The Case against Ranger GM Glen Sather
Now as a long time New York Rangers
Fan. I always supported the Blueshirts. Yes I do bleed NY Ranger blue. I was
nine when Richter, Graves, Leetch and the captain Messier lead the Rangers into
the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals. As Rangers fan the curse of 1940 was over we had a
parade in Broadway. Since then we had no parade or even a Stanley cup appearance
since 1994. There is one man that is on my hit list that is Rangers GM Glen
Sather.
Since 2000 Glen Sather as GM of the
Rangers has hired 5 coaches and himself as coach in 2003-2004. His 1st
4 years the Rangers failed to make the playoffs finishing 4th place
in the division each time. His coaching hiring’s included Ron Low, Brian
Trottier, Tom Renney, John Tortorella that same coach that brought to a game 6
at the Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential
Center. We all know what happened in overtime. Now Alain Vigneault the former
head coach of the Vancouver Cancuks who led the Cancuks to back to back
President Trophy winners (best record in the NHL) in 2010 and 2011 and lost to
the Boston Bruins in 7 in 2010 Stanley Cup Finals and lost in 5 to the eventual
Western Conference Champions the Los Angeles Kings.
His free agent flops included signing
players like Darius Kasparaitis in 2002, Bobby Holik at the end
of his prime, Scott Gomez the former Devil who only cracked the 70 point mark
once in 2007 after signing a seven-year, $51.5 million contract and has 16
goals in 2007 and 2008. Money will spend indeed. Chris Drury who Glen signed
for a five-year,
$35.25 million contract in 2007 in his tenure in NY the man never scored 30
goals. Then you have Brad Richards. Yes that Brad Richards that won a cup in
Tampa Bay with Trots in 2004. Glen signed him to a nine year deal worth $58.5
million contract in 2011. After scoring 25 goals and having 41 assists in 2011. Then he then goes to have career lows in goals in 11 and
have 23 assist this past year. The Rangers could have used their amnesty clause
to get rid of Richards which will not hit the cap at $6.6 million. Glen decides
to keep him. The only saving grace that Glen has is we drafted well. Such as Henrik Lundqvist, Brandon
Dubinsky, Ryan
Callahan, Marc
Staal, and Michael
Del Zotto. Oh and by the way if Glen would have amnestied Richards you
would have saved $29 million dollars and not have a $6.6 million cap hit this
year. In case you are wondering why this is important is the fact that both
Callahan and Lundqvist are free agents at the end of this season. You could use
that money to lock them up long term. I’m just saying that would help.
Let’s see overpriced free agents plus 4 times past the first
round in playoffs. Made the Conference Finals once since 1996 and have made it
to the Stanley Cup finals since you won it all in 1994. Also Glen has not won a
cup since 1990 and let James Dolan our dear owner has a cuddle teddy bear of
Glen. He must have one of Thomas as well that’s a whole another story for
another day. 13 years and no rings as GM. Congrats Glen you are public enemy
number one in NY Rangers fans eyes.
