Leafs sign Ranger

[pnjunction]

Is there ANY public indication as to why Ranger has refused to play in the NHL over the past few years? It is unusual to have a player willing to play professional hockey, but not top-tier professional hockey.

There seems to be some unspoken understanding among the media to not publicly ask Ranger anything about this hesitancy. It's very unique.

Any ideas?

He's been asked about it several times, but he's consistently refused to answer it beyond "family reasons".  I'm assuming everyone just gave up asking.  Anything said is pretty much just speculation.

Don't AHL players also spend alot of time away?  I'm thinking it might be even more with them riding the bus everywhere but maybe not.

I was going to guess something really random such as he really likes buses or hates airplanes. 

 

[caver]

If Ranger can contribute to the Leafs success it will be a bonus. No reason to go in with high expectations. I don't give the cap situation any heed either. The Leaf management team lives with it every day and must have several plans that will deal with the scenarios they are considering. No need for angst.

 

[Deebo]

Sounded like he wanted to ease back in to pro hockey out of the spotlight and staying close to home.

 

[Champ Kind]

I'm cautiously optimistic. The whole not wanting to play in the NHL thing, that it's been five years since he's played a full NHL season...it doesn't fill me with a ton of confidence in him. It's low risk and everything so it's not a bad signing but I'm skeptical that he plays a big role this year.

Agreed.  I don't think Ranger is a slam dunk or anythng.  My comment was based on the idea that the Leafs should be trying to maximize whatever assets they have or can obtain.  This is better than Ranger resigning an AHL-only deal or going somewhere else.

 

[Bonsixx]

Is there ANY public indication as to why Ranger has refused to play in the NHL over the past few years? It is unusual to have a player willing to play professional hockey, but not top-tier professional hockey.

There seems to be some unspoken understanding among the media to not publicly ask Ranger anything about this hesitancy. It's very unique.

Any ideas?

He's been asked about it several times, but he's consistently refused to answer it beyond "family reasons".  I'm assuming everyone just gave up asking.  Anything said is pretty much just speculation.

Only concrete thing I've read was it was NOT any kind of alcohol or substance issue. Maybe he just hates flying?

 

[Jolly good show chaps]

Wonder if it was anxiety/stress related, hence testing himself at a lower level before building up.

 

[Kessel Run]

Is there ANY public indication as to why Ranger has refused to play in the NHL over the past few years? It is unusual to have a player willing to play professional hockey, but not top-tier professional hockey.

There seems to be some unspoken understanding among the media to not publicly ask Ranger anything about this hesitancy. It's very unique.

Any ideas?

He's been asked about it several times, but he's consistently refused to answer it beyond "family reasons".  I'm assuming everyone just gave up asking.  Anything said is pretty much just speculation.

Don't AHL players also spend alot of time away?  I'm thinking it might be even more with them riding the bus everywhere but maybe not.

I was going to guess something really random such as he really likes buses or hates airplanes. 

It was only last fall he decided on a return, he wasn't playing previously.

 

[louisstamos]

Is there ANY public indication as to why Ranger has refused to play in the NHL over the past few years? It is unusual to have a player willing to play professional hockey, but not top-tier professional hockey.

There seems to be some unspoken understanding among the media to not publicly ask Ranger anything about this hesitancy. It's very unique.

Any ideas?

He's been asked about it several times, but he's consistently refused to answer it beyond "family reasons".  I'm assuming everyone just gave up asking.  Anything said is pretty much just speculation.

Only concrete thing I've read was it was NOT any kind of alcohol or substance issue. Maybe he just hates flying?

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

 

[Kin]

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

That doesn't really explain why he wanted to be in the AHL as opposed to the NHL though.

 

[gilmourthegreat]

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

That doesn't really explain why he wanted to be in the AHL as opposed to the NHL though.

That's the thing, a very low salary in exchange for a strong no-trade clause would have been more effective given the objective of staying in Toronto. I don't believe Ranger's contract last year precluded a trade. Can anyone confirm?

 

[Deebo]

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

He would have been free to sign an AHL only deal during any of RFA years.

 

[louisstamos]

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

He would have been free to sign an AHL only deal during any of RFA years.

In that case, I have no idea...

I guess other than coaching Bantam in Whitby during his sabbatical, he legitimately needed to get away from the game for a while?

 

[Deebo]

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

He would have been free to sign an AHL only deal during any of RFA years.

In that case, I have no idea...

I guess other than coaching Bantam in Whitby during his sabbatical, he legitimately needed to get away from the game for a while?

Who knows, he had his reasons and they must have been good in his mind to walk away from the potential earnings he missed in those years.

 

[Redleaf]

It could be similar to the Chad Kilger situation.  After being traded so often in his career, Chad was perfectly happy in Toronto with his family - to the point where when he was traded to Florida, he never reported and effectively retired from hockey (and is now a firefighter in Cornwall) instead of playing that final year of his contract and making some extra dough.

Ranger is from Oshawa, and I imagine his wife is from the GTA as well.  I also think it's no coincidence that he didn't play any of his RFA years, but the moment he became a UFA he signed a deal with Toronto (albeit with the Marlies).  Either he or his wife simply really want to be in Toronto (homesickness), or there are issues which require him to be close to his family, and I wouldn't want to speculate on any of that...

He would have been free to sign an AHL only deal during any of RFA years.

In that case, I have no idea...

I guess other than coaching Bantam in Whitby during his sabbatical, he legitimately needed to get away from the game for a while?

Who knows, he had his reasons and they must have been good in his mind to walk away from the potential earnings he missed in those years.

Agreed. Either way, he's back in the NHL, and one has to assume his commitment to playing hard is 100%.

Good cap hit. Good player. Lets hope he can resume where he left off in Tampa. He should have the motivation to play well and prop up his salary when his one year contract expires next season.

 

[Tigger]

If they didn't sign Fraser and could find a way to move Liles they could maybe grab Gilbert for the bottom pairing with Ranger... maybe?

Gunnar Phaneuf
Gardiner Franson
Gilbert  Ranger

 

[leafplasma]

If they didn't sign Fraser and could find a way to move Liles they could maybe grab Gilbert for the bottom pairing with Ranger... maybe?

Gunnar Phaneuf
Gardiner Franson
Gilbert  Ranger

Fraser and Ranger also work pretty well.  Ranger may give up a bit on Liles on the offensive side although Liles seems to have slipped in that regard anyway.  However, he is bigger (4 inches taller and 30 lbs heavier) and should be better defensively.  Not a bad trade off for a 2.8 mill reduction in the cap to boot.

 

[Tigger]

For me, Fraser seems like a 7 spot guy and adding Gilbert, longshot though it is ( or just plain unworkable cap wise ), would add a bit of offense too. Any word on whether Fraser got a plate in his head? That might make it tough for him to fulfill his role if so.

 

[Frank E]

If they didn't sign Fraser and could find a way to move Liles they could maybe grab Gilbert for the bottom pairing with Ranger... maybe?

Gunnar Phaneuf
Gardiner Franson
Gilbert  Ranger

I think they're going to need a little more sandpaper there Tigger.

 

[Tigger]

If they didn't sign Fraser and could find a way to move Liles they could maybe grab Gilbert for the bottom pairing with Ranger... maybe?

Gunnar Phaneuf
Gardiner Franson
Gilbert  Ranger

I think they're going to need a little more sandpaper there Tigger.

Sure, where are they getting it?

 

[Jalili]

This is good news, I really hope Ranger comes to camp in great shape, ready to prove himself.

Ranger seems like the type who beats to his own drum, but has really high expectations for himself and didn't plan on making a comeback to the NHL just to mess around.

Even though he's a bottom pairing D-man at this point, he really bolsters the defense if he comes through.