As many know, I often find myself reflecting on former Rangers players, and certain names stand out, even if they were only decent or average. Matt Gilroy and Chris Higgins come to mind, but one player in particular always makes me think about missed potential: Erik Christensen.
In researching this topic, I discovered that Dave wasn’t very fond of Christensen back in the day. While we may differ on that, we both agree that Christensen was one of the more frustrating players during his time with the Rangers.
Acquired off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks in December 2009, Christensen had undeniable talent. He was shifty with the puck, had a great shot, and was a strong skater with enough size to make an impact. He had all the tools to be a top center, and when paired with Marian Gaborik, he showed glimpses of that potential—especially in the shootout, where he truly excelled.
So what went wrong? Erik Christensen would show flashes of elite talent, only to disappear for long stretches, making his inconsistency all the more frustrating. Was he simply ahead of his time in a league that was just starting to embrace skillful players with elite hands, or was he not cut out to be a top center in the NHL? It’s likely a mix of both.
In the early 2010s, the NHL was beginning to shift away from the grind-it-out style of the late ’90s and early 2000s. As the game evolved, players with quick hands and speed, like Christensen, became more valuable. However, his skills didn’t quite fit with John Tortorella’s coaching style, which might have hindered his development.
On the flip side, there were nights when Christensen seemed completely disengaged, fading into the background. This inconsistency ultimately led the Rangers to trade him to Minnesota. With Mats Zuccarello emerging as a shootout specialist who also contributed more consistently, Christensen became expendable.
Now, he serves as a cautionary tale—a reminder of what could have been. But at least we can still appreciate some of the highlight-reel goals he scored along the way.
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