Mark Messier is rejoining the Rangers' organization as special assistant to club president Glen Sather, The Post has learned. It will mark Messier's first job in hockey -- and first full-time job, period -- since he ended his playing career following the 2003-04 season.
"I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to move back to New York with my family, to learn from Glen and to work for the Rangers," Messier said yesterday by phone from the Bahamas. "I'm going to come in and get my feet wet and get an overview of how the business runs and how the team runs and take it from there."
This move should not be interpreted as Sather hiring his successor. Messier is not the heir apparent. Rather, he is assuming the same type of apprentice position that contemporaries such as Steve Yzerman (Detroit), Cam Neely (Boston) and Al MacInnis (St. Louis) have assumed with their respective franchises.
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The Post has learned that coach Tom Renney approached Messier last season about the possibility of working with the coaching staff this season. It also has been learned that Messier interviewed this summer for the vacant coaching position in Edmonton that ultimately went to Pat Quinn (with Renney as his associate).
Last edited by Usual_Suspect: 08-16-2009 at 02:05 AM.
Very interesting. But I do like that they went with Quinn + Renney. Experience and accountability.
Having Mess behind the bench had the potential of being a MacT II. If things didn't work and he gets too much rope because of his past with the team. Then again, if things worked out could have been pretty cool.
Good for him. Kind of disturbing that they would consider him for head coach of our team though. More evidence that these guys have no plan or any real idea of what they are doing.
What's the harm in interviewing him? I personally doubt that they ever intended on actually hiring him as the head coach. Maybe they wanted to bring him on board in some other capacity and interviewing him was just a way to get the ball rolling. Who knows? Either way, I'm sure the Chicken Littles are going to come out of the woodwork for this one, but it's harmless. They ended up landing two experienced and respectable coaches. No reason to get the pitchforks out.
Having a popular guy like Mess as a headcoach might make sense in a market that needs a marquee figure. Kind of like Phoenix but thats a double edged sword too if the coach just isn't very good in that capacity.
It wouldn't make sense here in a market where theres no excess tickets to sell..
Theres never any guarantee players will be any good as a coach. Depends on the player.
But yes this does say something about this org and their continued willingness to consider this type of thing.
Its more about appearances and popularity here than product.
Good for him. Kind of disturbing that they would consider him for head coach of our team though. More evidence that these guys have no plan or any real idea of what they are doing.
What, why is that disturbing? It should be a positive that they went the way they did, its a bad thing to look down different, albeit unlikely avenues to improve the team??
It could have been like any other job where you might interview for a management position but not get it, but they like you so much they offer you another role in the company. Had Mess been appointed an assistant under Quinn/Renney I'm sure most would have been fine with it.
But disturbing to give the teams best leader of all time, and a hall of famer a job interview only to turn him down? wtf
What, why is that disturbing? It should be a positive that they went the way they did, its a bad thing to look down different, albeit unlikely avenues to improve the team??
It could have been like any other job where you might interview for a management position but not get it, but they like you so much they offer you another role in the company. Had Mess been appointed an assistant under Quinn/Renney I'm sure most would have been fine with it.
But disturbing to give the teams best leader of all time, and a hall of famer a job interview only to turn him down? wtf
^^This
The real kicker is that these same posters insist the Oilers will be drafting top 5. Kind of puts their opinions into perspective.
What, why is that disturbing? It should be a positive that they went the way they did, its a bad thing to look down different, albeit unlikely avenues to improve the team??
It could have been like any other job where you might interview for a management position but not get it, but they like you so much they offer you another role in the company. Had Mess been appointed an assistant under Quinn/Renney I'm sure most would have been fine with it.
But disturbing to give the teams best leader of all time, and a hall of famer a job interview only to turn him down? wtf
Craig Mactavish was an ex-player with no head coaching experience when we hired him. How did that work out? We needed an experienced coach. The fact that they would interview another ex-player with even less coaching experience than his predecessor is very disturbing. It shows that they dont know wtf they are doing imo. As if we really need any more evidence of that.
Am I the only one who thinks Moose would make an awesome coach? Not saying I wanted him hired with no experience and I am thrilled with our new combo, but if he goes down that career path I think he'll be great.
Craig Mactavish was an ex-player with no head coaching experience when we hired him. How did that work out? We needed an experienced coach. The fact that they would interview another ex-player with even less coaching experience than his predecessor is very disturbing. It shows that they dont know wtf they are doing imo. As if we really need any more evidence of that.
So because they hired one inexperienced former player as head coach and it turned out badly the next one will be the same way?
Well in that case the Oil missed the playoffs last year, surely they'll miss the playoffs this year. I once got in a car accident on 170th st, surely driving down that road again will result in a similar outcome.
Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
-- Homer Simpson
So because they hired one inexperienced former player as head coach and it turned out badly the next one will be the same way?
Well in that case the Oil missed the playoffs last year, surely they'll miss the playoffs this year. I once got in a car accident on 170th st, surely driving down that road again will result in a similar outcome.
Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
-- Homer Simpson
Well you can learn from your mistakes and become better for it or you can keep making the same mistakes over and over again and get nowhere. I know which one I am choosing. Sounds like you do too.
Well you can learn from your mistakes and become better for it or you can keep making the same mistakes over and over again and get nowhere. I know which one I am choosing. Sounds like you do too.
I'd never want to hire any inexperienced coach for the Oil at this point, the decision they made was great, I agree. But I'm glad they threw Moose a bone even if they had no intention of ever hiring him. I'm sure he knew he was a longshot, but he's a great player who should keep close ties with the organization even if its only a formality. Who knows, 10 years from now he could be a great coach or GM and might still want a shot here and I know I'd welcome him with open arms. I agree with Mr Thou, tons of potential. The time just wasn't right though.
I'd never want to hire any inexperienced coach for the Oil at this point, the decision they made was great, I agree. But I'm glad they threw Moose a bone even if they had no intention of ever hiring him. I'm sure he knew he was a longshot, but he's a great player who should keep close ties with the organization even if its only a formality. Who knows, 10 years from now he could be a great coach or GM and might still want a shot here and I know I'd welcome him with open arms. I agree with Mr Thou, tons of potential. The time just wasn't right though.
I agree with everything you said except interviewing him for the head coaching position (if that is even true).
There are many interviews in the world that are merely "courtesy interviews". Maybe Messier was interviewed for Reney's position after they decided on Quinn.
Uh, he was the head coach for eight years. I don't count that as turning out badly. At all.
No you're right, and he did have a good record, and he did do well-ish, and he was a consummate pro during his time. Just the end left a bitter taste like it did for most. But you're right, poor wording on my part.
