Sather stepping down? Trade Rick Nash? Where there’s smoke…

Rick Nash out? (AP/Gus Ruelas)

Rick Nash out? (AP/Gus Ruelas)

Well, the offseason isn’t more than a week old for the New York Rangers and we are already being bombarded with some pretty big rumors. The key factor here is to look at the source of these rumors before giving them credence. Once you do, you realize they are coming from reputable sources.

TRADING RICK NASH?

At first, I was wondering where Larry Brooks was coming from when he wrote of the possibility on May 31st.

[su_quote cite=”Larry Brooks, NYPost” url=”https://nypost.com/2015/05/31/deal-nash-talbot-where-the-rangers-can-go-from-here/”]But if there is a belief that something more is required, then the Rangers would be wise to look at St. Louis, where coach Ken Hitchcock is an unabashed fan of No. 61, and the Blues are in desperate need of changing their own postseason narrative…the conversation on a return package would have to feature T.J. Oshie, Jaden Schwartz and Alexander Steen.[/su_quote]

Nash celebrates win with Lunqvist (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Nash celebrates win with Lunqvist (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Well, that would be quite a package if the Blues really wanted to revamp their team. Initially, it looks like a rumor that would be started by a fan. However, Larry Brooks is usually on the forefront of any inside Rangers news. If you recall, he was the first person to write that Zuccarello went to the hospital and would be lost for the 2nd round or more.

Then the king of all rumors, Bob McKenzie stated this on a possible Nash deal via SNYRangers. “As they go through the pros and cons of how they will deal with the Stepan and Hagelin stuff as well as some others that the notion of trading Nash will at least come up for discussion,” McKenzie said. “Not saying that it will happen but I will bet dollars to donuts is that it will be discussed.”

That was Thursday, he followed it up on TSN 1290 Radio on Friday with this, “I made sure that I was careful with how I phrased it, to my knowledge they haven’t committed to or discussing trading him.” McKenzie concluded his thoughts by saying, “as they go along here that will be one of the options they want to look at it and then decide.”

Shockingly enough folks, from what I can gather, trading Rick Nash is a serious possibility. He has a limited No Trade Clause and a cap hit of $7.8M, which means he has some control as to where he goes, not if he wants to go.

As for the deal with the Blues, Alexander Steen (LW) has a cap hit of $5.8M, T.J. Oshie (RW) is at $4.175M and Jaden Scwartz (LW) comes in at $2.35M. This totals up to about $12.5M in cap space, which would indicate an end to Martin St. Louis as a Ranger if the move is made.

Hang on tight, because we will know if this rumor has any real legs at the end of the month. The closer we near to the NHL Draft and Free Agent Frenzy, the more we will see of this smoke has a big fire.

SATHER TO RETIRE?

Glen Sather (NHL)

Glen Sather (NHL)

Funny, but this came about last season as well. At the time an Edmonton Journalist, Jim Matheson broke the story that Sather was considering it. While it was dismissed, here we are again and pieces of the puzzle are making sense.

Here’s the biggest clue as to why I saw this coming. Assistant General Manager, Jeff Gorton was not allowed to speak to teams about GM openings in the NHL. Glen Sather said that he wouldn’t allow it since the Rangers were still playing.

While that may have some truth to it, other teams weren’t going to wait around. That means Sather would be hurting Gorton’s future. Unless, Sather realizes his end is near and giving up the GM job is at hand.

Just as with the Nash rumor, Larry Brooks and Bob McKenzie are once again giving this some real credibility.

[su_quote cite=”Larry Brooks, NYPost” url=”https://nypost.com/2015/06/05/glen-sather-considers-stepping-down-as-rangers-gm/”]“Sorry, I don’t have anything to tell you,” Sather responded to an email from The Post asking whether he would in fact return for his 16th year as the Blueshirts’ GM. He then replied “OK” when asked if it would be accurate to portray him as undecided about his future.[/su_quote]

Yesterday afternoon, McKenzie would appear on TSN 1050 and note that the Rangers don’t want to lose Gorton and the GM position could be his “sooner than later”. If that is the case, Jeff Gorton may further advance the notion of moving Rick Nash and officially start making the Rangers in his image.

To take a line from Alain Vigneault, if I were a betting man I think we see Slats relinquish his role as GM. He will likely stay on as President, but Gorton will take the reins and look to move Rick Nash.

Funny, the Rangers have made the ECF 3 out of the last 4 years with a Stanley Cup Final appearance. Now here we are, 1 week removed from a crushing loss in Game 7 to Tampa and the Rangers could be in for an overhaul.

This could be the most interesting summer since 2012.

Anthony Scultore has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL since 2014. His work also appears at... More about Anthony Scultore

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