Wade Redden isn’t going anywhere. Who is going to take that contract (realistically)? How can you even say with a straight face that Fedor Tyutin is better than Wade Redden. Besides this year the guy has cracked 20 points once. If the Rangers hadn’t been stymied by Tom Renney’s defensive “five in the picture” system then Redden’s point total would have been higher. Wade Redden is an established 1st pair dman, something that Tyutin would never have been on the NYR.

i love everyones thoughts on the subject. Obviously i am a zherdev fan. I would LOVE for the rangers to come out and play like they did post lock out, but sather just doesnt give me that, THIS IS THE YEAR kind of feelings. he hasnt put together a decent team since the oilers when he was handed gretzky and messier. ill have more to say in the morning

This is not a one or the other scenario. Sather is not consciously making the decision to pay Redden instead of Zherdev. The Redden contract is already over and done with, and there’s nothing anyone can do to make it go away. Yes, unfortunately that means we cant afford to sign players like Zherdev. Too bad.

But in reality, Redden’s contract and Zherdev not re-signing could not possibly have less to do with each other.

I feel (along with everyone else mostly) that the effect of the redden contract is that it ties up so much money for 1 inefficient player, which could be dispersed to a couple decent players.
Thats what im getting at.

i agree there is nothing we can do. i just would rather see the rangers spend their money on people who are more likely to have a breakout year than someone who is about to have another more unproductive year from the previous season for about the 4th year in a row.

That article about how zherdev wouldve had a contract in the league of carter ovechkin and perry, but he isnt worth that. i get that. i wish his price tag wasnt so high. I just dont want to see him sign with a team like the islanders or devils and see him become successful. Especially becaue you know he will face the rangers 6 times a year and actually try, which means he will be productive.

whatever… The rangers will close the book on him, now we just gotta hope our players actually step up this season and start scoring goals and winning games.