NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reported Sunday the Rangers did contact the Boston Bruins to inquire into the availability of their former captain, Brian Leetch, but didn't seriously pursue a deal because the Bruins asking price was too steep. Brooks also claims the Bruins were in contact with the Dallas Stars, looking to reunite Leetch with Sergei Zubov, until the Stars opted to trade with Minnesota for Willie Mitchell. Rangers GM Glen Sather also had interest in Wild blueliner Filip Kuba but backed off because of concerns over Kuba's health. Brooks also speculates the Rangers will pursue Ottawa Senators d-men Wade Redden or Zdeno Chara or Vancouver's Ed Jovanovski if any of the three become unrestricted free agents this summer. It's also possible Karel Rachunek, who's been playing in Europe, might return to the club next season.
Spector's Note: Leetch apparently told the Bruins if they dealt him, he'd retire, and that included a trade back to New York. Looks like Leetch still hasn't forgiven Rangers GM Glen Sather for unexpectedly trading him two years ago. As for Redden, Chara and Jovanovski, it's a long shot that any of them will be available.
I have a thought...way is it so far fetched for none of Jovanowski, Redden or Chara to become FA's? no way Ottawa can afford to bring back both Rdden and Chara.
what this team plans to do next season. Would be interested to see Rachunek come over and have Redden signed (and likely Rozsival too). Then, you'd have a defense of Kaspar, Tyutin, Malik, Rozsival, Rachunek, Redden and Ozolinsh - yes, seven defensemen (sorry, I get a sense that Sather will re-sign Rozsival and Tyutin will stay and Malik, Kaspar and Ozo are not moveable). So I think Larry's scenario isn't out of the question, but there's some variables he may not have considered.
As for Redden or Chara being available - it may be tough to keep them both, unless the cap is raised by a good amount. Both will command a decent salary, and who knows what else they may be in the market for or what players they'll need to resign. So it's really tough to say what they'd do, since I don't have enough information on Ottawa.
I have a thought...way is it so far fetched for none of Jovanowski, Redden or Chara to become FA's? no way Ottawa can afford to bring back both Rdden and Chara.
there are like 10 top pair dmen that are potential UFAs...the odds of all of them signing before july 1st is slim to none. there is no guarantee that any of them would sign here anyway but we'll have a chance to go after someone good over the summer.
what this team plans to do next season. Would be interested to see Rachunek come over and have Redden signed (and likely Rozsival too). Then, you'd have a defense of Kaspar, Tyutin, Malik, Rozsival, Rachunek, Redden and Ozolinsh - yes, seven defensemen (sorry, I get a sense that Sather will re-sign Rozsival and Tyutin will stay and Malik, Kaspar and Ozo are not moveable). So I think Larry's scenario isn't out of the question, but there's some variables he may not have considered.
As for Redden or Chara being available - it may be tough to keep them both, unless the cap is raised by a good amount. Both will command a decent salary, and who knows what else they may be in the market for or what players they'll need to resign. So it's really tough to say what they'd do, since I don't have enough information on Ottawa.
eff rachunek, i'd only bring him back so i could trade him once he is under contract. i don't want him on the team...
i HATE the fact that ozolinsh has another year on his deal...imo kaspar, tyutin, malik and rozsival being back is a given and i think strudwick will be back as the 7th dman. add ozolinsh and thats 6 of the 7 guys...
they will go after a top UFA (ie redden, chara, etc) over the summer and everyone is hoping that marc staal makes the team out of camp...now if you sign a guy AND staal makes it that would give you 8 dmen. so imo the most likely scenario would be they will go into camp with 7 dmen not including staal. then if staal wins a spot they will deal someone from the group to clear a spot.
I don't know why he'd stick around. If I were him, I'd go out and try to find a full time gig. He could be useful on many teams' third pairing, and as a stand-up character veteran leader.
I have a thought...way is it so far fetched for none of Jovanowski, Redden or Chara to become FA's? no way Ottawa can afford to bring back both Rdden and Chara.
I agree how can ottawa sign both of them. That's a lot of money they will need.
Hey, what is Leetch's beef with Sather anyway? Is it that he traded him or he didn't give him a head's up about where he was going to be traded to...or did Leecth give Sather a list of teams he'd like to go to and didn't get his wish?
Leetch HAD to be traded when he was. Getting the #1's and 2's ,Immonen and that D we send in the Sykora deal have fast forwarded our rebuilding.
" Dude itll be just like '94 and he'll be great! ".
No he wont. He sucks now. Yes I liked him as a Ranger but his career is running out of time. Dont need to trade youth for a player that will retire in a year.
If I remember correctly the Sens also have to re-sign Spezza and Havlat. Neither will come cheap!
Isn't it ironic that the salary cap was put in place for teams like the Senators and Devils and those teams will have the most trouble staying under the cap.
I don't know about these Sens or even the Devils at all, but if you have any doubt to its affect on parity throughout the league just look at the buyers at the deadline: Edmonton, Nashville, Vancouver, these teams.
The cap is likely to increase by 3 to 6 million, however, and I'm quite sure that if Ottawa gets another $6 million in cap room, they'll find a way to fit everyone in. If it's only another $3, some of that trimmed fat might end up being Redden.
Hey, what is Leetch's beef with Sather anyway? Is it that he traded him or he didn't give him a head's up about where he was going to be traded to...or did Leecth give Sather a list of teams he'd like to go to and didn't get his wish?
Leetch HAD to be traded when he was. Getting the #1's and 2's ,Immonen and that D we send in the Sykora deal have fast forwarded our rebuilding.
Whatever the reason is, you know Dellapina will be his mouthpiece.
