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We Surrender

The New York Rangers Lost Weekend

By Steve KomitoPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Even they can't watch what the fans are forced to endure........

Even if John Lennon's infamous "Lost Weekend" (which lasted nearly a year and half) was as miserable for him as it was for the fans of the NY Rangers, watching this past month's back to back drubbings was a confirmation of a team without a spine, a plan or a heart. At least Lennon had some fun. He also produced some of the best solo music of his career in that period. This lost weekend for the Rangers produced none of what Lennon's lost weekend produced.

Going back a couple of weeks to what I guess was a press conference with Jeff Gorton and a statue that resembled NY Rangers President Glen Sather, Gorton explained that this club wan't meeting expectations and that they were having their own version of a garage sale for the trade deadline. While Gorton looked like he was being held at gunpoint throughout most of the presser, none of the pertinent questions were asked by the awfully numb, bored, and lax media. Questions such as: 1) Glen Sather has been here nearly 20 years and is no closer to a championship now than he was in 2000. Does he deserve to remain and if so, why? 2) Is Sather's interference hindering Gorton's job? While the second question is a leading one and one he can't possibly answer honestly, it would be nice if the media showed a pulse or a passing interest when attending what was a rare press conference. But maybe, the heartless, aimless, unorganized, lazy play of this club has infected the press with their own version of what they have to watch nightly. Or maybe the sandwiches are really tasty.

Being outscored 13-7 this a few weekends ago has raised the same predictable questions about Henrik Lundqvist of which I shall tackle in my next column. But it has fans salivating at what the Rangers will receive in return for such names as Nash, Grabner, McDonagh, Holden and anything not nailed down. Any website dedicated to the Rangers sees the debate as to what they get in terms of picks, players, and the always interesting "future considerations." However, none of this actually matters. Because that statue I referenced to earlier is still the one calling the shots and we've been through this type of purge back in 2004. Let's review:

As Larry Brooks has pointed out in an all too rare and honest article, Glen Sather decided that the group of lazy veterans that he acquired by spending Garden money, without considering the actual talent involved - the same thing he accused his predecessor, Neil Smith, of doing - needed to be moved to make way for the future he envisioned. In 2004, four years into the job as general manager, he still hadn't made the playoffs. But he did trade names like Kovalev, Barnaby, Simon, Malakov and others for picks. Oh, did I mention that Rangers legend Brian Leetch was also part of the purge? On his birthday, no less? And the Rangers did get picks and wound up with a few future Rangers, Staal and Dubinsky being the best of the lot. The others? Well, let's move on.

While drafting by itself is a crap-shoot, I have seen how teams like Boston, Toronto, Nashville, and Pittsburgh have re-established themselves as the leaders in picks. Not only do they pick the best players available, they pick the best players to fit their systems. Glen Sather, and whatever coach you want to associate him with here in New York, have never been able to do that here in New York. Yet, here he is, ready to oversee another purge to bring the Rangers to where, exactly? Back to the first or second round of the playoffs? Is that what this franchise has really come to? James Dolan who must be in rehearsals for his world tour with the best band his money can buy, hasn't uttered a peep. But what would one expect from him? The drafting under Sather's tenure has been fair at best, but yet, just like himself, the scouting staff have been there for far too long with too little results.

I ask this: where is there any trace of proof that the upper management currently occupying the Rangers' offices are going to actually turn this ship around? Alain Vigneault still remains coach of this team. A coach who relies on veterans is being asked to coach rookies and kids, which he is obviously uncomfortable with. What they should do is let him go, bring in Mark Messier and his staff (see my February 15 article) for the remainder of this year and let him evaluate what he has for next season. This way, he and his staff have a plan that has been given some time and thought, rather than just do what the Rangers always do. Which is go to the same dry, empty well and expect water.

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About the Creator

Steve Komito

A New Jersey transplant now living outside of Charlotte, NC. Just looking to add my 2 cents here and there when the mood and feelings strike.

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