Amidst all the Sean Avery non-sense floating around the media right now (which all signs indicate, barring a miracle, Avery will be a Ranger once again) I got to thinking of the Ranger's future and how the big contracts Glen Sather has taken on will hamstring the team's needs come free agency this summer.
With the Rangers near the hard cap of 56 million and no room to maneuver at the trade deadline, with the possibility of the cap going down if the revenues slip as well, and with several FA's, including Dubinsky and Zherdev, the future inst as bright as it could be. To use an example, the Detroit Red Wings.
If you a prospect owner of an NHL team and you need a model to follow; this is your franchise to closely watch. Over the past 12 years, they've won 4 Stanly Cups. They've always drafted well and developed players remarkably (Datysuk, Zetterberg, Yzerman, Lidstrom...do I need to continue?) GM Ken Holland has always been shrewd with trades (Brad Stuart at the deadline last year to solidify the D) and free agents. Detroit signed Marian Hossa to a 1 yr deal for another Stanley Cup run and already has 30 goals. Take a look at their contracts and you'll notice a constant theme; not a bad one in the bunch. In essence, value for money.
Detroit's style of play is something to admire as well. They've perfected the art of puck possession to where its a study of grace in motion to watch. Granted, it takes years to perfect a system. However, its easier when you play solid, fundamental hockey, have the right players for the respective system, and keep the same core of players intact and change the spare parts season to season.
The Rangers have assumed too many big contracts for players who aren't worth their weight in gold. If you're being paid 7 million a year, there's no reason for you not to be in the top 10 in the NHL in any given offensive category.
The reality is the Rangers have too many B-list stars making A-list money. For the money the Rangers are paying D Wade Redden vs the statistics and performances he's put up so far, the Rangers would have benefited putting a rookie in his spot. At the very least, the only headache you could have is that it's a rookie and its part of the maturation process.
In the coming months, we shall see what Sather is truly made of if he wants the Rangers to have a bright future. The current state is rather bleak on the heels of a 10-2 embarrassment at the hands of the Dallas Stars coupled with the Avery reunion rumors...
Until next time....
J.W.
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