Free Agency Looms Large for New York Rangers and Fans

If there's one thing that the New York Rangers' front office and fans should have learned by now is:  you can't throw money at a problem.  And on the eve of free agency, Glen Sather is dangerously close to resorting to this method.

In 1999, after a disastrous few seasons and zero playoff appearances, the Rangers signed a slew of players including highly touted Theo Fleury (for a ridiculous $8 million a season).  Fleury scored a woeful 15 goals in the 99-00 season. 

The following season Fleury bounced back and made it to the All-Star game before leaving the Rangers for rehab for drug and alcohol abuse.  In Fleury's final season of his contract, he posted a 24-39-63 line in 82 games. 

In the midst of Fleury's tenure with the Rangers, the team signed oft concussed Eric Lindros to compliment Fleury.  These two formed most of the FLY line (Fleury-Lindros-Mike York), which played well together for the majority of two seasons.

Unfortunately for the Rangers, money can't buy happiness.  The Rangers were one of the worst defensive teams in hockey during the Fleury era. 

With the lackluster cast of free agent signings Dave Karpa, Stephane Quintal, Sylvain Lefebvre, and Vladamir Malakhov, the Rangers seemed to never score enough goals to match the amount they gave up.

With all of the money spent on Fleury, Lindros, Malakhov, Valeri Kamensky (13-19-32 minus 12 in 99-00), and in bringing back an elder Mark Messier, the Rangers had no place to go but down.  And down they went.

Fast forward to the 2007-2008 season.  The Rangers boasted a lineup with 10 players who were 26 and younger, almost all of whom were Rangers’ draft picks.  They had just signed Chris Drury, one of the hardest working men in hockey, and Scott Gomez, the former number one center for a very defensive-minded Devils team. 

They had two straight playoff appearances, taking the Sabres juggernaut six games the previous year, before bowing out in the second round.

June 30, 2008.  The Rangers are in danger of losing Jaromir Jagr (captain and leading scorer the past three seasons), Michael Rozsival (powerplay quarterback and leading defensive scorer), Sean Avery (the Rangers are 50-20-10 with him in the lineup, 9-13-3 without), Martin Straka ( spark plug and Jagr's close friend), and Brendan Shanahan (aging Hall-of-Famer).

What will Glen Sather do to fill the gaps left by these players? 

There are no pure goal-scorers on the market like Jagr.  Brian Campbell, John-Michael Liles, or Wade Redden could take Rozsival's place, but will all be much more pricey. 

Sean Avery's agitation skills are unmatched, although the Rangers could sign the older and less-skilled Darcy Tucker.  Martin Straka is sure to go if Jagr goes. 

And Brendan Shanahan will be hard to replace in the locker room, although it is reported that Sather is considering Mats Sundin.

Glen Sather could end up as the new Isiah Thomas:  the goat of New York.  If he does not choose his free agents wisely, the Rangers could be headed down that dark path that they chose during the summer of 1999.

Spend your money carefully, Slats.  New York can't take another era of bad hockey.