As the Rangers prepare to play the Isles, the beat writers have decided to pick up on the story that RFA-to-be Nik Zherdev and the Blueshirts have begun negotiations for a new contract.
Unfortunately the "him" in my headline is not Nik Zherdev. It's Glen Sather.
Giving Glen the ability to negotiate contracts, especially long-term deals, is like giving the keys to a 95 year old man who can't see over the steering wheel. He may have once had the ability to drive, but that day has long past and now he can't even see the road.
Talking to Z is a lot more reasonable than, say, handing a six year deal to an underachieving 31 year old defenseman who was ran out of his last city. But the only thing that mercurial Zherdev has proven thus far in his tenure as a Ranger is that he is unreliable. To hand a player like that a long term deal is simply dangerous. Yes, Z could turn into a game-breaking skill forward like Ilya Kovalchuk. He could also get bored of the NHL in a year or two and run home like Alexei Morozov. Or he could simply turn into an albatross around the neck of the Rangers like ... I donno, Scott Gomez.
Big money, long-term contracts should be reserved home grown products who have bright futures. They should not be handed to players heading into the downside of their careers (Redden), players who have never averaged a point per game (Chris Drury), players who have no heart (Gomez) or players who were other teams' problems (Z).
While the thought of allowing a player with Z's talent slip away is a little saddening, as an RFA the Rangers would get draft picks in return. Then again, if he would be so inclined to come back on a one or two year stint at a reasonable rate then, sure, bring him back. But to just throw cash blindly at players of dubious talent/character/motivation is just foolish.
Glen, please, put the pen down and step away from the desk. Slowly, slowly, slowly ...
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10 comments:
what do you think. im saying 16 million over four years. i dont see him getting anything less. he made 3.5 this season. but yeah your right, this is just another chance for sather to continue to suck
That's right Scotty...get rid of Z for draft picks so we can get the next Hugh Jessiman?
Z is our best player and will be for years to come. Re-signing him is the right move. Staal, Dubie, and Z and the rest of the youth need to stay.
This may actually be a good move by Sather. If Z turns it on towards the end of the season he'll demand more and may go to an arbitrator. This way Sather can say hey bud, look what you're doing now, you ain't worth that much. Understand what I'm saying?
I think Ryan is right and the deal will be at least four mil per, which will help kill the team. Remember that pretty much every young Ranger is up after this season as an RFA (Pru, Korp, Dubi, Cally, Dawsie, Sjo) with Girardi and Staal coming up after next. To spend big money on a guy who has had four stretches of five games or more where he hasn't scored a goal is ridiculous.
Benson - Z is far from our best. Most talented? Perhaps. Best? Not even close. Waaaay too unmotivated to be the best.
How is Z far from the best player on the team? He is leading the team with 37 points and a +6 rating, combined with his talent, why wouldnt we jump up to resign him.
A teams 'best' player doesn't equate to the teams 'best' scorer. A teams' best player is one who is reliable, plays and succeeds in all situations (pp, pk, 4 on 4).
People need to put down their fantasy hockey stats sheet when evaluating what goes on on the ice.
Z is surely the most skilled, but not the best. If he IS the best player, Rangers are in trouble.
I'd rather have Z than Korppi, Sjostrom or Dawes...these guys great players, but solid 3rd liners and nothing more. Agree with you about keeping Dubie and Cally.
I want them to re-sign Z. But i'm also under the impression that their will a cap clearing trade. most likely rozsival. Maybe even Gomez.
Z is much more proven then Korpi and Dawes. He will only be 24 at the start of next season. a year older then Korpi and the same age as Dawes. I love how you think 4 mill for Z will help kill the team. The reason the team is up against the salary cap # is the terrible signings of Gomez and Redden. Sather should of signed Drury (less years) and Rosy not all 4. I don't get the lovefest for Sjostrom either. What has he done? He is good on the PK and then what else? nothing. Prucha obviously won't be resigned since Renney hates him. Keep Dubi, Dawes, Cally, Staal, Girardi and Z around for as long as possible. all will be 25 or under at the start of next season.
Brother - the only Z has proven is that he has no heart or passion to play hockey. He is too mercurial to be trustworthy. Maybe, like with Alex Kovalev, he will grow out of it in five years or so.
And yes, I think that the deal would help kill the Rangers, because of the deals you made. The contracts given to Gomez, Redden and Drury suck, and they suck hard. And they aren't going anywhere. Add on top of it a medium-sized deal to a player with no heart and you are in even more trouble ...
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