PHILADELPHIA – Krzysztof Oliwa’s brief and unfulfilling Rangers career has come to an end. The Blueshirts yesterday placed the pugilistic winger on non-roster waivers, The Post has learned.
The 29-year-old Oliwa, acquired in June from Pittsburgh, played in just nine games, the last in Columbus on Nov. 9 when he instigated a brawl with 2.8 seconds to go after being sent on the ice for a faceoff by Bryan Trottier, who used Oliwa – as well as Sandy McCarthy and Matt Barnaby – as an inappropriate display of muscle flexing.
Trottier was suspended for two games for his role in the melee that followed, Oliwa for five in the first suspension of his career. The Rangers, who were in San Jose when informed of Oliwa’s suspension, immediately sent the winger home though six days remained of the road trip. Both Oliwa’s agent, Jeff Solomon, and GM Glen Sather denied Oliwa had been made into an organizational scapegoat.
“It was the coaches’ responsibility; I don’t blame Olie,” Sather said two days after the incident. “We just thought with the team struggling the way we are, it would be good for him to get away. Plus, with our traveling and game-days, he’ll be able to get more work done back home.”
Scapegoat or not, Oliwa was a scratch in each of the six games following the suspension. With Bobby Holik returning from IR, it was unlikely Oliwa would carve a spot in the lineup. But if the Columbus incident proved the denouement of his short stay, Oliwa’s inability to win a fight was truly his undoing. He was a willing combatant, but never won a bout, more often than not by decisive margins. Oliwa picked up 51 minutes in penalties and fought five times.
Oliwa is not expected to be claimed on waivers.