The Rangers will no doubt miss Brandon Prust, but at a 4 year, $10 million contract – it was fiscally wise to part ways.

More roster shakeups from the New York Rangers: three more members of the Rangers roster have moved onto other teams, most notably Brandon Prust who received a very sizable increase in salary by signing with the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens offered Prust a four year, $10 million contract with an average annual value of $2.5 million. In Prust’s first season with Montreal, he’ll bank $3 million and a $500k signing bonus. That’s big money for a player who earned just $800k each of the past two seasons with the Rangers.

Prust quickly became a fan favorite in New York: he rarely ever complained of pain, was gritty on the forecheck, and was infamous for dropping the gloves.

After an impressive 29 point season in 2010-2011, Prust dropped off offensively, only producing five goals and 12 assists. He was hardly known for his offensive talents, but clearly this is a player than may have just been overvalued at a four year, $10 million contract. That’s big money, and while Prust deserves something close to it, I applaud general manager Glen Sather for backing off and spending his cap money wisely.

John Mitchell signed with the Colorado Avalanche on a two year, $2.2 million contract. Mitchell spent considerable time with the Rangers after his call up early in the season, playing 63 games. Mitchell had good size and strength, and was effective in the faceoff circle, winning 53.5 percent according to NHL.com. A four-year veteran of the NHL, Mitchell previously played with the Toronto Maple Leafs before signing with the Rangers. Now, he’ll join the roster of notables Semyon Varlamov, Gabriel Landeskog and P.A. Parenteau, also a former Ranger.

Jeff Woywitka, defenseman, signed with the St. Louis Blues for a one year, $700k contract and will hope a new beginning may provide the jumpstart he needs to his NHL career. Woywitka saw very limited time with the Rangers this season, who battled injuries and ultimately spent considerable time with the Rangers AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale. Woywitka played just 27 games and had one goal and 5 assists.