I guess they think Jagr’s so nice they named him twice…

Posted by The Forechecker from Tennessee on 06/20/08 at 08:27 AM ET

I guess they think Jagr’s so nice they named him twice…

That’s just a result of his name being a link in the original piece.

As for the actual story...Sather’s an idiot.  I have no problem with letting go of Shanahan and Straka, though they were great team players.  But, if they lose Jagr they need a first-line replacement for him, and they’d better not get Hossa (too expensive for too long).  The only other choices are playing the kids or trading (and then losing the kids to get a good caliber player). 
I don’t mind seeing the kids play their way up...that’s exciting.  But the candidates for first line wingers are Callahan and Dawes, neither of whom have played a full season in the NHL yet.  I know people say watching the kids try is entertaining, but that entertainment is going to wear thin if the team ends up with a Tampa Bay-like W-L record.
As for a trade, to get someone to replace Jagr you’re going to have to give up a hell of a lot, and probably still won’t get someone who can dominate games even occasionally, which Jagr still can do.

Posted by K24 from NYC on 06/20/08 at 09:15 AM ET

Yeah, I can’t see this working out well for the Ranger in the short term or the long term.  As a Wings fan, I never saw Shanny dominate a game like Steve Yzerman did or Jaromir Jagr for that matter.  But he is a sniper, like Brett Hull was, and he can change a game in the blink of an eye.  Even though his production fell off this year, he is the kind of player you want to keep around when are trying to develop younger guns. 

Jagr still has a lot of game in him too.  This really confuses me.  He was a superstar in the playoffs for them (something Jagr rarely is) and he looks to me like a player who has matured and really grown into being a solid leader.  I used to think he was a pretty boy, but his Rangers years have really forced me to respect him as a player and a leader. 

Let go of the other guys, fine.  Straka can go, Roszival can go, Avery can certainly go.  But keep Jagr and Shanny together for at least a couple more seasons and try to add some young talent to your core so that they are ready to make the transition when the older guys can’t play anymore. 

Sather has lost his marbles, I think.

Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 06/20/08 at 12:42 PM ET

I have some more thoughts on Shanny.  I respect the guy a lot.  I thought when he left the Wings that he deserved a tip of the hat for many many seasons of great hockey and for being “the final piece” in the Wings Stanley Cup caliber teams in ‘97 and ‘98 (not to mention his huge role in the ‘02 team).  If he wanted to leave the Wings to the young guns and play out his days on a good, fun hockey team in a great market, well he earned it and I hoped he would have a great time in his final seasons.

To see him not be offered a contract after two really good seasons kind of makes me sick and it must not be sitting well with the Shanny clan right now.  He didn’t have to leave Detroit.  He went to New York on the understanding that he was going to finish his career there helping to develop a young team, and now the Rangers are dumping him like a teary eyed prom date.

I hope he finds a home in the east and pounds the hell out the Rangers multiple times next season.

Of course, Detroit is still looking for a second line sniper.....hmmm.  Nah, he won’t come back to Detroit, but I hope he finds a team that wants him and he has a great run in his final year(s).

Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 06/20/08 at 12:49 PM ET

I am in total agreement with what a lot of you guys are saying. Not signing Jagr makes no sense short term and little sense long term-- he has been huge for Dubinsky’s development, and keeping him around a few more years will only help the kids.

This is a guy who, at the end of the playoffs was still ranked as the third best performer.

Posted by bcrt2000 on 06/20/08 at 01:02 PM ET

Sorry, let me fully explain that last statement:

“This is a guy who, at the end of the playoffs was still ranked as the third best performer.”

He was the third best forward on TSN’s playoff rankings.

Posted by bcrt2000 on 06/20/08 at 01:03 PM ET

Jagr puzzles me, too.  They need someone around as a veteran presence - nothing but kids is a recipe for losing and a lot of lost confidence, as well.  Every player talks about the veterans that helped them out along the way - in pretty much any sport.  I would think Jagr and Shanahan would be good veterans to keep around for the younger players to learn from.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/20/08 at 01:09 PM ET