"Build a solid young core from within." Again: "Build a solid young core from within."
Repeat that to yourself a couple of times. If you are a Ranger fan, and you plan to remain a Ranger fan for the near future, this is going to be your mantra. Glen Sather repeated the theme numerous times in a fan Q&A on the Rangers website:
"It is going to be vitally important for organizations to draft well and develop young players."
"With the way the new system works, it is imperative for organizations to draft well and develop players."
"We will be looking at players who can help us through this transition period while we are developing a core group of home grown players."
"The hardest part for everyone will be to stay patient and understand that we are committed to building a team from within that can have long-term success in New York."
"We will be sticking with our plan of developing a core of Rangers from within. We feel the depth of prospects in our organization rivals any team in the National Hockey League. Our vision has not changed, as our goal always was to develop an entertaining and hard working team of which our fans can be proud."
This is the plan, and so far, the Rangers have stuck to it. They have not signed a high priced free agent, nor did they sign anyone to a long-term deal.
As it looks right now, building from within might be their only option. There had been a lot of speculation that a team like the Rangers could save up for a free-agent run next year, but franchise players like Jerome Iginla, Joe Thorton, and now Vincent Lecavalier are off the market.
The Rangers got some exciting news yesterday. As the Rodent reported, Petr Prucha signed with the team, and will be in camp in several weeks. He should be competing for a spot on the big club. Today the Rodent gives us an idea of what Prucha brings to a team.
This was made possible as a result of the Czech Republic's decision to sign onto the IIHF/NHL transfer agreement. This also allows the Rangers the possibility of bringing in other prospects such as Jan Marek and Jarkko Immonen.
In another move to keep this rebuilding process going, the Rangers re-signed 23 year-old forward Jozef Balej. Balej is also expected to have an excellent chance to play on Broadway this year.
You can get all of the other free-agent moves here. In addition to the Lecavalier deal, other notable signings include:
- The Devils picked up Alexander Mogilny. The move puts them over the cap.
- Curtis Joseph agreed to a one year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes.
- Former Ranger Anson Carter is expected to sign with the Canucks.
Bird gives us some reasons to be cheerful in the latest Birdcage.
Build a solid young core from within. Sounds like fun. When does camp start?
HDH
Posted by Jim at August 17, 2005 12:01 PMeMail this entry!
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