NHL Rangers Owner James Dolan in a "rare, impromptu news conference" yesterday said that he "feels his Blueshirts are closing in on the Stanley Cup," according to Katie Strang of ESPN.com. Dolan after the Rangers' 3-0 win over the Predators said, "I'm very proud of the organization. I'm particularly proud of [GM Glen] Sather because all the way back to 2004 when things weren't going so well and we had a lot of free agents here and we decided to basically re-do the strategy, Glen and I made a pact." He added, "For me it's all about the system he built. Of course [it's] great coaching, but it's about the farm system, the scouting system and the development -- going with kids -- and sticking with that philosophy even at times when it didn't look so good. So, I'm very proud of him and the organization." Dolan had "not addressed the Rangers media since the 2005-06 season." After his comments, Rangers coach John Tortorella "good-naturedly" replied, "I have my owner up here talking about a Stanley Cup. That's a bunch of bull----" (ESPN.com, 1/17). On Long Island, Steve Zipay notes Dolan "stunned Tortorella, standing near the podium, by saying he believed the team was close to winning the Cup." After Dolan departed, Tortorella turned to the media and said, "I'm just as shocked as you guys are" (NEWSDAY, 1/18).
