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Wojtek Wolski News & Rumors

Wolski returns to Rangers lineup
January 13
New York Post
 
"Wojtek Wolski was in the lineup. For the Rangers. Not for the Whale. For the winger, who yesterday morning diplomatically avoided saying whether he would accede to the Rangers' request to accept a conditioning assignment to the AHL farm if it remained on the table, played his first game since Nov. 3 when Brandon Dubinsky was sidelined with a sore right shoulder. Wolski, who underwent sports hernia surgery on Nov. 8, played 14:50 in the Rangers' 3-0 Garden defeat to the Senators, opening in Dubinsky's spot on the left with Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan before coach John Tortorella juggled his personnel beginning with the second period."
Hernia surgery for Rangers' Wolski
November 8
New York Post
 
"It is not the hot tub calling Wojtek Wolski, but rather the surgeon's operating room. The Rangers' winger, called out earlier in the season by coach John Tortorella for the length of time it was taking him to get back from a groin issue that first developed in training camp, will undergo surgery today to repair a sports hernia. The procedure will be performed by Dr. William Meyers at Core Performance Physicians in Philadelphia. It is expected Wolski will be out for the next month."
Rangers' Wolski needs surgery, out month
November 8
New York Post
 
"It is not the hot tub calling Wojtek Wolksi, but rather the surgeon's operating room. The Rangers winger, called out earlier in the season by coach John Tortorella for the length of time it was taking him to get back from a groin issue that first developed in training camp, will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a sports hernia. It is expected Wolski will be out of action for the next month."
Shanahan explains Wolski decision
November 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"Under fire, Brendan Shanahan came to his own defence over his decision not to suspend Wojtek Wolski. Speaking to the NHL Network Wednesday, Shanahan claimed he didn't feel it was necessary to make Wolski sit for hitting Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson last Saturday. "Wolski's not a dirty player, and has no history of being a dirty player. There are collisions that occur on the ice where, unfortunately, one player sees it just prior," said Shanahan. "We've seen enough of these now, and I don't like these, but seen enough of them where when one player sees (the hit) just prior, he tenses up. And sometimes he even leans in, because he's bracing for an impact."
Payback for Wolski? A definite maybe
November 4
Ottawa Sun
 
"Zenon Konopka wouldn't say the Senators are going to deliver a little payback to Wojtek Wolski next Wednesday when the New York Rangers are at Scotiabank Place. That's partially because Konopka doesn't want to pay a fine. And, of course, the Senators aren't the Charlestown Chiefs and the NHL is no Federal League ... so there won't be a bounty. Thursday's news that Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson is still suffering the effects of a concussion after a vicious cheapshot from Wolski last Saturday rang through the dressing room."
Rangers' Wolski ignores comment from coach
October 21
New York Post
 
"Wojtek Wolski took the high road, which was pretty much the only sane way for the Rangers forward to go, claiming Thursday morning he did not know he'd essentially been called a malingerer by John Tortorella on Wednesday and did not want to know what the coach had said about him. "I'd didn't hear and I'd rather not know," Wolski, who has been sidelined with a groin issue since the Oct. 7 opener in Stockholm, said after he remained on the ice doing sprints and extra work following the morning skate preceding the match here against the Flames."
Stars align for local hockey guru
August 9
Toronto Star
 columnist Dave Feschuk
"Jason Spezza, the Mississauga-bred centre for the Ottawa Senators, walked into a dressing room recently. Before he sat down, he hopped over the equipment bag belonging to Mike Cammalleri, the Montreal Canadiens forward, and settled into a spot across from Jeff Skinner, the NHL rookie of the year, and Wojtek Wolski, the New York Rangers winger. Why was the foursome of pros, slated to make a combined salary of about $20 million next season, spending a summer's day at the decaying Vaughan Iceplex, where the goal nets, like the walls, have holes? They were there to see Jari Byrski, the noted skill development coach. Byrski, who'd been talking on the phone, ended his call."
Is Wojtek Wolski the eventual odd man out in New York?
July 18
Pro Hockey Talk
 
"The New York Rangers' offseason was dominated by the signing of Brad Richards. Richards was signed to a mammoth nine-year, $60 million contract to help solve their problem of not having a true playmaker to set up Marian Gaborik and lead their offense. With Richards in place, Chris Drury bought out and made a free agent, and Brian Boyle locked up to a three-year deal while they await deals to be finalized with restricted free agents Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan there are some potential roster questions left to be answered in New York. According to CapGeek.com, the Rangers have just over $53 million committed to the cap with Dubinsky and Callahan waiting to be signed. Depending on"
Wolski scratched by Rangers vs. Islanders
March 16
New York Post
 
"Wojtek Wolski was scratched for the first time in 28 games since coming to the Rangers from Phoenix on Jan. 10, and Matt Gilroy will sit for the first time in 31 games since Jan. 2 for Tuesday's game against the Islanders. Wolski was benched for all but 1:53 in the third period of Saturday's 3-2 shootout victory at San Jose, though John Tortorella did give the winger one spin in overtime and selected him to go third in the skills competition. Wolski converted in the bottom of the third to extend the shootout before Brandon Dubinsky won it in the sixth round. Gilroy sat for all but 1:44 in the third period against the Sharks, with Tortorella cutting to two pairs, as has become customary."
Rangers rally on pair of Wolski strikes
February 23
New York Post
 
"This was a throwback game for the Rangers, all right, a throwback to the first three months of the season when the club's grit and effort resulted in, well, positive results. This was one that might have demoralized clubs with lesser resolve and a weaker fabric, for after blowing a 2-1 lead after two periods by allowing a pair of goals to the Hurricanes in the first 6:10 of the third, the Rangers appeared on the precipice of collapse. Yet they did not fall over the edge, did not fall off the cliff. Rather, these Black-and-Blueshirts gathered themselves, tied the game with 1:50 remaining on a goal by the revived Wojtek Wolski, and then won it in a 1-0 shootout on a Wolski goal in the bottom"
Wojtek Wolski scores shootout goal to give Blueshirts 4-3 victory over Carolina Hurricanes
February 23
New York Daily News
 
"The Rangers have five days to make a trade before the NHL deadline. The one they made in January paid big dividends Tuesday night. Wojtek Wolski scored with 1:50 left in the third period to tie the game, then lifted the Rangers to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Carolina Hurricanes with the only goal of the tiebreaker. It was shaping up as a grim night for the Blueshirts after Jussi Jokinen scored twice in a span of 2:38 early in the third period to give Carolina a 3-2 lead, and All-Star defenseman Marc Staal left with a twisted knee. Instead, the Rangers won for the third time in the last five games, extending their margin in the Eastern Conference playoff race to three points over"
Winger's big game ends in Wo
February 21
New York Post
 
"Wojtek Wolski turned in arguably his best game as a Ranger yesterday, but it wasn't enough to lift the Blueshirts to a victory. Wolski played aggressively during 21:22 of ice time and scored the Rangers' first goal in a 4-2 loss to the conference-leading Flyers in front of 18,200 fans at Madison Square Garden. The 24-year-old left winger, acquired on Jan. 10 in a trade that sent Michal Rozsival to Phoenix, fired a team-high six shots on goal as he tried to jump-start a stagnant Rangers offense. "I was physical," Wolski said. "I was getting to pucks. I just felt like I was involved, had a lot of opportunities and created a lot of opportunities." Wolski gave the Rangers (31-26-4) a 1-0 lead"
Wolski tweaks rib cage muscle
February 14
Bergen Record
 
"Rangers left wing Wojtek Wolski assisted on Ryan Callahan's first period power-play goal but played 2:06 in the second period and not at all in the third after pulling a rib cage muscle. Wolski said he felt a tweak toward the end of the first period. "I kind of went a little awkward at the end of the first period, trying to protect the puck," said Wolski, who tried to play through the pain. "I couldn't do it 100 percent." Wolski hoped to skate at the Rangers' next practice on Tuesday."
Wolski deal a gamble
January 16
New York Post
 columnist Larry Brooks
"If Wojtek Wolski is the player Glen Sather thinks he is, the Rangers general manager hit the ball out of the park in bringing the 24-year-old winger to New York. But of course, if Wolski is the player Sather believes he is, the GM wouldn't have been able to get him for 32-year-old Michal Rozsival, now would he have? Rozsival, who never came close to duplicating his 2006-07 performance during which he was a horse in the late season and in two rounds of the playoffs, was expendable. A likeable fellow who did not deserve to be demonized, there was always something with Rozsival following that year. He either was upset because his partner and friend Marek Malik was being mistreated, or he"
Wolski hopes to find game with Gaborik
January 13
Bergen Record
 
"Wojtek Wolski's first game with the Rangers brought him an on-ice enjoyment that had been missing during his time with the Coyotes. "This season hasn't been much fun," Wolski said Wednesday after his first practice with the Rangers. "Yesterday [against the Canadiens] was the first time I felt like myself again. I had the puck and we created opportunities. It was exciting again." Fun's fun, but part of the job he was brought to New York to do via Monday's trade of defenseman Michal Rozsival, was to provide Marian Gaborik with a compatible linemate. The two offensive talents get their second chance to work together - this time likely joined by rookie center Derek Stepan - as the Rangers host"
Tortorella likes potential of Wolski-Gaborik combination for Rangers offense
January 13
New York Daily News
 
"Wojtek Wolski now has participated in as many practices as games with the Rangers, working with his new teammates Wednesday in Greenburgh for the first time after making his Garden debut the night before in a one-goal loss to Montreal. Wolski, who was obtained from Phoenix on Monday for defenseman Michal Rozsival, will continue to skate for now opposite slumping star winger Marian Gaborik, John Tortorella said, both at even-strength and on the power play. "I like him with Gabby, and want them together in as many chances as possible to see if they can create off one another," Tortorella said. "I think Gabby is close. I think he's been better the last couple of days. His legs are moving. And"
Newest Ranger Wojtek Wolski looks good as Blueshirts fall, 2-1
January 12
Bergen Record
 
"His long day's journey to New York nearly ended with a storybook goal for newest Ranger Wojtek Wolski. Instead, the Rangers and the 24-year-old Polish left wing can only anticipate what his presence might mean after one game paired with right wing Marian Gaborik. "He plays at a high skill level," captain Chris Drury said. "You can see his hands, he moves passes. He'll only get better with the guys he's playing with." Wolski was held scoreless despite his wrist shot from the left at 17:02 of the third period hitting the post and lingering on the goal line before being swept clear. The Canadiens rallied for a 2-1 win Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden as the Rangers were denied a"
Wojtek Wolski gets wish to be traded from Coyotes
January 12
Arizona Republic
 
"Ask and you shall receive. At least that's how it looked, what with forward Wojtek Wolski's agent asking Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney for a trade on Sunday and the 24-year-old getting shipped out the next day to the New York Rangers for defenseman Michal Rozsival. Fact is, Maloney had been shopping for an experienced defenseman to complete his top two pairings of blueliners for the past two months and it was pure luck that the deal came on the heels of Wolski's request. It's a deal where all sides appear to be happy with the outcome. New York needs offensive help with Alexander Frolov shelved for the season with a knee injury and could definitely use the cap space that losing"
Tortorella eager to scope out winger Wolski
January 12
New York Post
 
"Rangers coach John Tortorella chuckled when informed that Wojtek Wolski, his newest player after being obtained on Monday from Phoenix, had said that he was looking forward to the move because the Eastern Conference is more wide open than the West. Wolski used the phrase "a little more run and gun," and said the Rangers' system was more offense-minded than the one he left. "Well, I just met him five minutes ago," Tortorella said before the Rangers' 2-1 loss to the Canadiens last night at the Garden. "But we will not get in the way offensively, and we're certainly going to look for him to express himself with his creativity. "I'll watch him play, and then we'll have a chance to go over"
Coyotes trade Wojtek Wolski to New York Rangers for Michal Rozsival
January 11
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes have traded struggling forward Wojtek Wolski to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Michal Rozsival, the team announced Monday afternoon. "I know Michal well from my time with the Rangers in New York," General Manager Don Maloney said. "He is an intelligent, puck moving defenseman who can play heavy minutes against good players. He will make our strong defense even better." Rozsival, 32, has three goals and 12 assists to go with and 22 penalty minutes in 32 games this season for the Rangers. He was third on the team in average ice time (22:02)."
Rangers trade Rozsival to Coyotes for Wojtek Wolski
January 11
New York Daily News
 
"John Tortorella referred Monday to the minor-league reinforcements that have helped sustain the Rangers amid a rash of injuries this season as a "lifeline, especially in a (salary) cap world." But GM Glen Sather provided both a roster boost and some much-needed cap relief in the deal he swung Monday with former assistant Don Maloney, the GM of the Phoenix Coyotes. With winger Alex Frolov lost for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, Sather scooped up talented winger Wojtek Wolski - and found a taker for veteran defenseman Michal Rozsival - in a 1-for-1 swap that clears about $1.2 million off the Rangers' salary cap and gives them further flexibility"
Satisfied With Defense, the Rangers Deal for a Young Forward
January 11
New York Times
 
"The Rangers cast their lot with their young defense corps and shored up their injury-depleted cast of forwards Monday by trading the veteran defenseman Michal Rozsival to Phoenix for left wing Wojtek Wolski. Wolski, 24, still awaiting his breakout season, is expected to be in uniform for the Rangers' game Tuesday against Montreal at Madison Square Garden. He will be skating in a roster slot vacated by Alexander Frolov, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Saturday's 2-1 victory at St. Louis. Frolov was the team's fourth forward to be sidelined with a major injury. "We have a lot of good defensemen progressing the way we want them," Glen Sather, the Rangers' general manager, said"
Rangers' Rozsival dealt for Coyotes forward Wolski
January 11
New York Post
 
"With one move yesterday, Rangers general manager Glen Sather accomplished two goals. By trading veteran defenseman Michal Rozsival to Phoenix for 24-year-old forward Wojtek Wolski, the Blueshirts not only found a replacement for Alex Frolov, who was lost for the season with a knee injury in Saturday's 2-1 win over St. Louis, but also opened up more playing time for the organization's group of young defensemen. "We've been trying to build this team around the youth," Sather said. "And when a player like this, who's 24 years old, who's 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and has been a very good, prolific goal scorer in the past, and you're moving a guy that's 32-years-old with this year and next year"
Wojtek Wolski ready, willing and able
October 6
Arizona Republic
 
"Puck after puck, Coyotes forward Wojtek Wolski swiped his stick over the red dot, working on faceoffs during the summer. He was preparing for a move to center, something the Coyotes coaching staff suggested after the departures of Matthew Lombardi and Robert Lang. But with a jump in the depth chart at the center position near the conclusion of the summer, Wolski may start the season exactly where he ended it - at left wing. "I don't really have a preference," Wolski said. "Doesn't matter. Wherever they put me, I have to make sure I play well. Whatever happens, I'll make the best of it." When Lombardi signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators on July 2 and the Coyotes opted not to"
Coyotes sign Wojtek Wolski to two-year deal, trade Daniel Winnik to Avalanche
June 29
Arizona Republic
 
"Left wing Wojtek Wolski, who joined the Coyotes at the trade deadline last season and was an impact player in the playoffs, finalized a two-year, $7.6 million deal with the Coyotes on Monday. The Coyotes, operating under a budget mandated by the NHL, freed up some money, too, trading forward Daniel Winnik to the Colorado Avalanche for a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft. Winnik will join former teammates Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter, who were traded to the Avalanche for Wolski. "We are very excited to sign Wojtek to a new contract," General Manager Don Maloney said. "He is a talented offensive player who performed extremely well for us last season down the stretch and led our team in"
Deal for Wolski should be finalized soon
June 25
Arizona Republic
 
"A two-year deal between the Coyotes and forward Wojtek Wolski was expected to be finalized either today or Friday. Wolski joined the Coyotes late last season in a trade that sent Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter to the Colorado Avalanche. Wolski provided an immediate impact and finished with six goals and 12 assists in 18 games. He had 17 goals and 30 assists in 62 games with the Avalanche."
Wolski Agrees TO Two-Year, $7.6 Million Deal With Coyotes
June 24
TSN.ca
 
"Restricted free agent forward Wojtek Wolski has agreed to terms on a two year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. The total value of the contract is $7.6 million. Wolski, who the Coyotes added at the trade deadline last season scored six goals and 12 assists in 18 games in Phoenix. He played a total of 80 games with the Coyotes and Avalanche last season, notching 23 goals and 42 assists."
Avs, Coyotes both doing well on Mueller-Wolski trade
March 26
Denver Post
 
"When Peter Mueller takes the ice Saturday night at Jobing.com Arena for the Avalanche against the Coyotes, he will do so with 15 points in 11 games since being traded by Phoenix. Before anybody calls that trade a steal for the Avs, though, the numbers for Wojtek Wolski and the Coyotes also are enviable. Wolski has nine points in 11 games for Phoenix, and the Coyotes have gone 9-1-1. One of those points was a game-winning goal against the Avs in the final minute of regulation. It has been the classic trade that worked out for both teams, with Mueller providing something the Avs lacked and Wolski something Phoenix was missing. For the Avs: a big, right-handed slap shot on the power play and"
Coyotes newcomer Wolski already paying dividends
March 8
Arizona Republic
 
"Reality imitated fantasy for Wojtek Wolski in his Coyotes' debut. One of Wolski's favorite video games is "Call of Duty." And when first called to duty by the Coyotes, he scored the winning goal with 23 seconds remaining against a team that traded him away the day before. "The biggest thing is relaxing and watching movies on my time off, and I play a lot of video games," he said. For Wolski, his script in his first Coyotes' game was one that likely made his buddy, movie director Jason Reitman, smile. Reitman was nominated for two Academy Awards for "Up in the Air." That was the only nominated movie Wolski has seen, and he had plans Sunday night to watch some of the show to see if Reitman"
Coyotes' Wolski gets sweet revenge on Avalanche
March 5
Denver Post
 
"For the Avalanche, the worst screenwriter in all of Hollywood couldn't have scripted a nastier ending to its game Thursday night at Jobing.com Arena. Well after the Avs lost 3-1 to the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night, looks resembling shock could still be found on the Avs' faces. Not only because they allowed the winning goal with 22.8 seconds left, but because of who scored it: Wojtek Wolski. In his first game since being traded by the Avs on Wednesday, Wolski stepped into a Shane Doan pass from behind the Avs' net and blasted a slap shot past goalie Craig Anderson, breaking a 1-1 tie. Just like that, the player sometimes criticized for not scoring enough in the clutch during his time"
Wolski leads Coyotes over former team
March 5
Arizona Republic
 
"It could not have started - or ended - any better for a retooled Coyotes team. Two players obtained the previous day before the NHL's trade deadline scored early and late goals, lifting the Coyotes to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in front of an announced crowd of 12,426 at Jobing.com Arena. The winning goal was scored by Wojtek Wolski with 23 seconds remaining. Lee Stempniak's first shot with the Coyotes with 6:13 elapsed in the game gave his new team an early boost. Radim Vrbata scored an empty-net goal, his 21st, with one second remaining. "We found a way to win it and not lose it," coach Dave Tippett said after the Coyotes had snapped a three-game losing"
Avs make Wolski-for-Mueller swap
March 4
Denver Post
 
"Young and talented, but not living up to team expectations. The same thing often said about the Avalanche's Wojtek Wolski was said about Peter Mueller in Phoenix. The Avalanche is hoping a move to Denver will get the hockey world back to saying good things about Mueller again. The Avs acquired Mueller, 21, and prospect Kevin Porter from the Coyotes on Wednesday for Wolski, arguably the biggest trade of the NHL's annual deal-a-palooza. The Avs also reacquired center Stephane Yelle from the Carolina Hurricanes and prospect Harrison Reed for prospect Cedric-Lalonde McNicholl and a sixth-round draft choice this year. In 2006, the Coyotes drafted Mueller eighth overall. His rookie season gained"
Avs trade Wojtek Wolski to Phoenix for two forwards
March 3
Denver Post
 
"The Avalanche this morning traded left winger Wojtek Wolski to the Phoenix Coyotes for forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter. Wolski, 24, had 47 points in 62 games for the Avs this season, but only two goals in his past 25 games. He is in the last year of a contract that was paying $2.8 million. Mueller was the eighth pick of the NHL draft in 2006. He played two seasons in the U.S. National Team development program at Ann Arbor, then two years of major junior with the Everett (Wash.) Silvertips. He scored 22 goals his rookie season with the Coyotes in 2007-08. But Mueller's career has been in a tailspin since. This season, he has only four goals and 17 points in 54 games. Mueller, 21, is"
Phoenix Coyotes trade for Wojtek Wolski, Derek Morris
March 3
Arizona Republic
 
"The Coyotes traded forwards Peter Mueller and Kevin Porter to the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday for left wing Wojtek Wolski. Defensemen Derek Morris also returned to the club. Mueller has four goals and 13 assists. Porter has spent most of this season with the San Antonio Rampage. Wolski, 24, has 17 goals, 30 assists and is a plus-15. "Wojtek Wolski is a terrific young offensive player," said general manager Don Maloney in a statement. "He is a talented goal scorer that will help us offensively and on the power play. He has great size and is just entering the prime of his career.""
Avs Acquire Mueller, Porter From Coyotes For Wolski
March 3
TSN.ca
 
"After a disappointing season in the desert, Peter Mueller will be given a fresh start in Colorado as the Avalanche have acquired the young American sniper along with forward Kevin Porter in exchange for Wojtek Wolski. After a strong rookie season in which he scored 22 goals and added 32 assists, Mueller has taken a significant step back in his development as he has only four goals and 12 assists so far this season. Mueller was originally the Coyotes first round pick, 8th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft."
Anderson's shutout and two goals from Wolski help lift the Avalanche
October 28
Denver Post
 
"As the Avalanche makes the early-season rounds of NHL cities, and especially when it plays in Canada, it has been greeted with raised eyebrows, incredulity and — increasingly — respectful recognition that this fast start might not be one of those rather commonplace NHL October aberrations. The collective reaction seems to be: Whoa, these guys really are good. Colorado improved to a staggering 9-1-2 on Tuesday night with a workmanlike 3-0 victory over Ed-monton at Rexall Place, with Craig Anderson making 25 saves to get his second shutout of the season as the Oilers went 0-for-3 on the power play. Milan Hejduk's goal only 25 seconds into the game would have been enough, but Wojtek Wolski"
Wolski's consistency comes into question
October 25
Denver Post
 columnist Terri Frei
"The Avalanche's season so far has featured surprises, rejuvenations, more surprises - and the Mysterious Case of Wojtek Wolski. Going into the Avalanche's home game Saturday against Detroit, the 23-year-old Wol- ski was Colorado's leading scorer, with 10 points on five goals and five assists, while playing left wing. Yet it's clear that his occasional lack of fire, sustained effort and grit, and even his decision-making with the puck, have exasperated first-year coach Joe Sacco. Joel Quenneville and Tony Granato, Sacco's predecessors, were similarly frustrated with Wolski in his previous four seasons. In 2008-09, Wolski was terrific in his first few games at his natural position, center,"