Comments on: So long, Big Fella

By: Ted

Ted — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:18:38 +0000

I’m going to miss jagr, avery, and straka. Over the years, I really felt like I got to know those guys. Good luck to them in the future. I can only hope this new lot can provide us with some big wins and perhaps just as importantly, some good memories.

By: Tags

Tags — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:35:00 +0000

Abdul-Haseeb:

A big man who doesn’t hit will always hear it from the fans. But in Malik’s case it went way, way beyond that. He was slow-thinking and slow-moving on the ice, seemingly always out of position, getting beaten, making bad passes, showing up in the crease a split second after the other team scored, and deflecting pucks on his own net.

By: Fruity Cupcake

Fruity Cupcake — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:40:46 +0000

Like most of you, I’m going to miss Jagr’s sense of humor and the excitement of watching him. One time, with gifted first-row seats behind the visitor’s bench (1-0 SOW over Boston that day) I was SHOCKED at just how FAST and hard he played. Glad I had that one chance down, from the Blues to see him up close and kicking ass.

Having said that, Scott Gomez can now open up and be Captain Drury’s happy sidekick. I once thought the only thing that seperated Mike York from his Calder Trophy was Scottie Gomez’s “aw shucks” smiling personality. I’ll look forward to more of that in the years to come, as he now has the floor.

Good luck and tear up the league in Russia, Jaromir. Hope you remember Ranger fans fondly.

Welcome to Wade Redden and Markus Naslund. They’ve both said the right things so far and seem to be both class individuals and upstanding guys. But don’t forget to bring your offense, fellas.

By: topcorner

topcorner — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:33:06 +0000

I don’t actually feel sad seeing Jagr go, though I do appreciate what he has done during his first two years with the Rangers. Notice I said his first two years. There are players that I simply love ranging from Andy Bathgate to Rod Brind’Amour and others; Jaromir Jagr will never be one of those for me. I can appreciate his talent, but that’s about it. I think it is extremely shocking that people have such relaxed standards that they still profess the utmost respect for a player that admits to coasting for a large part of the season. Why the hell would anyone want that, you could and you will have so much better.

Whatever Jagr’s talent, it is very disrespectful for an athlete in any sport to not give an honest effort. Pretty presumptuous of him to throw it off like it’s no big deal. Thanks for the lack of respect, Jagr. If you think it’s okay to f@ck around during the season so you can be some great hero later, then I really disagree with you. I really will not miss Jaromir Jagr.

Bring on the new crew, with all the fun that a team of equals can be.

By: Jen C.

Jen C. — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:34:55 +0000

While it’s time to move on from Jagr, it’s still sad to see him go. Look where this team was coming out of the lockout. Hadn’t sniffed the playoffs in almost a decade. And that season Jagr put the team on his back and not only brought them back to the playoffs, but he also brought respectability back to the organization. For that, I will always be fond of Jagr. Good luck to him in Russia.

By: topcorner

topcorner — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:41:48 +0000

Ace – how could you possibly call this team boring? They haven’t played yet. Sheesh!
I’m with you on the fact it’s Renney’s team. I’ve been looking forward to seeing no Jagr clogging up the pipes with political differences and influence where it does not long. I’m giving Renney a chance, let’s see what he does.

By: Ace

Ace — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:28:50 +0000

I’m still a little stunned at the complete, sudden overhaul of the team, but a few points:

– I think its Sam’s main concern too, but this team just went from one of the most colorful NY sports teams in a while, to one of the most BORING. But then again if this boring hodge podge wins the Cup, I could care less how quotable they are. However the drama and humor from guys like Jagr and Avery certainly made the losing streaks a little less painful.
– Sather is getting too much of a free pass for the BS he’s slung at the media and fans for the past year about how much he wanted Jagr and Avery back. Whether you like the moves he made or not, he’s a terrible liar and its not worth trusting a single word out of his cigar chomping mouth.
– For someone who put a franchise on his back, taking it to 3 consecutive playoffs and nearly winning an MVP, Jagr deserved to be treated better.
– In two years will a 36 year old Marcus Naslund be any sort of replacement for a 38 year old JJ? Is it even close? Or will Naslund-~~whose stats have been declining every year since a career high in 02-03~~-be a healthier version of Martin Straka?
– What do these moves say about the development of Brandon Dubinsky? The kid was always projected as a 2nd or 3rd liner at best, somehow he steps into the 1st line role, does it convincingly, and then we don’t re-sign his either of his two linemates?
– If Shanny comes back it must be at a much diminished role, mostly special teams. I’d love to have his leadership around, but on the ice there isn’t much room for him. Last year’s team was built to win then, this team, while still competitive, is mostly about the future.
– It is now officially Tom Renney’s team.

By: Artie Art

Artie Art — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:26:22 +0000

All you posters that hail Jagr as the lone reason the Rangers returned to the NHL playoffs are missing one major point; Sather was the major reason our team sucked for so long!!! Not to take anything away from Jags, he did perform and raised the team up and carried them that year. But Sather has been screwing with this team for almost a decade now and we aren’t any better than a one & done team since!!! Jags will be 37 during next season and if it took a 2-year deal to get him, we’re talking about a 38 year old captain who is obviously NOT the great goal scorer most of you Jagr ass-kissers are claiming. C’mon, the PP sucked because of Jags style and how it effected others, he couldn’t reach 84 points to automatically kick in an option year, he self-proclaims how he coasts in the regular season, had the worst offensive season of his career, wants to beg out of shootouts, lost his confidence as a goal scorer for long stretches of this season. For that, you want him back for 2 more years?? Because, that’s what he wanted. There’s no denying or trashing Jags’ great career and how he once was a player that lifted you out of your seat whenever he touched the puck, but this year, even with the puck on his stick along the half boards, my butt never left the couch cushions!!!! And I watched EVERY game this year! So posters, chill out and open your eyes; it’s time to re-tool the team around younger, hungrier players. Hail Jagr and what he brought to the team for 3-4 years, but be a realist and see that another 2 years of Jagr would not bring us any closer to the Stanley Cup Finals!! Not that this group that Sather has assembled is guarenteed to do that, but you have to try something new. And if he wasn’t smart enough or savvy enough or he didn’t have the desire to return to the NYR, then let’s say thanks, and goodbye!! He’s a veteran, he knows the biz of sports; if he really wanted back to NY, he should’ve told his agent. Sather clearly wanted him but on his own financial terms. If Jags wanted more respect (read into that as more money), then he got what his heart desired with the Russian team

By: Abdul-Haseeb

Abdul-Haseeb — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:17:10 +0000

vogs, will we be any better in terms of grit and toughness? We could end up being a soft team too (ala 2005-06).

By: Abdul-Haseeb

Abdul-Haseeb — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:14:11 +0000

Tags,

I regret mentioning Malik—I forgot how hated he was in the market since he barely played down the stretch last season. I personally think he became a whipping boy for everyone (mainly because of his size), but that being said, he was not a key component to our team, and was more or less expendable. That is not a move that I’m upset about.