I don't think a Poti trade will happen any time soon.

Now perhaps my opinion is as scarce as a win at the
Igloo; and certainly it is not a future embraced by
most Ranger fans.

And I know that a pleth ... um, many scouts have
been attending Ranger games likely with Poti in their
sights. But it takes two to dance, and unless the
return is stellar, I don't see Sather (or Maloney)
pulling the trigger right now.

Here's why ...

Trade Bait Operations

When a player is on the block, they are customarily
showcased and put into positions to succeed. Poti
has been in the doghouse more than the blueline.

I know Lundmark was traded without a showcase,
butthe expectations were different. Jamie was a
playerwith minimal success at the NHL level -
Poti has beenan All-Star, albeit as Leetch's
replacement.

Our Roster

The Rangers roster is full, and there is no need for
depth defensemen. Unlike the recent trades for
parallel disappointments (Lundmark-Taffe), a Poti
trade requires a return that will stabilize a shaky
defense.

So unless his inclusion in a package brings a talent
like Boynton (no longer an option), then you might as
well stop believing that a trade wil happen any minute.

The Renney Solution

But there is another solution, and it comes in the form
of coaching - a mystical concept that Ranger fans have
not seen around MSG since the last century.

Not picked up by the general media yet, Renney is
giving Poti the Tortorella-Lecavalier treatment.

The goal is to raise the expectations of daily
performance for a player who is willing to coast on
talent alone.

Judging by his recent comments, more is needed:

"The first time he sat me out, I bounced back
great," Poti said after the morning skate. "I thought
I played five awesome games right in a row, doing
what I was supposed to do - carrying the puck,
joining the rush, making plays, creating offense."

Though Poti did have moments in recent games,
a description of his play as "great" and "awesome"
show that he must set higher expectations for his
own play. The quote shows complacency.

"Then against the Islanders (Thursday), I had an
average game - I thought the whole team played
average. And I'm the only one that gets sat out."

What Poti fails to comprehend is that his play is not,
and should not, be benchmarked against his teammates.

Tyutin and Kondratiev are rookies, and they are
expected to make mistakes and develop through
game situations; and a guy like Roszival does not
have the same ceiling as Poti.

Poti is being measured against his potential and
his experience, a unique set of criteria.

And if you step back and think long-term,
this approach would be intelligent and strategic.

Poti has talent that has yet to be unlocked. If
Renney can raise the player's expectation of himself,
then we've added either a significant player or a
stellar trading chip.

Yes, a bag of pucks would be nice. But we can
always get that later in the year if Renney doesn't
succeed.

-Gabe

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