CAPMESS11

United States, NY • United States •

SUNDIN TO NY ,I SAID IT COULD HAPPEN.

So if these latest reports hold water, I will officially want to quit my job and stand in front of all local media outlets looking for a gig. My blog a few months ago had Mats Sundin on the list and many people felt that NY was not in the mix. Now the NY Post has expressed that the Rangers are his first choice to land this summer. If the Rangers are kicking the tires on Mats,it explains why they have held off conversations with their own UFAs. With all respect to Avery,Sundin is one of the greatest of all time and the massive center has loved to score at MSG.Sather's plan is to have Sundin center Jagr which would give the Rangers tons of options up front and in the backend.

Suppose the Rangers plug Mats into the # 1 role ,they will gain some much needed size up front. Having Mats at the # 1 spot with Jagr on the wing will allow them to utilize Petr Pruchas skills on the other side. If Prucha remains in NY and is given the ice time,the Czeck forward will have all the tools to regain his 30 goal form. Playing with Jagr and Nylander ,Prucha was a threat from all sides of the rink and was a wolverine in front of the net. Mixing in Mats's skill set with his size and power is a totally different animal that would allow Petr to find space and room to cash in. Sather and Renny have expressed filling in roster spots from with in and by adding key pieces like Mats will allow them to do that. Taking Dubinksy out of the #1 center spot won't hurt his game. NY will now again increase it's size up front letting Dubinksy take over the # 3 center position,centering any two of the up and coming new kids. Dubinsky's maturity is well beyond his years and allowing him to mold his own game will only add to his continued progress.In fact having Mats in the locker room only will benefit the young center,as Sundin can provide coaching and mentoring for a kid with a similar makeup.

If the Rangers find that they have an surplus of talent up front in camp,they will be able to move some of these pieces to solidify their club. If Anisimov shocks the club and is ready for the jump to the big show,the Rangers could even look into brining in Mats's old line mate Nik Antropov. That would allow them to simply add size to the wing with Gomez and Drury or reunite him with his Toronto teammate on Sundins flank. The Rangers have made excellent choices in not only drafting but in bringing in veteran leadership to help the kids progress. Adding Shannahan,proved to be a keen move by Rangers management. His locker room presence has paid dividends and has taken pressure off of Jagr. With Sundin,the Blueshirts would add another Mark Messier Award recipient and the ultimate leader to the club.His age of 37 allows them to structure his salary around incentives while plugging in cheaper young forwards in the holes. Knock wood I'd pray that the club stays healthy pending these moves,but having another number one center like Drury on the wing only expresses the depth the Rangers would have.In the event that the flu bug hits in January,Renney would have several options in NY and some more in Hartford..


Ok ok, so you want to know about the QB void they have. Well here is where they will be able to move some of their young assets to address the need,or make an offer to Mike Greene in DC. I still see the Rangers getting into the Bouwmeester mix and adding another young point man to their blue line mix. At that point they could then spend on needs like Brooks Orpik to help police the crease or finding some more skill to ride shotgun along Gomez's wing. Either way this move makes tons of sense for both sides and for Jerry Cosby who will have the store window dressed in # 13. Hats off to Rangers brass that has taken the club from a joke to a potential contender. Hats off to the scouts who continue to pick up steals in the draft and in of season signings.Last,Hats off to Mats hope to see you with the blueshirts.

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