deeply out of character. But he paid the price, and it's time to get him in the system.

The kid is 6'2" and has just a great pair of hands. And even before he tuned up his skating he was a scorer. Readers of the blog know I like to see a point a game from players in Juniors or High School (college is different). In the past three seasons Werek has scored 64 points in 66 games, 63 points in 57 games and 52 points in 47 games. Folks, that's production. And he gets a lot of it done down low. Since the Rangers don't have a Crosby or Ovechkin in the the system, it behooves them to sing every really productive pick they can, and try to eventually put out 3 lines "above average" producers. In other words, this kid has conquered juniors. Sign him up. Go Rangers!