10.) Gave Bryan Trottier a coaching gig after being pitched the job on a coacktail napkin
9.) Bitched and moaned whilst in small-market Edmonton. Then spent like drunken sailor in NY. (And sucks managing today's salary cap)
8.) Short of hiring Osama bin Laden, Sather's creepy realtionship with Garden boss Jim Dolan provides him the Teflon-status not seen since Fredo Coreleone when his mother still alive
7.) Maneuvers NHL Drafts with all the dexterity and finesse as did Dick Clark last New Year's Eve. Don't beleive me? In 2003, for example, the Rangers used the 12th overall choice to select Dartmouth College forward Hugh Jessiman. In doing so, they passed on Dustin Brown (13th), Brent Seabrook (14th), Zach Parise (17th), Ryan Getzlaf (19th), Brent Burns (20th), Ryan Kesler (23rd), Mike Richards (24th), Loui Eriksson (33rd), and Patrice Bergeron (45th)..Jessiman is no longer with the team
6.) Let Jagr, Shanahan and Avery walk and replaced them with Nik Zherdev (the modern day Alex Kovalev) past-his-prime Markus Naslund and Aaron Voros.
5.) By compiling too many of the same player (Callahan, Dubinsky, Dawes) he's seems to be taking a page from true genius Lou Lamoriello.
4.)He had Gretzky, Messier, & Coffey in their prime and mistakenly thought his a birthright to drink from the Cup
3.) Slats is gay nickname for a grown man
2.) Two words: Wade Redden.
1.) Since he got to 33rd and 7th nine years ago, Sather's won exactly TWO playoff rounds
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
NY Rangers Fire Renney, Hire Tortorella
Tom Renney deserved better. The New York Rangers apparently thinking they can still save the season fired coach Tom Renney today. Unfortunately, Jim Dolan fired the wrong guy. It should have been Glen Sather. Renney deserved better than he got. After all, was it Renney who brought in past their prime free agents in Markus Naslund and Wade Redden? Nope. Was it Renney who let Jagr, Shanahan and Avery walk? Nope. This team is Sather's mess to fix. Michael Obernaur of the Daily News remarked that Sather is on his fifth coach on nine years which "borders on Isiah territory."
John Tortorella, a former Rangers assistant who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa in 2004, was named as coach. Apparently "Torts" is something of a hard-ass, which is directly opposite of the laid-back Renney. Good. Maybe it'll sink in to pay attention to the little things, such as taking too many men on the ice penalties (that happened twice yesterday). Maybe it'll sink in that on the Power Play, you shouldn't give up goals while on two-man adventage.
It'll be interesting to see if the Rangers are buyers or sellers at next week's trade deadline. Although in this day and age, who's going to take on bad contracts such as Redden's. Just when you thought the NHL lockout wiped the slate clean on big contracts, the Rangers go right up to the salary cap limit.
At least the Rangers are saying the right things about Renney on the way out. Too bad their play couldn't speak loud enough while he was here. After all, he deserved better.
John Tortorella, a former Rangers assistant who won a Stanley Cup with Tampa in 2004, was named as coach. Apparently "Torts" is something of a hard-ass, which is directly opposite of the laid-back Renney. Good. Maybe it'll sink in to pay attention to the little things, such as taking too many men on the ice penalties (that happened twice yesterday). Maybe it'll sink in that on the Power Play, you shouldn't give up goals while on two-man adventage.
It'll be interesting to see if the Rangers are buyers or sellers at next week's trade deadline. Although in this day and age, who's going to take on bad contracts such as Redden's. Just when you thought the NHL lockout wiped the slate clean on big contracts, the Rangers go right up to the salary cap limit.
At least the Rangers are saying the right things about Renney on the way out. Too bad their play couldn't speak loud enough while he was here. After all, he deserved better.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What I Learned Friday
Does anyone miss Bush?
Conan O'Brien last NBC Late Night show is Friday Night. Can you believe he's been doing that show for 16 years? When he started as a nobody, NBC only would commit to him for three months stints at a time. I bet Letterman makes an appearance. Would be appropriate. Friggin Leno on a 10 pm? Just leave Jay--just leave.
There looks like lots of great bargains in the stock market. Knowing which stocks are headed up is the hard part.
Now that the apparent transfer of wealth has begun, when will I begin getting an extra $13 in my paycheck from BHO?
In reporting the attacking chimp story, the NY Daily News, I kid you not, actually got a quote from actress Morgan Fairchild, who worked with the beast. C'Mon! Can you imagine being the reporter getting this assignment from the City Editor?
Gotta love the acting skills of one Alex Rodriguez...Looking wistfully at his teammates during the fake, phony, press conference, the Lightning Rod was supposed to produce a tear. A-Rod, however, much like October performances, choked. And the people who expected Corporate Jeter to say something remotely controversial, well they were disappointed weren't they?
The Philadelphia Sports Card Show & Exhibition is rapidly approaching. The lead guest? Willie Mays who is charging $269 for the privilige of signing a baseball card. Signing a shirt or a hat will set you back hundreds more. To further drive home the point, Mr. Mays, the Website describes, will sign "Say Hey" but not "Say Hey Kid" For nearly three hundred smackers, Ol' Willie ought to be giving me a rubdown or shining my shoes.
Saw "The Wrestler"...loved it. I must see "Frost Vs. Nixon" before Sunday night...BY the way, I'll be blogging the Oscars live for those scoring at home.
That Tom Renney's job is on the line is one of the biggest jokes this or any sports season. Can he help it if he must replace Jaromir Jagr with Bradon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan? I love Chris Drury but maybe this is not his year.
Conan O'Brien last NBC Late Night show is Friday Night. Can you believe he's been doing that show for 16 years? When he started as a nobody, NBC only would commit to him for three months stints at a time. I bet Letterman makes an appearance. Would be appropriate. Friggin Leno on a 10 pm? Just leave Jay--just leave.
There looks like lots of great bargains in the stock market. Knowing which stocks are headed up is the hard part.
Now that the apparent transfer of wealth has begun, when will I begin getting an extra $13 in my paycheck from BHO?
In reporting the attacking chimp story, the NY Daily News, I kid you not, actually got a quote from actress Morgan Fairchild, who worked with the beast. C'Mon! Can you imagine being the reporter getting this assignment from the City Editor?
Gotta love the acting skills of one Alex Rodriguez...Looking wistfully at his teammates during the fake, phony, press conference, the Lightning Rod was supposed to produce a tear. A-Rod, however, much like October performances, choked. And the people who expected Corporate Jeter to say something remotely controversial, well they were disappointed weren't they?
The Philadelphia Sports Card Show & Exhibition is rapidly approaching. The lead guest? Willie Mays who is charging $269 for the privilige of signing a baseball card. Signing a shirt or a hat will set you back hundreds more. To further drive home the point, Mr. Mays, the Website describes, will sign "Say Hey" but not "Say Hey Kid" For nearly three hundred smackers, Ol' Willie ought to be giving me a rubdown or shining my shoes.
Saw "The Wrestler"...loved it. I must see "Frost Vs. Nixon" before Sunday night...BY the way, I'll be blogging the Oscars live for those scoring at home.
That Tom Renney's job is on the line is one of the biggest jokes this or any sports season. Can he help it if he must replace Jaromir Jagr with Bradon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan? I love Chris Drury but maybe this is not his year.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Rangers Really Testing My Patience
Every year about this time, I say the same thing: This team isn't so good. This year is no different.
Currently, the Rangers are fighting it out for the eight and final spot in the Eatsern conference.
Yesterday's thrashing at the hands of the Flyers produced something I hadn't seen in a long time. Rangers on a 5-3 power play--yup two-man advantage--and try to tie the game at 1. A turnover is picked up by the Flyers and deposited in the Ranger net for a crushing 2-0 lead. Lundqvist was awful. He gets yanked after he yields two more goals. On the NBC telecast, studio hosts Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire are killing the Rangers saying ostensibly, "this is how you get your coach fired." Strong statement. I didn't realize Renney's job may be in question here. Perhaps Slats can go too?
Can I just add that I'd listen to Mike Emrick call a grocery list? They guy is brilliant with the imagery. Hockey's Vin Scully.
Tonight in St. Louis--the Rangers fall again. 2-1 loss. Listless. Except for the really cool fights. Colton Orr decked his opponent while Aaron Voros gamely fought Cam Jansen, who get this--threw punches lefty and righty! Never saw that before either. Hockey players are tough dudes.
Rangers need a spark. Calling Sean Avery. That would be step one.
Ugh. Why did I have to throw in with this team? Maddening!
Currently, the Rangers are fighting it out for the eight and final spot in the Eatsern conference.
Yesterday's thrashing at the hands of the Flyers produced something I hadn't seen in a long time. Rangers on a 5-3 power play--yup two-man advantage--and try to tie the game at 1. A turnover is picked up by the Flyers and deposited in the Ranger net for a crushing 2-0 lead. Lundqvist was awful. He gets yanked after he yields two more goals. On the NBC telecast, studio hosts Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire are killing the Rangers saying ostensibly, "this is how you get your coach fired." Strong statement. I didn't realize Renney's job may be in question here. Perhaps Slats can go too?
Can I just add that I'd listen to Mike Emrick call a grocery list? They guy is brilliant with the imagery. Hockey's Vin Scully.
Tonight in St. Louis--the Rangers fall again. 2-1 loss. Listless. Except for the really cool fights. Colton Orr decked his opponent while Aaron Voros gamely fought Cam Jansen, who get this--threw punches lefty and righty! Never saw that before either. Hockey players are tough dudes.
Rangers need a spark. Calling Sean Avery. That would be step one.
Ugh. Why did I have to throw in with this team? Maddening!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A-Very Ranger Return
All indications point to Sean Avery coming back to the New York Rangers via Hartford. Will it help or did NHL commissioner Gary Bettman take the bounce out of Tigger? Let's hope it's the former because the Rangers need a spark. Losers of three straight, the Rangers have fallen to third in the division and sixth in the division--three points out of the eighth and final playoff spot. Why does it seem the Rangers are always in this position year after year regardless of the roster?
The Rangers just tied the game with Washington at 3 by Markus Naslund crashing the net. Perhaps Avery's Impending return is already paying dividends. Whatever happens with Avery does not help address the lack of scoring, the disappearance of Wade Redden, Chris Drury, and Scott Gomez.
I just loked at the standings. There's the Devils--without Marty Brodeur--rolling along. They were supposed to tank when their goaltender went down. Yet they are in first. How did that happen?
Oh my goodness....Defenseman Paul Mara just scored the fourth Ranger goal--and a power play to boot. What an embarrasment of riches!
The Rangers just tied the game with Washington at 3 by Markus Naslund crashing the net. Perhaps Avery's Impending return is already paying dividends. Whatever happens with Avery does not help address the lack of scoring, the disappearance of Wade Redden, Chris Drury, and Scott Gomez.
I just loked at the standings. There's the Devils--without Marty Brodeur--rolling along. They were supposed to tank when their goaltender went down. Yet they are in first. How did that happen?
Oh my goodness....Defenseman Paul Mara just scored the fourth Ranger goal--and a power play to boot. What an embarrasment of riches!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
The Press Reveals Its Ugly Side
Anyone wanting to know about the state of the country, or the press for that matter, need only to have witnessed President Obama's question and answer session with the White House press corps following his first press conference as President.
Would you believe some well-minded journalist actually asked BHO's thoughts on Alex Rodriguez. That's right. A-Rod's foibles have been lifted into the same discussion as economic stimulus and avoiding another Great Depression. I can't believe I just wrote that sentence. Seriously. And this is what our country has come to...Almost as remarkable was the fact that BHO adressed it! Although being the adroit performer, BHO used it as public service about children and lessons learned. Blah Blah Blah.
Can you imagine Helen Thomas asking Ronald Reagan back in the day about the demise of one Lyle Alzado?
And keeping on all things A-Rod, what happened to Peter Gammons? This guy was once an earnest reporter. Then he throws in with ESPN and that's where the trouble starts.
He gets the interview of the sports year---no doubt handpicked by the evil Scott Boras. But what does Gammons do? He serves as the chief softball tosser to A-Rod. C'Mon Pete. Suzyn "Goodness Gracious" Waldman might have been tougher. At no time, does Gammons ask an intelligent follow-up or do some deductive reasoning. Instead we're forced to take in more spin and more deception. Ugly. If A-Rod besmirched a careerby taking steroids, than Gammons did equal damage to his by playing the part of A-Rod's hostess. Presumably Gammons can resume his career as a stand-in to Andrew Jackson--a.k.a the guy on the $20 bill.
Don't believe me? Check this out:
Would you believe some well-minded journalist actually asked BHO's thoughts on Alex Rodriguez. That's right. A-Rod's foibles have been lifted into the same discussion as economic stimulus and avoiding another Great Depression. I can't believe I just wrote that sentence. Seriously. And this is what our country has come to...Almost as remarkable was the fact that BHO adressed it! Although being the adroit performer, BHO used it as public service about children and lessons learned. Blah Blah Blah.
Can you imagine Helen Thomas asking Ronald Reagan back in the day about the demise of one Lyle Alzado?
And keeping on all things A-Rod, what happened to Peter Gammons? This guy was once an earnest reporter. Then he throws in with ESPN and that's where the trouble starts.
He gets the interview of the sports year---no doubt handpicked by the evil Scott Boras. But what does Gammons do? He serves as the chief softball tosser to A-Rod. C'Mon Pete. Suzyn "Goodness Gracious" Waldman might have been tougher. At no time, does Gammons ask an intelligent follow-up or do some deductive reasoning. Instead we're forced to take in more spin and more deception. Ugly. If A-Rod besmirched a careerby taking steroids, than Gammons did equal damage to his by playing the part of A-Rod's hostess. Presumably Gammons can resume his career as a stand-in to Andrew Jackson--a.k.a the guy on the $20 bill.
Don't believe me? Check this out:
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