Straka going overseas

From Adam Proteau of The Hockey News:

The Hockey News has learned Martin Straka will play overseas in 2008-09.

Reports surfaced last week that Straka would return to play in his native Czech Republic, but those reports were later denied.

A source close to the situation has now confirmed Straka will indeed leave the NHL.

Read his entire entry here.

Straka has been a solid top-six forward for the Rangers the past couple of seasons, but his production can largely be attributed to playing alongside Jaromir Jagr. The Rangers will miss his production, but he is not irreplaceable and there are many other players similar to his skill-set still available via free agency.