Point of No Return?

 

Patrick Hoffmann (HV)

 

It was rumored by a New York Rangers Fan web site, Sidearm Delivery (http://beanballinc.blogspot.com/2007/06/kasparaitis-to-be-bought-out-by-rangers.html) on June 11 that the team was set to buy out the contract of defenseman Darius Kasparaitis, who still has one year remaining.

It was a long time coming for Kasparaitis, who had a difficult season. During last year’s off-season, he had shoulder surgery and had trouble getting it back into playing shape. When he did return, he was very ineffective. He had trouble picking up the man in front, making outlet passes out of his own zone and even his physical play had diminished.

 

As a result of his poor play, the team demoted him to their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He was then recalled by the Blueshirts after showing signs of life with the Pack but shortly after, he was placed on waivers and sent back down to Hartford, where he would remain for the remainder of the season. Bad luck continued to follow Kasparaitis when on March 2, he was taken to the hospital due to shortness of breath.

Though he had a rough season, Kasparaitis’s tenure with the Blueshirts was not all lost. During the teams’ resurgence in 2005-06, he was instrumental with his hard working, hard hitting and leadership abilities. He was a great defense partner for then first year defenseman, Fedor Tyutin. He also had a calming influence in the locker room as he frequently cracked jokes, played wild music and kept the team loose as they prepared for every game.

Now the question becomes, if his contract is indeed bought out by the team, what does he do and where does he go? What NHL teams would be interested in signing him for one or two years? Would he consider going to play over in Europe? Would he retire? These are all questions that Kasparaitis will have to ponder this off-season.

Photo: Darius Kasparaitis © Richard Wolowicz (HV)