You remember that biblical story of the son who took off, bummed around and when he was broke he decided to come home to his wealthy dad. Dad forgave all and treated his son like a Prince. I never cared for the story. Why should a guy who was bumming around share the same rewards as one who stayed the course and was taken for granted?
There was a reverse take on that story in regard to Sean Avery. He did his duty, did more than his share of the dirty work and then was disparaged by his bosses. Actually the word is out and the apologists all jumped on board, it was the Asst GM Hockey Operations, Cam Hope, who did it. It was he, not Stealth Sather, who uttered the famous "detriment" speech. Upon the signing of Avery, Sather came through with, "He (Avery) is a terrific competitor, who we expect to play a significant role in a successful season". No surprise there, politicians do it all the time. Throw the subordinate under the bus and stay above the fray. That is what the great reformer Eliot Spitzer is doing right now.
So Sean Avery gets an extra $800,000 and the Rangers get their spine back. All in all a good deal for both sides though it was botched badly by the Stealth and his empty suits in the MSG Tower. The Rangers and Avery have to move forward now. There is more work to be done by the empty suits. The Rangers still need a big "D" guy and right now it looks like they need a third line center. They had a third line center last year, Matt Cullen, unfortunately he was trying to be the second line center. You saw how that worked. Kasparaitis could be that big "D" guy but there is a campaign brewing out there that he just ain't going to make it. The Rangers seem to be more interested in dumping Kaspy and his salary than they are interested to see if he could make the team.
One other item. Is Tom Renney the coach to get the big ring for the Rangers? Renney reminds me more and more of Roger Nielson who had to be dumped before the Rangers got Mike Keenan and The Cup. Mark Messier orchestrated Nielson's departure. I don't see any Mark Messiers on this Ranger team.
Wild's John Hynes to coach U.S. team at worlds
30 minutes ago
Nothing like a biblical passage to start the day...
re: Avery -- I think both sides played it wrong, Avery in going to Larry Brooks and crying 'help' to the fans, when traditionally arbitration is a closed-door process -- Avery knows he has had issues, and played less than 1/2 a season as a Ranger. He didn't deliver the last round vs Buffalo. Slats on the other hand should have made a deal before any of this junk happened - his 'take his time' attitude wasn't interpreted well by Avery either. So Sean walks out with a big paycheck next season, hopefully with us.
I think we'll find that 'D' man in some level of trade. Don't worry...it's coming! Bye Malik.
tdr
Pundit, I have to agree with TDR on this. Both sides made mistakes, now it is time to move forward and focus on the 07-08 season. As for Kasper, unfortunately for him, I think his salary may determine his fate unless someone else, Mara, Malik, is shed before camp.
the dark ranger-From your mouth to the hockey God's ears.
anonymous-Malik has got to go.
Renney is a non-alcoholic Fred Shero. Shero turned the Rangers around in two seasons. So will Tom.
anonymous-His two years are up.