Larry Brooks wrote today about the Rangers likely keeping Marcel Hossa up while sending Nigel Dawes, who earned a spot on the NHL-level club, back down to Hartford. He decries that the Rangers don’t appear to be honoring their mantra that work ethic and accountability should be rewarded.

Sure, Dawes is shielded from waivers — and to paraphrase Brooks: who would want Hossa were he waived? — but I agree that someone who has earned a spot deserves to fill it, especially when the incumbent player has done nothing of substantial merit throughout his career.

Dawes deserves his moment to shine on the Rangers. Hossa has has a career to prove his worth and he’s never shown anywhere near the prowess of his brother, Marian. In Dawes, the Blueshirts have a young player who hasn’t yet been provided the opportunity to prove his worth at the top flight. I’d rather see him skate than a forward who’s already shown what he can do … and fails to impress.