Petr Sykora skated as a Ranger for the first time yesterday, but he didn’t feel like a typical newcomer.
The 29-year-old forward whom the Blueshirts traded for on Sunday is now the seventh player on the roster from the Czech Republic and if he plays as well as some of his fellow countrymen will likely help the Rangers considerably.
After languishing for the entire season in Anaheim, Sykora finally got the deal he was looking for when Glen Sather sent defenseman Maxim Kondratiev to the Mighty Ducks in return for the former Devil and a fourth-round pick.
“In 40 games in Anaheim, I wasn’t really getting an opportunity,” said Sykora, who had seven goals and 13 assists under new head coach Randy Carlyle. “I was looking forward to a fresh start.”
And he was hoping it would come at the Garden, where he will make his debut tonight against the Flames. Sykora has played with several of his new teammates on the national team and prior to this season, had been a consistent offensive force in the league. He has scored 20 or more goals in each of the past six seasons.
During yesterday’s practice, Sykora skated on a line with Steve Rucchin and Czech Martin Rucinsky. Coach Tom Renney said he hasn’t determined exactly where Sykora will play tonight, but he is confident he will contribute.
“It looks like he’s got quick feet and the ability to move the puck,” Renney said.
Over the years, Sykora has also shown an ability to put the puck in the net, something the Rangers certainly he continues here. Despite the Blueshirts’ solid (23-12-6-1) record, Jaromir Jagr and Petr Prucha have shouldered an awful lot of the scoring load, combining for 47 of the team’s 129 goals. While that ratio has worked so far, it likely won’t lead to postseason success.
“We’ve got to develop scoring from other parts of our lineup,” Renney said. “We need to be a little less predictable.”
That’s especially true now that center Blair Betts is out until after the Olympics with a left knee injury. Sykora’s addition should help offset that absence.
Although his contract expires at the end of this season, Sykora expressed an interest in extending his stay in New York.
“I’d love to be here for a long period of time,” Sykora said. “But you never know what’s going to happen.”
Still, Sykora said that he pushed for his agent to get him involved in a trade to New York once he found out that he was on the block. His production improved in his final weeks in Anaheim (nine points in his last 11 games) and he said yesterday that he isn’t worried about his game slipping.
“I’ve got lots left,” Sykora said.
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Renney said that Henrik Lundqvist, fresh off a 38-save shutout of Florida, will start in goal tonight.