The latest on Brendan Shanahan

Shanny has made it very clear that despite talking to other teams, he wants to stay in New York, skating with the Rangers on Monday for the first time this summer at the Madison Square Garden Training Center, (at the invitation of Sather). Shanny has been invited to train but he has no contract. Noah Love of Canada’s National Post reports that Shanny had this to say:

“My agent [Rick Curran] is presently talking with (Rangers general manager Glen Sather), … I’ve made it clear to him that this is obviously the team I want to play on this season. I’ve been optimistic throughout the summer that I‘d be part of the Rangers. I’ve kept in touch with Glen. He’s always kept that door open.”

Rumors abound that Sather is still holding out for Sundin and the deal for Shanny hinges entirely on what Sundin decides. Three media outlets report this Sundin-Shanny triangle. Shanny’s agent had this to say to Andrew Gross of The Record:


“Today is no different than it’s been all summer long,” Curran said. "I’m communicating with Glen. I believe there is mutual interest in having Brendan play with the Rangers this year. At the moment, there are things that have to happen.


“I’d like to think that once a few things are able to fall into place, it would not take long to get something completed,” Curran said.


Gross further writes: “Neither Curran nor Shanahan would speculate as to whether one of those “things” was what Mats Sundin decides.”

I’m not buying what they are selling because very little has been reported to suggest Sundin has talked to New York more or less than any other team throwing their hat in the Sundin pool. Further, Sundin has said he may take weeks or even months to decide whether to come back. Months? Why on earth would any GM bank on such an uncommitted possibility???? More importantly, I don’t see how the Rangers, going into camp, can even dip a toe into the Sundin pool with less than a $1MM of cap space left- Heck, they cant even afford Shanny!

But the parties continue to dance cryptically, neither opening or closing doors. Saying everything and saying nothing. Its tragically disrespectful that he sits without a contract, a future HHOF’er and an amazing presence and character.

Come on Sather, do the smart thing, do the right thing.

Originally Posted on Thursday September 11, 2008 @ 12:38 AM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/20311

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