TALE OF TWO CITIES: A Scouting Story
BDGallof | Jul 29, 2010 | Comments 26
Funny dichotomy…
NY Rangers lose their head European scout CHRISTER ROCKSTROM. Christer Rockstrom, the man with the rockstar name, was a member of the New York Rangers organization for the past 21 years, including the past five seasons as Director of Player Personnel – Europe. He previously served as a European scout for the Rangers for 16 years. This man was there since pushing the team to take Kovalev years ago. Let us not forget that he gave the Rags most recently, Henrik. Back on Detroit, he helped them catch onto Nik Lidstrom.
So, it begs the question…did Ranger fans wrings their hands or bloggers mark it as a rallying point when his contract was not renewed? Nope.
If anything, if you are a Rags fan, you should be concerned. He was a key scout who had a lot influence and sway within the organization. His track record is undeniable.
Of course, interestingly enough he goes to Montreal, where he will join NY Islanders former employee Ryan Jankowski.
Despite some attempts to make Ryan the heart and soul of the Isles rebuild, he was just a part of system in place since Mr. Neil Smith. One would think there are stories somewhere of Janks pushing for someone or swaying the braintrust to take someone. I wonder when we will get that with all the internet propelled glorification and overwrought opinions pinned on panic.
The hand wringing continues by Isles fans, while just over in NYC there is barely a blink of acknowledgment. It is an interesting and notable difference.
I think the concern of Ranger fans should be sharper. As for Islanders fans, there is definitely reason for concern but more in the organization’s ham-handed handling of a few changes which is just cause for at least annoyance.
But more than that, despite others painting a rosy team color or those who pitch panic….no dice. Sorry.
If you are a Habs fan, be overjoyed, because Montreal really has been looking to pick up the cream of the NHL to bring over to their organization since their scouting overhaul last season.
Filed Under: Featured • Montreal Canadiens • New York Islanders • New York Rangers • NHL • Prospects
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THANK YOU!!!
This needed to be said. Jankowski has been made out to be the greatest mind in hockey history over the past couple weeks. He’s just a freaking scout for god’s sake.
Finally someone said it….Jankowski was fantastic, and I wish they’d kept him around, but he worked within the system that has been in place for 4 years. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if that system was also used to grade scouts who would push for 1 player or another. Janks was an assistant GM, so all the stories I’d heard were of him going to see a player after another scout had submitted a report.
The Islanders need to improve their PR, because bad communication combined with an inflamed fan base can cause some real problems…I don’t buy the meme that it’s cost-cutting; you don’t find $5 million for Mark Eaton and then skimp on an executive salary that’s less than 1/10 of that.
As for the Rangers, that’s interesting…..
The Habs may be the big story here. I always said that my first act as owner of an NHL team would be to build the greatest scouting organization the world had ever seen, and they’re off to a great start.
There is no question that the Isles success is tied to the draft — but we are still too far out to know what impact the last several drafts will actually have on the Islanders. Jankowski looked like a good, strong part of the Islander “braintrust” as B.D. called it, however, as disappointed and as seemingly bone-headed as the move was, there is no real reason to jump off a cliff.
Keeping Jankowski made sense, unless he committed a no-no. If you recall several months back there were rumors swirling that Jankowski was interviewing for a GM position in the minor leagues. Did he go on the interview or take a phone call when he was under Isles contract, and perhaps should not have? We will never know for sure.
We should not underestimate, or over value Jankowski. But a big part of the difference is that the Isles way of doing things — and without any kind of statement from the team suggesting anything is what keeps us all guessing. It is bad PR and a bad way to run the team.
The Rangers have — in my opinion — a GM that has “lost it” over the past few seasons, or like the Islanders, is under the direction of an owner who has to have the biggest names, but does not necessarily make them a better team.
I also don’t know how “out front” Rockstrom was within the organization — where as Jankowski was a very visible component of the organization, often doing many interviews and getting many quotes in the press.
Lots of variables, but good perspective here….
It’s not necessarily the firing of Jankowski that has many of us wringing our hands—it’s the fact that they did away with his position in its entirety, assigning the responsibility to Snow. Isn’t that the real issue? How can a team relying so heavily on rebuilding through the draft do away with the position of Director of Amateur Scouting?
The Isles PR is a joke….It almost feels like the Isles are cutting off the fanbase…This way Isles fans dont have to go through full blown withdrawals but instead theyre weening us off so they can leave Long Island…
The Isles PR has been a joke for a very long time. My dad who has followed the Isles since their 1st season told me in all his years following hockey and sports in general has never seen a team handle their PR as badly as the Isles have. It’s common sense that if you alienate your fan base, eventually your fan base will alienate you, and the Isles are doing a hell of a job at that. They need a major and I mean a MAJOR overhaul in the PR department.
Too be honest, it’s not the current PR’s fault. Most there are new and young and there has been a ton of changeover. So it’s not quite fair to lump it on them. Plus there are also new players in the management process now that the Lighthouse Project people have been mixed in. So some of it is learning curve and a bit of a vacuum.
Its Wangs fault, ultimately…We need Mr Stienbrenner reincarnated..Man, we need someone like the Boss to buy this team and revamp everything
Honestly, I can’t agree less on Rockstrom.
Yes he was the head of European scouting but really did little since he drafted Lundqvist back in 2000.
Lets break it down:
Since 2000 (year of Henke) he’s drafted four Swedes (Pontus Petterstrom, Marcus Jonasen, Jesper Fasth and Carl Hagelin) none of which have yet to make the NHL, although the latter two still have a chance.
As far as Europeans go, there have been 30 European players selected by the team in the last ten years with only five even sniffing the NHL: Fedor Tyutin, Marek Zidlicky, Petr Prucha, Lauri Korpikoski and Artem Anisimov.
Jan Gadjosik is responsible for Czech Republic and Slovakia so that eliminates credit for Zidlicky and Prucha. So you have 3/30 that you could MAYBE give Rockstrom credit for even though Vladamir Lutchenko pushed for Anisimov, Grachev and Cherepanov since 2007.
Basically, Rockstromm has had better days and now the Rangers prefer to use Gordie Clark (remember him Isles fans?) who has been excellent over the past few years.
I thought one of the HI main rules was sticking to your team because writing a short(sided) piece on a team that is not yours is basically a comment :P
Ahhh, give the guy a break…I enjoyed this piece
Hmm, let me get this right, Gordie Clark who has been in charge and running unfettered since Maloney left the org? And he’s been excellent since when exactly?
But I digress, since the Canes are your own corner. Both Lutchenko and Gadjosik reported to whom, btw? Oh yes, the Direcor, good ol Rockstrommmmmmmm.
Plus this story was not about the Rangers, but fan reaction….based on the Islanders and Janks. A point missed entirally as you beat your chest here.
Main rule, don’t step in the shit on the way out of the comment thread, old chap.
look who can’t take criticism… the guy made some quality points about Rockstrom. I also feel like you minimized Janks contribution. If he wasn’t an important figurehead in our scouting and drafting team, then why was he consistently on the platform as players were taken. Every picture taken with new draftees, Janks is there. From a PR standpoint, does it make any sense to have him welcome new draft picks on stage, when his role is as insignificant as you make it out to be? Drafting is pretty much the ONLY aspect of this franchise that has been working well in recent years, and when an apparently important member of the organization is let go, then that is cause for alarm to me.
People talk about his new position as a demotion, but the bottom line is in less than a month of being on the market for a job, he landed one… now lets all watch him move up the ranks in the Habs organization, as I have no doubt he will. And lets all watch as the Islanders remove a position from the most important aspect of their organization with regards to gaining talent. The Rangers can attract players via FA, the Islanders cannot it is more alarming when we lose a scout, especially one who is recognizable to the average fan.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — When it comes to business there are TWO sides to every story. And both Jaffe and Jankowski were not “fired.” Their contracts, when completed, were not renewed.
This is business. A company is allowed to let a contract run out and look for somene else to replace that position — or — eliminate it if they feel the job could get done without it.
As BD said, this is not the PR Dept’s fault. But it is the fault of a fanbase who will look at ANY move as sinister and cause for alarm and are easily whiped into a frenzy and ready to take to the streets crying “foul.”
I guess most of them don’t work for corporations that let executives go all the time. And yes, this is the same club that let a GM go after only 40 days on the job. Oddly, that GM STILL doesn’t have a GM job in the NHL while many jobs have become available.
hmmmmmm… from.both.sides.now.
Jaffe had a contract with MSG and it was MSG who was to pay Jaffe…I cant agree with letting this guy go…The fans feel like they get to know the commentators and we need a main stay for an org whos so instable…The isles couldve left Jaffe as the color guy because the fans love him and it might show a little bit of stability and loyalty…Just a lil bit
also, the Isles should care about what the fans think…You are defending them by saying that this always happens and they are aloud to change personnel..You’re right they can do whatever the hell they want but loyalty goes a long way and fans don’t have to like it…Its not good to have a revolving door and its the teams PR’s fault that fans get whipped into a frenzy because they don’t address these personnel moves…Isles fans just want some sign of stability…Do you see the Yankees firing their announcers???They don’t and we grow a fondness and a nostalgia, and tradition…Their cant be any tradition when you let go everyone we get used too…
What happens when, in a few years and the revenue stream has still not improved, the organization starts “not renewing” the contracts of some of the players who now are only making the mandatory entry level salary. “Kyle Okposo, John Tavares, you have become too expensive and we will not be ‘renewing’ your contracts. All the best with your future endevours.” Its just business right?
^This is my greatest fear and expectation
I do understand that this is a business and that all contracts are not renewed, but when you let the best hockey analyst in hockey go somethings not kosher. It’s not like the Islanders have made some of the greatest decisions here so when something like this happens you have to wonder what the hell is really going on.
I also think that maybe the realization is starting to set in that Charles Wang doesn’t appreciate the need to create and nurture a culture of loyalty – with his people or with the fanbase. That’s what’s most upsetting. Who, exactly, is Wang loyal to? Who has been publicly appreciated for doing a good job in Wang’s 10 year tenure that has actually deserved it? You can buy something for 15 years but its not exactly the same thing. When the current group of youngsters become UFA’s, and the decision to stay or leave rests on a gut feeling about how people are really treated on Long Island, what’s gonna happen? The silent treatment thing isn’t really working for me anymore and Wang is losing my loyalty by shutting the door since last October.
Thats wha Im saying…How bout creating some tradition???As soon as we fans feel good about something they yank the rug right out from underneath us…
In reading through this thread — I wont go so far as to say the PR department should be given a pass here. I understand there could be some new faces and a “learning curve” but team policy is in fact just that; team policy. I think it is a bad policy, and I dont think I am alone in that feeling.
Does that mean I am not a fan of the Islanders? Of course not.
Contracts come and go, but usually there is a reason that a contract is not renewed. My issue is not that Jaffe’s contract was not renewed — it was WHY it was not renewed.
When you are desperate to sell tickets, desperate to attract free agents, desperate to build something that people want to be a part of — weather it is from the broadcast booth, the accounting office, ticket sales, or 2nd line left wing — it should go without saying that you are careful with your decisions, and that you manage the perceptions emanating from your team.
This is not one isolated incident. Trottier, Jankowski, Jaffe, the entire handling of DePietro — including not announcing him on opening night last October — has been botched. This all SCREAMS of the desperate need to have someone who can manage the PR better then it has been. New people or not — unless he does not care, wouldn’t one have to assume Charles Wang is a little ticked off that he and his team look foolish?
If he does not care, then I would submit that ticket sales and hockey generated revenue is not important to him. That too is entirely possible.
I have largely believed that Charles Wang’s sole purpose for purchasing the Islanders was the land grab and potential to develop what would be a mega million dollar money maker for him and his family. Essentially, he saw an opportunity to be this generations “Robert Moses.” Problem is — that is over now. He made many mistakes, including backing the wrong pols in Suozzi and County Democrats when he should have been funneling the cash to Joe Mondello, Kate Murray and the Hooples. And now, the vacuum left has been filled with the opponents of the Isles — that too is very bad P.R.
One gets beaten in the head repeatedly by a baseball bat. At what point does the pain reach the brain and you say to yourself, “…gee; this is painful. I need to take action to stop this…”
As for Charles Wang not spending money or putting into the hands of Okposo, Tavares etc…I don’t buy that argument either. I think Charles Wang is an owner who meddles where he shouldn’t, and he has some bad policies. But he is not cheap.
The lack of spending here is not because he is unwilling. Lets be real — where in Garth Snow’s plan is spending huge dollars a factor in this team’s success?
He, and his predecessor tried the “spending” method, and Charles Wang was completely willing. He forked over tens of millions to the likes of Yashin, Zhitnik, Satan, DiPietro and others. They made signnifcant offers to Smyth, Poti and Kozlov as well as Blake. And it is rumored they offered Kovulchuck a one year $10 mil deal. That is not cheap.
I agree that they need to add one or two more pieces if they have real designs on solidifying a playoff spot — which does not mean they can’t make the playoffs this year without additional help. But, the plan is to go the way the Caps and Pens have gone…. build through the draft and when those players who have developed require big salaries, the space is there to keep them here long term. I have no issue with that philosophy, and it meshes completely with Snow’s plan. he wants to be sure Tavares, Okposo, Bailey and some of the other significant pieces he has assembled remain Islanders for a long time.
So lets not get carried away that because Jaffe was let go — retarded thought it was — that translates to Tavares being allowed to walk in 2 years.
I used to feel the same way about Wang, and I used to defend him against other Isles fans who say hes cheap… You’re right he has proved he will spend on players but that was when the LHP was still possible…Now the LHP is pretty much dead so I dont trust Wang to keep spending $$$
I understand that is a total possibility, but I am somewhat confident they will spend the money on the home-grown talent. They already have given Neisen, Andy Mac and DiPietro big dollars, with the later likely not being an issue much longer.
I think they are specifically holding the money aside in anticipation of bigger contracts needed to keep Okposo, Tavares and other here long term.
There are 4 and possibly 5 key RFAs and one potentially key UFA to deal with at the end of this season.
Bailey, Okposo, and Comeau — all three poised to have strong years are RFA and could see pretty significant raises. I don’t see us not holding on to any of those three long term — now we could issue them qualifiers and force them to sign, but I don’t think it comes to that.
If Schremp comes in and can top what he did last season, remain healthy, focused and improves overall — and I see no reason why he wouldn’t — he will be an RFA and require a new deal.
On the back end, Jack Hillen’s deal comes due, and he will be an RFA. This can be tricky. The 2011-12 season has us looking at Streit, Eaton and Andy MacDonald barring any trades of those three. That leaves 3-4 positions open. I would assume that two of those slots have De Haan and Hamonic in pencil to start the 2011-12 season with the big club. That leaves one slot. We could add a free agent, or perhaps Hillen will be extended as well — which as of now does not look too bad.
Lastly, and this could be a biggie – Matt Moulson will be UFA at the end of this season. He is earning $2.45 mil this season, and if he can net 25-35 goals this year — which really is not out of the question — would you not have to assume he would stay here for the right price? And, while he is not “home-grown” I have to believe Snow will go to bat for him.
The point is — by this time next season, we could be looking at an additional what…. $8-10 million in salary increase over this year just from those players mentioned.
Then at the end of 2011-12 — you are going to have to face Tavares’ contract, and Frans Neilsen will be a UFA. Eaton will also be a UFA, thought we don’t know what we will have there.
Assuming they hold onto Frans and double his current salary, plus they bump John to what could be $5 mil or more depending on how he does…between now and the start of 2012-13, we would be adding something like $12-15 mil in home grown salary… which would still give us cap space to lock in perhaps the two Krills, Neiderreiter and others to entry level deals, and add the odd free agent or two.
I have no issue with any of this…. I share your concern that there is always the possibility Wang wont pay these players and we lose them — but he has a track-record of holding players within reason.
DiPietro is a perfect example. YES….the deal was bad largely because DiPietro was as yet unproven, and too long, but — financially, locking him down at $4.5 per annum cap hit is smart. If he had remained healthy, and matured properly, we could have had a huge bargain.
Lets wait to see what goes down with KO and JB down the road.
Good post…I can only hope what you’re speculating is what garths planning…Keep the cap space open for the home grown guys….
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