Glen Sather, Finish the Job You Started!

In the late 90s, the Broadway Blueshirts were known as the team that bought older talent, cared nothing for chemistry, and hoped different players from different backgrounds all over the age of 30 could work together. That method was proven to be ineffective and horrendous. 

But finally, in 2008, the Rangers seem to be doing the right thing.  I want Glen Sather to finish the rebuilding job that was promised to Rangers fans over three years ago.

I look at the Rangers, and I don't see players like Jagr, Shanahan, and Straka.  I look at this team and see talent like Henrik Lundqvist (pictured), Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Marc Staal, Nigel Dawes, Fedor Tyutin, Blair Betts, and Dan Girardi. 

These are players who have become the cornerstones of this franchise. In his first three years, Lundqvist has been nominated for the Vezina three times.  Dubinsky, who led all rookies in hits, is one of the top young power forwards in the game today.

Callahan could join Dubinsky in that category. Staal, Girardi and Tyutin anchor what could be one of the best young defenses in the game today, Dawes is a blossoming sniper—and if the Selke trophy went to a defensive forward who didn't score 80+ points, Betts would be in contention yearly. 

You add Drury to this group—one of the best clutch players in the game—and a top playmaker in Gomez, and you have the potential for a Detroit-like yearly powerhouse. 

The only thing that can hold this group down is the type of addition Ranger fans have become weary of—older players who can't mesh well with the group that's in Manhattan today.

The three players aforementioned—Jagr, Straka and Shanny—have truly helped the team the last little while.  However, their time with the Blueshirts is over.

Glen Sather must make these younger players the most important ones on his team.  During this period of upcoming free agency, players that can mesh well with this younger group must be courted—not players that have name recognition and little else. 

Who Sather should target:

Sean Avery

The guy had great chemistry with Dubinsky when they played together.  Dubinsky, Avery, and Prucha/Sjostrom would be a solid third line.  Again, if chemistry's key, surprisingly enough Avery fits in great with this team.

Brooks Orpik

Strong, intelligent, and a big hitter.  Exactly what the team needs.  A player like Brian Campbell or Wade Redden I can see as a contributor, no doubt—but with Bobby Sanguinetti coming up and the drafting of Michael Del Zotto, who's going to throw the hits and protect the crease?  The Rangers need a banger, not a player similar to those they've drafted two out of the last three years.

The Rangers need to let the rest of their kids develop without waiting behind free agents on the depth chart.  Prucha had an off year,  but let's see if he can put it back together.  And can we please give other forwards like Dane Byers, Lauri Korpikoski, and Greg Moore a chance?

Glen Sather should take a look at franchises such as Colorado, Detroit, and San Jose. These teams draft well, and then allow their young players to crack the lineup—and not just in a limited, fourth-line role. 

So far, we've done pretty well.  But I truly hope that Sather thinks before he spends. The Rangers should let Jagr go, and continue the great progress they've seen from their prospects.