Kotalik/Higgins Out? Sather to Follow? (UPDATED)
Interesting headline, right?
Big win for the Rangers tonight…check that…big win for Marian Gaborik tonight as he single handidly defeated the Avalanche 3-1. Chalk up a win, and a near shutout, for Chad Johnson.
But the big news of the day is the potential Ales Kotalik/Chris Higgins trade. Kotalik did not make the trip to Colorado and was sent home to await a possible trade. The trade that is in question is Kotalik/Higgins for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust. The deal has yet to be finalized but TSN is reporting that it will happen.
To me, this is a great trade for the Rangers. It’s been obvious that both Kotalik and Higgins have fell out of favor with Coach Tortorella. Neither has been producing much either. Kotalik is in the first year of a 3-year/$9 million contract. Higgins is making $2.25 mil this season. Jokinen is making $5.25 this season but will become a UFA next year. He has 11 goals and 24 assists this season. To me, this free’s up some salary for next season while improving the team this season as well. Jokinen should be able to give the Rangers more than what Kotalik and Higgins were able to give.
The second part of the headline deals with Glen Sather. If you’ve listened to todays podcast (available now on Itunes) you know that both Erik and I are hoping the Rangers fire Slats during the Olympic Break. While that may not happen, a change could be a brewing for the offseason. According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, it is believed that “This could be the final season for Glen Sather in a dual role as president/GM of the Rangers. The belief is he’ll remain president with Mark Messier taking over as GM.”
While Sather would still be around, he wouldn’t be acting as GM if this scenario were to occur. Plenty of things to discuss. What are your thoughts on the potential trade with Calgary and the move to make Mark Messier GM?
UPDATE: The deal has finally been completed. Both Jokinen and Prust are expected to be with the Rangers tonight against LA. Love the deal. To me, you’re getting rid of two unproductive guys for a semi-productive guy and a enforcer that you desperately need. Also, you’re getting rid of one bad contract and not taking on anymore money at the end of the season. While the Rangers aren’t saving money towards this years cap, this deal frees up $3 million dollars for the each of the next two years. And who knows, if Jokinen is productive, maybe the Rangers will resign for less than the $5.25 million he’s making this year. This deal also signals the end for Donald Brashear. Win, win, and win. Thoughts?
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15 Responses
Richard S. February 1st at 6:12 am
you are missing the second best part of this article right behind Slats getting the can as GM. That With the addition of Prust, Brashear is D-O-N-E, DONE baby!!!!
Richard S. February 1st at 6:18 am
And the other part of this trade to get Prust is that Voros will go away. He has been doing great while forced to fight legitimate heavyweights. With draws against Boll, Konopka, Asham, and a loss against McLeod last night he has been holding his own. Now this trade means that he will go back to being what he was last year, Invisible except for when he makes real bad penalties at the wrong time.
Richard S. February 1st at 6:31 am
Last thing, It is Steven Gelbs’ Birthday today. If you are a member of Facebook, dont be afraid to send him some BDay Love!
http://www.facebook.com/stevengelbs?ref=hpbday&pub=2386512837
Mike G February 1st at 9:26 am
This is a potentially good trade for the Rags, so I would think that if anything, it shows that Sather isnt going anywhere unfortunatly.
Glad to see Higgins go, he needs a chance to get his game back somewhere else.
Kotalik… I’ll miss his bomb of a shot from the point.
I still cant fathom why Voros is a Ranger.
Gabbi R. February 1st at 4:55 pm
I’d definitely do the Kotalik-Jokinen trade. I’m still iffy with Mess as GM. However, if Sather is out as GM, I’m all for it.
sully February 1st at 7:40 pm
the question is, is mark messier capable of being a GM.
There is also a rally to get sather fired on March 7th before the game heres the facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=272851463916&ref=ts
apparently knicks fans did it a few years ago with isaiah thomas and he got fired that off season
sully February 1st at 9:12 pm
according to what i read the deal was delayed because calgary wanted jokinen for tonights game. I also read that the rangers would have sent matt gilroy but then after calgary acquired ian white they no longer wanted gilroy and the rangers offered higgins instead and thats how we got where we are now
Ryan F. February 1st at 9:37 pm
I’m glad Calgary didn’t want Gilroy. Jokinen is a rental player. He most likely won’t be with us next season. I wouldn’t want to give up a player that could potentially be part of our future for a player who will probably only be here for the remainder of the season.
Eric (5-hole.com February 1st at 9:54 pm
Don’t be fooled. Even if Glen Sather were to be removed from his GM position and remain as President, you don’t think he’d be pulling the strings behind the scenes? Mark Messier would just be a figure head.
sully February 1st at 10:19 pm
you no what i would love? if ollie scores like 15 goals while here and then i could go to islander fans and say look what you traded away with players such as:luongo
spezza
redden (when he used to be good)
chara
all for kevasha parish and yashin
i think someone had a worse GM then glen sather
sully February 2nd at 12:22 am
btw their is no new episode on itunes today
Richard S. February 2nd at 1:58 am
The deal is officially done!!!!!! Kotalik/Higgins for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust. Say Bye, Bye to Brashear!!!!
Richard S. February 2nd at 6:30 am
new look rangers
Gaborik-Jokinen_Prospal
Dubinski-Drury-Callahan
Avery-Anisimov_Lisin
Voros-Boyle_Prust
Now here is the question. Toronto said they’d take on a bad contract but only if it came with a first round pick/prospect. would you guys trade Redden or Rosival (preferably Redden) and next years first round pick or prospect (think grachev, sanguinetti, stepan, kreider)for Tomas Kaberle, whom TSN said looks like the odd man out and the most likely to go? he is still under contract for next year and we get out from under those albatrosses?
The money works out with either player so I dont see why Sather wont make this call.
What do you guys think?
sully February 2nd at 6:36 am
preferably i do want grachev and kreider here as for the first round picks they are treated to valueable to be given away just cap issues, i say to get redden gone you flat out buy him out
Richard S. February 2nd at 6:55 am
I don’t think that works under todays nhl Salary cap. I believe you are still on the hook for at least half of his salary, ALA the Stars are paying half of Avery’s salary for the remainder of his contract.