In several of my last free-agency articles, I have been called many things—most not so polite.
I try to be bold in my predictions, and rather then taking them with a grain of salt, people have attacked me for making them. So now, since I no longer want to be bothered with flagging people's distasteful comments, I will write a realistic look at the free agent market for the New York Rangers.
I will suggest that the Rangers bring in three new players—none of which are ancient, and none of which will break the bank. Even though the New York Post and Daily News have alluded to him, Mats Sundin is not on that list.
But before we get to the new faces, let's get to the players that need to be re-signed. First and foremost, captain Jaromir Jagr must be re-signed by the Rangers. He wants to stay in the NHL, and has said that the money he is being offered in Russia will have no effect on his contract negotiations with the Rangers. He wants to come back and Glen Sather wants him back.
But, the Rangers will only sign him for two years or less, and Jagr must know that. The money he will be given is tricky. His last contract was $8 million but he is not worth that now. Perhaps $6.5 to $7 million can be settled upon with non-cap hitting incentives added, since he's played in the league for many years.
(I don't know exactly how many years a player needs to be eligible, but the Rangers got the same deal with Shanahan.)
The next player is the bandwagoner's favorite, Sean Avery. Ranger fans just love him, and he can do no wrong in their eyes. Granted, he's great at taking opponents off their game and can even score big goal—but he is not worth the money he's asking for.
Avery wants between $4 and 5 million and Sather won't budge beyond $3.25 million. I say, let Avery test the market—and if no one signs him for the large sum he wants, he'll have no choice but to sign back here. If he finds a taker, don't let the door hit him in the ass on the way out.
Defenseman Michal Rozsival looks like he is being shown the door by Glen Sather—and if you're a Ranger fan, this is good news. Yes, he has shown offensive talent—but his defense down the stretch was downright awful.
Rosival is asking for $5 million a season, and that is way too much money. For $3 million, I'd gladly take him back, but for an offensive defenseman who can't quarterback a power play, I must say "Bye bye."
If there's a defenseman the Rangers need to re-sign, it's Paul Mara. He's been very underrated during his time here, mainly because he hasn't been given the offensive freedom he was given in Boston and Phoenix. He's a good leader who can fight and score, and the Rangers need him back.
Now, let's get to new faces. As you all know, Brian Rolston is my number-one target. The details of why I want him were explained in my earlier article. Since all of you publicly crucified me for merely bringing up the possibility of signing Mats Sundin, I'll leave him out of this article, because the Rangers really don't need him.
Instead, Sather should focus on two defensemen—John-Michael Liles and Brooks Orpik.
Liles is a very skillful, offensive defenseman who can quarterback the power play. Signing him won't break the Rangers' bank, as he can be picked up for $4 million or under. Another plus is that he's young—only twenty-eight.
The next player should be the Rangers' top priority in securing their blue line. Orpik adds toughness and puts fear into opponents whenever they cross into the offensive zone. He forces players to keep their heads on a swivel, and will even clear the crease in front of Henrik Lundqvist. The Rangers desperately need a bone-crunching D-man and Orpik is the answer—for under $5 million.
If there's one player the Rangers should not target, it's Brian Campbell. For whatever reason, people think he's the answer to all the Rangers' problems—and I swear there was even one article that said it was a guaranteed Stanley Cup if we signed him (laughs out loud).
He's good, don't get me wrong—but his defense is questionable. The only defenseman I can compare him to is Michal Rozsival, and you already know my stance on him.
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3 months ago
Gotta agree with pretty much everything you said. Rolston would be a perfect fit for this team as would Liles and Orpik. This addresses all their key flaws, more specifically the lack of a true powerplay quarterback and an imposing physical defenseman. The truth is also that both Liles and Orpik could be had for just a shade more than it would cost for just Brian Campbell.
3 months ago
Great points! These are all true, Rolston/Liles/Orpik might be wishful thinking, but they would certainly answer some major problems. As for Jagr, let him go. It's time to hand the leadership down to Drury and Gomez.
3 months ago
I agree with Rolston, I'm a huge advocate of Liles but I think Orpik is going to be overpaid and as I've said before I like Mike Commodore instead. Nice piece.
I disagree with you on Campbell though, If he can be signed to a reasonable contract he would be a huge asset to the team. If you re-sign Paul Mara and then sign Orpik and Liles, it completely leaves out the possibility for Sanguinetti to make the team out of camp.
from 3 months ago
I'd love Sanguinetti to make the team this season but from what I've heard, management is in no rush.
3 months ago
I agree with john on Campbell. He would be a great presence on the NYR. I think he owuld help out in the poiwerplay and he has a defensemen who can take out the opponent's best player. I don't know if i agree with Liles hes a good defensemen but he's not what the Rangers are looking for. They need a good defensemen who can lead the rangers on defense and help them out a little. My 2 top defensmen signings would be Campbell and Orpik.
As for Sundin, I would love to see him sign with the Rangers but he is not greatly needed. If I were Sather i would be going after Hossa, Rolston, and resigning Avery. Gomez needs some wingers that can keep up with him and play with him, Hossa would fit in greatly. I have nothing bad to say about Rolsotn he would be a great signing, the only thing would be his age. I think the Rangers absolutely need to sign Avery because, he's an all round great player. Ever since he came to the Rangers he's made things happen. As you see in the record, and how avery was putting the points up at the end of the season, Glen really has to think about getting Avery back as much as he possibly can.
from 3 months ago
We're not signing Hossa, IMO. He's headed to Boston or Detroit.
3 months ago
I like the points you made. But I think that signing Sundin would be a positive addition to the rangers. Although people dont want to go back to the rangers old ways of signing washed up free agents, I believe that Sundin is unlike the any of the old free agents that have been signed in the past. Sundin has had consistant stats through out his tenure in the NHL and he would bring great leadership to the team and help out a weak power play. I believe that he would be a great fit with Jagr and you dont have to sign him to a big deal, you can give Sundin a deal similar to what the rangers gave shannahan.
On a side note if i were the rangers i would make a push to trade for bowmeester (sp?) of the panthers. This kid is a stud and would be a great fit with Staal on the back end and give the rangers a great defensive pair that would be set for years. Granted you have to give up to get someone good but i think that a package of Sanguenetti, Dawes, and a pick would be enough to pry bowmeester from florida. Some rangers fans may not want to part with sanguenetti but if it was in a deal that involved a top d man like bowmeester i would be all for it.
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