Changing Perceptions

TSN released their ‘off season game plan’ of the Rangers this past weekend, as part of their annual series.

Personally I go to the TSN site alot as the content is current and (some) opinions are interesting however this off season game plan was somewhat lazy and continues to show how much mud has stuck over the years to the Rangers franchise. Such was the ‘quality’ of most of the Rangers free agent signings over the past 10-15 years, such was the poor roster management that despite the recent 3-4 years of, on the whole, solid moves the Rangers are still considered a franchise that only looks to change via free agency. Comments like this annoyed me:

With a decent core of young talent, the Rangers will count on internal improvement as part of the reason that they could be better next season, but there will be a temptation for the Rangers to sign proven talent; it’s what this franchise seems to do every summer.

This comment annoys me two fold. If the Rangers young core is ‘only’ decent why do they have 7 players all under 25 at the World Championship? Why do The Rangers have an all world goaltender and an elite sniper, both 28? All of this doesnt include Ryan Callahan who at 25 has emerged as a strong forechecking 2 way player.  I mostly take exception to the ‘its what this franchise does every summer’ comment. Hold on people. Doesn’t every club tend to their needs to some degree in free agency? And say what you want about the Rangers but last summer their spending was mostly calculated. Vinny Prospal doesnt represent value for money? 

I’m ok with the media criticising the Rangers where appropriate. By all means chastize Sather for the Redden, Drury and Roszival (to a lesser degree) signings but also give credit where its due. They showed remarkable constraint at the trade deadline whereas alot of clubs didn’t. They have drafted very well in the past 4 years. Is this all not mentioned because its not fashionable to praise Sather and his team?

Sather has done a lot of bad work during his time in New York. These kind of articles indicate to what extent. If the Rangers reputation around the league (and with media outlets) is to be changed, this season’s lack of post season needs to be an isolated case. The Rangers will use free agency to some degree again this summer (as will every club), they will consider trades and they will look at Hartford. Lets hope the moves they make see the Rangers become next years Flyers or Canadiens; post season success stories.

Quick Heads up: We’ll be looking at different aspects of ‘The state of the Rangers’ and their off season intentions, starting later today. Check in later.