There's never been a question of Christensen's talent, but he simply hasn't been a consistent producer throughout his six-year career. Rangers coach John Tortorella has complained endlessly about it, and would bench him even when the roster was much thinner two seasons ago. Assuming he can change his enigmatic ways, a 30-point campaign can be had by Christensen in 2011-12.
The Rangers claimed Christensen off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks back in December of 2009. The 26-year-old forward started out on the fourth line for the Rangers, but when Vaclav Prospal went down with an injury, Head Coach John Tortorella gave Christensen a chance to center superstar Marian Gaborik. Things seemed to click pretty quickly with the two, as Christensen recorded eight goals and 18 assists in 49 games for the Rangers and showed great potential at times. In the offseason, the Rangers rewarded Christensen with a two-year contract extension. Christensen will do his best to be on the top line again this season with Gaborik and Alex Frolov, but he’ll have to earn the job in training camp against Prospal, Brandon Dubinsky and recent addition Todd White. If he’s able to win the No.1 center job, then Christensen is certainly worth taking a flier on in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Christensen had surgery to repair a torn labrum in early June and is expected to be ready to play before training camp. Offensively Christensen does not add all that much and will battle to be the third or fourth line center in camp.
Christensen should play a big role with Atlanta in the 2008-09 season. With the talent being overwhelming in Pittsburgh, he didn't get much of an opportunity with the Pens. Now in Atlanta, his abilities will be utilized much more. There are rumors that Christensen will be on the top line with Kovalchuk. If that's the case, expect a big year from this sure-handed center. He has very nifty hands and a good sense for finding the net.
Christensen has shown to be a streaky scorer who sometimes finds his way into coach Michel Therrien's doghouse. He scored seven of his 18 goals in the month of December. A true center, Christensen was briefly given the chance to play on the wing at the AHL level before being recalled by the Pens. Blessed with a wrist shot may be the best on the team, Christensen really needs to play on one of the top lines to be effective -- he led the NHL with eight shootout goals in 14 attempts. He enters the 2007-08 campaign who could either blossom as a 30-goal scorer or find himself at the end of the bench without a defined role.
The 22-year-old center got a chance to contribute in 2005-06 and just did alright. Christensen collect 13 points (6,7) in 33 games with 34 penalty minutes. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal ahead of him on the team's depth charts, Christensen is unlikely to see enough ice time to be fantasy worthy.
