Larry Brook of the New York Post con
tinues his week-long series of talking with Ranger coach John Tortorella about the state of the Ragers.
Todays topic, is the controversial Don Brashear and how he will fit on the team after his incident with Blair Betts in the playoffs this past season.
“I don’t condone anyone trying to hurt another player. I don’t know that’s what happened with Bettsy, but if I ever think that Donald is trying to injure someone while he plays for the Rangers, that will be addressed.
“Things happen in hockey. We have to block out what happened to Blair Betts. The organization has to block it out,” Tortorella said. “If any of our guys have an issue with Donald, then settle it like men, because they are going to be teammates and they are going to have to respect each other.”
Even at 37 Tortorella believes that he Brashear can still be an effective member of the Rangers.
“I think Donald is a good enough skater that we’ll be able to move him up and down our lineup depending on game situations,” the head coach said. “He’s an intimidating force with good enough hockey sense, who knows how to play on the defensive side of the puck.
“He’s going to bring a certain demeanor to our team that we need a lot more of. We were too non-descript last year. I don’t want a team that’s non-descript. I want a team that has personality.
Torts also expects that any problems between any players and Brashear will be taken care of.
“Again, though, if there are players who have a problem with Donald because of Bettsy or anything else that’s happened in the past, I expect the issue to be dealt with and settled. I don’t care how, I don’t care where, but get it done so that when we come out of the locker room, we do it as a team.”
Brooks also notes on Marc Savard and Brad Richards after the jump.
….I have started to turn a little towards accepting Brashear on this team. They need an enforcer and someone who can protect the Gaborik’s and the Dubinsky’s and Callahan’s and Brashear is top-notch at doing that. I don’t for a second buy that Torts intends to move him up and down the lineup at 37 years old or even that he can be as a good a skater as advertised, but he fits a role on the team and thats all that matters.
On Savard:
As Philadelphia GM Paul Holmgren might have wanted to point out, we made a mistake last week in writing that Marc Savard has two years remaining on his contract. Fact is, the Boston first-line pivot has one season at $5 million remaining on his deal.
That would make it foolish for the Rangers to yield anything of value in a trade for a player who almost certainly will be available on the open market a year from now. Indeed, it would make sense for GM Glen Sather to pencil in Savard as his primary target for next summer should the Blueshirts be seeking a setup man for Marian Gaborik.
On Richards:
There is, however, widespread belief that Dallas owner Tom Hicks‘ financial problems — his team canceled prospects camp in order to save money — will force the Stars to cut payroll . . . with the cutting to feature former Tampa Bay Conn Smythe winning first-line center Brad Richards, who has two years at $7.8 million remaining on his deal.
It would take a newer new math to figure out how the Rangers could accommodate Richards under the cap, but there is no doubt that Sather will try if Dallas has to move him.
…Savard is otherworldly in his how he passes but he will turn 33 next offseason and you know that some team is going to give him that four year deal worth, $24 million and the Rangers shouldn’t be that team.
….As for Richards, if there is anyway they can get him, a third team would have to be involved.
Bad move by Sather. This guy is so despised by Rangers fans and not only because of what he did to Bettes but because hes just a dirty thug goon.
This signing isnt like getting Ulf Sameulsson or Joey Kocur. This was just wrong.
get over it…hes one of the most intimidating players in the NHL and when we play philly youre going to be glad we have him…i dont mind this at all if we dont have colton then why not ?? hes the best fighter in the NHL and hes a better skater than Orr …we need a guy like this on our team to be successful and until he does something stupid in a rangers jersey give the guy a break
He is not the best fighter in the league. And I’d much rather have Orr over this goon. Orr played against the other teams best players from time to time under Renney so that speaks volumes.
I dont think you’d be comfortable putting Brasher out there with less than 2:00 left to play with a one goal lead. With Orr you could do that.
if hes not the best fighter then who is??? hes def tougher to fight than Orr and orr is one of the best and before you go sayin orr played against the best players how do you know who brashear will line up against??? you better not come back here after the season starts acting like youre a big fan of his and im not saying that hes the most liked guy in the NHL but to me hes an upgrade over Orr …there numbers are about the same and i think Brashear is def more intimidating than Orr was …if anything i think youre the goon acting like Orr is a good player if hes so good and he played against the other teams best then why did the rangers finish in the bottom of the playoff teams …maybe you should start routing for Orrs new team instead of hating on a player on the Rangers
Im going to hate however I want first of all. Second, dont call people name that [post on this site. It makes you look immature and childish. And third, I will not ROUTE
Sorry, I messed this one up……
Im going to hate however I want first of all. Second, dont call people who post on this site names. It makes you look immature and childish. And third, I will not ROUTE for the Leafs.
I hate Brashear and I will never be a fan of his. Now, half way through the season or after the season is complete.
And the reason why the Rangers finished at the bottom of playoff teams (whatever that means) was because they didnt have any offense!!!
really beckfan well im going to post whoever i want and to be honest i think youre a moron so deal with it …if u gotta problem then ignore me i dont care if you do or dont ….you hate brashear cuz youre probably a racist or something because unless you know him personally i dont see how you can “hate” someone …how do you hate someone youve never met in your life ….you will not “route” for the leafs?? are you chinese or something because im pretty sure you dont know english very well …are you taking a day trip or something LOL how am i supposed to argue with someone that isnt even from New York originally
namecalling aside. i don’t have a problem with the signing. the rangers needed someone who was going to play the role of a protector and there are few better than the basher. what he did to better was reprehensible but it’s not a foreign concept to have players who you hate join your team. hello esa tikkanen?
this is really little more than much ado about nothing.
Even Betts said the hit wasn’t as bad as it seemed… he said that he thought it may have been late, but that it wasn’t ‘Dirty’ in mal-intent.
Regardless… Argue the price, or argue the length, but the signing was a good one. Brashear is a better player than Orr, and honestly… is way more feared and intimidating. As long as he’s held in check, and I believe he will be under Tortarella, he is going to pay off for this team.
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