Sather On Thin Ice? Doubtful
GM Glen Sather’s relationship with the New York Rangers fans has been rocky at best. His free agent signings in the post-lockout era have been questionable at best. His one saving grace is his ability to make great trades, dealing from spare parts or strengths in an attempt to fill holes and make the team better. There are some fans that absolutely hate him, and want him gone yesterday. There are others, like myself, who believe that he is doing a better job than most realize, but a few signings really overshadow some of his other, more shrewd moves.
In a recent column by E.J. Hradek (ESPN Insider, sorry), Hradek says there are grumblings that Sather might step aside as GM, assume his role as President, and give the GM reins to Mark Messier.
To this, I say bull. There are essentially two problems with these “rumors”. First, Sather is not “stepping down” or being asked to “move aside” any time soon. He has been given the greatest job security in the world, and would probably have to kill someone in the Dolan family to be removed from his post. Second, Messier better not be the new GM so soon. Yes, he is being groomed for the job, but there is absolutely no way that he is ready to take these reins for next season. To become a successful GM, you need years (note: plural) of experience. I would not feel comfortable with Messier at the helm.
Until it actually happens, I will never believe that Sather is going to retire, step down, get fired, etc. I’m actually thoroughly convinced he is a robot, and I will never see another GM of the Rangers as long as I live.
By Matt, February 3, 2010 @ 11:28 am
How much is Mess involved you think…to get the feel for it? And how long you think he would need before he got the job?
By Dave, February 3, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
I don’t know how involved he is, they are being very mum on that.
To be honest, I think he needs to go up through the ranks. Let Schoenfeld take over as GM, and give Messier the Assistant GM job. Let him see if he can handle the pressure before he’s dropped in the fire. Business 101.
Bettman's Nightmare Reply:
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:26 pm
I was going to say, isn’t Messier in a kind-of Dwight Schrute position in the management?
By Adam, February 3, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
Jim Schoenfeld is the most qualified to take over….actually may be more qualified than Sather himself. Love Mess but it would be a travesty if Jim were not next in line if Sather unexpectedly stepped down.
By Jordan, February 3, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Sather isn’t doing a HORRIBLE job.
Is he a top 5 GM in the league, no.
But is he middle of the pack, I’d say so.
We all know his track record with free agency isn’t too great, but his trade record is pretty darn good as of late, Gomez was traded for a player that later netted Jokinen + a top 20 prospect, Kotalik was essentially dumped, Lisin has been no worse and I’d say slightly better than Korpikoski this season.
Christensen was picked up off the scrap heap and has been more productive than anyone expected so far, so much so that he’s earned top line minutes and should earn some more.
At some point the blame has to be put on the players for not producing. At least Slats could have picked up a few garbage goals in his day. This team right now can’t buy a goal from anyone not named Gaborik.
We all thought this team would score multiple goals a night a couple months ago. No one anticipated another round of scoring droughts. It doesn’t all fall on Sather, it has to fall on Drury, the entire defense, Avery, Lisin, Dubinsky, etc.
Kotalik has the 6th highest point total on this team. That says something. And things like that don’t all point to “Fire Sather!”