Sunday, August 16, 2009

Prospal And Torts Back Together Again? and Sather Says To His New Apprentice "You're Hired"

Some interesting New York Rangers news today:

TSN: It appears as though Vaclav Prospal's time on the unemployment line was a brief one as the New York Post is reporting the veteran forward has signed with the New York Rangers.

According to the Post, the deal is for one-season and is worth $1.1 million.

The 34-year old Czech Republic native became a free agent earlier in the summer when the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the final three years of a four-year, $14 million contract. He had 19 goals and 26 assists in 82 games for the Bolts last season.

The move will reunite Prospal with John Tortorella who Prospal coached Prospal in two separate stints with Tampa Bay.

THE DARK RANGER SAYS: This is a great signing for one year and just over one million bucks - please tell me why half of our signings are not this reasonable and fair?, not to mention this is a guy that can (will) deliver 50-55 points a year -- there is chemistry with the up-tempo-coaching methods of Coach Tortorella and they have history and trust together. Works for me --- plus I cannot help that some major trade will be happening with all these signings....Dubi is in limbo with this team as Slats is shopping his ass and looking for one of the big rumored trades out there. Richards later in the season, Heatly, Bertuzzi -- who the hell knows, but this we do know.....DUBINSKY IS NOT SIGNED (something is happening here in Rangerland, folks) AND ONE WOULD THINK THAT DUBI'S AGENT IS IN TANDEM WITH SLATS TO GIVE HIS CLIENT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A LARGER AND MORE LUCRATIVE CONTRACT, WHILE SATISFYING THE RANGERS NEED TO SEEK A MORE EXPERIENCED GABORIK PLAYMAKING CENTER.

Mark Messier is returning to the New York Rangers and will serve as special assistant to president Glen Sather, the team announced on Sunday.

"I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to move back to New York with my family, to learn from Glen and to work for the Rangers," Messier told the New York Post during a phone interview. "I'm going to come in and get my feet wet and get an overview of how the business runs and how the team runs and take it from there."

According to the Post, former Rangers head coach Tom Renney asked Messier about working with the team's coaching staff last season. The newspaper went on to say Messier interviewed for the Edmonton Oilers head coaching position earlier this summer. The Post was the first media outlet to report Messier was taking the position with the Rangers.

The 48-year-old is hoping to learn more about the front office side of hockey with his new position.

"I think I have a pretty good eye for talent, but really, there are so many things about the management and business side of the game that I've never been exposed to. So I'm going to soak it all in and learn as much as I can about what it takes on that end to build a champion."

For his part, Messier believes his playing career will provide valuable experience in his new position.

"I think I bring a little different perspective to the organization after and playing in the NHL for 25 years and playing in New York for 10 years," Messier told the Post. "I understand what a player needs to succeed in this environment that's riddled with pressure to win."

THE DARK RANGER SAYS: It's about time. Though, I hate being second fiddle to Edmonton as that job was already filled.

3 comments:

  1. prospal was a solid signing, i just hope sather doesn't have any big plans tucked up his sleeve.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ohhh i absolutely do not doubt it and i'm quite fearful of the shanagans hes plannin on pullin

    ReplyDelete

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