In New York, where the answer to any question isn’t a flat out yes or no, big news is made. So when Rangers GM Glen Sather gave Larry Brooks an answer about his future today, it made some news:
Glen Sather indicated in an email exchange with The Post on Friday that he is undecided about continuing as Rangers general manager.
Asked whether he would be returning for his 16th year as GM, or whether he had yet to make that decision, Sather replied: “Sorry, I don’t have anything to tell you.”
To the follow-up email in which The Post asked whether it would then be accurate to write that he is, in fact, undecided about his future, Sather responded: “OK.”
Glen Sather’s existence as Rangers GM has been very uneven. After a start where the Rangers signed/traded for every big name known to man and it turned into a disaster, Sather’s fortunes improved dramatically after the lockout and everybody had an even playing field. His performance, along with the help of people like personnel director Gordie Clark, culminated in a Stanley Cup Final appearance last season, and coming within one win of the Final this year. (Though at the cost of some recent first round draft picks that isn’t going to help his successor.)
But two things seem to be at play here: First is the obvious: He’s 71 years old and he’s done this forever. And perhaps he just wants to concentrate on his duties as team president. Second, assistant GM Jeff Gorton received some interest from the Bruins before they settled on Don Sweeney to be their GM. Perhaps Boston’s interest has sparked the Rangers to do something to keep him around before he finds an opportunity to shine somewhere else.
If and when Sather finally decides to leave, he’ll leave behind a unique front office legacy in New York as one of the few personalities that could survive a four year stretch that nobody else would have kept their job through. And then stayed around to build a perennial contender when (and where) nobody thought that would be possible. When you think about it, it’s an amazing feat.
