RANGERS BRING IN PROSPAL
LARRY BROOKS
As contract negotiations with Brandon Dubinsky have hit a speed bump, the Rangers have signed 34-year-old free agent forward Vinnie Prospal to a one-year, $1.1 million deal, The Post has learned.Prospal, who became unrestricted when the Lightning bought him out of the final three seasons of the four-year, $14 million contract he had signed with Tampa Bay last summer, is most effective on the wing but also can play center.
The plan at the moment is to give Dubinsky the opportunity to claim the center position on the first line that will feature Marian Gaborik on the right and either Sean Avery or Christopher Higgins on the left. But if Dubinsky cannot handle the assignment, Prospal, who is strong on the puck, probably would get the call.
Prospal, who played for head coach John Tortorella before and after the Lightning’s 2004 Cup-winning season in which he was in Anaheim, recorded 45 points (19-26) last year.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08162009/sports/rangers/rangers_bring_in_prospal_184796.htm