Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Discontent on Broadway

1) Word from our sources within the Ranger organization have told FAUXRUMORS this morning that things are NOT going particularly well with in the team locker room. Apparently superstar Jaromir Jagr is not at all happy with the way the team is being coached and how the roster was/is constructed.




2) Evidently JJ does not like the direction the team seems to be moving. Specifically away from their European dominated roster of the recent past and more towards a North American dominated roster. One may recall how well Jagr performed the first year after the lockout when the team had a very heavily Euro-laden team with JJ as its center piece. Those were very happy days for the former cap/Penguin. However things began to change last season with the addition of Shanahan, and then escalated with the bringing in of Avery, then over the summer the additions of American free agents Scott Gomez and Chris Drury



3) With the slow start things have been especially magnified in NY, and as team captain eyes will be focused even more on Jagr. As we mentioned in a post last year he was made team captain more to placate him than for his leadership qualities. As fans of the penguins and Caps can attest, when Jagr isn't content and happy he pouts and plays at 1/2 speed. Is this the case now? Well, some ranger fans we talked with say he hasn't looked the same since his near MVP year 2 years ago. He did have a decent year last year pairing up with Nylander, especially on the PP, but so far this year he hasn't taken to playing with either of the 2 big free agent centers.

4) So what are the options?
  • Allow the players like Jagr additional time to develop their chemistry. These guys have proven track records of being able to score in this league. It'll come with time
  • Make a deal. Trading Jagr is a huge long shot. For one, the Rangers have a big discount on him.(The caps still pay almost 1/2 his 8 mil/year salary) He's signed to a (player option) additonal year after this. Most GM's would be wary of acquiring him anyway. Seeing how that backfired on the Capitals 5 years ago. Jagr didn't want to play in DC and it showed. Its also unlikely that the rangers would get equivalent value back for him, leaving a hole on their already starving offense.

5) With the Blueshits already up against the cap a move of any significance is unlikely. If the current trend continues the easier move to make would be one to change coaches. Hoping that would ignite the team back to where most, including us at FAUXRUMORS believe they should/can be. Someone who can unite the factions in the locker room and have them play as a team. If he doesn't already, perhaps Glen Sather should put Pat Burns' phone number on speed dial! He may be needed sooner rather than later.

22 comments:

Jintzie said...

I know this is off the topic at hand, but Theresa and I wanted to thank from the bottoms of our heats all the support and well wishing mail we have recieved. When we got back from the islands we were floored by how amazing you all are. My poor Theresa was in tears. Thank you all again!

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) No Jints, Thank you! You are a true American hero. We know you don't like to openly admit what you did for your country, but you deserve to be honored as you have.
2) The disgusting slanders by the poor unfortunate minuscule minority will NEVER be allowed to stand unanswered nor diminish what people like yourself mean to us at FAUXRUMORS! Thank you!

Antzmarching said...

Hey Jintzie, good to see you back again - I hope the fires haven't affected you much...

With regard to the Rag$ (sorry TDR), I read this week in the NY Post that Jaromir Jagr's problem lies within the type of line mate he is assigned... Apparently, Jag$ prefers playing with slower, plodding forwards who allow him to dominate the puck control in the neutral zone... He believes quicker skaters clash with his style, although he performed very well with the speedy Nylander last season... Jagr has always been a pouter when things aren't going his way... Ask the few remaining Capital fans how dedicated he is when he is upset with something... At that time, it was Bruce Cassidy, who was recently fired again...

While I am not sure what Jagr's rationale is for this statement, I AM positive that he is NOT happy right now... ONE goal in 8 games is pathetic... However, I insist the Rag$ will turn things around, but they can't continue to waste these early season games and let all these points slip away...

Antzmarching said...

Great picture, Faux! Is this child related to the child who is eating the cake?

Antzmarching said...

By the way, I was 4-2 last evening... Gotta love that Blues pick... This puts me at 10-5 for the year... I believe my .667 winning percentage eclipses yours, at this point, Faux...

The Dark Ranger said...

Brutal to read. Brutal to watch.

My sources at MSG are suggesting the Ranger camp is looking for someone to complement or replace Tom Renney if they drop another 3 or 4 games. The owners are not happy.

Ironic to see referenced, "already starving offense" when describing the current Ranger offense, as on paper they are players anyone would have picked for their hockey fantasy team.

If we cannot win them, there is always drama. More to come...

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) Antz: Yes your % is better, but we have more games predicted. Its a long season! You keep a .667 or greater all year we'll buy ya a beer!
BTW The children are NOT the same!
2) Dark: We agree no one would have said the ranger Offense would be the problem. That might be the best case scenario for them as that's an issue that's bound to turn around. As for a change behind the bench, another week of losing and Renney IS out!

Antzmarching said...

I believe I predicted Tom Renney would be on the early hot seat if things went bad - The Rag$ will figure this out, but will Renney be around to reap the benefits?

Faux, YOU were the one who defended Renney and Glen Hanlon, claiming that they would BOTH probably last the year...

The Dark Ranger said...

Bring back Keenan! ;)

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) Antz: Re-read our post from October 5th With regards to Renney Quote:
"Expectations are now high though, and a significant fall would make him very vulnerable."

2) As for Hanlon:"....if they fall out of it like last season, his days may be numbered."

3) We stick/stand by those statements

Cincy said...

1. Islanders

2. thru 14. Who cares

15. Rangers


Posted: Monday, 24 September, 2007

The Dark Ranger said...

very saucy, sauce.

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) Wow some good ole fashioned NY hockey rivalry. Good to see once again. Hopefully the 'good feelings' shown here will spill over in their next on ice meeting!
2) So far Sauce that prediction is looking good.
Here's one Hawk will like:
If the Rangers finish 15 and the Isles 1st we will cease operations/end/remove this blog. Bet we just made an islander fan of him. LOL On second thought, without us he'd have no life what so ever!

Rogo said...

That Jagr fella don't seem like a bad egg to me. he gets paid a lot but so what. I don't blame him for getting paid what he gets. He's only one guy. Theres no reason to say its all his fault why we can't seem to score.

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) We are on record that we have zero tolerance for your shenanigans. Among those are the usage of the stolen ID's and the besmirching of those folks, especially a war hero! That will NEVER stand here at FAUXRUMORS!
2) You can bet your boots your inflammatory/nonsensacal posts will continue to be deleted! Get a life pal!

Jibblescribbits said...

I cannot remember a player in any sport ever who is so reliant on his surroundings as Jagr.

I don't think they'll trade him, but man I can't believe the Blueshirt faithful have tolerated him for so long. I can imagine them turning on him very quickly soon.

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) All very valid points Jibble. Jagr has worn his welcome i his last 2 destinations. We won't speak for Ranger fans, but we'd assume he bought some good will with his near MVP type season 2 years ago
2) Also, he's not the only one struggling, just the most vocal.
As Mad Mike Milbury noted on TSN, "Jagr is temperamental 5% temper and 95% mental." He's always good for a quote or two. LOL Too bad he was the worst GM in NHL history

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) The baby was supposed to be Jagr. He seems to be the only one complaining. Which of course means he'lll have a great game tonight and light up Brodeur who has been very average so far.

Shmee said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Dark Ranger said...

Jagr aint going no where. My guess is that Gomez will be traded before January for younger blueline support. This is so anti-Sather babble, but here's hoping.

tdr

FAUX RUMORS said...

1) TDR: You believe what you wrote but are ya kidding? Gomez's contract makes him virtually untradeable. The only team that we can see right now who could both afford him AND has a bevy of young defensemen are the Washington capitals
2) We at this point could not see them making such a trade for several reasons. Most important of all is the fact that they have not one but 2 huge pending RFA's(Ovechkin and Semin) needing to be signed next summer.

The Dark Ranger said...

faux...i know, i know...it's just what I want to happen to Gomez. ;)

 
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