Larry Brooks: Sather must decide: Is dealing Girardi best for Rangers?

[pld459666]

Brooks examines the issue of the Rangers trading Girardi and Callahan









http://nypost.com/2014/01/06/sather-must-decide-is-dealing-girardi-best-for-rangers/

The Rangers aren't close to winning a championship with Girardi and Callahan. They might not make the playoffs with them in a lousy conference. The team won't be closer paying both of these players even with the cap going up.

The Rangers were scouting Vancouver-Anaheim last night. They were scouting the Sharks-Avs on Saturday. Girardi would be an ideal fit with the Ducks or Sharks.

The problem that I have with the one step back/two steps forward is not the concept or the practice.

The problem that I have is I have no faith in Sather, Clarke or Gorton to make the right selections on the players to help take the two steps forward.

No faith in any of them at this point.

But it's something that HAS to be looked at (trading both Callahan and Girardi)

 

[McRanger]

Well I think many peeps are to hard on Sather. The Nash trade was at the time a good trade. Dnt forget that Nash was a 30+ goal pr year type of player. A "Lock" on Canadas national team. This is the first season Nash has started sucking. You cant blame Sather for that.

I do not think that is possible.

People ***** about the most absurd things on this board but for every thing he shouldn't get crap for there are more things he doesn't get ENOUGH crap for.

His attitude doesn't help either. Neil Smith was a painfully incompetent GM but at least he came off as a nice guy.

 

[True Blue]

I think when you consider Girardi's last few seasons, he is definitely a Top 10 RHD.

And I am saying that is what he WAS in a system that Torts had. That is NOT what you are seeing now.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

The problem that I have with the one step back/two steps forward is not the concept or the practice.

The problem that I have is I have no faith in Sather, Clarke or Gorton to make the right selections on the players to help take the two steps forward.

No faith in any of them at this point.

But it's something that HAS to be looked at (trading both Callahan and Girardi)

Ding ding ding.

Not to mention the whole "rebuild" idea, while nice, is really just panic-selling. I have 0 doubt they will be players in UFA this year. Not to mention, they have Lundqvist. I don't think this team can bottom out, and if it could I don't think management would let it. If that were a realistic option I would get on board. It's pure fantasy, IMO.

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Ding ding ding.

Not to mention the whole "rebuild" idea, while nice, is really just panic-selling. I have 0 doubt they will be players in UFA this year. Not to mention, they have Lundqvist. I don't think this team can bottom out, and if it could I don't think management would let it. If that were a realistic option I would get on board. It's pure fantasy, IMO.

I still think Sather and company ****ing this re-tool up is a better option than being stuck with an overpaid Girardi and Callahan for the next 7 years.

 

[True Blue]

He has won the Cup several times as a Coach.

When was that?

Drafting Kreider was a good idea.

Does not make up for his other abysmal failures. How is Hugh Jessiman looking?

And tanking is not an option in NY, so he couldnt do as the Penguins.

How about just making smart decisions?

Signing Zuke and Gabby as FA.

Are we really going to discuss what success he has or has not had with UFA's?

He never gets credit when he does something right.

Because it has been few and far between. And his wrong choices have been sinking the entire franchise for over a decade.

 

[Trxjw]

For those who want to keep one/both:

The problem is that even if you think they're valuable contributors to a cup-winning team now, they won't be by the time this team is ready to compete for a cup.

Ironically, by keeping them, you extend the mediocrity that much longer and make it that much more certain that they'll be done by the time you are ready to compete if you are somehow able to find the other pieces over time with lucky 5th round picks and shrewd (ha!) free agent signings.

Whereas you are likely ready to compete faster if you move them, because a) you'll get better assets from your own picks, b) you'll have more cap space for FAs and c) the guys you get in return for them will hopefully be a big part of the rebuild/retool.

Well said.

 

[NYR Viper]

What is stop them from trading Girardi and still offering him a contract in the off-season? It's a business.

 

[True Blue]

And really, why stop there? Send Brassard for whatever can be gotten for him. Sniff out if someone else is stupid enough to take on Nash's contract. See if there is any market for Pouiliot while he is on a hot streak. Someone will give some assets or an asset for Stralman. See if any contender wants a competent 4th line center like Moore. If you are going to do it, do it all the way.

 

[NYR Viper]

And really, why stop there? Send Brassard for whatever can be gotten for him. Sniff out if someone else is stupid enough to take on Nash's contract. See if there is any market for Pouiliot while he is on a hot streak. Someone will give some assets or an asset for Stralman. See if any contender wants a competent 4th line center like Moore. If you are going to do it, do it all the way.

I would be 100% okay with them moving Moore, Boyle, Pouliot, Stralman, Girardi and Callahan. All UFA's who most likely are going to hit UFA.

 

[KreiMeARiver*]

He has won the Cup several times as a Coach. And tanking is not an option in NY, so he couldnt do as the Penguins. Drafting Kreider was a good idea. Signing Zuke and Gabby as FA. He never gets credit when he does something right.

So that means exactly what to us?

Are you really a Sather apologist? W O W

For every good thing he's done, he's done 3 bad things. That's not very good.

 

[Bardof425*]

Both of these guys are heart and soul Rangers. Girardi is much more difficult to replace at this time (or anytime). Slats needs to evaluate what it will cost to keep them and if they are willing to sign for a hometown discount. if the answer is no, then Cally should be traded as soon as possible. Danny G is a tougher one; if Cally is traded for guys on ELCs and picks then we should try and sign Danny before the deadline. if he is reluctant then we cannot be left holding the bag and he has to be sent away as well. It will hurt but we can't lose either for nothing.

 

[Bardof425*]

I would be 100% okay with them moving Moore, Boyle, Pouliot, Stralman, Girardi and Callahan. All UFA's who most likely are going to hit UFA.

which Moore? I think we should keep both.

 

[silverfish]

which Moore? I think we should keep both.

Keep John. Lose Dom. Plug in Lindberg as 4C next season

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Both of these guys are heart and soul Rangers. Girardi is much more difficult to replace at this time (or anytime). Slats needs to evaluate what it will cost to keep them and if they are willing to sign for a hometown discount. if the answer is no, then Cally should be traded as soon as possible. Danny G is a tougher one; if Cally is traded for guys on ELCs and picks then we should try and sign Danny before the deadline. if he is reluctant then we cannot be left holding the bag and he has to be sent away as well. It will hurt but we can't lose either for nothing.

This notion that Girardi is far more valuable than Callahan is something I disagree with. I think a lot of Girardi's success can be attributed to his partners.

 

[NYR Viper]

which Moore? I think we should keep both.

Dominic. Bring in another pick.

If they like him so much, just re-sign him in the off-season. He will most likely make it to UFA.

 

[Trxjw]

Ding ding ding.

Not to mention the whole "rebuild" idea, while nice, is really just panic-selling. I have 0 doubt they will be players in UFA this year. Not to mention, they have Lundqvist. I don't think this team can bottom out, and if it could I don't think management would let it. If that were a realistic option I would get on board. It's pure fantasy, IMO.

It's not a rebuild. It's a retool. I know people think those two are one in the same, but we're not starting from scratch here. We do have a solid group of players in place already. I don't know too many teams who started a full blown rebuild with four young-ish top-six players and a group of defenders as solid as McDonagh, Staal, Moore and Stralman. Not to mention one of the top goalies in the league.

Kreider - Stepan - Nash
? - Brassard - Zucc
Hagelin - Richards - Pouliot
Boyle - Moore - Dorsett

McDonagh - ?
Staal - Stralman
Moore - Falk

The bolded are players you need to make a decision on. Keep them, or flip them at the deadline. They're not going to net you the high end value Girardi and Callahan will, but you could certainly add depth through them. Boyle could easily be retained as a 4th line center and I think he ought to be. He's a glue guy, IMO. Richards is obviously bought out at the end of the year.

In deals for Cally and Girardi, you target kids who are a year or so out. The hope is that you can add to that group of Miller, McIlrath, Allen, Kristo, Lindberg, Hrivik and Fast, and that at least a couple of those players will step in over the next 12 months and be viable NHLers who can grow with the team.

 

[RangerBoy]

Trade the group IIIs. Are the Rangers re-signing any of them? You get assets in return. The Rangers have their picks this season for a change. Maybe flip a future 2nd for a player if you have multiple picks. Look at Anaheim and Cogliano. They re-signed him over the weekend. 4 years and $12M. He is the perfect role player/7th forward. Anaheim traded a 2nd for Cogliano. The Rangers had coveted that player when was in Edmonton. Cogliano has been a solid player for them. Boyle and Moore should each bring back a 2nd. SJ traded the third(FLA) acquired in the Clowe deal to PHX for Torres and they signed Torres.

 

[mulli25]

Its really sad that this team has gotten to the point where dealing Girardi and Callahan is the right move

but nonetheless, they should be traded

 

[nikonsniper*]

As much as I'd hate to see Girardi and Callahan go it's something that needs to be done. Rangers aren't going to (and cant) give them the money and the term they are after. You cant blame these guys for wanting to get paid. It's their last big payday. We'll be kicking ourselves if we let Girardi and Callahan walk for nothing.

And its not so much the money, its the term. They will be looking for deals that take them into their mid to late 30s.

That would be fine if we were a year or two away from the cup, but thats not the reality of the situation.

Long-term deals to them would handcuff the team moving forward.

 

[Thirty One]

Trade the group IIIs. Are the Rangers re-signing any of them? You get assets in return. The Rangers have their picks this season for a change. Maybe flip a future 2nd for a player if you have multiple picks. Look at Anaheim and Cogliano. They re-signed him over the weekend. 4 years and $12M. He is the perfect role player/7th forward. Anaheim traded a 2nd for Cogliano. The Rangers had coveted that player when was in Edmonton. Cogliano has been a solid player for them. Boyle and Moore should each bring back a 2nd. SJ traded the third(FLA) acquired in the Clowe deal to PHX for Torres and they signed Torres.

And Torres is a much better player than Moore and Boyle. Though he was incredibly undervalued.

 

[nikonsniper*]

Trade the group IIIs. Are the Rangers re-signing any of them? You get assets in return. The Rangers have their picks this season for a change. Maybe flip a future 2nd for a player if you have multiple picks. Look at Anaheim and Cogliano. They re-signed him over the weekend. 4 years and $12M. He is the perfect role player/7th forward. Anaheim traded a 2nd for Cogliano. The Rangers had coveted that player when was in Edmonton. Cogliano has been a solid player for them. Boyle and Moore should each bring back a 2nd. SJ traded the third(FLA) acquired in the Clowe deal to PHX for Torres and they signed Torres.

Boyle -> 2nd
Moore -> 2nd
Del Zotto -> 2nd pair D and a 2nd
Girardi -> 1st and a top prospect
Callahan -> 1st, top prospect, mid-prospect

This, plus telling Beaver to hit the bricks in June, and we will be better off moving forward.

It would also open room a bit so AV can shape the roster a bit more in his image.

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

Its really sad that this team has gotten to the point where dealing Girardi and Callahan is the right move

but nonetheless, they should be traded

knowing Sather it wont shock me if he still thinks this Rangers has it in them to make the playoffs.. imagine if Girardi and Callahan leave as UFA and Rangers get nothing in return

 

[KreiMeARiver*]

knowing Sather it wont shock me if he still thinks this Rangers has it in them to make the playoffs.. imagine if Girardi and Callahan leave as UFA and Rangers get nothing in return

We totally have it in us to make the playoffs. Do we have what it takes to win a cup? No chance...

This is a Dolan owned team that plays in MSG... do you really think we're going to be sellers at the deadline?

We all know moving Callahan and Girardi at the deadline is the smart thing to do....but once again:

...there's the right thing to do...

...and then there's what Sather does...

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

knowing Sather it wont shock me if he still thinks this Rangers has it in them to make the playoffs.. imagine if Girardi and Callahan leave as UFA and Rangers get nothing in return

Still preferable to signing them both to 36/6 deals.