Today is the first day New York Ranger fans are waking up to a world without Jaromir Jagr. After three plus seasons of seeing “The Jaromir Jagr Show”, we learned yesterday that Glen Sather couldn’t wait any longer for Jagr to make up his mind. Sather had the opportunity to sign Markus Naslund for two years for the same amount of money Jagr wanted for one. I can’t blame Sather for moving on.

Some fans out there may perceive the signing of Nasland as a sign of Sather disrespecting Jagr. I don’t think anything could be further from the truth. Jagr and his agent were playing possum. Sather had to make a business decision in the best interest of the team. We are now hearing that Jagr has signed with Avangard Omsk but the amount has not been disclosed. Going to the RSL seems to have been his plan all along. What did Jagr think Sather was going to do, mortgage the team and it’s future by paying Jagr $8 million dollars a season for two more years?  

If Jagr has signed with Omsk, it begs the question as to whether Jagr may have diliberately failed to make the contract triggers that could have kept him with the Rangers. Perhaps testing the waters and looking for the highest bidder either here or abroad was his intention all along. If this is the case, then I would say Jagr has been the disingenous one. We will never know.

No matter. What’s done is done and I for one am not unhappy with what has transpired so far. By signing Redden, Nasland, and Talinin in particular, Sather has filled some holes while still allowing the youth movement to continue. He has not mortgaged the future and still has space to maneuver later in the season if need be.

After three semi-successful seasons with Jaromir Jagr as leader, this new team now truly belongs to Tom Renney and his coaching staff. It is truly Independence Day for them. Much is expected from those to whom much has been given. Like Michael Rozsival, Renney and the coaching staff will now have their feet to the fire to produce now that the Jagr reign is over.

Thanks and good luck to Jaromir Jagr and Marty Straka. Of all players who are leaving, I think I will miss Stracena the most. Marty was the Walter Tkaczuk of post-lockout Rangers.

Happy 4th of July to everyone.