I wanted to bring this up earlier today, but didn't get a chance. In Arthur Staple's column in Newsday today, Brandon Dubinsky is quoted as saying "There were a lot of personal agendas in here last year. This year, there's one agenda, so far."
This is the second time in less than a week a current player (the other was Lundqvist, see here) has mentioned problems with team unity last year.
We all knew that Jagr wasn't happy last year with the Rangers deciding not re-sign Nylander in favor of Gomez and Drury. And that Avery can rub his teammates the wrong way. But I'm shocked to see it affected the team so much that current players are now willingly talking about the difference in the team's attitude this year.
It makes me wonder if current players have had any influence on Sather holding off on re-signing Shanahan. Especially when you see this quote also from Dubinsky, "[Drury, Gomez and company] aren't intimidating leaders. Some veterans can have that intimidating feeling over a younger guy, and not necessarily on purpose. Chris and Scotty and the rest of the guys let people be themselves. I think we're building a stronger group as a result." If Dubinsky isn't talking about Shanahan then I don't know who.
If current players have expressed their concern about bringing Shanahan on board I hope Sather has the smarts to listen. Because its not always about individual talent, its about the team. And if Sather ever needed an example he just needs to tune into this year's American League Championship and check out the Tampa Bay Rays.
6 comments:
thats pretty dumb of you, Shanny treated Dubi really well. Dont make up crap.
That might be the dumbest thing I ever read......Why would they be talking about Shanny? Shanny was the all about being a team player last year, and only spoke when needed to....example is when he spoke to Lundquist for bad mouthing play in front of him....He always lead by example and stepped up on the ice when this team needed it...example the fight with Brashear.
I would think if anything they would be talking about players such as Jagr, Avery, Malik, who all throughout last season complained about who was playing with them, how much they played, the style of hockey the team was playing, and also have a public contract dispute while, promoting himself for fashion companies.....
Maybe your were drunk when you sent this....
i think the guy was, Shanny haters.
I never said the players have anything to do with Shanny not being on the team. I was merely making an observation.
I find it hard to belive that Dubinsky was intimidated by Jagr, who Dubinsky had some much success with; Avery, who was probably too busy color coordinating to be intimidating; and do I really even need to address anyone being intimidated by Malik.
In looking at Dubinsky's quote I was just trying to see who he might of been talking about. Shanahan seemed like the obvious choice. I don't know about you guys, but he would intimidate me.
Jesus, I forgot about the Brashear/Shanny fight—never in a million years could I have the balls to step to him.
Dubie has picked up a lot of tricks and style from Jagr.
I highly doubt Dubi's comment is directed at Jagr. Don't forget that JJ is the main reason why Dubi ever got a chance at stepping into the spotlight. Do you guys honestly think Renney would have promoted a rookie center straight out of Hartford to the first line if JJ hadn't campaigned for it?
Why do you guys think JJ is regularly calling Renney with specific inquiries as to how Dubi is doing? (http://rangers.lohudblogs.com/2008/09/26/team-coming-into-focus/)
You guys also have to remember that you don't necessarily need to have an "intimidating" personality to have an intimidating effect on the ice. Drury and Gomez just seem to be much more positive guys and seem to be the type of leaders that look to bolster young players when they may be making mistakes instead of criticizing them. Perhaps Dubi is just taking note of a much more positive attitude from the players wearing the letters than he saw last year.
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