B R O A D W A Y***B L U E S H I R T S

Bathgate66 wrote:

forgot to mention-

they can only come to arbitration once (in a career?) , so the Rangers pushed the limit on that now .

tis true

we need to just sign him long term this season

gotta love this team

raised my tickets 4 bucks a tick

and they want money by JULY 23RD!!!!!!!!!! LOL

guess were paying the contracts lol

i love em

SOURAY HEADING TO TOWN??????????



We're five days into free agency and just about every worthwhile player is off the market.


Well, just about every worthwhile player. Of the players left on the market, the guy that I've been getting the most questions about is defenseman Sheldon Souray.



Last season, in Montreal, Souray's heavy shot made him a force on the power play. He established a record for power-play goals scored by a defenseman in a single season, netting 19 for the Habs. Souray broke the old mark, held by Denis Potvin (Islanders, 1974-95) and Adrian Aucoin (Canucks, '98-99) who each had 18 PPGs.



Most figured that Souray would be long off the market by now. But, for some reason, he remains available for all 30 clubs.



After talking with a couple of sources with some knowledge of the situation, I get the sense that Souray could be headed for New York to join the Rangers. That scenario makes sense for five reasons (that I can think of).



First, the Rangers figure to add another experienced defenseman.



Second, the Rangers don't have a dangerous offensive presence on their blue line.



Third, the Rangers could deal a roster player (Matt Cullen?) and/or offer less money to their own UFA Brendan Shanahan to create the cap space for another major addition.



Fourth, Souray might be waiting to sign with the Rangers to allow them to pursue a deal to create cap space. By waiting, Souray would allow his future team to make a deal with full leverage. If a club knew the Rangers had to make a deal for cap purposes, that club might offer less in return.



Fifth, Rangers GM Glen Sather has a good relationship with Souray's agent, Paul Theofanous.



Will this scenario play out? At this point, Souray's future plans remain a bit of a guessing game. And, as the Oilers found out, there are no certainties until a player signs a contract. Until he does sign his autograph on the dotted line, Souray remains a free agent. And, until then, we'll keep trying to figure out where he's going.


ONE LAST NOTE
It is one thing to overpay for a high-end player, but it's quite another to overpay for a marginal player. I've been amazed at some the contracts that have been agreed to this week. In some cases, teams might be trying to reach the salary cap floor of $34.3M. In other cases, I'm not sure what they're trying to do. Either way, this class of free agents seems to be doing quite well for itself.



Two years ago next month, those who wanted to rush to judgment felt the just-signed CBA was a one-sided document that favored the owners. It's funny how that perception is changing with time, eh?

Rygar wrote:

I think it's funny that his number one reason was experienced defensemen.

In all seriousness, that 'some reason' that Shelly hasn't been signed yet is $$. Big $$.
If he signs for < $4 mil with NYR, I'll buy the rumour that Sather had him on his waiting list.

we shall see