Jan Levine: Sather Talks Torts, Vigneault, Stepan, Boyle, Staal and Richards
Sather opens up on Edmonton radio Thursday...
- airjan23

Great write up Jan, thanks for posting the Sather interview.

If anyone had any doubts as to what he intends t do regarding Stepan, they should not have any doubts now. He's getting a bridge deal, as he should.

I think he was responding to a direct question regarding Boyle. The interviewer asked him if ever receives calls about Boyle. What was he gonna say? No, I get no calls inquiring about Boyles availability.

Very nice too hear Staal is healthy, both for his sake and the team. Invited to the Canadian Olympic team camp, very nice.

He's a RFA, so as many offers as he would get for 5mil+ per from teams, just don't see him signing the sheet .
- MeanestOfTimes

NHLPA really up his butt to not take a sweetheart deal and make that the standard for other up and coming players

NHLPA really up his butt to not take a sweetheart deal and make that the standard for other up and coming players
- FourFeathers773

Understandable, but due to Sathers history with RFA's he's due for a bridge deal. Other than the O'Reilly situation, the only argument Stepan's party has in the Mcdonaugh contract...which is somewhat telling in regards to the organizations view on the two players.

Understandable, but due to Sathers history with RFA's he's due for a bridge deal. Other than the O'Reilly situation, the only argument Stepan's party has in the Mcdonaugh contract...which is somewhat telling in regards to the organizations view on the two players.
- MeanestOfTimes

Could get ugly there, coming off RFA deals, their market value was pretty identical

You just have to worry Sather doing that with McDonagh then trying to undercut Stepan doesnt start to turn him off or deflate his confidence

Kind of hard to ignore someone saying youre not worth paying 4.5 mil right now and he is, but dont worry, trust us to pay you later, and come full circle

Could get ugly there, coming off RFA deals, their market value was pretty identical

You just have to worry Sather doing that with McDonagh then trying to undercut Stepan doesnt start to turn him off or deflate his confidence

Kind of hard to ignore someone saying youre not worth paying 4.5 mil right now and he is, but dont worry, trust us to pay you later, and come full circle
- FourFeathers773

Problem is, 2 different situations. McDonagh plays 25-28min a night on the top pair and has done that for 2 years. Stepan only became the top center at the end if last season and that's not even set in stone yet. McDonagh also had arbitration rights, Stepan doesn't, that's even more important. McD has proven he is a bonafide top Dman in the league after the past 120 regular season games. Stepan doesn't have that perfomance consistency yet. McDonagh has shown he can step up an shut down Ovechkin 2 years in a row in the playoffs. Stepan has yet to show up in the post season.

Could get ugly there, coming off RFA deals, their market value was pretty identical

You just have to worry Sather doing that with McDonagh then trying to undercut Stepan doesnt start to turn him off or deflate his confidence

Kind of hard to ignore someone saying youre not worth paying 4.5 mil right now and he is, but dont worry, trust us to pay you later, and come full circle
- FourFeathers773

Absolutely, if I'm Stepan's agent I'm first pointing to McD's contract, then pointing out how even tho Richards will be on the team next year, he's mostly likely ranked as the 2nd line center.

Furthermore fast forward to next season, after Stepan, Brassard in an unproven commodity in need of a new contract, and a so far injury ridden JT Miller, who is basically a rookie this upcoming season is next in the rankings.

I believe Stepan has some more negotiating power than some believe

he will still be a RFA though.
- rangerdanger94

Yes he will. My mistake.

Absolutely, if I'm Stepan's agent I'm first pointing to McD's contract, then pointing out how even tho Richards will be on the team next year, he's mostly likely ranked as the 2nd line center.

Furthermore fast forward to next season, after Stepan, Brassard in an unproven commodity in need of a new contract, and a so far injury ridden JT Miller, who is basically a rookie this upcoming season is next in the rankings.

I believe Stepan has some more negotiating power than some believe
- MeanestOfTimes

well what Stepan has is that the team needs him desperately in the beginning of the season with Hagelin and Callahan out.

If Stepan ends up being a hold out, this team could absolutely start off the season poorly and be chasing the leaders all season long.

I may be entirely wrong. But, I thought Tortarella was a brilliant coach for the Rangers. He had them play a team game that was greater than the sum of its parts.

Never liked the Nash signing as I did not think he fit into Tortarella's team first ethic.

I think I can argue the case that Vignault can get more from playing a more up tempo offensive style. Could also argue that Rangers may struggle without Tortarella driving the program and intensity each night.

The Rangers will be one of the most interesting teams this fall to see which way they break coming out of the gate. They are going to be either very good or they are going to struggle with the transition.

well what Stepan has is that the team needs him desperately in the beginning of the season with Hagelin and Callahan out.

If Stepan ends up being a hold out, this team could absolutely start off the season poorly and be chasing the leaders all season long.
- jimbro83

I would truly hate to see Stepan holdout. If what I'm hearing is correct the offer is somewhere around 3.2-3.5 mil a year, that represents a sizable increase from $875 he made last season. While the expectations are high, and rightfully so, this is still a young player with only a 30 breakout under his belt. Yes, the team would suffer if he should holdout, so I'm hoping they come to a agreement soon, because this is a truly a no-win situation for both sides if it continues.

I may be entirely wrong. But, I thought Tortarella was a brilliant coach for the Rangers. He had them play a team game that was greater than the sum of its parts.

Never liked the Nash signing as I did not think he fit into Tortarella's team first ethic.

I think I can argue the case that Vignault can get more from playing a more up tempo offensive style. Could also argue that Rangers may struggle without Tortarella driving the program and intensity each night.

The Rangers will be one of the most interesting teams this fall to see which way they break coming out of the gate. They are going to be either very good or they are going to struggle with the transition.
- spatso

You failed to tell us when the down downfall begins.

I may be entirely wrong. But, I thought Tortarella was a brilliant coach for the Rangers. He had them play a team game that was greater than the sum of its parts.

Never liked the Nash signing as I did not think he fit into Tortarella's team first ethic.

I think I can argue the case that Vignault can get more from playing a more up tempo offensive style. Could also argue that Rangers may struggle without Tortarella driving the program and intensity each night.

The Rangers will be one of the most interesting teams this fall to see which way they break coming out of the gate. They are going to be either very good or they are going to struggle with the transition.
- spatso

[url]

Nash was traded for not signed

if stepan holds out, it will be a disaster for both him and the rangers. the team is definitely playing with fire here. however, i don't think he will hold out. like a lot of people have already pointed out, this season has the potential to be his breakout year and if the rangers try to low ball him, he'll walk when he becomes an UFA. so far, this is playing out exactly the way i didn't want it to happen.

I may be entirely wrong. But, I thought Tortarella was a brilliant coach for the Rangers. He had them play a team game that was greater than the sum of its parts.

Never liked the Nash signing as I did not think he fit into Tortarella's team first ethic.

I think I can argue the case that Vignault can get more from playing a more up tempo offensive style. Could also argue that Rangers may struggle without Tortarella driving the program and intensity each night.

The Rangers will be one of the most interesting teams this fall to see which way they break coming out of the gate. They are going to be either very good or they are going to struggle with the transition.
- spatso

Agreed that Torts was a great coach for the rags of a few seasons
Ago for exactly the reasons you mentioned but the trouble was they
Discovered (in the playoffs) that they needed more skill to Get
Over the hump; hence the Nash trade which changed the dynamic
Of the team.

well what Stepan has is that the team needs him desperately in the beginning of the season with Hagelin and Callahan out.

If Stepan ends up being a hold out, this team could absolutely start off the season poorly and be chasing the leaders all season long.
- jimbro83

Excellent points there. People might say, well, come on, Stepan isnt thinking like that and trying to stick it to the Rangers. You may be right, but you sure bet his agent is thinking that way.

Thats the problem with the NHLPA and agents being in control of so many players in professional sports. At the end of the day, his agent will convince his client to take a deal thats fair to him, and also to maximize his 5-10% commission

Now that you pointed that out, Stepan really has the Rangers in a corner and not the other way around.

He can basically say "pay me my market value or you can start the first month of the season with 3 of your top 6 out AND risk me getting offer sheeted and walking"

Problem is, 2 different situations. McDonagh plays 25-28min a night on the top pair and has done that for 2 years. Stepan only became the top center at the end if last season and that's not even set in stone yet. McDonagh also had arbitration rights, Stepan doesn't, that's even more important. McD has proven he is a bonafide top Dman in the league after the past 120 regular season games. Stepan doesn't have that perfomance consistency yet. McDonagh has shown he can step up an shut down Ovechkin 2 years in a row in the playoffs. Stepan has yet to show up in the post season.
- xcheckmajor

I get McDonagh has a longer history of consistency, but clearly the team thinks Stepan is a young star on the rise. McDonagh is good no doubt, but he did take a slight step back this year IMO, he was absolutely shut down the year they went to the ECF. You have to also wonder how Torts leaving affects the D core. I think Girardi gets hurt by the style change more than anyone, he really flourished under Torts system. Does McDonagh do better or worse under a looser system? Time will tell on that. But Stepan should almost surely improve offensively with the looser system and more free reign

You have to also consider the fact that Richards is almost SURELY getting bought out at the end of the season, so everyone knows they cant afford to lose Stepan. THey would be left with Miller and Brassard as their top 2 centers. Miller has yet to show anything that makes people comfortable putting him there as 1C or 2C, and Brassard hasnt had much of a sample size of success in NY

Excellent points there. People might say, well, come on, Stepan isnt thinking like that and trying to stick it to the Rangers. You may be right, but you sure bet his agent is thinking that way.

Thats the problem with the NHLPA and agents being in control of so many players in professional sports. At the end of the day, his agent will convince his client to take a deal thats fair to him, and also to maximize his 5-10% commission

Now that you pointed that out, Stepan really has the Rangers in a corner and not the other way around.

He can basically say "pay me my market value or you can start the first month of the season with 3 of your top 6 out AND risk me getting offer sheeted and walking"
- FourFeathers773

Nobody is offer sheeting Rangers property. What team would be stupid enough to make an enemy of the Rangers?

Nobody is offer sheeting Rangers property. What team would be stupid enough to make an enemy of the Rangers?
- GioRock

GMs with suicidal tendencies.

Understandable, but due to Sathers history with RFA's he's due for a bridge deal. Other than the O'Reilly situation, the only argument Stepan's party has in the Mcdonaugh contract...which is somewhat telling in regards to the organizations view on the two players.
- MeanestOfTimes

But they arent wrong...

In regards to their respective positions, McDonagh is better than Stepan. If McDonagh adds some more offensive production, hes easily a top 10 Dman in the league.

Plus, were under cap constraints, Im sure Sather would like to give Stepan some more, but he cant.

But they arent wrong...

In regards to their respective positions, McDonagh is better than Stepan. If McDonagh adds some more offensive production, hes easily a top 10 Dman in the league.

Plus, were under cap constraints, Im sure Sather would like to give Stepan some more, but he cant.
- aecliptic

It's an apples and oranges comparison. Besides, the threat of an offer for McDonagh was a very real possibility, not so for Stepan.

It's an apples and oranges comparison. Besides, the threat of an offer for McDonagh was a very real possibility, not so for Stepan.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

McDonagh was arbitration eligible, so no one would be able to offer sheet him.

McDonagh was arbitration eligible, so no one would be able to offer sheet him.
- aecliptic

Sorry, I miss spoke. Thanks. However, they are very different players on the ice, and were in different contractual situations.

Sorry, I miss spoke. Thanks. However, they are very different players on the ice, and were in different contractual situations.
- OLDSCHOOL#6

I think Rangers should give Stepan 4m per yr, and end this nonsense, I dont want to see a hold out when camp opens.

I think Rangers should give Stepan 4m per yr, and end this nonsense, I dont want to see a hold out when camp opens.
- aecliptic

No, I don't either, I think that would be a no-win all the way around.

I think Rangers should give Stepan 4m per yr, and end this nonsense, I dont want to see a hold out when camp opens.
- aecliptic

New coach, new system, everyone trying to show they deserve the ice time....I don't think Stepan holds out