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Questioning Sather’s Moves

from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

How could the Rangers have had $15.55M in the cap bank to sign four free-agent defensemen, Redden, Kalinin, Michal Rozsival and Paul Mara, but never get around to making an offer to Brooks Orpik?

If Marc Staal, whose omission from the NHL all-rookie team was a reflection of utmost ignorance, by the way, becomes the stud defenseman over the next two years everyone anticipates, why the need for Redden and Rozsival?

What team spends $4M to sign two third-pair defensemen, anyway?

If 2004 - which was easy, except for the Brian Leetch trade - was a purge, then what exactly is this . . . other than a mystery?

Why are the three dominant personalities of the last two seasons - Jagr, Shanahan, Avery - gone? And don’t try to pretend it’s about money.

more

Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Comments

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“Finally, does anyone sense that Slap Shots has major issues with Sather’s performance since the end of the playoffs.”

Doesn’t it seem odd that Larry Brooks would say, “Slap Shots has major issues,” instead of I (Larry Brooks) have major issues?

It reminds me of the old Seinfeld episode where Jimmy talks in the third person. His column is called “Slap Shots” but it is his opinions. I would have a hard time accepting the opinions of anyone who talks or writes in the third person.

I do enjoy Kukla’s Korner just don’t start writing in the third person.

Posted by Bo from FL. on 07/20/08 at 10:34 AM ET

Paul's avatar

Bo, Paul is happy you enjoy KK!

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 07/20/08 at 10:35 AM ET

Primis's avatar

If Larry is so stupid that he needs to ask why Avery, Shanahan, and Jagr are all 3 gone now, he may as well just stop writing.  It’s pretty clear to the rest of us why.

Posted by Primis on 07/20/08 at 11:47 AM ET

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Why are the three dominant personalities of the last two seasons - Jagr, Shanahan, Avery - gone? And don’t try to pretend it’s about money.

In the case of Avery, it wasn’t just about money, it was about years too.  With Jagr, probably just the years.  But what’s the difference?  If Brooks is trying to say Sather wanted them out because of their “dominant personalities,” well, that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

And yeah, I’m upset too at how Sather went about “respecting” Jagr and Shanahan, because really, it was a cowardly way of letting them go (assuming that Shanahan really is being let go, since he hasn’t signed anywhere yet).  I also don’t like a lot of the free agents signed for the reasons Brooks stated (how many 3rd-and 4th-liners do we need?!).  But he’s just trying to stir up some kind of controversy when all I see is a bit of Sather’s incompetence, and that’s hardly controversial, it’s downright expected by now.

Posted by K24 on 07/20/08 at 07:33 PM ET

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Back at ya.
Bo says thanks for the chuckle.

Posted by Bo from FL on 07/21/08 at 01:41 AM ET

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Someone should tell Brooks that Roszival, Redden and Mara are all offensive defensemen while Orpik is a defensive defenseman through and through.

Orpik had a solid playoff run but Brooks should realize it was the blueline - and offensive production in particular - that was holding the Rags back.

Was Brooks was expecting Orpik to QB the power play?

Posted by Dave on 07/21/08 at 10:48 AM ET

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL. 

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