Glen Sather will be honored tonight when the New York Rangers battle the Edmonton Oilers. Let’s take a look at his best and worst moves as Rangers’ GM.
New York Rangers (18-8-3, 39 points, 2nd in NHL Metropolitan Division)
Edmonton Oilers (2-15-2, 26 points, 6th in NHL Pacific Division)
Tonight, 9:30 on MSG
Rexall Place, Edmonton ALB
By Chris Wengert
Sather brought a lot of success to Edmonton, winning four Stanley Cups as head coach and one more as President and General Manager.
Around the big apple however, “Slats” is generally known for decision making that left you scratching your head or punching a wall. But we’ll get into this a bit later.
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Whether you love or hate him, all fans have to admit that Glen Sather has accomplished a lot during his tenure in New York. For as many bone-headed transactions as he made, Sather would pull off seemingly impossible deals from time to time.
These “Jedi mind tricks” as fans call them, have led the Rangers to a few Eastern Conference Finals appearances and a Stanley Cup Final. With the exception of one season, the Rangers have made the playoffs almost every season for the past decade.
Because Sather is going to be honored before the Rangers face off against the Oilers tonight, let’s take a look at some of the best and worst moves he made as the General Manager in New York.
Quick Side Note: It’s sad what has transpired for Cam Talbot. Not only has he not lived up to expectations in Edmonton, but he now finds himself in the same boat as last year- acting as a back up, this time for Anders Nilsson.
In addition, keep an eye on the roster tonight:
Glen Sather’s 5 Worst Moves as GM
5. Donald Brashear
The Washington Capitals were the Rangers kyrptonite in the playoffs during the late 2000’s. It was during those series that Ranger fans learned to absolutely hate Donald Brashear.
Oh, and there was this disgusting cheap shot on Blair Betts (video above).
So what did Sather do? He signed Brashear to a 2 year deal worth 2.8 million. He played 36 games and only registered one assist before he was reassigned to the Hartford Wolfpack.
Fans even booed the former Ranger enforcer at a season ticket subscriber event.
4. Chris Drury
Drury’s first two seasons as a Ranger were productive for the former Stanley Cup Champion (Colorado, 2001), registering 58 and 56 points respectively. However his final two seasons in New York were complete failures, especially for a $35.25 million dollar contract.
Among fans, Drury was often labeled the “worst captain in Rangers history” which I personally don’t buy. Did he live up to his contract? No, but you can only do so much when your body gives out on you.
I still believe he had a lot of heart.
This doesn’t excuse the transaction though, as injuries eventually got the best of Drury, forcing him into retirement four years into a five year contract.
3. Bobby Holik
What do you do when you have a hated rival with a star player entering the twilight of his career? Sign him to a five year, 45 million dollar contract of course!
Holik was never a great player. By comparison, Carl Hagelin‘s production during the 2014-2015 season was similar to Holik’s career average.
The worst part of this signing wasn’t even Holik’s production, but his attitude. He basically admitted to the Utica Observer-Dispatch that the trade was all “business” (aka money):
” It ( signing with the Rangers ) was business. I tried to stay in New Jersey, I couldn’t be sad to move on, my contract was ground breaking at the time”
2. Brian Trottier
Note to future NHL coaches: Your first coaching job should never be for the New York Rangers. This is especially true when you’re a former Islander.
Listen, respect goes to Trottier as a player. The the former Islander won four Stanley Cups during the early 80’s and was an instrumental part to their success.
But Wayne Gretzky would agree that being a great player doesn’t always translate to coaching.
Trottier was canned after just 54 games, posting a 21–26–6–1 record with a 45.4 winning percentage.
1. Wade Redden
The former captain of the CONNECTICUT WHALE was given a six year, 39 million dollar contract. That is not a typo either, because Redden became the highest paid player for the American Hockey League when he was waived and reassigned in 2010.
There is not much more to say here, as Redden played only two seasons with the Rangers and produced only 40 total points.
Slats certainly didn’t get Brian Leetch in this deal, but paid Redden Brian Leetch money.
Glen Sather’s 5 Best Moves GM
5. Derek Brassard / Derek Dorsett / John Moore / Sixth Round Pick
In April of 2013, Glen Sather worked some of that Jedi magic when he traded Marian Gaborik and two prospects to the Columbus Bue Jackets for Derek Brassard, Derek Dorsett, John Moore, and a sixth round draft pick.
The only reason this deal isn’t higher on the list is because it remains to be seen if Brassard will someday be a consistent top-tier player.
This deal is highway robbery at it’s best, as the Rangers were looking to deal an aging Gaborik whose production was down.
Both Derek Brassard and Derek Dorsett would become integral of the 2013-2014 Stanley Cup Final team.
Although irony would strike hard, as Marian Gaborik would also become an integral part of the Los Angeles Kings team that defeated the New York Rangers in 5 games.
4. Jaromir Jagr
During his first full season with the Rangers, the ageless Jagr broke the single season goal record (54 goals), previously held by the beloved Adam Graves.
Jagr’s production helped to bring legitimacy back to the Rangers. Not only did he help the Rangers get back to winning, but also improved the culture of an organization that was previously content with just throwing money at has-beens.
3. Rick Nash
The blockbuster trade happened during the summer of 2012. Sather was back to his Jedi ways when he traded Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first round draft pick for Rick Nash, a conditional third round draft pick, and AHLer Steve Delisle.
People love to rag on Rick Nash, but he has proved to be much more than just a goal scorer. He hustles to both ends of the ice, penalty kills, and goes to the dirty areas.
All Ranger fans need is for Nash to break out in the playoffs.
2. Ryan McDonagh
Glen Sather: Hey Bob, want Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt and Michael Busto? They’re really good!
Former Canadiens GM Bob Gainey: Sure Glen, want Chris Higgins, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko?
More highway robbery and not much more to say about this deal. McDonagh is now the Rangers captain and strongest defensemen.
1. Henrik Lundqvist
Technically it was former Assistant GM Don Maloney, not Glen Sather who was responsible for this, but we’ll give Sather credit.
New York Rangers: The Excellence Of Henrik Lundqvist
You will almost certainly hear his name chanted once or twice a game. The famous HEN-RIK chant is the fans way of acknowledging the best Ranger to past through the organization since Mark Messier.
The New York Rangers would not have enjoyed a fraction of their latest success without Lundqvist. He wills the team to win, similar to how Messier did in the early 90’s.
What do you think of this list? Who did we leave out? Comment below and let us know-
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