Gomez "Gets" It
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Like it or not, as Jagr goes, so go the New York Rangers. Sure Lundqvist has to be great. Goalies always do. However, in Jagr the Rangers have a "secret weapon" of sorts: an absolutely dominant offensive force who can singlehandedly determine the course of a game. How many other players in the league deserve the kind of attention opponents are forced to pay Jagr? The Rangers' allegedly temperamental super star gives New York something that few if any other true contenders in the league have.
It looks like newly signed center Scott Gomez gets it. In the current edition of The Hockey News (which I recently bought and highly recommend), Gomez is quoted as saying, " The way Jagr played at the end of the year, you could tell he was back on top. You're playing with one of the greatest players who ever played the game and it's going to be an honor to be in his presence. I've seen what this guy can do and to have him as a teammate is amazing."
Let's face it. Jagr was revitalized in New York in part because management gave him a vote of confidence by building the team in number 68's image. Jagr was surrounded by the types of players who would help him play his game and succeed. The most important piece of that puzzle was Nylander. Now Nylander's gone. Many Ranger fans (and hockey types in general) have wondered how this will effect Jagr. Is the allegedly "Temperamental One" going to be offended? Will he again become "disinterested"? Will he feel as though the Rangers are going in a different direction by bringing in North American players to fill critical roles? Have the Rangers decided to rely less on Jagr and his style of play because they don't think they can win a championship playing "European Hockey"?
Gomez is no fool. He knows that in all likelihood he will be the first player asked to try to skate in Nylander's spot. That's why I applaud him for praising Jagr the way he has. He's building good will. More importantly, he's letting Jagr know that Jagr is still "The Man".
When the Rangers signed Brendan Shanahan prior to last season, some wondered (myself included) whether or not an "old school" North American player like Shanny would fit in New York. Shanny quickly embraced his role as assistant to Jagr. There were no (known) clashes in the locker room between the two. On the contrary, when playing the power play together, these two players showed so much deference (read "respect") to the other that neither of them would shoot the puck! Choosing instead to pass to the other far too often! The marriage has worked so well that Jagr was very vocal at seasons end about the need to resign Shanahan.
Gomez gets it. He's following in Shanahan's footsteps. He's actively trying to fit in by saying the right things regarding the right person. Obviously it's still very early and it's always easier to talk the talk then it is to walk the walk. So far, however, Gomez gets it. That's good news for the Rangers and bad news for the rest of the league.
