Jagr Waiting For a Sign on Where to Sign

Jaromir Jagr doesn’t know what his immediate future holds for him, where he’ll be playing hockey next season -- New York, Omsk, or some other port of call. A deeply religious man, Jagr is leaving his fate in the hands of destiny, awaiting a sign that will point him in the right direction. “I’m waiting for a signal to be able to say, ‘Yes, this is it,” he told reporters in the Czech Republic yesterday. “I have no such signal yet. I don’t know which way to go. I really don’t. I’m not bluffing. One day it looks like I’ll play in Europe, another day in America. I have always believed it will end the best way possible. And if you believe it, you leave it to destiny.”

But the sly Jagr is not looking for a signal from above -- he is looking for indelible signs from those who will be offering him his next contract, and the dollar figure is only one of a number of signals that will help him reach a decision. In fact, he was the one sending out signals to Ranger GM Glen Sather. “I find that I play my best hockey when there’s a pressure on me," he said. "When the team is built around me and the expectations on me are high. I would like to go to a team where they’ll believe in me and tell me, ‘It’s your team.’ I want to show that I can and know how to play hockey.” That confirms what we thought at the end of the season -- that Jagr, having sacrificed his automatic contract extension to the Rangers’ defensive system, would not want to come back without assurances that he could return to playing his own game.

Meanwhile, he had some interpretations of other signals he thought he was getting from Sather. “If he’s a GM who wants a player to be happy and to stay with the club, he should make the first move,” Jagr said. “He has made some move. But I thought it would be faster, not ten days ago.” Asked about Sather visiting him in Czech, Jagr said, “It would be needless for him to come. I was in New York the whole month. He could have talked to me [there], but nothing happened. I don’t know why he delayed it, whether he had other plans that didn’t work out. Maybe it’s his tactics, because it’s not just about sports, it’s also a business. I’m coming back to the States on Sunday or Monday. Maybe we'll make a deal. I wouldn’t want to be in his place. It’s very tough to be a manager these days. If you make a wrong move, sign a player long-term, it might hurt the team for several years. It’s not like it used to be when the owner paid for the mistakes and other players were brought in.”

Jagr, who has never tested the free agent waters in his career, expects to generate interest if he reaches July 1st unsigned. “I think there will be offers from more teams after Sunday,” he said. “At least I hope so. I’ve waited this long, why not listen to other teams’ offers? We are still talking about the Rangers and Omsk, but there might be someone else next week. I will be a free agent for the first time and I have to decide myself where I’ll go. I’m uncertain now, confused. I think about every step. But it always takes time to realize whether it’s a good one or a bad one. And you never know what it would be like going the other way. I would much rather not to have to make the decision. But I have no other choice.”

He has heard the rumors of the outrageous offers he has supposedly gotten from Russian teams. “Of course I know about them,” he said. “Unlike you,” he added, chiding the reporter. “One sometimes gets a good laugh out of what you read in the papers. It’s nice, but it’s not true,” he said of the $35 million offer he is said to have gotten from Omsk. (To be fair, no one reported that the offer was for $35 million, but that it was equivalent to 35 million after-tax U.S. dollars.)

He also heard about the Rangers possibly pursuing Mats Sundin to be his center. He said he thought they'd make a good pairing, given their complementary styles, but doubted that the Rangers would be able to sign both players under the salary cap, and doubted whether it was even a good idea for the Rangers to sign another center given their current depth at that position.

Jagr shed light on Martin Straka’s situation, solving the paradox between his friend apparently agreeing to play for his hometown team and his agent saying he is still in play in the NHL. “I congratulated him immediately,” Jagr said of Straka, confirming that the initial report was accurate. “And I talked to [Pilsen GM] Tomas Kral too. He gets Martin. Should Martin have a chance to return to the Rangers or some other team where he’ll feel well, he won’t block it. On the contrary. On the other hand, though, if Martin stays in Europe, it’s Pilsen only. He was born there, he speaks Pilsner.” Jagr still hopes to have Straka as a teammate next season. “I would certainly like to have Martin with me wherever I go,” he said. “We are used to each other, we know what to expect from each other. It would be difficult getting used to someone new at my old age.” Could the two end up playing in Omsk together? “Everything is possible,” said Jagr.

Thanks to DaTeL for the translation. You can read various other translations and permutations of Jagr's press conference at Blueshirts Blog, Hockey Rodent, and Czech web sites here, here, and here. The Post has a couple of articles on Jagr's situation (here and here). Slap Shot has a good summary of how the Russians are covering this mess. On Straka, see Blueshirts Blog, Rangers Report, Newsday, and MSG.com. A Czech web site is reporting that Josef Melichar has confirmed he is returning to the NHL but cannot announce the details (i.e. which team) until July 1st -- the Rangers are believed to be in the running. Blue Notes and Prospect Park cover the Ranger draftees involved in the CHL import draft, and Blue Notes has an item on Artem Anisimov making a big impression in the recently concluded Prospect Development Camp. NHL.com has a review of last season, if you can stomach it. Former marginal prospect Rick Kozak signed to play in England next season.

Comments

[ThisYearsModel]

Well, it's ALWAYS about the money. Rewind to the Messier defection to Vancouver. If this were simply about Jagr, it would be one thing. However, having to surround him with his posse makes the value if having him less, IMO. At this point, I will be OK either way. If he goes, then we can move on to the next phase with our new players. Ryan Malone's rights have been traded to Tampa. Hope he signs there. BTW, it will be very funny if the Rangers end up in Prague to start the season with Prucha being the only Czech. Nice way to stick it to Bettman.

[ntb]

TSN is reporting that the Lightning have acquired negotiating rights for Ryan Malone and Gary Roberts. It will be interesting to see if either of them sign.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=241905&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_nhl

[scinoc]

Can't wait for the Jagr situation to mercifully resolves itself. Whatever happens, happens. Isn't this the same guy who said he knew what he was going to do for (next season) as last season drew to a close?

[rangerbill94]

Let me start by saying I would not object to Jagr for another year or two. But I do see some conflicting things in JJ's latest statement, if the translation is accurate. He says "When the team is built around me and the expectations on me are high. I would like to go to a team where they’ll believe in me and tell me, ‘It’s your team". Well, that's what happened in Washington. He didn't do well. Last year the team was also very dependent on him and was still built around him. He said this was going to be one of his best years ever. NEVER HAPPENED!. “I find that I play my best hockey when there’s a pressure on me,". Oh? That wasn't pressure by month 3 of this season? Maybe he means..."If the coaches will just let me do anything I want, I'll be the top players I'm capable of being." I don't know, but I don't like what I read. Are we going to have another ineffective #1 line for 4 months until JJ gets used to the new Marty Straka? BTW, I think that should be Dawes; he can skate, shoot and pass very well. JJ was a moose in the playoffs and that's the Jagr I want all season long. Give me that and a 2 year contract and I'll be happy.

[Ted]

Jess (From the previous post)

"If Sather makes a move he will be dammed
If Sather does not make a move he will be dammed

Do you want to finish rebuilding
Do you want to see them make a run at the Cup now?"

Good point as Sather is in a difficult position. In my opinion it'd probably be best to go through a semi-rebuilding effort (since we've already got so many tools like Dubinsky, Dawes, Callahan, Tyutin, Girardi, Staal, Lundqvist), though that might not be feasible as it currently appears only Korpikoski is a potential replacement for one of the 4-5 Ranger FA forwards for the upcoming season.

Though I think letting Shanny, Straka, Avery and Rozsival go is a step in the right direction for the Rangers, my inherent fear is that this will be offset through expensive overpaying of FAs like Malone, Hossa, Rolston, Sundin, or Tucker (just like in the late 90s). This appears far more likelier if the Rangers let Jagr go as well, which is why I am also arguing that it's stupid not to re-up Jagr for 2 years taking a chance on him for 2 years makes more sense for the team (since he is the captain) as well as financially over signing other forwards for 4-5 years. I think a couple short term replacements (guys u've mentioned in the past like Vrbata or Melichar or even Huselius) would also be an option to consider.

As for defense i agree that FA replacements are sorely needed (rebuilding or not), and I have a lot more faith in paying contracts to guys like Hainsey, Sauer or maybe even Orpik than the $8 million that Campbell and Redden are sure to get. In fact from the looks of the comments it appears very few people are interested in Campbell as he looked terrible against the Rangers last season (with Buffalo) as well as in the playoffs. I am a lot more excited about our defense not only cuz we already have 3 solid young players but because Sanguinetti, Potter, Sauer, and (way down the line) Del Zotto all have the potential to be NHL regulars.

Rangerbill94

You bring up some very valid points on Jagr, and I am sure the Rangers brass have used your arguments as reasons to be reluctant to add on that 2nd year. But as I mentioned above I still feel giving Jagr $12-$13 million for 2 years is a safer bet than any of the other FA's available in this summer's market. Also keep in mind that Hossa (and possibly Sundin) are the only comparible replacements to a guy like Jagr, and considering that many other teams are lining up for their services, the though of losing out on them would make me less than optimistic regarding the Ranger's offensive capabilities for next season.

I suppose we will see on Tuesday

[rangerbill94]

Ted

I do not think either Hossa or Sundin are really comparible to Jagr. Hossa will never take a team and carry them for any length of time. Sundin could do that, but he doesn't command the attention JJ does by opponents. If JJ goes someplace else, then I'm for playing more youngsters and continue the rebuild now. I may be crazy, but I think a team w/o JJ but with some more dependable defenseman (Orpik, Commodore, Hainsey, Sauer) will still make the playoffs.

[Chris]

I would like to see the Rangers go for Rolston and keep Jagr around if at all possible

[Bob]

Personally, I've just about had it with Jagr wanting the organization to show how much they love him.

[LisaMY]

ThisYearsModel

BTW, it will be very funny if the Rangers end up in Prague to start the season with Prucha being the only Czech. Nice way to stick it to Bettman.

You'll be the only one laughing. It won't just embarrass the NHL. It will embarrass the Rangers mightily. And it will do damage to Glen Sather's reputation. Sather has a good rep in Eastern Europe and, consequently, so do the Rangers. The Rangers are one of the "go to" teams for E.E. players, which gives the Rangers an advantage in attracting them. This game in Prague is all about Jagr. There is no question about that. Without JJ, the Rangers trip will be pointless. The Rangers and the NHL have an increasingly crappy relationship, so no Jagr in Prague will just about flush it down the toilet. The Rangers are contractually locked into this. So the pressure is on Sather. I seriously doubt the NHL will "be merciful" and give the Rangers an out if they don't re-sign Jagr.

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Ranger bill

I agree I have said it all along, jagr is a wingman, he does not do well when he is the focused upon one (similar to what many of you say about hossa). I think jagr admitting he does not give 100% in the season says alot. I mean what if we had won five or seven more games because jagr did not take those nights off (could be said about other players, but jagr is supposed to be the leader) and changed the playoff seedings for everyone. It could have produced more favorable match ups for us perhaps! This is all just speculation, but I really would not want to pay a player like that a whole lot of money. If I am going to overpay for a player, someone like iginla or lidstrom who brings it every night regardless of the time of year is the type of player that should get the extra cash. Again, just speculation on my part!!!

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Im going to go a little off subject here. Did anyone see the espn steve levy interview with barry melrose? I thought it was pretty interesting. Melrose has been gone for like 12 years, but he really gets hockey. I'm paraphrasing a bit here but he said we will not win every game, but you are going to know you played the lightning. we are going to attack, play transition, and we are going to hit you and fight you and you will know that you played us. I think that is the right attitude. If we lose games (we will lose some), I wish the rangers would make teams physically regret playing us. Not only does he say that in an interview, but the lightning now have the rights to malone and roberts, two very physical players. They may not be the best two players available, hell, they may not even sign either one of them before free agancy starts, they may sign them for more money than they are worth, whatever happens, they are trying to build a physically tough, intimidating team in tampa which is exactly what you need for the long regular season grind and a long playoff run.

[akayama49]

We've rehashed all the possible July 1 Rangers permutations over and over again. It all boils down to improving our offense without giving up on our defensive ability. The last 2 seasons we've been among the top defensive teams leaguewide. In my opinion it's been our lack of goal scoring ability that has exagerrated the defensive mistakes we've occasionally made (see Roszival, Mara, etc.). Of course it comes back as well to our PP incompetence. If we continue to bench our gifted young players when we have the extra man, we're going nowhere. Resign Jagr (2 yrs), Avery and a scoring winger, add upgrades on D (a competent PP point man and a crease-clearer). This is only a wish list; if we can achieve half of it and get improvement from our returning players, we'll be quite competitive!

[Phill]

"Personally, I've just about had it with Jagr wanting the organization to show how much they love him."

Yes, because personally, I'd love to play for a team that doesn't have much interest in me.

/sarcasm.

[Jxmarts]

"I just want a team that has complete heart. Not guys like Rozi, Harry, Hollweg, etc."

Hey now! He may have zero talent, but Hollweg is all heart.

[Jess]

Wicky

Sorry but you know people make Melrose out to be some kind of special super coach but here is the reality of his coaching career:

Melrose rode the coattails of Gretzky to ONE just one Cup final that they lost. What did he do other than that as a coach?

How come in 12 years in a league where so many coaches who get fired wind up getting new jobs almost instantly that Melrose had to have a friend get him a new coaching job?

Another point that really needs to be raised is that when the owner is hiring a coach not the GM then one has to wonder how weak Jay Feaster's position is?

Ted

You make good points but one point that I have yet to see people raise is how few have faith that the Rangers (note I am saying the Rangers not Sather) found a way to sign Gomez and Drury last year when nobody thought they could sign both.

So how come nobody is willing to think that the Rangers just might be able to figure out ways to repeat what they did last season and sign players that the team needs?

[Jameson]

NTB, the RFA's will be tendered before july 1st I'm sure, but Sather I know is working on a contract for Sjostrom and probably seeing if he can't work out other contracts that would be more cap friendly with those guys.

With each day that passes it seems more likely Sean Avery's days in NY are over.

Jagr isnt ready to commit to anything, it's not Sather's fault.

[cwgatti]

Jess,
Dead on about the suprise signings of both Drury & Gomez. Sather addressed the offense last year, and this year I believe he will address the defense. I bet he resigns Jagr and Avery, and adds one of the big UFA d-men (Redden or Campbell) I also believe that Rozy played himself into a very affordable contract. He will be back and as a great partner for Stall, there is no reason not to. I believe the D will be revamped.

[cwgatti]

If I were Sather, I would sign Redden and Orpik and be done with it.

[Bones]

Sounds to me like Jagr is not happy playing for Renney. Who could blame him. Nevertheless, it's all about the team, not his friends, and most of them need to go including Rosy. If Slats signs Hossa I'll scream. Rolston, Sundin, Avery and Redden would be the guys I'm hoping are signed. And how about Nick Pageau making the Traverse City team. Like I said he's a good solid D, the kind every team needs. I think he's returning to play for the Belleville Bulls again next season.

[joeymole]

excellent read - thanks dubi for posting. not getting that info. anywhere else. much appreciated!

to me, it sounds like jagr may be done with rangers. and rangers done with him. (and as i suspected, he may drag martin straka with him, wherever he goes.) this friggin' dog and pony show, with jj and slats, is going on for too long now. how's that saying go?..."s**t or get off the pot". well, it's time to get off the pot.

and i agree with previous posts, no avery signing, no jagr signing, no one signed...how is that good for the rangers? maybe sather/renney have some new player plan we don't know about and this will all make sense come the end of july? surely, i hope so. 'cause with jagr, avery, straka, shanny gone this team will be lacking on many fronts.

[Ant]

I think Sather has something up his sleeve that nobody knows about.i think Jags is already signed they jus doing this for some other reason.Avery is gone we all can see that he got greedy and sather didnt go for it good move by GM.If Aves signs with somebody else so be it.All i know is if he gets in Henriks face we have 1 weapon that other teams dont got and his name is Colton Orr.He will rock Averys world so dont worry folks on tues wel see but losing couple of FA wont kill us all

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Im just curious if anyone else thinks we need some size and a bit of toughness on the wings? I would thing malone kind of fits that description, but sounds like he is going to end up in tampa. Who else is out there that will provide that? Big bert? Most say he is washed up! Thanks for the info!!!!!!!!

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

I guess I should have specified the top couple of lines about the size on the wings!!! I hope the rangers do not resign jagr either, i like him and avery both, but they both seem to have issues and for one reason or another are not 100% mentally or physically throughout the season. If I had to choose one it would be avery becasue he would not require as much cash and would allow it to be spent on the D.

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Dubi

Man the pony express must really be low on horses, still have not seen the last issue and it's killing me to hear everyone talk about it!!!

[Chris QCT]

If Jagr's demands are to "play to win" as opposed to playing "not to lose," then I am with him completely...

He says he wants the team to be built around him and his style. In a subtle way, he is showing that he disagreed with Renney's approach to winning (or 'not losing') this past season.

[Godot]

You know, you all speak like Sather should sign these people--as if the players have only one option sign with the Rangers or not. It's not that simple, folks, so can we stop the pillorying of Slats if he doesn't get X, Y or Z done. There are lots of teams in the leagues, and lots of reasons to sign with a team--if you had to consider between the Wings and the Rangers, for instance, on a strictly hockey and personal business sense, where would you sign?

That said, I have no doubt Jagr will be back in Rangers blue. Why do so many of you dis him??? Was he the force we would have liked last year? No. Okay. Now it's all about his posse. Are any of you upset that probably the one contributing factor in Backman's arrival and such a long leash early on was the fact that he was Lundqvist's countryman and was there in part to make Henrik more comfortable?

G

[Joe in DE]

The article on NHL.com isn't far from the truth. I have little faith in Sather that he will sign what we need, as he didn't do it last season. As much as I love having Dru and Gomer, and realize that they will be the core of this team after the Jagr era, I doubt the anticipated result of their acquisition would be that we're a defensive-minded team ranked 23rd in GF and 22nd in PP%. Goal production went down from 2006-2007.

It is clear what we need and don't need.
-We need better D because Pittsburgh embarrassed us. My votes are for Orpik and Redden if we can swing it. I'd love to see Brad Stuart here or even Liles if either of the two don't work out.
-We don't need Rozsival. He is not physical enough, and takes a ton of penalties, often at inopportune times. He gets beat and then commits a stick penalty. Yes he scored 13 goals, and he probably cost us nearly that many or more with soft defensive play and penalties. Dump him.
-We don't need Jason Strudwick. He's all heart but lacks the requisite skill. Instead of playing him at wing and defense when there is a open spot due to injury or whatever, dip into Hartford. I'm sure Pock, Byers and Korpi can fill in spots on a temp basis and maybe even earn regular duty.
-We need a new guy on d. Bobby will have to learn to swim or drown.
-We need Avery. I don't even need to give a reason.
-We don't need Hollweg or Betts. Hollweg is a liability with dumbass physical play. Neither is capable of scoring. If the team as a whole can play more disciplined and stop taking so many penalties, Betts' role disappears.
-We need Shanahan. Everyone is so quick to throw him under the bus because he's old. He has 3 cups and is about as good an example to follow as anyone for the young guys. He's a great penalty killer and 2 way player. Yes, he disappeared against Pittsburgh. But I wouldn't be so quick to toss your 3rd highest scorer out the window. He'd be great on a 3rd or 4th line.
-If Jagr doesn't resign, sign Sundin, not Hossa. Sundin is a 30+ scorer on a crappy team. Hossa is a nothing without stars around him and will want a long term deal. Get Sundin for 2 years and try your luck again with a better FA market.
-Lock up the RFAs. The best years for Dawes, Valli and Freddy are ahead of them.

The way I see it:
FORWARDS
Jagr/Sundin, Gomez, Avery, Drury, Callahan, Dawes, Prucha, Shanahan, Sjostrom, (Korpikoski).

DEFENSE
Staal, Girardi, Tyutin, Redden, Orpik, Sanguinetti

GOAL
Lundqvist, Valliquette

[Joe in DE]

The article on NHL.com isn't far from the truth. I have little faith in Sather that he will sign what we need, as he didn't do it last season. As much as I love having Dru and Gomer, and realize that they will be the core of this team after the Jagr era, I doubt the anticipated result of their acquisition would be that we're a defensive-minded team ranked 23rd in GF and 22nd in PP%. Goal production went down from 2006-2007.

It is clear what we need and don't need.
-We need better D because Pittsburgh embarrassed us. My votes are for Orpik and Redden if we can swing it. I'd love to see Brad Stuart here or even Liles if either of the two don't work out.
-We don't need Rozsival. He is not physical enough, and takes a ton of penalties, often at inopportune times. He gets beat and then commits a stick penalty. Yes he scored 13 goals, and he probably cost us nearly that many or more with soft defensive play and penalties. Dump him.
-We don't need Jason Strudwick. He's all heart but lacks the requisite skill. Instead of playing him at wing and defense when there is a open spot due to injury or whatever, dip into Hartford. I'm sure Pock, Byers and Korpi can fill in spots on a temp basis and maybe even earn regular duty.
-We need a new guy on d. Bobby will have to learn to swim or drown.
-We need Avery. I don't even need to give a reason.
-We don't need Hollweg or Betts. Hollweg is a liability with dumbass physical play. Neither is capable of scoring. If the team as a whole can play more disciplined and stop taking so many penalties, Betts' role disappears.
-We may need Shanahan. Everyone is so quick to throw him under the bus because he's old. He has 3 cups and is about as good an example to follow as anyone for the young guys. He's a great penalty killer and 2 way player. Yes, he disappeared against Pittsburgh. But I wouldn't be so quick to toss your 3rd highest scorer out the window. Prucha had a lousy season and Korpi hasn't proven himself as a regular yet. Shanny can pick up some slack and he'd be great on a 3rd or 4th line.
-If Jagr doesn't resign, sign Sundin, not Hossa. Sundin is a 30+ scorer on a crappy team. Hossa is a nothing without stars around him and will want a long term deal. Get Sundin for 2 years and try your luck again with a better FA market.
-Lock up the RFAs. The best years for Dawes, Valli and Freddy are ahead of them.

The way I see it:
FORWARDS
Jagr/Sundin, Gomez, Avery, Dubinsky, Drury, Callahan, Dawes, (Prucha), Shanahan, Sjostrom, (Korpikoski).

DEFENSE
Staal, Girardi, Tyutin, Redden, Orpik, Sanguinetti

GOAL
Lundqvist, Valliquette

[rangerbill94]

cwgatti

"I also believe that Rozy played himself into a very affordable contract." I assume you are claiming that Rozsival had a bad year and we can get him cheap as a result. Why not look at his stats before you make that claim. Others on this site have said the same thing, so group think could be at work here. However, here are the stats for Rozi:
Most career goals
Most career TOI
Most Career SOG (in spite of "he defers to JJ too much!)
Highest career Shooting %
Second career assists
Second career PIM's
Second career PP goals
Second career games played.

Anybody without a prejudice would look at those stats and see a defenseman at 30 years of age and make the claim he has entered his prime! Now is he a #1 defenseman, NO. But he is the ONLY offensive defenseman we have right now, unless you want to count Pock (still not here) or Mara (always fails to get the pick on net). Yes, Staal and Girardi have some hope, but Rozi is there right now.

It looks to me that we worked himself into a raise.

[Greg L.]

Joe in DE , I agree with your points and feel the same about the guys we should keep and get . Wicky feels we should dump Jagr/ Avery is totally insane .Great point Godot about makin Hank comfortable ...I agree with your post and wished other would do so too.

Joe in De , great team but you forgot Dubinsky!!???? Come on , tell me where ya think he fits in?

Oh yeah , Orr guy that was banned but is still here , your post makes sense , just don't agree with : "Hockey players DONT CRY !!!!! " Sorry to say MARK MESSIER had balled and wailed so much on tv and at the garden ...If you think hockey players don't cry , then i don't think you ever see how emotional the game is. Wayne Gretzky cried at the press conference after he was traded to the Kings from Edmonton " I promised mess i would n't do this!!" Orr good post but yer full of crap on that one!! Btw Burtuzzi did cry like a wimp , acting like he would never hurt anyone ..not really an enforcers way to show hes tough.

[Greg L.]

...Plus me watching the rangers win the cup would be so emotional I garentee I would cry .

[Greg L.]

....alrightt Dubinsky was n't there a min ago , ooops looks like hes there . Um , strike that one Joe .

[Greg L.]

.... wait a min Joe , 2 posts . I did see him missing and i'm not crazy . Fast correction .

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Greg L.

Are we going to go through this again? I would like to have players back at reasonable prices!! I have been a proponent of avery since day one!! Jagr is not worth 5 mil plus and unfortunately avery is not worth 4 mil or so. I want avery back for all the intangible things he brings and the record of our team with him. Big bert is not an enforcer, just so you know, and has never been considered one. He is/was a big physical winger, not an enforcer. Orr, brashear, laraque, langdon, kocur, grimson, et al were/are enforcers. Agin here we go i am insane and you do not even know who is an enforcer and who isnt. You are an idiot!!! You need to get a hobby bro that you understand!!!! Or go to summer school, Im sure your jr high has one!!

[Joe in DE]

Sorry for the double post.

Greg, yeah I spaced on Dubinsky. He definitely fits into the picture. It's just that I see 3 spots on this team that can be filled any number of ways. I like the speed on Freddy, and Prucha has had a couple of good seasons with us. I'm not really sure what to expect from Freddy, but Prucha is definitely better than how he played last year. Though Lauri came in an scored in his first game, that could have easily been a fluke. My initial thought is to go with Freddy and Prucha since they're used to the NHL pace and style. If Shanny doesn't return, there will be two roster spots open. Maybe Orr for physical presence and the addition of a FA/hartford call up

[Greg L.]

aw come on , show him where ya hid the soup!!! Orr guy that was banned but came back. Yes leaving out what ya now put was vidal to your point. I also though about Jason smith , this guys been a captain where ever he goes. He is a hard hitter .

The guy i like is commedore..solid and has wacky red hair at times. Redden is a top rank dman , but is not big . Lets face it .... we need a big , skilled , hard hitting and a huge shot from the point and that guy is not out there !!! Pronger ,phanef , Blake ,Lidstrom(maybe) and Chara . Marc Staal in years to come is our only serious chance of having someone like that ...lets face it the guy WE NEED is NOT out there.

[Greg L.]

yo wicky im turning 40 this year and of course Beruzzi is not a enforcer !!! He acted like one when he Clubbed Moor!!?? didn't he? He gets millions to play with Naslund , so I know hes not an enforcer . Yeash man the way you say crap about The Rangers makes me sick sometimes ...Idiots are people who trash players and others ...who just don't know crap , just like you .

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Greg L

You said enforcer, not me. You are the one who started the whole thing by opening your jnsulting trap yet again. We all have opinions of what the team needs, and i have said for ever we need to be bigger and more physical on the wings and on the d, as well as a pp point man, I just try to do that in a realistic way that fits under the cap, that is all. I want this team to win it all just like everyone else does and it has not done so in its current make up!! Again I was just fine with everything until you start the insults, so if that how you want to be fine. I got know problem matching hockey knowledge with you!

[Greg L.]

Wicky , I never started the name calling , all I said : "Wicky feels we should dump Jagr/ Avery is totally insane ."

Thats my opinion so don't start saying i'm calling you names ...Can't take someone disagreeing with you ?

Then YOU start calling names : "You are an idiot!!! You need to get a hobby bro that you understand!!!! Or go to summer school, Im sure your jr high has one!!" That sounds like you starting it...
In defense I said ," Idiots are people who trash players and others ...who just don't know crap , just like you ."

Enough said , btw you sure looked smart saying this ( I got know problem matching hockey knowledge with you! ) Wicky , it's NO , not KNOW ...yer a smart one ! GOOOO Rangers on Canada Day!!!

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

know kidding!!!! It was a frigging joke!!! You obviously do not read all the posts here, you might noticed my ironic sense of humor in some of the other ones. I like getting you all fired up though,you are a riot!!! I wish jagr could get riled up like you!!!

[Bones]

Wicky- your facility for joking ranks right up there with your hockey knowledge.

[Wicky229 (18 choir boys STILL HAVE NOT won the stanley cup!!!!)]

Bones

You are alive, good to hear from you!!! Nice dog pile on the rabbit!!!!!!