Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. “Ding Dong The Witch is Dead!”
Glen Sather, a man who I’ve probably written a million words about between both my books and this site, and a tricky old cigar-chomping codger who had Rangers’ owner, James Dolan, under his spells, hexes and curses for the past 24-years, finally announced his departure from the Blueshirts on June 26th, 2024 – where now and moving ahead – this date may as well be as celebrated as much as June 14th, 1994 is by every resident of Rangerstown, USA.
That’s how tragic, devastating and outright awful that Glen “If I had the Rangers’ payroll, then I’d win the Stanley Cup every year” Sather was for this franchise.
As repeatedly mentioned throughout the years – how bad was Sather’s run in the Big Apple?
(This is where you reply with “HOW BAD WAS IT?”)
So bad, that the cloak-and-dagger & on-the-take Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee (more on them below) should hold an emergency vote – and then decide if Sather should be removed from their hallowed halls – and for everything that he “accomplished” once leaving Edmonton following the events of the 1999-2000 season.
If I’ve said it once, then I’ve said it a billion times – when it comes to the history of sports in NYC – then no other man lasted longer as either a general manager or team president (and Sather held both of these titles) and won less (as in ZERO) than Sather did under James “My beat reporters must never mention that I’m currently involved in a sexual assault lawsuit with my buddy Harvey Weinstein” Dolan.
And even Dolan, who actually continued to employ the man who cost him over $15M in sexual harassment lawsuits, former Knicks and Liberty head-honcho Isiah Thomas, eventually came to his senses when he gave the former Piston his pink slip from the Knicks in April of 2008.
Conversely, big mouth Sather wasn’t even fired after 24-years of failure.
Instead, the recently-turned octogenarian retired and left the Rangers under his own accord.
The kicker?
What the Blueshirts said about Sather following his official departure – and where if you didn’t know any better – than you would’ve thought that Sather had an executive career in New York that rivaled Lester Patrick – a true Hall of Fame Ranger executive – and head coach to boot.
And for those young fans who don’t know who Lester Patrick is?
You can also blame Sather for that too – as Dolan’s number one and right-hand man omitted multiple life-long and Cup winning Blueshirts from the rafters of Madison $quare Garden.
Sadly and sickening?
I can see Dolan, and the man that was Sather’s co-conspirator, Chris Drury, when ousting the franchise’s previous regime, hoisting up a banner in honor of the worst and longest-tenured manager in franchise history sometime next season.
UGH!
Before getting into everything Sather (and everything else that I’ve yet to cover as well), and as I presently feel like Willy Wonka too (“We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it!”); congratulations are in order for the Florida Panthers, who on Monday night, and at the risk of becoming a historical footnote whenever a team finds themselves leading 3-0 in a championship series, were able to stave off the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, in the final game, a Game 7 no less, of this 2023-24 season.
Despite what happened to the Rangers – I can’t hate on the Panthers.
They did it the right way – and even if they hit a major road bump between their third and fourth wins of the series.
And that statement (or opinion) includes the fact that Sergei Bobrovsky, as the league’s highest-paid goaltender, finally debunked my writings (and precautions) that remained true ever since the inception of the salary-cap era – “no team will ever win a Stanley Cup with the league’s highest-paid goalie.”
After all – nothing lasts forever (not even cold “November Rain”) – and some goalie was eventually bound to break through as the exception to the rule.
(The only other goalie to accomplish what Bobrovsky did was another fellow Russian residing in Florida – Tampa’s Andrei Vasilevskiy – but as explained about 98767867986967986 times before – his Cup win in 2021 comes with two asterisks – *the pandemic and *Nikita Kucherov on LTIR. In other words, Bobrovsky was the true “rule-breaker” to this once solid rule.)
It should also be mentioned in this space that Bobrovsky and Vasileskiy have another thing in common:
Both goalies play in a state where no income taxes are to be had.
In other words, I can now revise my now 18-year thought to this:
“No highest-paid goalie from a franchise where state income taxes are levied will ever win the Stanley Cup.”
Prove me wrong CZAR IGOR – who is most likely to become the highest-paid goalie in the league – and starting with the 2025-26 season.
And prove me wrong time-and-time again too!
Some final thoughts on the 2023-24 season – and the Stanley Cup Final too:
Going into the series – then I didn’t really care who would prevail.
But as the series progressed – then yeah – I was hoping to see history – the Oilers overcoming a 0-3 hole – and then winning their first Stanley Cup since the days of Mark Messier.
While that didn’t happen, what did happen was this reminder for the 2024 Conn Smythe winner:
Not even Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, the two best Oilers in franchise history, and a pair of Edmonton men that McDavid draws a ton of comparisons with too, won during their first Stanley Cup Final of their careers.
And what team #11 and #99 lost to in the 1983 Stanley Cup Final doesn’t need any mentioning here either!
But I can tell you that both Messier and Gretzky won in their Stanley Cup Final return – and as they did in 1984 when they vanquished the New York Islanders!
I don’t think that I’ll find much push back on this line of thinking:
When Florida took a 3-0 lead, and even when it looked like this series had “gentleman’s sweep” written all over it following the events of Game 4; then hands-down – and providing that Florida prevailed in Game 5 – then Sergei Bobrovsky would have won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
And while I understand that no one dreams of winning the Conn Smythe Trophy and that this debate is low on the food chain too – I still can’t comprehend how McDavid, who was fantastic throughout the playoffs, was named as the MVP of the tournament following his pair of no shows (no points) in the two biggest and greatest games of the year – Games 6 and 7.
If anything, and while I was leaning Bobrovsky (as he was also fantastic throughout the tournament), then Panthers center, Aleksander Barkov, should have got the crown – as he was the one who was able to shut down the best player in hockey.
I should also include that I’m not against a player from the losing side winning the Smythe Trophy – and had McDavid added a few points in Games 6 and 7 – then I wouldn’t be saying anything about this right now either.
But when you boil it all down, and when taking into consideration how well both of them played throughout the whole playoffs too – then both Bobrovsky and Barkov deserved this trophy more than McDavid.
And that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
And while speaking of both stories and the Oilers; at this time, let’s get back to Sather.
For the sake of posterity, here’s what the Rangers officially had to say about the worst general manager and team president in all of NYC sports history, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/glen-sather-announces-retirement :
After an illustrious Hall of Fame career that spanned six decades in hockey as a player, head coach, and front office executive, Glen Sather, Senior Advisor to the Owner and Alternate Governor, announced today that he is retiring from his position with the Rangers and professional hockey.
“Having the opportunity to be associated with the National Hockey League, and specifically the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers, has been one of the great privileges of my life,” Sather said. “I want to thank Jim Dolan for giving me the chance to work for the Rangers 24 years ago and for his consistent guidance and friendship. I want to thank everyone in the Rangers organization for their dedication and pursuit of excellence throughout the years, as well as the family atmosphere they helped create. I would also like to thank the great Rangers fans for their passion and loyalty. This experience is something I will always treasure.”
“From the time he joined the Rangers organization 24 years ago, Glen Sather has been the consummate professional,” said James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. “I am thankful for the friendship that Glen and I have had over these many years and for the success he helped bring the Rangers franchise during his tenure. Glen, Ann, and his family will always be a part of the Rangers and Madison Square Garden family, and I wish them all the best in the years ahead.”
“I would like to congratulate Glen on his tremendous career,” said Chris Drury, Rangers President and General Manager. “I will forever be grateful to Glen for giving me the opportunity to play for the Rangers, and I was so fortunate to lean on him for guidance as I began my own career in the front office. I wish Glen – along with Ann and the entire Sather family – best of luck in the next chapter of their lives.”
Over nearly half a century as a front office executive in the NHL, Sather illustrated why he is one of the great architects in the history of hockey management. Sather, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, won five Stanley Cups as a general manager, and he was also the head coach of his team for four of those five Stanley Cup Championships. Sather is one of only two people in hockey history who won at least four Stanley Cups as both a head coach and a general manager (along with Punch Imlach). At the time when Sather’s tenure as a general manager ended in July of 2015, he held the NHL record for career regular season games (2,700) and career regular season wins (1,319) by a general manager.
Sather joined the Rangers organization on June 1, 2000, when he was named President and General Manager. He served as Rangers President for his first 19 years in the organization (2000-01 – 2018-19) and was the team’s General Manager for the first 14 seasons of his tenure with the Blueshirts (2000-01 – 2014-15). Over the 14 seasons that Sather was Rangers General Manager, he earned more wins (556) and held the position for more games (1,114) than any general manager in franchise history.
Sather oversaw one of the most successful eras in franchise history. Over a 12-season span from 2005-06 – 2016-17, the Rangers were one of four NHL teams that reached the playoffs 11 times and were the only NHL team that was not mathematically eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs prior to the start of a regular season game during the stretch. New York played in more playoff games than any NHL team over a six-year stretch from 2011-12 – 2016-17 (93) and was the only NHL team that won at least one playoff series in five of those six seasons. In Sather’s final year as General Manager in 2014-15, the team he assembled earned 53 wins and 113 points – establishing single-season franchise records at the time – and captured the Presidents’ Trophy for the third time in franchise history.
Sather held the role of Senior Advisor to the Owner and Alternate Governor for the final five years of his tenure with the Rangers. During those five years, the Blueshirts advanced to the Eastern Conference Final twice in a three-season span and won the Presidents’ Trophy for having the NHL’s best regular season record in 2023-24. Sather also served as Rangers Head Coach during his tenure with the organization, holding the role from January 30, 2003 to February 25, 2004.
During his time with the Oilers organization, Sather led Edmonton to five Stanley Cup Championships in a seven-year span (1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90). As both the Oilers’ Head Coach and General Manager from November 22, 1980 through the conclusion of the 1988-89 season, Edmonton posted a 414-202-86 record in 702 regular season games and had the most wins in the NHL over the span. While Sather oversaw the Oilers as the team’s General Manager, Edmonton captured two Presidents’ Trophies, six division titles, and six conference championships. In Stanley Cup Playoff action as Edmonton’s General Manager, Sather’s teams compiled a 133-82 record in 215 games.
Sather served as a head coach in 932 NHL regular season games with the Oilers and Rangers, compiling a record of 497-307-121-7. In 126 Stanley Cup playoff games, Sather posted a record of 89-37, and his .706 winning percentage in the playoffs is the best by any head coach in NHL history. The recipient of the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year in 1985-86, Sather immediately joined the coaching ranks upon his retirement as a player following the 1976-77 season, as he led the Oilers to 12 straight WHA and NHL playoff appearances, four Stanley Cup Championships, and five Stanley Cup Finals appearances between 1977 and 1989. Sather added the title of General Manager in June of 1980 and held the role for 20 seasons (1980-81 – 1999-00).
Sather’s management experience and success also carried over to the international arena. He served as Team Canada’s General Manager and Coach for the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. In addition, Sather guided Team Canada’s 1994 Canada Cup Championship, and he was the General Manager of the gold medal-winning team in the 1994 World Hockey Championship.
During his playing career, Sather spent parts of 10 seasons in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, and Minnesota North Stars. In 658 regular season games, the left winger tallied 80 goals and 113 assists for 193 points, along with 724 penalty minutes. As a member of the Rangers, Sather appeared in 186 regular season games over parts of four seasons (1970-71 – 1973-74), recording 18 goals and 24 assists for 42 points, along with 193 penalty minutes. In addition, he was a member of the 1971-72 Rangers club which advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.
There is so much to be said about Sather’s terrible 24-year tenure with the Rangers, where during this tumultuous time, he was a general manager, a team president, a head coach, an alternate governor and a consultant too – and where really – I’ve already said it all about him.
For those new here, and since I don’t want to re-write everything that I’ve already said in the past – then at this time – I present to you these following links:
BCBS 6/26: Fully Examining The Era/Error of “Senile” Glen Sather at the Draft Year-by-Year, Taking a Look at Every Player Drafted & Ignored by Sather, The Greatest & Worst Picks in Sather’s NYR Tenure, Sather’s Terrible Trades, Why There’s Extreme Cause For Concern For Ranger Fans, Sather’s Highs & Many Lows, Looking At People Who Chart/Grade Drafts & More NYR/NHL News, Notes & Opinions
https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/nyrroh/
(I still have a dozen or so copies of this book (soft cover) laying around – and should you want an autographed copy – then contact me – and I’ll give you a special price of $10.)
https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/villains/
And for the grand-daddy of everything Sather related, the following:
For the complete history of Sather, then there is no other book or material better than “Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History” Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015) – and where for more information, then check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
I shared all of the links above just so I don’t have to rewrite about the few hits – and many misses – that occurred with Sather calling the shots for the Rangers.
Everything that I’ve ever needed to say about Sather is in those texts – and where again – Volume III says it all.
But today, and with Sather now gone, I do want to chime in some new stuff for my regular readers – aka the people who’ve already read all of the material linked above.
For starters, and for as sick and as demented as this may sound; very often, when trying to go to sleep, I have this dream where I win the biggest Powerball of all-time – and after paying off any debts that my family members may have, while also creating deep-pocketed college funds for my nieces too – I then go out and buy the Rangers from Dolan.
After all – it’s not like he cares about this team.
During every single one of these fantasies and REM sequences, do you know what my first decision is as the new boss of the Blueshirts?
I fire Glen Sather.
(Second decision? I install my “Rink of Honor” idea – while also honoring every legend from Rangers’ past such as the Cook brothers, Frank Boucher, Ivan Johnson, Bryan Hextall, et al.)
As noted to the point of exhaustion on this site following the Blueshirts’ 2024 Eastern Conference Final loss – I’m not so high on the team’s chances next year – and for one reason only:
It’s so hard to get back.
It’s even more unlikely to reach three Eastern Conference Finals in a four-year time-span too.
Simply put – the teams that missed the playoffs and failed in the first two-rounds usually improve in the following season.
Furthermore, the Rangers were relatively healthy when compared to everyone else (every team has injuries – the Rangers just had less of them) – and there’s no guarantee that fact remains next season either.
It’s why that 2024 loss was so crushing – and the worst playoff loss in franchise history too.
(For more, then check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/24finale/ and https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/61424/ ).
But for as “glass half-empty” and as pessimistic that I am whenever thinking about the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup in 2025 – then this Sather news is like a gigantic ray of sunshine – sunshine so bright that the entire Big Apple is illuminated in its infinite awesomeness.
As an official “Rangers’ Historian” as decreed by “The Maven” Stan Fischler (and where with such a title – and $1,000 too – then yours truly can enter M$G!) – then I’m left wondering this:
Is Sather’s exile (admittedly of his own doing – and not one that should’ve taken place decades ago – and where I’ll never forgive this moron for trading away Brian Leetch – and hiring Bryan Trottier too) the next curse that this franchise will overcome?
The first and second “official curses” in franchise history took place within a time-span of six-years.
The first curse took place following the Rangers’ third Stanley Cup win in 1940.
Once winning hockey’s holy chalice, the powers-to-be at M$G celebrated the victory by burning their mortgage into the bowl of the Cup – as “The World’s Most Famous Arena” was now paid off – and with no more debt remaining to lenders.
Of course, a bunch and bevy of other things took place from 1940 through 1994 (and as detailed in my “Ranger Killers/Villains” book linked above) – but as the years moved on, and with the Blueshirts extending a Cup drought that eventually hit the 54-year mark – and this act of defiance (some may say “desecration” too) – a symbolical burning into a a sacred object – led many to believe that the almighty HOCKEY GODS had vexed the Blueshirts for this unholy ceremony.
The second curse took place in 1946 (and again – check out https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/villains/ for the full story) when Red Dutton, after being screwed over by the Rangers following the events of World War II, most infamously declared, “The Rangers will never win another Stanley Cup in my lifetime!”
Dutton, who had his precious New York Americans taken away from him and banished from the league because the lowly Rangers, in a post World War II world, were at risk of going under themselves, thus not wanting any competition in their market, died in 1987 – and just a few months shy of what would’ve been his 90th birthday.
(It was also the league’s decision to put the Amerks on hiatus in 1942 which then ultimately led to the Original Six Era from 1942-1967.)
And true to his word – from 1946, when Dutton first proclaimed that the Rangers would never win another Cup as long as he was drawing breaths, and to 1987, a time-span of 41-years – and the Blueshirts could never overcome what eventually became known as “Dutton’s Curse.”
The third curse in franchise history, and one, and like these other two, only grew over time because of another long Cup Drought, is when Sam Rosen in 1994 – or seven-years after Dutton’s passing – said, “AND THIS ONE WILL LAST A LIFETIME!”
We didn’t know it then – but it feels like it now – and I can’t think of another seven-word sentence that’s been more literal than this one.
In June of 2000, six-years removed from Rosen’s now infamous seven-words, a seven-word collection more vile than George Carlin’s – and James Dolan began what eventually became a 24-year professional relationship with Senile Sather – and Dolan had so much confidence and trust in Sather that he never bothered to question him either.
And there was surely a lot to question Sather about – and from day one.
(I say this in my books, but to reiterate it here – one reason why this was the case? Because the Rangers were always profitable. But lost in such thinking is the fact that Dolan owns a team in the league’s biggest market – where no matter win-or-lose – and don’t we know about the latter – then anyone could run this team – as at the end of the day – the team will still be generating billions of billions of Blueshirts’ bucks.)
With slimy Sather now exorcised from the franchise – should the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 2025 – then we’ll know who the true curse was – and in a spoiler – it won’t be Rosen!
And thanks to Brian Attard, from “The BlueTruth Show,” for illustrating my point too:
#NYR pic.twitter.com/FyOBUO48qV
— The BlueTruth Show (@BlueTruthSB) June 26, 2024
From the Department of “DUH”: I am not a fan of Glen Sather as an executive.
But I do want to stress – he was a great role-player for the franchise during the heyday of the Emile Francis era of Rangers.
Perhaps in an opinion not popular in Edmonton, but one that deserves high consideration in Rangerstown, USA, is this one:
Sather’s Hall of Fame career, due to his success with the Oilers, was exposed as a fraud after 24-years in New York.
In other words – anyone – including me or you – could’ve won a Stanley Cup with both Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky at the peak of their powers.
It should also be stated that Sather INHERITED both #11 and #99 in Edmonton (and exactly as Henrik Lundqvist was when he was drafted in 2000 by the Blueshirts – as Sather had nothing to do with that either).
And when you consider that other Hall of Famers, such as Grant Fuhr, Kevin Lowe, Jari Kurri and Glenn Anderson all had stays in Edmonton – and where this franchise also had their fair share of premier role-players too – and it only adds more weight to the idea that ANYONE, including Sather, could have won with those dynamic Oiler rosters.
But I will give Sather this:
By now, you already know that I talk with many members of the Rangers’ alumni.
In all of my conversations with this ilk – and all of them have said the same thing to me – “Sather has always treated me well.”
Granted, while such pleasantries are largely shared to me by players who either once played with or played under Sather – they have all recounted tales to me where Sather gets them tickets to anything that they want at M$G – and whether it be Knicks’ games, concerts, UFC fights, or whatever else that they desire to attend at the building located at 33rd and 7th.
And of course – no money is parted by these members of the alumni at Ranger games either.
It should also be brought to your attention that whenever a Ranger is in need of help, and whether it be of a medical or financial situation – and Sather, via Dolan’s checkbook, has been there with assistance.
One name that’s been helped in this way – and one that I’m only bringing up because he’s previously said it publicly?
Gilles Villemure, who was battling a real cancer – brain cancer – and who has overcome it too.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that Sather takes care of his own – and from all accounts – is a good guy if you can get to know him.
But as a Rangers’ executive – and when it comes to WINNING in New York?
An all-out and absolute failure.
Goodbye and Good Riddance!
Moving on – and let’s do so quickly – the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.
The following comes courtesy of https://www.hhof.com/induction/induction2024/pressreleases.html:
TORONTO (June 25, 2024) – Mike Gartner, Chair of the Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee, announced today that seven individuals have been elected to Hockey Hall of Fame Honoured Membership, in both the Player and Builder Category. The vote took place today at the annual meeting of the Selection Committee in Toronto.
“The Hockey Hall of Fame is proud to welcome these hockey legends as Honoured Members,” said Gartner. “Their contributions to the game of hockey are well documented and their election to the Hockey Hall of Fame is richly deserved.”
In the Builder Category, two individuals were elected.
Hockey has been Colin Campbell‘s life for the past 52 years: as a player, coach, and for the last 25 years as Senior Executive Vice President at the NHL’s Hockey Operations, Officiating, and Central scouting departments. Raised in Tillsonburg, ON, Colin has been involved in all facets of the game, including winning a Stanley Cup in 1994 as associate coach of the New York Rangers.
After his playing career, David Poile began his journey as an NHL executive with the Atlanta Flames in 1972. He moved with the Flames to Calgary for two seasons before being named the GM of the Washington Capitals in 1982, a job he held for 15 seasons. In 1997, David moved to Nashville as GM, a position he held until 2023. A member of the USA Hockey Hall of Fame, he is also the winningest longest tenured GM in NHL history.
“I’m happy for my family and for the life I have been able to live through hockey,” said Poile. “Thanks to the Selection Committee for this tremendous honour.”
In the Player Category, five individuals were elected.
A native of Saint Paul, Minnesota, Natalie Darwitz played for Eagan H.S. before joining the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in 2002. She led the Gophers to a national championship over Harvard in 2005, scoring the winning goal. Internationally, she played for the United States at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Olympic Games. Natalie also represented her country in eight world championships, winning Best Forward in 2008.
Pavel Datsyuk was born in Sverdlovsk, Russia on July 20, 1978. After playing in the KHL he joined the Detroit Red Wings in 2001 and played 14 NHL seasons, scoring 314 goals and 604 assists in 953 games. A four-time Lady Byng trophy winner, he also won Stanley Cups with Detroit in 2002 and 2008. In international play, Pavel played for Russia at the Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 (where he was team captain) and 2018. He won Olympic gold in 2018 and bronze in 2002.
“I have been lucky in my hockey life to this point,” said Datsyuk. “I would like to thank all of the people who have helped me along my way.”
Jeremy Roenick was born in Boston, MA, and went from Thayer Academy to the Hull Olympiques of the QMJHL in 1988. In 1989 he made the jump to the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played eight seasons before moving to the Phoenix Coyotes. In his 20 NHL seasons he played for five different teams. Internationally, he represented the United States on numerous occasions, earning a silver medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Jeremy finished his career as the second-highest American born goal scorer in NHL history.
“I’m so happy, I can’t thank everyone who was behind this honour enough,” said Roenick. “I’m at a loss for words and I’m never at a loss for words. Getting over this last hockey hurdle means so much to me.”
Born in Sicamous, BC, Shea Weber starred for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL, winning a Memorial Cup in 2004. After his Junior career he turned pro with the Nashville Predators in 2006 and was team captain for six seasons. In international play, he won gold with Canada at the Olympics in 2010 and 2014. Overall, Shea is a member of one of hockey’s most select clubs, winning the Western Hockey League twice, a Memorial Cup, World Juniors, World Championships and the Olympics.
Krissy Wendell-Pohl was born in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota and led Park Center High School to a state high school championship in 2000. Our second Golden Gopher Inductee, she became the first Minnesota and WCHA member to win the Patty Kazmaier Award in 2005. Internationally, she played for Team USA from 1999 to 2007 – 147 total games, including 106 goals, six IIHF World Championships, including 2005 where she was MVP in the United States first ever gold medal win. Krissy represented the United States at the 2002 and 2006 Olympics Games, serving as Captain in 2006.
The 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration is scheduled on Monday, November 11, in Toronto (preceded by the traditional slate of “Induction Weekend” events beginning on Friday, November 8, including the annual “Hockey Hall of Fame Game” hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs and Sunday’s “Hyundai Hockey Hall of Fame Legends Classic” featuring Honoured Members Jayna Hefford and Eric Lindros as captains). Stay tuned for further announcements in the upcoming weeks which will be posted here at HHOF.com and other HHOF social media platforms.
I’ve talked about the clandestine fashion that the HHOF selection committee operates under for so many years now – so much so – that it’s not worth re-writing everything again.
And if you want it all – then just check the archives of this site.
Long story short? (Easy for me to say!)
I was happy to see that a now former perennial snub, Jeremy Roenick, get in – and where I thought his bid had a zero percent chance – and solely because of this cancel culture world that we live in today.
But for the life of me – I still don’t know what the HHOF selection committee has against Alexander Mogilny – the biggest snub of them all.
Another big-time snub?
The American Stan Fischler, who like the Russian Mogilny – if he was Canadian – then he would’ve been inducted a LONG time ago.
And to a lesser extent – Patrik Elias has been overlooked for some time now too.
The HOF selection process remains flawed as ever – and since the committee doesn’t have to explain their actions, nor reveal who they voted for who either – then come this time next year – we’ll still be talking about the snubs of Mogilny, Fischler, Elias and the others.
What a disgrace.
Let’s now switch gears and get into what everyone is anticipating these days – the Rangers’ off-season.
If the news of Glen Sather finally leaving didn’t bust open my pants and break my zipper; then imagine how I felt when I first heard the rumors of a PATRICK KANE return – and rumors that are not only being spread by the official conduit of the franchise, Larry Brooks – but from the real reporters (who talk to Kane’s agent) residing in Canada too!
Similar to Sather – and I’ve written millions-and-millions of words on Kane in the past – and why I’m for him too – so I won’t bother you again with all of that right now.
And I also won’t remind you how I begged-and-pleaded for Drury to bring back Kane this season – and at the expense of Kaapo Kakko too!
I also won’t pat myself on the back and share a multitude of tweets and comments that I received either – and remarks such as this one:
Just for the record:
– you were right about tooth boy
– you are absolutely right about Kakko tooTook me a while to get there but I sure am there today.
Drury should consult you from now on! https://t.co/EWJEh9EOEd
— Biden/Harris Stan 🇮🇱💛⚖️✡️🍩 (@BlueWave2020NY) June 24, 2024
As predicted in this space over a year ago – and I said that I felt that Kane, once going through his hip surgery that many UFC fighters, with a much more physical job than him, have recovered from with no problem – would return without issue.
And that’s what happened – albeit in Detroit.
While again, I would’ve never let Kane leave in the first place; going into this off-season – and making Kane a Ranger again has never been more of a no-brainer.
Why so?
Because this time around, not only is Kane confirmed as healthy – but now over the age of 35-years-old – then Drury and Co. can offer the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cup champ a one-year deal full of bonus incentives – thus meaning that Kane’s cap hit wouldn’t be detrimental at all.
While it remains to be seen if Kane wants term over a fourth Stanley Cup; if the rumors are true, and that Kane wants to finish business in New York – then in theory – #88 could sign a league minimum deal – while Drury bloats it with performance incentive bonuses – and should Kane hit all of the bonuses, then and only then, will these numbers affect the Rangers’ cap in the season following (2025-26).
Assuming that winning the Stanley Cup would be the biggest and most lucrative incentive – and at the end of the road, should our thirty-years-and-running dream then be realized – then who gives one flying f-word about the Rangers’ cap perils for 2025-26?
As noted many times before – the time is tickin’ on this core – and it may have already seen its last tick.
(As opined last time around, I never considered Barclay Goodrow as part of the core – and as explained here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/61924/ )
The removal of Sather and the addition of Kane would buy the Rangers more time.
And who knows – perhaps this core, or at least this version of it, have already played their last game together, which brings us to our next subject – and another hearty round of rumors too.
To follow-up on some of my own writings – and what I’ve said for some time now is currently playing out in the rumor mill today – as many accredited members of the media are now reporting that Drury is having trade discussions in regards to both Kakko and Trouba.
And as I first said (blogs and tweet time-stamps don’t lie!) – Kakko HAS to go, while in the case of Trouba – for as beloved as he is by everyone – you just can’t pay a third-pair d-man $8M in a cap-era world.
I think that it’s all now but a given that we’ve seen the last of this Finnish disgrace in the #24 jersey as a Ranger – and where now – Brooks, who as most recently displayed in his stuff about Goodrow – is being fed what to write by Drury – and how Brooks once was directed to do so by Sather himself.
(If you don’t recall, then during the “Sather Error” – and whenever a Ranger was up for a new contract – and there was Brooks, and if Slats was hammering the keyboard himself, with an article devaluing the player’s worth. Such planted stories usually worked out for Sather too – and most notably with Mats Zuccarello.)
Presently, Brooks is suggesting that the Rangers will deal Kakko, and their 30th-overall pick too, for a better first-round pick.
While I’ll just be happy to see Kakko out of town either way – I’m not so sure what’s gained by a better first-round pick – especially since I’m still under the assumption that this franchise is still operating under the “WIN NOW” and “CUP OR BUST” mentalities.
But then again – perhaps Kakko’s value is so low – (HOW LOW IS IT?) – that the Rangers can’t get an accomplished NHer in return for the second-overall bust from the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Time will tell this story.
When it comes to the noise circling around Trouba – it’s solely about his salary.
End of story.
From the reports out of the Great White North, and presently, Trouba is being linked to both his hometown club, the Detroit Red Wings and the upstart Utah Mormons. (Buy One Ticket, Get Five Tickets for your Five Wives free!)
It remains to be seen what teams Trouba rules out on his 15-team no move list – but since the Wings are his hometown team – then perhaps #8 would be willing to accept a trade – and then become the next of many pieces under the never-ending “YZERPLAN.”
It’s a shame, and like many others, that Trouba is being run out of town because of his salary – but it’s a cruel business.
It’s an even bigger shame, because come the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, and assuming that Trouba is dealt – then the Rangers will be looking for a player exactly like him at that time.
But again – $8M for a third-pair defenseman is not a recipe for success.
In fact, it’s a one-way path to failure.
We’ll see what happens next – and where NEXT is coming at us fast and furious – as the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, the annual event where many deals are made, takes place this Friday – and where just a few days later, Monday, July 1st, the free agency period begins.
Some quick hitters to close out this manifesto below.
Kudos and a successful bon voyage goes out to former Ranger Derick Brassard, who on June 24th, 2024, and after sitting out the 2023-24 season, made it official – when he announced his retirement.
For the full details, then check out: https://www.nhl.com/news/derick-brassard-retires-from-nhl
I’ve written aplenty about BIG GAME BRASS over the years – and where now, and as an official member of the alumni – I hope that he returns in some capacity.
And I think that’s what we’ll see – as he was lingering and loitering around M$G throughout these 2024 Playoffs – and where every time – he received a rousing ovation – and one that was much deserved too.
Over time, and man-oh-man, how true is the age-old adage of “TIME FLIES” too – and the members from that 2014 club, while not as successful as the club from twenty-years prior to them – are now being held in the highest of regards – legends – and very akin to the way that the Rangers from the 1970s are/were.
We’re seeing it with the likes of Henrik Lundqvist, Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle today – and where Brass also deserves the same respect.
In other news that will mean more come October, and the NHL announced the following on June 26th:
Who knows if he’ll live to see his dream come to fruition again – as once again, and during his most recent public appearance (the 2024 Stanley Cup Final) – and you have to wonder if he has a severe case of Parkinson’s disease.
Furthermore, Bettman, who did renew his position last year, just turned 72-years-old.
At best – it’s going to take a new owner at least five-years to make an Arizona return a reality.
It was always Bettman pushing hockey in Arizona – and should the commissioner finally step down or perish – then the Coyotes will have then lost their biggest advocate.
It should also be added that like many other scandalous owners under Bettman’s watch (Hello John Spano) – and Meruelo, now $1.2B richer after the NHL assisted his sale to Utah – played Bettman like a fiddle.
Up next: The 2024 NHL Entry Draft – and where no – I have no clue who the Rangers will draft – nor am I pulling for anyone either.
As mentioned many times over throughout this site’s near eleven-year history – and I’m just that – a HISTORY GUY – and not a draft guy.
In other words, I can’t predict how teenagers will turn out to be – and especially not someone, who at this time (a potential Kakko trade could change this), will be drafted by the Blueshirts at 30th-overall.
Simply put – I don’t lie to you – I don’t watch the junior leagues – as I don’t have the time for it – and where really – watching acne-faced kids play hockey isn’t really in my wheel-house.
I’ll just have to rely on the scouts – who actually watch these young kids play – while also possessing intel about their personal habits and make-ups too – info that isn’t exactly privy to the many who pretend to be all-knowing in this field.
For me, and outside of both the 2019 and 2020 drafts – then the only reason I’ll be watching on Friday night is my usual one – to see what trades are made.
I’ll return sometime over the weekend – and hopefully when talking about a Rangers’ trade – rather than just regurgitating whatever the franchise says about their pick.
In closing, and as we get to the end here, one more time:
GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE GLEN SATHER!
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
Great blog today!!!!
Thank you paula!