First Martin Straka bolted for his homeland, then he didn't. First Sather wasn't going to talk to his free agents before July 1st, now he's desperate to hear from Jaromir Jagr. First Brian Campbell was going to be the team's #1 UFA traget, now it might be Sundin.
Here's what I do know: I don't know anything. And neither do you, so stop laughing at me.
Ok, so after my hockey obituary on Marty Straka yesterday, his agent comes out and denies that he has signed with his hometown team in the Czech Republic. We'll see, but I still think he's done, and I still want to thank him for all he's done. Thanks, bye, wonderful, great.
Now on to more pressing matters . . .
Is it me, or for the first time is there a hint of desperation in Glen Sather's words? When speaking to reporters yesterday, he had this to say about Jaromir Jagr, who may have a $35 million dollar contract waiting for him in Russia:
"I talked with [Jagr's agent] Brisson last week in Ottawa before the draft and I told him we wanted to do a deal," the GM said at the practice rink on the third day of the Rangers' prospects evaluation camp. "But there's been no communication back on their end.
"He has all the strings. There's nothing more that I can do at this point. If he wants to become a free agent and see what else is out there for him whether it's in the NHL or in Europe, that's his privilege.
"I know that he's told me before that he doesn't want to play in Europe, but at this point, I honestly don't know what he's thinking."
So is someone finally making Sather sweat? Which leads to a few other questions . . .
1) Is Mats Sundin actually Sather's #1 target this offseason?
2) If he is, what happened to Brian Campbell?
3) If Jagr bolts for Russia or elsewhere, is Sundin STILL Sather's #1 target?
If the answer to question #3 is 'yes', I am going to be livid. Does Glen Sather really think it is a good idea to bring in a 37-year-old center to replace your 36-year-old right winger? Who is going to play with the big swede, Prucha and Dawes? Please.
And what about Campbell? Word had been that he was going to be speaking to Eastern Conference teams, and the Rangers were one of them. This is the signing that would make more sense in the long run, unless they anticipate both Sanguinetti and Del Zotto making huge strides sooner than later. I don't believe that is the case, and the Blueshirts might end up a little short on the Blueline again.
Sundin has scored 105 points on the power play over the last three seasons, but that was with some outstanding offensive defensemen in Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle running the point with the man advantage. Would he have that success with Christian Backman and/or Michal Rozsival back there? I think not.
Maybe it'll all come together by Tuesday, but I just can't figure out what the plan is. I'm so confused.
Posted by jim at June 27, 2008 09:52 AMeMail this entry!
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