Well, the season subscription renewal date is Monday, June 14th.
My guess is that they aren't getting the numbers they wanted so the big brass told Glen to open the door a little to give the common folk a ray of hope. Seeing as the wait list disappeared over the course of last summer and attendance last season was at its lowest since before the lockout, something had to be done.
And that brings us back to the article. Let's go through it, blow-by-blow, and interpret what Sather was saying:
“We can go over and over why we failed to get the one point that would have put us in, we can find a lot of excuses for it, but losing [Ryan] Callahan and [Sean] Avery the last couple of weeks really hurt our forecheck, and not having [Marian] Gaborik at full strength after the Olympics was a major blow for us.Or 'I built a good team and my coach did a good job butcha can't do nothin bout injuries ... the hockey gods are cruel bitches.'
"But you know, every team can find excuses why they fell short. We just weren’t quite good enough over the course of the season. But if we had won that final game, would we have been tough enough to compete in the playoffs the way the Flyers have? Could we be where they are now? I think so.”'You do realize that I built teams that have won Cups before so of course this team could have won the Cup, had things worked out.' Do you think he would say anything else? "If we had won that final game"? C'mon. If I had just picked the right numbers, I would have won the lottery.
“We have to get better,” Sather acknowledged. “And the way we’re going to get better is by staying within our organization and giving our prospects the time to grow and the opportunity to play in New York."'Because we missed the playoffs and lost the extra revenue, Dolan won't let me overspend on any big free agents like I want to so I'm stuck with what we have. And kids are the only ones who will fit under the cap thanks to the contracts I gave Redden, Rozy, Drury, Gabby and Hank.'
“This has been a long process, and it’s ongoing, but as we go into this summer, our plan is to keep our own players. I can tell you one thing — we are certainly not going to overpay for free agents. If we can improve with a signing that makes sense, we’ll look into it, but we want to give our guys the first shot.”'You have waited a decade for me to build a winner, so what is another year? And if I can figure out a way to sneak a signing past the boss - or can come up with some convoluted excuse - you had better believe that I am spending money.'
“I told Donald [Brashear] this week that he would not be playing for the Rangers,” Sather told Slap Shots. “After the statements he made, absolutely not; that was the end of it.”'After I gave him that much money, he hurt my feelings and the big meaniehead can rot in the minors.'
On defenseman Marc Staal and Dan Girardi: “Those two guys are part of our core; of course we’re signing them.”'The options on the market aren't as appealing as these guys, especially since they are RFAs and I can screw them if I want to.'
“We want to keep Shelley, it’s just a question of whether and when we can get it done,” Sather said. “We want to keep Vinny, and I think we should be able to do that if the contract request isn’t out of whack.”'If these two guys don't want raises, we will bring them back. Vinny has to take a discount though.'
On Wisconsin senior defenseman Ryan McDonagh and junior center Derek Stepan: “We’d like to get them in and have them earn jobs.”'If McDonagh makes it, it helps justify my Gomez deal and Stepan was good at the WJC so I remember his name.'
“We’re excited to see whether [Evgeny] Grachev and [Dale] Weise and some of our other kids can earn jobs.'Jim Schoenfeld is excited to see if Grachev and Weise and some of the other kids can earn jobs and he won't shut up about it.'
“We just didn’t have enough last year, and certainly after the Olympics, Gaborik — our best player — was just a shadow of himself. He just didn’t have the explosiveness or speed."'Damn Olympics, I hope Bettman takes my players out of that silly tournament. The games were past my bedtime.'
“But we’re looking forward. And we’re excited about it. We’re building an organization where we’re going to have serious competition for jobs at training camp. There are 23 spots and they’re going to the best 23."'Please buy season tickets. Pretty please?'
“A player’s contract isn’t going to get him a spot on the team if he doesn’t earn it, and that goes for everyone. Everyone is fighting for a job. They all know that. If they don’t, they should.”'Jimmy D threatened my job and shit rolls downhill so someone had better step up because I am sure as shit not going anywhere. Muahahahahaha.'
"Interpreting Sather-Speak: Decoding the Mind of Glen Sather in Hockey"
In the fast-paced and often cryptic world of professional sports, communication can be a fine art. Few individuals in the hockey world have mastered the art of speaking with as much nuance and strategy as Glen Sather. Over the years, Sather's words have left fans, players, and media members alike deciphering his messages. In this article, we will dive into the world of "Sather-Speak," exploring the key elements of his communication style, memorable quotes, and the frequently asked questions surrounding this enigmatic hockey figure.
Glen Sather: A Hockey Icon
Glen Sather is a legendary figure in the world of professional hockey. Born on September 2, 1943, in High River, Alberta, Canada, Sather began his NHL journey as a player before transitioning to coaching and ultimately management. He is best known for his tenure as the President and General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers, where he led the team to multiple Stanley Cup championships during the 1980s.
The Art of Sather-Speak
Glen Sather's communication style is characterized by a unique blend of wit, wisdom, and calculated ambiguity. It's a style that has kept fans, players, and the media on their toes for decades. Here are some key elements of "Sather-Speak":
Strategic Ambiguity: Sather often employs ambiguity in his statements, strategically avoiding direct answers to questions. This allows him to maintain control of the narrative and keep his cards close to his chest.
Mind Games: Sather is known for his ability to play mind games with opponents, the media, and even his own players. He uses his words to create a psychological advantage and keep his adversaries guessing.
Humor and Wit: Despite his often enigmatic statements, Sather injects humor and wit into his interactions. He uses clever one-liners and anecdotes to add levity to press conferences and interviews.
Deflecting Pressure: When faced with pressure or scrutiny, Sather has a knack for deflecting attention away from himself and onto other subjects. This allows him to shield his team or players from undue stress.
Notable Quotes and Moments
Glen Sather's memorable quotes and moments have become part of hockey lore. Here are a few that stand out:
"I'll tell you one thing about (player's name), he's a hell of a hockey player." - This classic Sather line is often used when asked about a player's performance, adding little to the conversation while acknowledging the player's talent.
"We're just putting one foot in front of the other." - Sather's go-to response when discussing the team's progress or future plans, offering little insight but keeping the conversation vague.
"I'm not here to talk about the past; I'm here to talk about the future." - Sather's way of redirecting questions about past mistakes or controversies to focus on the team's future.
"The Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy in sports to win." - A straightforward but universally acknowledged truth, Sather often uses this phrase to emphasize the immense challenge of winning hockey's ultimate prize.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glen Sather and His Communication Style
1. Why does Glen Sather use such ambiguous language in interviews?
Glen Sather's use of ambiguity serves multiple purposes. It allows him to maintain a strategic advantage, control the narrative, and keep the media and opponents guessing about his intentions and strategies.
2. How does Sather's communication style impact his teams and players?
Sather's communication style can have a motivational and psychological impact on his teams and players. By using humor, wit, and mind games, he can create a unique team culture and keep players mentally sharp.
*3. Does Sather's approach to communication always work?
Sather's approach is not without its risks. While it can be effective in certain situations, it can also lead to frustration among media members and fans who seek straightforward answers. Additionally, players and coaches must adapt to his style.
*4. Is Glen Sather's communication style a reflection of his personality?
Sather's communication style reflects his shrewd and strategic approach to hockey. He values maintaining a competitive edge and understands the power of language in achieving that goal.
*5. What legacy has Glen Sather left in the hockey world?
Glen Sather's legacy in the hockey world is multifaceted. He is celebrated for his successful coaching and management career, his contributions to the Edmonton Oilers dynasty, and his unique communication style, which has made him a memorable figure in the sport.
Glen Sather's "Sather-Speak" is a fascinating aspect of his storied career in professional hockey. His ability to wield language as a strategic tool has added layers of complexity to his role as a coach, manager, and hockey icon. While his enigmatic statements may continue to leave people guessing, there is no doubt that Sather's legacy in the sport is secure, both for his achievements and his indelible mark on the art of communication in hockey.
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