New York Rangers GM Glen Sather has taken a laid-back approach to this offseason. He could not nab Jaromir Jagr from Pittsburgh and he was shut out of the running for stars such as Joe Sakic and Jeremy Roenick. Meanwhile, wingers Adam Graves and Valeri Kamensky have bounced from Broadway, paving the way for a youth movement in the Big Apple. While Blueshirts could still sign former All-Star Eric Lindros from Philadelphia, his condition is a major question mark. Will Sather's strategy pay off in the near future?

Here are your thoughts on what the Rangers need for next season:

Kids will make Rangers a contender in the future
I think the Rangers finally did the right thing this offseason by not signing older players to lucrative contracts. The players they have signed in previous offseasons would have been good signings for a contender, but unfortunately, the Rangers are not at that level right now. I want to see what the kids can do this year. Maybe we can build a team that can contend long-term instead of one built for one last run.

Toby
Philadelphia

Rangers, Sather need a wake-up call
The Rangers seem to have slept through this entire trading frenzy. They have been on the list of probable teams for almost every top player, yet they have done nothing. With Theo Fleury out and Mike Richter hurt, this team needed to do something to be a contender, especially with the moves Philly and the Islanders made, but they blinked instead. Oh well. They can have Eric Lindros. I'm originally from Philly and I'd like nothing more than to see Dan McGillis or Jeremy Roenick drill that crybaby into retirement.

Brian
Fort Collins, Colo.

'Real' fans pleased with Sather
Despite the ramblings of these so called "fans," rest assured that REAL Ranger fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was announced Jaromir Jagr was not coming. Unlike Washington, the Rangers are not a team that is one player away from becoming a legitimate Cup contender. This is a team that is in a rebuilding phase. Giving up young players or prospects for one man, even if he is the best, only sets us back another two years in the process. Uneducated writers and radio personalities can say what they will. Slam us, make fun of us, do your worst. Three years from now when Pavel Brendl, Jamie Lundmark, Thomas Kloucek, Philip Novak, Mike Mottau and the rest of our great prospects are the talk of the NHL, you won't be laughing any more. Way to go, Glen Sather. You made REAL Ranger fans very happy!

Nate
Mount Vernon, N.Y.

Sather needs to get players at their peak
Well, the offseason seems to have been going on for about three seasons now. I think Glen Sather is crazy for not including at least one of the prospects for Jagr. Come on, the guy is 29 years old and he actually wanted to come to the Rangers despite having a contract. This team has been either a preschool or a retirement home for players the last couple of years. They don't have many players in their late 20s, and all of the young kids don't really get the chance to play. To actually have a guy under contract wanting to play for the Rangers is a miracle. Players just want to come here for a big pay day -- that shows the state of this franchise.

Andrew
Middle Village, N.Y.

Patience will make perfect in Big Apple
Please do NOT get Chris Osgood -- I could score on the guy lefty while blindfolded. Please don't get Eric Lindros, unless it's virtually free. I like what we have to build on. Let's not forget that as long as we stay competitive for the first half of the year, we can always look to pick someone up (Peter Forsberg?) before the trade deadline if it improves our chances in the playoffs. Jaromir Jagr would have been nice, but the truth is Mario Lemieux couldn't afford to pay the players we offered in return. Way to hold steady, Glen. We have promising young talent that personally, I wish to keep. I'm looking forward to a healthy 2001-2002 season played with heart.

John
Palm Harbor, Fla.

Peter
New York

Sather's next move? Avoid Lindros at all costs
In the eyes of the sports media, the New York Rangers seem to be the franchise that can do no right. Sign high-priced free agents and be accused of trying to buy a championship. Lay low during the free agent frenzy and face accusations of not doing enough. I think Slats is doing the right thing by holding on to prospects and rebuilding. I can deal with missing the playoffs if the Rangers are committed to assembling a quality group for the long term. Oh, and Slats? Please pass on Eric Lindros -- that's one E-ticket ride none of us wants to take.

Chris
Norwalk, Conn.

Youth movement is Sathers main objective
The Rangers had a disappointing season, but the last 10 games showed that their future is not as bleak as some might think. Glen Sather has shown incredible patience and it seems like he is truly committed to rebuilding the franchise. With no major offseason free-agent signings, expectations for the Blueshirts will be low. This can only help Mark Messier develop this corps of youngsters into the future core of a Ranger team. Sather has acquired some size and grit to protect the youth as well. I think the Rangers will be a much more exciting team to watch than some might think.

Mike
Lviv, Ukraine

Strong foundation in NYC
The Rangers are moving forward. Even with Jaromir Jagr, they would not have been a Cup contender. Since moving West, I have watched the Edmonton Oilers. Year in and year out, the Oilers have youth, speed, work ethic and a very entertaining brand of hockey. Sather is building that in New York, except once the foundation is laid in the Big Apple, he will have the ability to add the premier players that Edmonton could never afford to pay.

Martin
Seattle

High spending not needed for Rangers' rise
I would rather the Rangers lose with youth than lose with players who are supposed to be winners. I think that they should rebuild, plain and simple. If they got Jaromir Jagr for cheap, fine. If they can get Eric Lindros for cheap, fine. If not, they will have to struggle for a few years, but if the team is not taken apart and they go through struggles together, they can learn to win together. That is what the Devils did, and look at them now. And you never know. We might just turn a few heads if the players who are supposed to be PLAYERS actually turn out to be. But you also have to wonder if players such as Jan Hlavac, Andreas Johnsson, and Mike York are going to be affected by trade rumors. I still think Sather will do something. Even if it is not huge, he will make a move.

Neil
Fanwood, N.J.