I decided to break up my theory on how to fix the Rangers into multiple parts….probably 2 of them. Part 1 is going to be a serious look on how I would fix the Rangers, and Part 2 (and above) will be a funnier look on how to do it.
So let’s start us off with one huge, major, gigantic, massively important statement. It may be impossible to fix these Rangers.
That is the cornerstone for this post, and is probably the single biggest reason why the Rangers had a decade of despair. If you are prepared for the fact that some things can not be fixed, and prepare for the inevitability of having to start semi-over, then you are in a position to make a plan, and outline what you would, and wouldn’t do to solve our problems in a step by step manner.
Also, it is important to recognize that you hardly ever can just have 1 thing completely turn around a team. It is very rare a team makes a minor trade like getting Sean Avery, and suddenly turns into legit playoff contenders overnight. Therefore, even though the stipulations of the contest put forth by Eric and Steve states that we are talking about just 1 fix, I simply can not abide by that rule. Hence why I am including Part 2, that gives the guys many different, slightly more humorous choices to choose from.
Fix the 3rd pair.
If you read this blog at all, or you listen to Steve on the NYRangersCast, then you know we both simply abhor seeing Jason ECHL Strudwick out there, and we both agree that Marek Malik simply can no longer play for this team. Therefore it is unacceptable that on any given night, at least one, if not BOTH of these nimrods are out there for huge shift after huge shift. I am sorry, but a club that boasts Jaromir Jagr, Scotty Gomez, Brendan Shanahan, and a number of other big time players, should not have to rely on defenseman who hardly qualify as NHL caliber. This lies solely on the shoulder of Glen Sather, who MUST make a move to acquire an able 3rd pairing defenseman that Tom Renney feels comfortable playing shift in and shift out. I stated the last sentence in that manner because it is very possible that the answer resides in Hartford this very minute. Mike Sauer, and Ivan Baranka, both recently back from injuries, are easily better than Strudwick and Malik…probably combined, however both players being so young probably scares the coach, who already has 3 defenseman who are just learning to use their razors. I do not think we need a Pronger, Lidstrom, or Kaberle to fix our D, I just think we need a 6th guy that we can feel 100% confident about, night in and night out. We need a guy who plays a strong game, preferably physical, but who plays good angles, and does NOT put his partner in bad situation after bad situation. Who is this guy? I don’t know, but if I was Glen Sather, I would be calling every single team out there to see who is available. Do not try to fix this with a Jovanovski, or a different long term, high priced player. Get a player whose contract is going to expire this year, or next year. Otherwise, give Baranka and Sauer a chance, tell Renney he has no choice but to play those 2, and at least see what they can do, because let’s be honest, they simply can not be worse than Malik or Strudwick.
This move must be made immediately, yesterday would be ideal. Once you get the new defenseman, give the team ~5 games to get back on track, and start winning games convincingly, if after 5 or so games the team is still playing terrible, inconsistent hockey, proceed to step 2. Otherwise your problems are probably solved. By making a minor shakeup, you send the message to the team that losing is unacceptable, and that if we don’t turn this around, more dead weight will be removed.
Fire Tom Renney.
I’ve taken all that I can take, and I can take no more. I’ve held my tongue till these past few games, but it’s time. If getting that 6th player, and giving Renney another few games to get this thing working doesn’t motivate the team (and the coach) to start playing all 3 zones well for all 3 periods, then he is not the guy to lead this team. Simply put, Renney makes questionable decisions, at questionable times, to put his team in less than favorable position to win these games. If that wasn’t enough the guy is handed one of the most talented Rangers team we have seen in a long while (since the decade of despair for sure), with an all-world goalie, and a highly underrated defense (sans Strudwick/Malik) and can’t get them to play a proper team game for 60 minutes. This team needs someone who will be that hardass who get’s his team going. My personal choice is Jim Schoenfeld, however now that he is the AGM, I just don’t see him taking on both responsibilities. Pat Quinn is another interesting choice as well. I would personally try to sign Kevin Cheveldayoff of the Chicago Wolves to be another assistant GM, to take over some of Schoenfelds responsibilities, and have 2 AGM’s, then give Jim the head coaching job if he will take it. If at all possible, keep Renney on as an assistant coach, because ideally that is what he should be doing.
Try this till right before the trade deadline. If it works, then your problem is solved, if it doesn’t proceed to Step 3.
Trade players who will not be long term solutions.
Once the trade deadline approaches there should be as many as 27 teams all vying for playoff spots. Assuming the Rangers aren’t one of them, or are towards the bottom of the list of teams fighting for a playoff spot, it would be a near perfect time to trade away some talent that is not going to help this team long term.
The Rangers have quite a few players that are highly desirable for other teams, none of who have no trade clauses. As you approach the trade deadline your salary becomes less of an issue to teams interested in acquiring some short term talent to put them over the top. Especially if the players salaries are for this year only.
The reason this would be the perfect year to trade these guys away is simple. Supply and demand. There are going to be about 27 teams all looking to be buyers, and not sellers. There are going to be about 3 teams looking to be sellers not buyers. Lots of people who want talent, very few people to give up that talent, that means the talent is going to be VERY expensive to acquire, or put another way, it means you can demand a kings ransom for a player that can legitimately push another team over the top.
Last year the Blues gave up Keith Tkachuk for a first and third round pick from the 2007 draft, plus a second rounder in 2008 and center Glen Metropolit. Think a winner like Brendan Shanahan could fetch a first in 08, a first in 09 and a high ranking prospect? I sure do. How about Jaromir Jagr…probably the same thing? Martin Straka might fetch a first and a third. Michal Rozsival might be the biggest jewel of all, hes young, hes good, and hes cheap. He could easily fetch the same Shanny could get, if not more. Mara could fetch a 3rd, one would think, and Malik might fetch a pack of 3 Musketeers….even 2 if we throw in Strudwick.
So, hypothetically, heading into the 2 deepest drafts since 2003 the Rangers could have 2 of their own first rounders, possibly 3 additional first rounders in 2008 and 2 more first rounders in 2009, not to mention 2 packs of 3 Musketeers, and we all love 3 Musketeers don’t we? 7 first rounders in 2 years, and maybe a high prospect or 2. Not to mention since our team will obviously not compete after the purge, our pick would be very high. Doughty or Beach anyone? Maybe even trade up and get Stamkos?
Obviously I am not rooting for this team to go down the toilet, I would absolutely love it if they could turn this ship around, and do so for not just 1 or 2 games, but for 20 or 25 games in a row, where they win 17-20 games. There is far too much talent for this team to be performing this badly, but if we are going to be bad, then we should not try the bandaid approach that led to a decade long drought, we need to be able to cut our losses, and accept a 1/2 season of mediocrity. Hell, you can’t tell me you wouldn’t be interested in seeing this lineup, if for nothing else, just to see what we may have in the future. (some players are out of position, obviously):
Dawes Gomez Moore
Prucha Drury Anisimov
Avery Dubinsky Callahan
Hossa Betts Korpikoski
Staal Sauer
Tyutin Girardi
Baranka Mara (if you cant trade him, or dont want to go that deep into Hartford)
That lineup may not be very competitive, but I’ll tell you what, that lineup will bust their butts for each and every second they are out there, hoping beyond hope to earn a spot next year. And while that may mean 1/2 a year of mediocre hockey, that frees up enough cap space to sign a vet or 2 (short term) and frees up spots for Sanguinetti, and Cherepanov, as well as any other players that are ready to be called up.
Part 2 coming either tomorrow, or Sunday.