Sather Wants Jagr Back One Way or Another [Updated]

Glen Sather said he'd be mad if he could not re-sign Jaromir Jagr to a contract for next season, according to an interview reported by the Czech news site iDNES that was conducted last week when the Ranger GM was in Prague to officially announce that the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning will open their 2008-09 season there with a two game set. Sather said Jagr was still an excellent player and was relied upon not only as a 600-goal scorer and future Hall of Famer, but also as team captain. He said he is close friends with Jagr, respects his talent, intelligence, character, and sense of humor, and called him a great guy. Despite Jagr’s uncharacteristically low offensive numbers, Sather insisted that he is still a great player having a good season.

While admitting that no contract talks with Jagr were ongoing and still holding out hope that Jagr could reach one of the triggers that would automatically extend his current contract into next season (though that seems like a near-impossibility at this point), Sather said he expects to eventually make a contract proposal that is mutually acceptable for both sides before Jagr becomes a free agent on July 1st. He said that Jagr told him that he’d like to finish his career in New York and wouldn’t want to play for any other NHL team, which he believes are good signs that Jagr can be re-signed. Acknowledging that things could change at any moment as a result of contract negotiations and salary cap considerations, Sather said the Rangers would do everything possible to keep other Czech players on the team along with Jagr.

Thanks to our friend DaTeL of NewYorkRangers.cz for translating the Sather interview. Since it was a case of an English interview translated into Czech and then back into English, we chose to paraphrase Sather’s comments rather than quote them directly.

We hope Andrew Peters got his money's worth for his blows to Colton Orr from the bench at the end of regulation time in the Rangers' shootout win in Buffalo on Monday -- he was suspended for one game for his act, which will cost him $2800 plus a tip to his doorman. The Sabres won't miss him in their game tonight against the Penguins. No news on whether referee Bill McCreary was fined or suspended for his embarrassing work in the same game. McCreary has worked eight Ranger games this season and has called things evenly, with the Rangers having 40 power plays compared to 41 for their opponents. But in the six games he officiated since the Rangers got a 10-2 edge in advantages during a 6-1 win in Toronto in late December, the Rangers have been shorthanded 36 times while being awarded 25 power plays. In his last two games (Buffalo and Carolina), the Rangers had six power plays, their opponents 14 -- in their four games in between, they were shorthanded 16 times and had 12 power plays.

Elsewhere, John Dellapina of the Daily News looks at how the Rangers got to where they are now, Steve Zipay of Newsday looks at where they might be going when the postseason starts, and Larry Brooks of the Post looks at how they have prepare for that near-certain eventuality. Slap Shot tells us that New York beat Buffalo in the ratings game as well as on the scoreboard. Howlings reports that the Wolf Pack have signed Brad Brown, who had been playing for Florida in the ECHL -- Brown was one of the first players acquired by Glen Sather when he first came to New York along, coming from Chicago with Michael Grosek in exchange for locker room pariah Stephane Quintal. The 32-year-old first round bust has not played in the NHL since the lockout and is not a threat to make it back to New York with the Rangers currently close to the maximum contract level of 50. Prospect Park sings the blues about Tuesday action among Ranger prospects.

UPDATE: The Rangers have signed free agent forward Justin Soryal, 20, of the Peterborough Petes of the OHL. The 6'2, 210-pounder has 15 goals, 22 assists, and 140 penalty minutes this season, and in 198 career OHL games has 44 goals, 53 assists, and 455 penalty minutes. Draw your own conclusions from those stats. At practice today, Henrik Lundqvist and Brendan Shanahan rested while the injured Paul Mara and Marek Malik skated, but did not practice fully (no contact) -- thanks to Rangers Report from the news from practice.

Comments

[Pavel]

Other Czech players? Malik at half his salary, sure, but won't happen... and Rozsilol is going to want 5m... Mr. contract year who is a defensive LIABILITY. I'm fine with Jagr coming back, but not our two weakest defensmen.

[ANT]

Rozie for 4 mills ill deff take.Campbell is betta but he goin to want around 7 8 mills.Rangers dunt got that kind of money to throw away.

I for one really happy that Jags might be back next season.He needs to rest his shoulder have a good season and go out with a bang.Its sad his 30 goals a season streak most liekly will end this season.Hopefully u gets 20 to keep thaqt streal alive

[paulf]

Jagr remains our best winger, who has outscored Marian Hossa this season, and he routinely gets shadowed by the opponents' best defenseman, sparing the kids from facing the Komisareks of the world.

More importantly, he has done a fine job as captain. His work with Dubinsky has almost certainly been a factor in the kid's rapid improvement. How much better will Anisimov and Cherpanov be for having a hall-of-fame mentor? He has turned Sean into a goal-scoring machine and took him under his wing when there was a point when it seemed he might become a distraction. Sounds like they have a Mutt-and-Jeff comedy routine in the locker room.

The Rangers have an amazingly good atmosphere. The players work hard, by all reports seem to like each other and have no dissention. There is an almost-unheard-of level of respect for the coach and pride in the organization. All that doesn't happen by accident and shouldn't be taken lightly.

In short, Jagr has been a huge plus in his tenure in NY and IMO signing him to another year or two (probably at $5.5-6 million per) would be a smart move.

[Scott]

Thanks for the McCreary breakdown, hard to believe.

[Alex]

paulf

excelent words! I agree.

[paul]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXY54xuMJ0Q

[Three Chord Monte]

Jagr's in the same boat as Avery, his play from here on out will go a long way toward determining his value as a player.

If the Rangers win the cup then Jagr will deserve glowing accolades as a fine captain from me and substantial consideration in the form of a contract offer from the Rangers. For Jagr, a Stanley Cup Championship would be the crowning achievement to a Hall of Fame career. For me, it would be a rude awakening to the fact that everything I believe about the unique, (archaic and antithetical to strong, modern, business management) leadership style needed to win the cup is misperceived.

[Ted]

if the rangers get into the 2nd round doesnt that trigger the automatic extension of jagr's contract? That certainly is a possibility too

[Anthony M.]

Youtube has a bunch of Justin Soryal fights. However, this one should draw everyone's interest because he fought Marc Staal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXY54xuMJ0Q

[Godot]

My sense is that Jagr will get a contract much like Shanahan's this year, and we have enough cap room this year to avoid a lot of the hit next year that we would take from Shanny's bonuses.

I think we will lose one of Malik and Roszi. Most likely the former. I expect Straka not to be back, and Prucha to be playing in his stead.

What do we make of Prucha's situation? Someone suggested him playing in place of Orr, particularly in the Florida match ups. Or what about resting Straka or Shanahan in one of these back-to-backs?

Mostly, though, my biggest concern is the power play.

And as for Jagr's shoulder: i wouldn't be surprised if he has some scar tissue issues....

[paul]

anthony...
beat you to it...

[Patrick Hoffman]

Hey folks! I’ve posted here before and I used to be the copy editor of Blueshirt Bulletin (the publication). I just wanted to let you know that I love reading this blog and reading everyone's comments.

I wanted to give you folks a heads up that I am the New York Rangers blogger at The Hockey News web site so once you’re done reading one of Dubi's blogs, feel free to pop on over to read my thoughts if you’re interested:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blogs/126-Patrick-Hoffman.html

Keep on plugging away Dubi!

[captjameson]

there is no way in hell the league would announce any kind of punishment or acknowledge a ref having a bad game. McCreary blew the Hull skate in the crease goal for the buffalo dallas cup finals a few years back and the league never offered an appology. only a lame explanation the likes of which hadn't been heard since the Warren commission. don't hold your breath kids, it will NEVER happen.

[captjameson]

Patrick Hoffman, "sell crazy somewhere else, we're all stocked up here." gotta love jack. Dubi, what's with the blog poacher?

[Matty is ecstatic!]

From yesterday's thread I want to pick on the sedding talk ...

Personally I do not care who we play ... I think our team is good enough to beat ANY of the teams in playoff position at this time and HAVE beaten them all ... Sure are there certain teams we match up better against? Of course, all teams have their good and bad match-ups ... But I still think our team is being sold short not only by the local and national hockey media but even by some of us ... Why shouldn't our team try to get the highest seed that they can? Why shouldn't they go after Home Ice Advantage for 1,2 or more rounds(if possible) ??? Is it THAT out of the realm of possibility? They are 3 pts out of the Atlantic Division lead(4 if the Pens win tonight) and they have 3 games left with both the Pens and Devils ... Certainly I understand the reasoning for wanting a "weaker" team but anything can happen in the playoffs and while Carolina seems like the token weakest team or Philly you just never know ... I feel that the team should be confident going up against anyone and I think that they are ...

Darn, I just got emailed by the Panthers for a special discount for Friday's game vs the Rangers(I bought some expensive seats the last two times the team came here and now the Panthers constantly email me promotions and such) ... but I am holding on strong and will not go ... nope, I am taking one for the team and watching it at home ... I don't want to jinx them :(

[Dubi]

Jameson, Pat's no blog poacher -- didn't you read his comment? He was our longtime copy editor for the print publication. His Hockey News blog is the latest entry in our "Blogging the Blueshirts" sidebar link list. Good job, Pat -- love your roasting of McCreary. Finally, something every Ranger fan agrees upon!

[captjameson]

my sincerest apologies (spelled it right this time) to pat hoffman...i see similar posts on other journalists blogs and they turn out to be crummy commercials for their dopey web sites that have no substance. i will check it out then...thanks dubi.

[Scott]

We should go for the highest possible seed, we have an extremely intense home ice advantage and four games at home will make a difference, especially the 7th game.
Lower seed teams have it much more difficult.

[Matty is ecstatic!]

Scott,

Exactly, specially since the Rangers have a very good home record and Henrik's GAA is even better at home than it is on the road

[czechthemout!!!!!]

So much for the "we will be a much younger team in 2008-09 talk"I don't mind Jagr coming back for one more year,but another year of Malik,Straka(looks Done),Rozy(not worth more than 4mil)is more of the same.Except of course that Sather doesn't seem to be so gung ho about signing the co-mvp of the team,Sean Avery.No one can deny this teams record with and without him in the lineup.If Malik or is worth more than what he's making this year,while Rozy is looking for 5+mil,than Avery is a STEAL at 3.5-4mil.There also will not be any room for any more of the teams young players(Byers,Korpikoski,Sags,Sauer,Cheripanov,Anisimov,ETC...)to make the team.

[Jasper]

Matty is right on the mark. Rangers should be shooting for the highest seeding possible. To say that they should settle for 6th so that they can get an easier first round opponent is like playing for a shootout during a game because the opposing team is weak in shootouts. Haven't we learned this year that becoming complacent and protecting a lead doesn't work? Full steam ahead!

[Matty is ecstatic!]

Czech I don't really see reason to feel down about Sather's comments, specially when it comes to room for younger players ... I remember that at the beginning of this season people said the same thing ... that there would be no room for our younger players ... We have

Dubinsky, Staal, Girardi, Callahan, and Dawes in the lineup regularly and all these players are rookies or having their first full season ...

I believe that the Rangers use vets where there are needs that rookies might not be ready to fill at the immediate moment but as soon as they fill that the rookie can fill those needs they move them to that spot and they have done this ever since coming back from the lockout and I see no reason for that trend not to continue ...

However, with the way Straka has been playing I do wonder if he will comeback and I don't think so, at least not with how he is playing now ... which is not bad specially on the PK and defensively but offensively he just isn't the same ...

[Pooch]

Hey everyone, I enjoy the discussion that take place here in the "comment" sections.. I apologize early if I must have missed this topic or if it is old news to everyone. I try and keep up and read all the comments during my breaks at work.. BUT the POST recently brought up some interesting points, that isn't really news to anyone... I have no doubt that we will make the playoffs but in order to be successful, and I know its been a problem all year.. is our PP needs to click.. we've won games through shootouts the past couple of games, but come playoffs.. there is no shootouts as we all know. And I felt that we could have put games away had we converted on our PP's. The POST was saying to put Prucha back into the lineup to perhaps help the PP.. but problem is the lines are all clicking so well there is no room for prucha, unless we place him in for sjostrom? thoughts anyone..

its tough to see prucha sitting out, because he loves to play as we can tell when he's always smiling..

[Jess]

For those who are interested I just sent Dubi a scouting report on Justin Soryal from Mike Davies who covers Soryal for the Peterborough Examiner.

Not meaning to pat ourselves on the back but go take a look around and see who else offers this kind of coverage about the Rangers. Answer is NOBODY does it like the Blueshirt Bulletin.

My own report on Soryal will be on my site tomorrow AFTER Soryal and his Peterborough Petes take on Bobby Sanguinetti's Brampton Battalion this evening.

[Laserman]

Jagr is a keeper for less money, but give him incentives so he has a shot at a good payday. Malik and Rozsival are both Dmen whose D is questionable at best. If I had to keep one over the other, I would probably keep Malik. I'd rather see us pick up one free agent, and see what Sanguinetti or another kid can do in camp. If we have to keep both Malik & Rozsival, then split them up. Watching the two of them working the blueline together is giving me a bleeding ulcer. Malik has been playing better as of late though so thats why I'd stay with him. One thing for certain is that we better get Avery under contract. Just my opinion, and you know what they say about those...

[Joe G]

So Sather says he wants to resign Jagr. Gee, I seem to remember proposing the same thing a few weeks ago, only to be shot down and attacked for my opinion, by the resident Yoda of this very site.
Now Sather might very well be just blowing smoke up the Czech press' a**, but he did go on the record with his admiration of the Captain, and his willingness to discuss a new contract at the appropriate time.
I've said it before, and it bears repeating: This is New York!
They will always have a least one super-star on the team that the rest of the League can identify with, and the suits can drag out at team functions to impress their clients with. That's just the way it is.
Personally, I'd love to see the team cut ties with both Jagr and Shanahan next year and go with the kids, and maybe acquire a YOUNG superstar to compliment them. But I just don't see that happening. Especially if they get in the playoffs, and the Jagr line performs as they have the past few weeks. I think the Captain will be back next year. For better or worse.

[LisaMY]

Worrying about seeding in the playoffs will give you headaches and only drive you mad in the end. Wasn't it two seasons ago in the Western Conference that every #8 seed knocked out every #1 seed in the 1st round? Some fans want Philly in the 1st round because they think Philly's weak. But wait a minute. Philly's a bigger team that plays a more physical (read "nastier") game than the Rangers. In one game, sure the Rangers can handle them. But over the course of a series, the lack of a physical presence on defense would probably cost the Rangers in the end. Do you really want Mike Richards at Brandon Dubinsky for a possible seven games? Still, the Rangers have the goaltending (of course) and better scorers and would probably win in the end. My point is, the matchups in a series won't be as predictable as they are during the season.

[pghas]

Yeah, well, Philly's ineptitude and attempt to back into the playoffs is only being outdone by Buffalo. While Philthy has now fallen behind to Toronto 3-2 in the 3rd, Buffalo has managed to allow that former Ranger superstar Jeff Taffe to extend the Crosby-less, Sykora-less Pens' lead to 2-0.

[Godot]

Joe and Czech, I have no problem with Jagr back, particularly mentoring some young Russians who idolize him. Look at the job he did with both Prucha and Dubinsky.

Personally have Prucha play instead of Straka and I'm happy with the rest.

G

[Joe G]

GODOT
If Jagr could perform the way he has the last few weeks,for the whole-season next year, sure, bring him back! I just don't think he can. And after the way he struggled for most of the season this year, the press and the fans would really get on him if he is producing at the same rate next year. It could turn ugly.

[Godot]

I think that there were some real chemistry issues that had to be worked out for Jagr. He's not the Jagr of 26. I can honestly say I'm not the Godot of 26--but the Jagr of today is still quite the horse, and with some good training over the summer I think he'd be great for another year....

[LisaMY]

Question--how close is Lundqvist to his 100th win?

imho, Ovechkin is the most exciting player in the NHL right now. The fact that the NHL marketing division can't get over its Crosby love fest and get on the Ovechkin bandwagon is a shame.

[gravey]

Some of you guys are a real hoot! Czech is worried we won't have room next year for these players: Byers, Korpikoski,Sags,Sauer,Cheripanov,Anisimov,ETC...

Anyone who read Laurie's Wolfpack grades or has seen thse guys play know that none--repeat none--of these guys will be ready for prime time next year. And some maybe never.

Those who love minor league and junior hockey should go watch it at every opportunity. The rest of us will just have to wait until some of these youngsters grow up and get some seasoning.

Geez! Have a little patience! Some of them are on the way, but do you really expect every junior player with potential to make the leap right into the bigs? Or every natural goal scorer in the Russian leagues to magically learn to play major league defence with no NA experience?

Good lord!

[Ros]

LisaMY, Lundqvist is 1 win away from 100 Wins.

[BlueClue]

Dubi

Just around to watching the Scott Gomez special on MSG that I DVR-ed.
Lookin good, Dubi.

[onetimer]

cheech, the rangers are one of the hottest teams in the league, peaking at just the right time, and posters complain about the team not getting younger *next* season. who cares? the point is not younger, but better; not younger, but hungrier. I think it's a nice mix of youth and vets right now and for next year, too. A good part of that is due to the patience and foresight of Sather and (yes) Renney.

Godot, I always took you to be in your prime!

ps does anyone know what happened to Jeff Jillson. The Avs put him on re-entry waivers earlier this week. Was he claimed? If he's not claimed within a period of time (how long?), does he become simply waived, ie. cut?

[LisaMY]

Ros

That's great. We can expect him to reach another milestone in Florida. There's other milestones left for him to reach and hopefully those will be at the Garden.

Since I've been a Jagr fan for years, I'd be totally happy to see him signed for another year. But there's one thing that people on this blog and elsewhere have noticed and that's that Jagr seems to have slowed down quite a bit. He was never the fastest skater but at least he could power through people. I can't recall seeing him to that at all this season. I wonder if his "nagging" groin problem has become permanent.

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys never won a stanley cup!!!!)]

After watching this team for the season, I have decided on two things that are set in stone. One, if a winger is struggling, put him with Gomer. Two, if a d-man is struggling, put him with struds. I like the d pairings a lot in the last game and I hope they stay that way the rest of the season.

Does anyone know how many hits backman has been credited with since joining the rangers? Just curious.

I like the addition of Brown in the system, he was one of the few bright spots to me during the dark pre lockout years, atleast he had passion and would fight and take the body. He will probably not ever make it back to the rangers, but still a good guy to have around young players in the system!!

I hope at some point the flyers call up gauthier and we snag him on re entry waivers, even if we cannot use him this season, he is the type of big hitter we need on the blueline!!

If we do not re sign Avery, I can honestly say I think that will be the worst personnel move by the organization in the last 10 years!!!!!!

[Joe in DE]

I really question where some of you guys get off wanting to throw Shanahan off the boat so fast. Seriously. The dude is 39 and is one of our top scorers, and has been since he's been here. The guy kills penalties, is a mainstay on the PP, and has been nothing but clutch in the SO. Not to mention the leadership and experience he brings with him. I can't think of anyone (besides Messier) who I'd rather have on the team to show all these young guys how it's done.

For the right price, I'd love to see Jagr back. Him and Avery seem to really hit it off on the ice. Jagr does seem to play better when he's having some fun, and him and Avery joking around to the media (Avery saying all his media correspondence will be through Jagr, Jagr complaining about Avery constantly calling for the puck) is a sign of good things to come.

Avery needs to be resigned ASAP. We need him and he needs us. If he keeps playing the way he is, he can throw grenades into the crowd for all I care.

I think it would be a good move to sit Hank, Shanny and Straka against Florida. Vally is more than capable, Prucha needs a spot and we have enough forwards to let Shanny get a little rest here and there before the playoffs start.

[ivrydov]

No question right now Ovechkin is the best player in the league. He hauled them back against Calgary last night with two goals in the third period, 3-2. Almost had a hat trick on the empty net but Phaneuf managed to swat away a dribbling shot.

McCreary was there. Two 5 on 3s for Calgary in the second period resulted in their lead. Maybe they deserved all four penalties, maybe they didn't. But a Flame nearly took the head off a Cap in the third period with an open-ice swat and play continued. Finally a high stick on the faceoff gave the Caps the power play in which Ovechkin scored the winner.

If Washington makes the playoffs, they are going to be a tough opponent. They have a high-scoring d-man in Green, and Fedorov, although he's lost his scoring touch, is 70 per cent on faceoffs and he's nothing less than great as a defensive forward. Huet is pushing Kolzig to lift his game as well. But their resurgence goes back to Boudreau, who's a good coach.

[marge]

Wicky

I believe Backman has been credited with 7 hits since joining the Rangers.

[Godot]

I agree: Ovechkin is by far the most dynamic and interesting player to watch in the league right now. Where I live (in the mountains of Maryland almost directly between Pitt and DC), I have both Fox Sports Pittsburgh and Fox Sports DC so I get to see a lot of both Crosby/Malkin and Ovechkin. ANd of those three, Sidney is at the bottom of the list for me.

I'd put Hank up there, too.

IMO, if the NHL had any smarts they would do a "Young Stars" campaign that aired an hour-long special on each of ten young stars rather than just Sid the Kid. Maybe even interview each of them about the others.

Unfortunately most sports have gone the NBA model--take one star and hope he can revive the league.

[PJ]

Must admit that not only am I enjoying the Ranger climb, I am enjoying the slide into oblivion by the ASSLANDERS and their obnoxious fans.

Congrats on 25 years of futility. 1983 NOW, 1983 FOREVER!