What the Hell is Sather Doing?

[Section32]

I am just growing a little concerned that they are going to end up trading Both Cally and Girardi.

I also can't see how they don't buy out Richard's remaining years. The injury recapture penalty looms too large.

And yet, if they lose these three players, this team is in major trouble.

They'll never go for a rebuild but I can't see how they are going to enter next year as a better team.

I have no faith that Sather will be able to fix the mess he has made.

Neither Dolan nor Sather will except even a mini-rebuild, so where does it leave us?

Can anyone allay my concerns?

Click to read more...

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

This thread should be stickied and left there year after year - it'd get as much ongoing use as the prospects thread.

 

[Broadway Brad]

You act like they won't be getting anything back if they trade Cally and Girardi.

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

I don't think we're dumping off Girardi. Maybe if a player like Vatanen was made available it would be tempting - we could show up at DG's door with a wheelbarrow full of money in the offseason and potentially keep them both, with the only penalty being Girardi's payday. I don't think the market for him is that hot, though, and Girardi's too important to mess around with. Ryan McDonagh would probably look very good playing next to anyone, but at least some of his elite-level performance has to be attributable to the fact that the partnership works.

Maybe a bit more of a worry is the fact that I don't see how Stastny walks out of the FA period without a Rangers jersey and a sweet new contract.

 

[pld459666]

I am just growing a little concerned that they are going to end up trading Both Cally and Girardi.

I also can't see how they don't buy out Richard's remaining years. The injury recapture penalty looms too large.

And yet, if they lose these three players, this team is in major trouble.

They'll never go for a rebuild but I can't see how they are going to enter next year as a better team.

I have no faith that Sather will be able to fix the mess he has made.

Neither Dolan nor Sather will except even a mini-rebuild, so where does it leave us?

Can anyone allay my concerns?

I don't.

Lets take Richards first. Assuming we buy him out (hoping we buy him out) and do what is widely regarded as the worst thing that can happen and sign Stastny to a 7 year deal at 7.5 per.

We up grade the center position in terms of FO ability, defensive play and overall team speed while maintaining the same points per year average all the while getting 6 years younger.

No loss there.

Callahan has been seeing more and more of his role as a top 2 line RW diminished by the superior offensive players in Nash and Zucc meaning his PP time has ALSO been cut. Getting a lesser asset that can kill penalties, keep teams honest and another asset will not hurt the team. Plus we gain cap relief.

Depending on the package coming back for Girardi, his loss will be felt the most, but losing those three guys will not set thsi franchise back the way you insinuate.

They are more than manageable losses to the roster.

 

[nyr2k2]

I am just growing a little concerned that they are going to end up trading Both Cally and Girardi.

I also can't see how they don't buy out Richard's remaining years. The injury recapture penalty looms too large.

And yet, if they lose these three players, this team is in major trouble.

They'll never go for a rebuild but I can't see how they are going to enter next year as a better team.

I have no faith that Sather will be able to fix the mess he has made.

Neither Dolan nor Sather will except even a mini-rebuild, so where does it leave us?

Can anyone allay my concerns?

It's too early to say any of that. Let it play out first.

I'm not a fan of constant turnover, so I'm reluctant to move out all three. However, if Girardi and Callahan can't be signed, we're left with no choice. It is what it is. Hope you get a good return that makes you stronger.

We never though we'd get rid of Gomez, and we parlayed him into a franchise defenseman. Obviously that's not something you can count on in the future, but the point is that even though we may not be able to see "how it will work," that doesn't mean it can't work, or it won't work.

Antron Stralman is a solid part of our team, and we pulled him off the scrap heap. Mats Zuccarello was an undrafted free agent. Good players can be found. Maybe Jesper Fast takes a step forward next year and establishes himself as a good rookie. Maybe JT Miller becomes the power forward we think he can be. Maybe John Moore figures things out. That's a ton of maybes, I get it. But thinking about maybes is no less productive than fearing things that have not happened and may not happen at all.

One thing at a time.

I don't.

Lets take Richards first. Assuming we buy him out (hoping we buy him out) and do what is widely regarded as the worst thing that can happen and sign Stastny to a 7 year deal at 7.5 per.

We up grade the center position in terms of FO ability, defensive play and overall team speed while maintaining the same points per year average all the while getting 6 years younger.

No loss there.

Callahan has been seeing more and more of his role as a top 2 line RW diminished by the superior offensive players in Nash and Zucc meaning his PP time has ALSO been cut. Getting a lesser asset that can kill penalties, keep teams honest and another asset will not hurt the team. Plus we gain cap relief.

Depending on the package coming back for Girardi, his loss will be felt the most, but losing those three guys will not set thsi franchise back the way you insinuate.

They are more than manageable losses to the roster.

Good post. Am I thrilled by the scenario you described? No, not really. It can work though. The team could conceivably turn out stronger.

It's all in how it's managed. I guess the fear is that Sather is the guy running the ship. If this were Peter Chiarelli, for instance, I'd be excited about what he could do with the situation. Sather is worrisome. The ship is not sunk though.

 

[Off Sides]

I would assume what he always does, mortgage the future for the anything can happen idea.

I could easily see Dan Boyle, MSL here in place of Callahan and Girardi at this point. Lecav for Stepan? Maybe Fedotenko too, is he still playing? Tampa 2004 except most likely without the cup.

I say that mostly kidding, but I do actually think Sather in some way mortgages the future to try to win now.

 

[Jim Ramsay]

If there is any truth to the MSL rumors and he ends up in NY, I would be willing to bet that you won't see Richards bought out this summer...I think those two have close ties and could be one of the reasons MSL wants to come to NY.

Obviously this is all based on rumors and just my opinion about the matter.


Callahan is definitely gone, and I think you'll see a Girardi extension by deadline day

 

[Machinehead]

I prefer to keep Richards unless somebody can suggest to me a viable replacement at 1C. Stepan has yet to do it consistently and Stastny is no better and will cost more.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I prefer to keep Richards unless somebody can suggest to me a viable replacement at 1C. Stepan has yet to do it consistently and Stastny is no better and will cost more.

1) He's not playing 1C now, FFS.

2) Stastny at $1MM more per year would be better than Richards due to: superior faceoff ability, better defense, the likelihood of playing at his current level beyond next year and the fact that he doesn't have a recapture penalty hanging over his head.

And I say #2 as someone who is not advocating for signing Stastny.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

While we are on the subject. Stasny doesnt impress me. Count me on the "we shouldn't sign him" bandwagon.
Doesnt mean Richards should be kept though.

 

[Machinehead]

Richards leads our centers in points and ice time. How exactly is he not the 1C?

 

[Vitto79]

How about we wait a wk to see what the hell he's doing? They gave time to sign and or trade

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

I prefer to keep Richards unless somebody can suggest to me a viable replacement at 1C. Stepan has yet to do it consistently and Stastny is no better and will cost more.

Richards's contract lasts until he's 40, Stastny's will last until he's 35ish.I'd say they're already comparable players in terms of pure ability; Richards is better on the power play and Stastny is a two-way player. Neither one of them is a contender-level 1C and both of them will be overpaid, but I can't equate the two contracts for a second.

Keeping Richards is the kind of move that cripples teams, and I'm saying that as an advocate of "winning now," selling prospects if it's the right move, etc. Unless things go catastrophically wrong, we'll be able to maintain flexibility with Stastny. There won't be any Scotty Gomez trade with Richards because the contract is immediately poisonous.

 

[ArPanet]

I am just growing a little concerned that they are going to end up trading Both Cally and Girardi.

I also can't see how they don't buy out Richard's remaining years. The injury recapture penalty looms too large.

And yet, if they lose these three players, this team is in major trouble.

They'll never go for a rebuild but I can't see how they are going to enter next year as a better team.

I have no faith that Sather will be able to fix the mess he has made.

Neither Dolan nor Sather will except even a mini-rebuild, so where does it leave us?

Can anyone allay my concerns?

Dolan earlier this season said Sather is the best in the business at what he does, and he has a job for however long he wants it.

Does that sound like an owner who is all about winning the Stanley Cup?

 

[Section32]

I actually do feel a tad better reading some of the comments.

Nevertheless, why do they have any better chance at Stastny then any other teams? He is also the only high end center in free agency. So what would be plan B?

Also in terms of what they would be getting back for Cally and Dan G, I would assume these two would be going to a Cup contender(s). As such, those teams would be reluctant to trade back good players that could help in the immediacy. That would counteract the whole point of said teams loading up for a playoff run.

I am not saying the organization is hopelessly adrift on an ocean, but I have grown very weary of the job Sather has done...

 

[Machinehead]

Richards's contract lasts until he's 40, Stastny's will last until he's 35ish. From a pure value standpoint I'd say they're already comparable players in terms of pure ability; Richards is better on the power play and Stastny is a two-way player. Neither one of them is a 1C and both of them will be overpaid, but I can't equate the two contracts for a second.

Keeping Richards is the kind of move that cripples teams, and I'm saying that as an advocate of "winning now," selling prospects if it's the right move, etc. Unless things go catastrophically wrong, we'll be able to maintain flexibility with Stastny. There won't be any Scotty Gomez trade with Richards because the contract is immediately poisonous.

Well it would be nice to just get rid of Richards, continue playing with 2nd line centers, and just wait to draft a legit 1C. But Sather will never commit to that.

So instead the solution is to get rid of Richards' contract and give out a bigger one? I don't get that.

 

[Pizza]

What ever it is he's doing, he's been doing it longer than many of you have been alive.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Richards leads our centers in points and ice time. How exactly is he not the 1C?

He a) had a hot start and b) is benefiting from enormous amounts of PPTOI (which is both upping his overall minutes total and giving him a lot of points that IMO are mostly due to the play of MZA and Brassard).

 

[Machinehead]

He a) had a hot start and b) is benefiting from enormous amounts of PPTOI (which is both upping his overall minutes total and giving him a lot of points that IMO are mostly due to the play of MZA and Brassard).

I think you're underrating Richards' play on the powerplay. We get rid of him and don't bring back a viable replacement those PP numbers we all love so much are gonna come back down.

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

I think you're underrating Richards' play on the powerplay. We get rid of him and don't bring back a viable replacement those PP numbers we all love so much are gonna come back down.

We'll of course need to replace him, but I think any relatively capable PP guy could do the job and they'd stay about the same. Whereas if they lost MZA/Brassard, THEN it'd take a real hit.

 

[pld459666]

Richards leads our centers in points and ice time. How exactly is he not the 1C?

that's more of an indictment than an endorsement

So while it's not Richards fault that Stepan has regressed, he's a fading player that has 6 years at 6.66 per and is 34 in just over 2 months.

No logical person that I know would be willing to commit that kind of cap hit to a 34 years old fading player.

Richards was brought in to be a point per game guy. A difference maker for at least the first 4 years of the deal.

He's been anything BUT a difference maker.

for 6 years prior to coming to NY, Richards posted .98 pts per game.

SINCE?

.76 pts per game.

He's done nothing to show that he can even maintain THAT

 

[Bleed Ranger Blue]

Personally, I dont think Callahan, Girardi, and Richards are extraordinarily important players that will lead to some sort of collapse if they're gona next season.

Their value to this team is clearly declining

 

[OverTheCap]

Richards is on pace for 58 points this season, and his point production has declined each year. It will only get worse as he gets older and it's not worth it to retain him only to get hit with a recapture penalty later on.

 

[pld459666]

I think you're underrating Richards' play on the powerplay. We get rid of him and don't bring back a viable replacement those PP numbers we all love so much are gonna come back down.

He has contributed to an improved PP.

I cannot or will not argue against that.

He IS NOT THE REASON for the improved PP.

the team looks less and less like they are handling a grenade with the puck.

The movement on the PP has been a MUCH bigger reason for the improved PP.

Finally if he was so important to the teams success with the man advantage, why is he just tied for the team lead in PP points with Zuccs and Brassard and just 2 points ahead of Stepan all the while playing a full minute+ more than each of those three players.