Ranger Analysis: Why so Hard on Ales Kotalik?
by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 6:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintWhere’s the beef? The old Wendy’s tag line is quite fitting for the newest Ranger acquisition, well with just one little change: why the beef? Every since it was announced on TSN that the Kotalik deal was for 3 million a year for three years and not 1 million a year Ranger fans have been buying pitchforks and torches like Frankenstein is in town. Why?
I fail to see why signing Kotalik—30 years old— to a 3 year 3 million dollar contract is another "immense failure" just in from Glen Sather. Kotalik fits Tortorella's system to a T. What, do you think Glen Sather just walks down to Tortorella's office and says "hey John I signed Kotalik today!"? No, they discuss players with each other and in the end Tortorella has the final say. Sources say that the Rangers had Kotalik targeted from the beginning anyway. Look, I understand Kotalik is not a 80-100 point guy, but he isn't he being paid like one; so what’s the problem? Why the beef?
Kotalik is a lock for at least 20 goals in a season. Is he an assist machine? No, but he holds his own. And last I checked 3 million for a 50 point scorer in the NHL is either under or right at market value. His presence will give the power play a much needed boost—21 goals and 23 assists on the power play in the last two years—and he can competently play the point. Also, Kotalik is one of the best shootout players in NHL history, going 20-38 (52%) in his career. And if all that is not enough he may help rejuvenate Drury—since both players had their career years playing on the same line as each other.
So why all of the complaints? A 3 year deal is too long for a 30 year old player; a player, may I add, with massive playoff experience? Let’s take a peek at what the (forward) lines look like now that Kotalik is a Ranger:
Higgins-Dubinsky-Gaborik
Callahan-Drury-Kotalik
Avery-Anisimov-Zherdev
Brashear-Boyle-???
(Note: These combinations are of course assuming Callahan and Dubinsky sign, and Zherdev is offered 3.25 million or less at arbitration. The ??? is for Betts or Korpikoski, or even Dan Byers as reported by Steve Zipay.)
So why the beef? His contract isn’t bad at all, in fact if you want my opinion its fair if not a little bit of a steal for the Rangers. He will help the power play, we already know he meshes well with Drury, and he is a monster in the shootout. I applaud Glen Sather for getting guys who will fit this new speedy offensive mold. And you all should too, it always seem like sometimes it seems like Ranger fans won’t be happy no matter what Sather does. Give the guy some slack he has done a wonderful job this year. So again … why the beef?
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I don't get it either
He’s fast, so unlike Markus Naslund he could be less frustrating to watch as the ice melts around him.
Also since this guys is one of the best shootout guys in the game, anyone take a gander at how the Rangers played last year. It seemed to me that damn near every game went to a shootout.
So now they have one of the top if not best shootout goalies in the King, and one of the top shootout scorers in Kotalik.
Its not ALL about scoing 100 pts. And I thougt that’s what we got Gaborik for anyway?
Kotalik is good signing.
Its better than having pipe dreams about trading Rosival and Zherdev for Alex Frolov, which Im sure gave a few Kings fans passing by on the Banter a good laugh or 3 whenever they see that.
I don’t know enough about him to have a solid opinion, but my gut tells me he is another mid-level player that will provide little offense and less defense. Clearly he’ll help on the shootout, but with that said I’ll be optimistic and look forward to the “new” Rangers.
Did we miss out on a cheaper and possibly as productive center? Morrison for 1 year at $1.5mil? He too is a 20+ gaol scorer with 30-40 helpers but may be a little more defensive minded. It’s obvious Tort’s is not as concerned about defense or PK with his current signings, or lack of signings. This concerns me.
it always seem likesometimes it seems like Ranger fans won’t be happy no matter what Sather does.
That is very true, not only that but fans of other teams jump on that bandwagon and bash Slats right along with them. Yes he has done some bone-headed stuff, but he has also done quite a bit of good.
I just wish that Ranger fans would wait until the roster is all but set before jumping ugly on the team and Slats.
No night spent pantsless is a wasted night.
Kotalik
Joe – you make a very good case in favor of signing Kotalik. And, as both your post and sireric said above, the backlash to Sather’s moves are almost reflexive.
I’ll admit, I am not entirely sold on Kotalik. That said, he’s been a relatively consistent producer in the offensive zone for several seasons. And, let us face facts, the Rangers could benefit from offensive consistency. Still, I do share NYdemo’s concerns about the potential impact the assorted off-season will have on the penalty kill.
Lastly, Frankenstein is the scientist and not the heavily scarred creature. But you could easily argue he was the true monster in Shelley’s novel. Sorry – I’ve had too many students make this mistake in papers to let it slide.
by Reginald Perrin on Jul 11, 2009 9:17 AM EDT reply actions
Well Reginald Perrin
I am 20 years old and NEVER knew that. I figured he named the monster Frankenstein. But hey im a huge english fan as well so i will accept you little side bar on Frankenstein being the true monster (this is assuming you are an english teacher lol)
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by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t hate the signing of Kotalik by any stretch, but it seems a bit superfluous and almost wasteful. He is a 20 goal scorer, which we’ve had a few of recently who have failed to make an impact. If we’re only going to get one bonafide sniper this off season (which I’m fine with) I would have liked to see some of the prospects be given a chance to grab that roster spot to see if they can turn into a dynamic scorer, instead of spending 3 mil a year for 3 years on someone we know isn’t. It seems like he’s the same type of player we keep getting, and I don’t think he’s what we need right now. Having said all that, I hope he proves me wrong and has an allstar season, at which point I will happily write a fanpost retracting my statement today.
As for Sather…
He’s made so many bad moves, its easier to assume the worst. He’s had flashes of brilliance for sure, but even a broken clock is right twice a day.
by AllHailTheKing30 on Jul 11, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions
The difference is that Kotalik
is a monster on the power play where Naslund and Zherdev dont seem to click. Also he will help one of our other highly paid centers—hopfully—find his scoring form.
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by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
If he resurects the power play and/or Drury...
Then I will stand corrected and never say another unkind word about him.
by AllHailTheKing30 on Jul 11, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
ales kotilik
me personaly i would have took afinegenov but lets what this guy can do anybody is better then zheredev also does anybody know if jay mckee signed anywhere i would love for the rangers to get him …..
McKee
I believe he signed a one year deal with the Penguins. According to TSN, it was for $800,000.
by Reginald Perrin on Jul 11, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Lines
It’s July, so take this with the proverbial grain of salt. But I find it odd that many line prognosticators separate Dubinsky and Callahan. This is not directed at you per se, Joe. I thought the two showed excellent chemistry last season and would likely be penciled onto the same line to start this upcoming season. I would actually like to see a Higgins-Dubinsky-Callahan line to start the year.
by Reginald Perrin on Jul 11, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions
I think...
…people are so upset because signing Kotalik likely signals that Zherdev is gone. They argue that it would be better to pay Zherdev $4 mil than pay Kotalik $3 mil.
I completely agree with you. Torts clearly does not want to deal with Zherdev. There are more important things than points. Sure, Zherdev has more potential, but he’s had that potential for several years now and it’s been maddening to watch him fall short of fulfilling it every season.
Kotalik is a much better player down deep on the boards, and like you said, is much better on the PP. I really dont get where all this “overpaid” stuff is coming from. I’m not sure how much people expect to pay for a consistent 50 point player, but they’d be in for a rude awakening if they could be GM for a day.
Zherdev is a player i would have loved to keep
And the Rangers still may depending on how everything plays out.
And i agree that everone is mad because it means Zherdev is likely gone, but i remember 90% of these people hoped he wasnt re-signed. Make up your mind people! This is what i mena with my Sather can do nothing right comment.
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by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
you didn’t know Frankenstein was the doctor?
LOL, just giving you a hard time
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Jul 11, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
no i knew he was the doctor
i just always assumed the monster was called Frankenstein as well.
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by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
The D-man We Need
Actually, the original creature from the novel had supernatural abilities, unlike the version that appeared on the big screen. [Unless, of course you count Peter Boyle’s rendition of “Puttin’ on the Ritz” in Young Frankenstein as supernatural.] Plus, he had size. Perhaps Sather should look into signing him to be the crease-clearing defenseman the team has lacked for so many years. Of course, the obvious downside is that the creature tends to commit homicide.
by Reginald Perrin on Jul 11, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Pitchforks
Most Ranger fans understand that Sather has begun a solid youth movement with Stall, Girardi, Cally, and Duby. However, his affinity to signing the “over 30” star player (Nedved, Lindros, Naslund, etc) along with unceremoniously dumping one of the most beloved players in Rangers history (#2) has left us on the verge of mutiny. Add to this his signing of Brashear, who all but sealed the coffin on our chances to advance beyond the Caps with his obscenely dirty play on Betts, and you have an angry mob with pitchforks in hand. We always hope, but we never forget.
I agree he has made mistakes but when do we forgive him?
He appears to have changed his ways …
The fans cry for youth they get it, they also get a top 5 player in the league, they get solid support players around him, and a top 3 goalie and people are still mad.
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by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
…along with unceremoniously dumping one of the most beloved players in Rangers history (#2) has left us on the verge of mutiny.
- Bleedin’ Blue
If I recall, he also let Graves go and wouldn’t resign him his last year when he was working out, hoping for a deal but got no takers from anyone. Let’s not make a case for Graves not serving a purpose anymore because we all know how “great” the Rangers were before the lockout. Holik said it best…
"Malik now." "6 foot 6, 238, not a noted goal scorer but he's gonna give it a shot here." "Malik has not scored this year. In on Kolzig, faked it....SCORES"
Joe = Kool Aid Drinker
No one cried for an injury prone expensive F.A. signing.
No one cried for one of the most hated players in hockey who knocked out the hardest worker on our team with a cheap shot less than 3 months ago.
Those were bad F.A. signings.
Kotalik is a 40+ points getter, not 50-60. He is a known talent and that is good thing. But given our cap constraints, and still unsigned RFAs (the youth movement that you claim Sather has successfully orchestrated), Cally and Dubi, and next year Stahl, Girardi, Higgens, money is really tight. Did we really need him over Zherdev? Did we need a 3 year commitment?
It appears Sather’s plan is to spend the excess cap cash and force the youngsters to accept low-ball offers. That is no way to treat your most valuable employees.
by Blueshirts Rock on Jul 11, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions
Yes it is
Young players play out their contracts. That’s why the arbitration process exists. If only have to pay Callahan $2 million, why the hell would you give him 3? That’s just bad business. If they do that, then in April everyone will be bitching about how the new Callahan, Dubinsky, and Staal contracts prevented the Rangers from signing a much needed veteran forward.
I’m just sick and tired of people complaining about not locking up youngsters. GET OVER IT. Not every young player is going to be signed to a 10 year deal just because you like them. They’ll play out these low-paying years and get big extensions when they become UFAs, or else they’ll head where they can get more money.
Blueshirts Rock
I fail to see any intelligence behind your post. You think the Gaborik signing was a bad one? Are you high?
And that youth movement you claim doesn’t exist: Callahan, Dubinsky, Stall, Girardi, Gilroy, Lundqvist isn’t enough for you? Who would you have given the snipers spot to? Callahan? What other youngsters should be in the lineup right now instead of a vet? Redden is the only replaceable one no matter what you may think Rozival is better defensively than ANYONE in the minors right now.
See you are one of the people I was talking about when I said they complain no matter what happens. A fan who has little intellectual knowledge of what’s going on in the hockey world, you just complain to complain. Your Brashear argument is acceptable but again your Kotalik one is not, I take a 20 goal scorer, lock in the shootout and a guy who meshes well with Drury for 3 mil a year. Differences in opinions but who is keeping score?
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by Joe Fortunato on Jul 11, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not smoking what mgmt offers
You do.
The youth movement only exists when you sign the players for long-term deals. Otherwise, the only movement is when they sign lucrative deals with other teams. By committing long-term money to veterans, you hamstring the ability to lock-up the core. Does that argument satisfy your desire for intelligence.
Rozi is a good d-man, no doubt, but he’s not a 5mill per year player. That’s Pronger type money. Do you really think they are contemporaries. But I never took issue with that signing; the Redden deal is pathetic and makes our mgmt the laughing stock of the league. If we had just demoted him, the Gaborik signing would have been possible and we would have had a #1 Center. Clearing salary is great, but there was a much simpler way of doing it. Do you really defend having Redden instead of Gomez? Higgins walks after next year because Sather did not lock him up long-term. Instead, he gives 3 mill to Kotalik.
With respect to Gaborik, he’s not a tough player. He’s highly skilled and I’m excited to watch him play. But you don’t get anything out of a player on the IR and he spends, on avg. 20-25% of the year on the IR. This is historical fact. My assumption is that the historical trend with respect to his performance will continue. Is that an unintelligent assumption to make?
If you like, keep drinking the juice, but don’t assault my intelligence. You posts are slanted in favor of MGMT and I’m just calling you on it. Its not meant to be a personal attack, just a request that you look at things a little more critically and not make it seems like this blog is sponsored by the Dolans.
by Blueshirts Rock on Jul 13, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I like the deal
Kotalik will provide similiar stats to Z for a mil less, and the point being made of Kotalik and Drury playing together again may jolt both players back or close to their best year. The team constructed now has the potenatial to have 7 20+ goal scorers, the same number as in ’94 (would have been 8 without trading Gartner. I think this could be a better balanced attack from last season. Still need a hard hitting d-man though, someone who makes other forwards think twice about going to the front.
well said.
I just dont see what sather is thinking. Thats all. I dont HATE the kotalik signing. The amount isnt even Awful, eventhough all i have done is complain its too much.
sather better pull a rabbit out of his hat thats all. Trends pretty much point to every move sather makes is a bad one.
Kotalik to play with Drury
Could be a Renisance for both players.
Unfortunetly, Vanek is still in BUFF.
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by The American Mr.Hockey on Jul 11, 2009 8:08 PM EDT reply actions
Kotalik
With so much young talent banging on the door at minimum cost, Rangers could have added a $6 mil player like Heatley or Kovalchuk, who is a free agent next year. I think 3 years and $3 mil too much for 30 year winger. 1 year should have been fine. It is tough to see Rangers signing players like Rissmiller and Voros, and send them to AHL. To me it is a waist of money and salary cap. Hope Kotalik is not going to be a waist. High risk with young players can give high rewards.
Kotalik a plus in my book
Kotalik might not give you day to day scoring but will come close to 55 points this year. See sather is finally noticing that maybe the signing of drury and gomez was a bust because of the chemistry with their respective linemates. Gainey realized this and signed Gionta upon receiving Gomez. So if getting Kotalik will enhance our pp, shoot outs, and give drury a consistent winger whom he clicks with then 3mill is well worth it.
by louielounz1 on Jul 14, 2009 12:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Kotalik a plus in my book
Kotalik might not give you day to day scoring but will come close to 55 points this year. See sather is finally noticing that maybe the signing of drury and gomez was a bust because of the chemistry with their respective linemates. Gainey realized this and signed Gionta upon receiving Gomez. So if getting Kotalik will enhance our pp, shoot outs, and give drury a consistent winger whom he clicks with then 3mill is well worth it.
by louielounz1 on Jul 14, 2009 12:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
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