Holik: Set To Test Market
Declan

Bobby Holik may have played his last game for the New Jersey Devils. This may be good news for the Rangers for more than one reason. Over the past ten seasons Holik has been one of the Devils' best players and has been an inspirational factor in both of their Stanley Cups during that time period. The Devils and Rangers have been fierce rivals since the Devils game into the league and any time the Devils suffer a blow its usually good for the Rangers, after all the two teams are in the same division and in the same Conference fighting for playoffs berths against each other..

If Bobby Holik does decide to leave New Jersey, which seems more and more likely as we get closer to July 1st, then it will mean that the Rangers have their chance to go after one of the better physical two way centers in the game. Just the thought of a Rangers lineup with both Eric Lindros and Bobby Holik lining up at center would make them a much scarier team to play. If the Devils let Holik walk this summer for absolutely nothing then it will be one of the biggest mistakes that the Devils organization could possibly make.

Holik is rumored to be asking between $7 and $8 million per season and a deal which would take him past the upcoming controversial NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement. Holik hit the 25 goal mark this season for the third time in his career and ended the year with 54 points, a respectable number for a player who contributes to the team in so many ways. Even when Holik is struggling offensively he can still bring so much to the table with a mean physical presence and defensive abilities that would certainly help the Rangers improve their awful defensive game.

Don't think that Holik is a certainty to play in New York next season though. Many teams around the league who have some money to show will be trying to land the Czech native. Dallas, Colorado and Los Angeles are all said to be interested but any one of about 15 teams could end up landing the Devils number 16. Holik wants a team who is contending for the Cup next season or will be contending for one within the next few seasons. Bring Holik to New York and once again they'll be listed as contenders by the New York media.