Fourteen months ago, the NY Rangers dealt forwards Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, defensive prospect Tim Erixon and their first round pick in this past talent laden draft for Rick Nash and his $7.8 million cap hit. Hindsight is what it is, but to be fair most people at the time were saying the Jackets took far less than they should have.
Today, the NY Rangers are able to sign Derek Stepan, their 23 year old leading scorer from a year ago, and the 21st leading scorer in the NHL to a contract in the same ballpark.
Nash was #2 in points, and had a stronger regular season for NY than most probably remember, but it appears that for around 7 per the Rangers, can get a much younger star player without giving up solid players and draft picks.
Stepan is willing to take less money and be a UFA at 27. Add to this your star goalie wanting to see a commitment to the team scoring before HE signs, and you can see how Glen Sather is being put on the spot in a big, BIG way. Something has to give and soon.
What is at stake here is more than just signing Stepan. What is at stake here is Sather making a commitment to home grown talent instead of always turning to aging veterans to save the day.
I am hearing we could hear some Stepan news as early as tomorrow...and sources feel that Sather won't let this drag, but we will soon see for sure. Enjoy the games tonight!
On Ryan Murray...
There are puzzle pieces, and then there are building blocks. You could make an argument that the NHL's best season-in and season-out player from 1990-2010 was the NJ Devils Scott Niedermayer. Throw all any other name against him and I will debate it. I can't tell you how many times I heard someone say, "You just can't get a Scott Niedermayer, he is a one of a kind."
Well the Blue Jackets may have proven that to be at least "questionable."
When I watch Ryan Murray play, I see Scott Niedermayer; not just because of the number 27 but because the kid is sick smooth and does everything well.
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