Staple: Most free agents haven't panned out for Sather

Glen Sather had this to say when discussing the Rangers' decision to waive Wade Redden yesterday:

"For some reason, it just didn't work out here."

The reason may be a simple one: Sather has not been especially good at judging veteran free-agent talent.

In the salary-cap era, it's all about spending wisely, about developing your own talent and surrounding it with key pieces via free agency and/or carefully crafted deals.

Failing that, it's about digging yourself out of a hole, time and time again.

Since 2005, Sather has signed 18 unrestricted free agents to contracts of at least two years. With Redden gone, only five still are here: 2010 signees Derek Boogaard (four years, $6.5 million) and Martin Biron (two years, $1.75 million), plus 2009 signee Marian Gaborik (five years, $37.5 million), 2008 signee (though he returned) Michal Rozsival (four years, $20 million) and 2007 addition Chris Drury (five years, $32.25 million).

The others either were not good enough for long enough, or never were helpful. From Donald Brashear in 2009 to Matt Cullen in 2006 to Marek Malik in 2005, Sather's strategy to add high-priced talent from outside the organization has not panned out well enough. About the only signing of significant length that went well was Michael Nylander (three years, $8.9 million) in 2004, though that turned into a two-year deal because of the lockout.

Sather is learning, with the help of youth-first coach John Tortorella. The biggest outlay this summer was to Alex Frolov, who got only a one-year deal. Those have been the best deals Sather has made, with Vinny Prospal on his second one-year deal and Martin Straka, Jaromir Jagr's running mate, having stayed on three straight one-year deals.

The waiving of Redden nearly closes the book on a terrible summer of 2008. Patrick Rissmiller played two games in two seasons. Aaron Voros had a few shining moments but otherwise didn't contribute. And Markus Naslund had one acceptable season before gracefully bowing out to retirement.

During the summer, the debate raged about the seriously long-term deals the league doesn't like. For the Rangers, anything longer than three years seems dangerous.

Gaborik is the current counter-argument to that, but he's got four years left after a very good first season. If he scores 40-plus goals every season and the Rangers miss the playoffs, will his contract have been worth it?

Gordon highly regarded

Islanders owner Charles Wang told Newsday this past week that Scott Gordon will coach the final year of his contract and be evaluated after the season. Gordon said he has no problem with that. It's doubtful he'll be out of work for long if the Islanders fire him.

Gordon, who has coached the last two U.S. world championship teams and was an assistant on the silver medal- winning U.S. Olympic team, didn't get those jobs by accident. He's held in high regard in the coaching world.

Don't bet on Garth Snow making a change, even if the Islanders miss the playoffs again. Continuity is a big part of the Islanders' slow rebuilding process.

Isles injury bug

Gordon's status with the Islanders could hinge on injuries to key players such as Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo.

Streit suffered a shoulder injury in the team's Blue-Orange scrimmage yesterday. If he is out for an extended period of time, it will damage the team's chances of getting off to a good start.

The Islanders added veterans on defense, but this means Mark Eaton and Milan Jurcina will be asked to do more and James Wisniewski will become the de facto leader back there. That's a lot for three new guys to do.

The Dolan family owns

controlling interests in the Rangers, MSG and Cablevision. Cablevision owns Newsday.