When it comes to credibility in the blog-o-sphere, I have zero credibility. I am not a writer. I do not have a degree in journalism. I have an MBA and a degree in Computer Science, which gets me nowhere in terms of recognition by the professionals (but the MBA definitely helps with my passion, which is the business of hockey). The internet is a great thing, fans like me get to post their feelings on a blog, and have faithful readers that visit daily to read what I have to say. We here at BSB are very appreciative of the following we have (over 1,000 visitors daily, which is amazing, thank you very much to everyone who frequents our tiny sliver of cyberspace). However, it seems that some of us, fans and writers alike, have trouble being optimistic and finding the good in what the team, and its management, does.

I’m sure many of you have read this article by Larry Brooks of the NY Post. To quickly sum it up, he rips on Sather for a lot of the moves he made this summer. While it is Larry’s name to the article, he is definitely not the only person to feel this way about the Rangers moves this summer. Some have been questionable (2 years to a 37 year old Brashear, not resigning the best PK duo on the planet), but others have been downright perfect (dealing Gomez and getting an actual return, filling that huge void of go-to scorer). Say what you want about Gaborik, that deal needed to be made.

I am not a Glen Sather fan. However, I must admit, his trades have usually been on the good side. Dealing Tyutin, who was making $2.875 million and was essentially a 3rd pairing, for Zherdev was the RIGHT move. If you argue otherwise, you are blinded by your hatred of Zherdev himself. No, Zherdev didn’t work out in NY, but it’s not like anything of value went to Columbus.

The only knock you can really make on Sather (aside from the outlandish contracts) is the massive turnover of the roster for two straight years. No matter which way you look at it, 35% of the roster has been turned over for two straight years, and only ten players who were on the opening night roster last year are on the roster this year, of which only four of them are forwards. That’s a little bit extreme. There are other minor issues, such as the Al Montoya/Lauri Korpikoski/Petr Prucha situations, but they really are minor issues. So let’s omit those for now.

A little bit of optimism on the Sather deals can’t hurt. Gaborik was a big signing, and the approach he took was perfect. The Gomez deal was a downright steal, and McDonagh is going to be gold. Brashear, even if he is signed for one year too many, is an upgrade over Colton Orr. He is leaving open spots on the roster for young talent to make the team. The roster this year, on paper, is better than last year’s team.

I don’t know about you, but I am a Ranger fan. I want them to succeed. Just because I don’t agree with some of the deals they make doesn’t mean that I want them to fail miserably. Please, a little confidence in Sather, I think he earned a little bit this offseason.

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