Sather's conference call (Updated)

UPDATE: Left wing Fredrik Sjostrom, who did not receive a qualifying offer from the Rangers, making him an unrestricted free agent, signed a two-year deal with the Calgary Flames worth $1.5 million.

ORIGINAL POST: Rangers GM Glen Sather just concluded a conference call regarding his signings today of right wing Marian Gaborik and left wing/enforcer Donald Brashear.

The quick hits: Sather said the Rangers are convinced Gaborik has put last season's awful injury parade behind him, saying they've spoken to the doctors, etc. and pointing to Gaborik having no issues as he returned for the final 17 games with the Wild last season. Sather said both Mario Lemieux and Michal Rozsival had similar hip surgeries and were able to return fine. He also said while he was juggling a lot of deals, the Rangers were never in it for Marian Hossa because of the length of contract Hossa was seeking.

And the money question. I asked Sather whether he believed he had a top-line center in the organization now or if he had to acquire one. There was somewhat of a long pause and sigh before Sather answered.

"I wouldn't say we don't have one," Sather said. "Dubinsky is capable of being a No. 1 center. If we get a chance to get another player, we're going to do it."

Sather on whether Gaborik was signed after a potential deal for Dany Heatley fell apart: "No, they didn't fall apart. It was a complicated scenario we were dealing with. We had to have more than one ball in the air. We had to wait until today to talk to Gaborik but we had a pretty good idea he was interested in coming to New York. The contract took a long time but I'm happy he got signed."

Sather on the trend of long-term contracts like Hossa's 12 years with the Blackhawks: "I think everybody's following the rules. The next CBA, there's a pretty fair chance they'll put a limit on these things."

Sather on his ability to sign his restricted free agents: "I still think we're in a good position. I don't think anybody's gooing to come after these guys at this stage."

Sather on signing Donald Brashear instead of Colton Orr to be the Rangers' enforcer: "I think Brashear gives us a couple of other things. He's quicker, he can get in on the puck a little faster. The style of game we're going to be playing, he's going to be a little more effective for us."

Sather on whether Brashear will have problems in the Rangers room after his blindsind playoff hit on Blair Betts: "I think our players are excited to have him in the room. They know he's going to be the man. It's a tough job to do. Colton is a good guy, he works hard and he deserves every cent that he got."

Comments

[blueshirts]

1st of all Dubinsky has the potential to be a 1st line center... in a couple years. From the looks of things the Rangers will be active over the next few days. Possibly another scoring winger or a center for Gaborik. This team looks extremely poorly constructed at this point.

[LI Joe]

i see dubi as more of a 2 or 3 center. drury a 2. so no number 1 currently but we likely have to develop it over time from within

[akayama49]

Dubi at best is Pete Stemkowski revisited. Some clutch goals, but limited passing skills; some size, some grit. Not bad rteally, just not first line material if you want to win the Cup.

[Gaurav Ahuja]

Donald Brashear was signed for more money than Orr per year. That was bad. Marian Gaborik received about seven and a half million for each year of his contract, on average, is terrible. It is terrible because there is too much risk with his health. Glen Sather shows that he still does not deserve to be a General Manager in the National Hockey League. The team may be better next year, but that is primarily because of Mr. Gainey having the foolishness to take Scott Gomez when nobody else would take on such a horrible contract. Thank you, Mr. Gainey. Hopefully, there will be fools for Wade Redden and Michael Rozsival.

[Keith]

Yes that would be nice-to unload Redden or Rozy. I think there are still some solid players out there-Scuderi is out there-they need to get someone else to play Center too. I agree with the comments above-Dubi is a #2 at best I think. I am bummed a bit that Sjostrom left but it was bound to happen. All I keep thinking is if they don't get some real solid players and do a heck of a job with the chemistry then it's going to be sindy and the pens for years to come and that makes me sick! I still think they should look at Gionta or John Madden-he is a good defensive forward.

[Keith]

Oh forget it-crap Montreal got Gionta and Madden went to the western conf. Well Sather better not be done-no Dmen yet and they still need to resign Cally and Dubi and Korpo I guess

[Rogan]

Our power play should be better this year with a new season under Tort and the addition of Gaborik. And with that, some of the numbers for our other guys are going to improve if only because of an improved power play. We've been so bad the last two years with the man advantage. Drury and Dubinsky's numbers really should move up, if just with a better pp.