With the trade deadline approaching, Mark and I felt we should review some of the rules, just so everybody’s on the same page.
* The trade deadline for the 2009-10 season is [b]Wednesday, March 10[/b] at noon.
* To be keeper-eligible, a player must be on a WHL roster by the trade deadline and remain on that roster for the rest of the season. This means that a player who is dropped after the trading deadline will lose keeper eligibility.
* There are two reasons for the keeper eligibility deadline: 1) to prevent a run on young, cheap players at the end of the season or in the offseason, which would circumvent the draft; 2) to make owners show at least a modest (one-month) commitment to a player before keeping him.
* Just like the NHL, trading is open during the offseason. Trades may be made from the day after the end of the regular season up until the keeper selection deadline (Sept. 8). Any player who is keeper eligible (see requirements above) will retain that eligibility if traded.
To reiterate Mark’s email, the current poll is to gauge interest in increasing the number of keepers after NEXT season. The 5 player, $200 cap keeper system will remain in place for this 2010 offseason. We would not change that midseason since everyone is making their plans based on that system.
That said, we are very pleased with the strong turnout in the poll! Thanks to all 16 teams that have voted. It appears that more than half of the league owners (13) approve of increasing keepers following the 2010-11 season, so we will likely hold a formal vote on that during the summer.
We’ve received some other great suggestions and valid concerns and we are taking them all into consideration. I am sure that there will be at least a couple other changes up for official vote during the summer.
Thanks again to everybody for your contributions to the league!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Out with the new, in with the old
By: Rob Merrills,
It's all change in Rhode Island again, as another trade - this time with the West Edmonton Mauls - sees a total of four new signings tip up at the Cocumcussoc building site. Eyebrows will no doubt be raised at the fact that two of the players are of veteran status, with Keith Tkachuk (37) and Cory Stillman (36) set to struggle in to their new scarlet, black and gold uniforms, while Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and Radim Vrbata pack their thermals and head for the frozen tundra in Alberta.
"As far as the players involved are concerned" said Recoats GM Rob Merrills, "this is not a trade for the future. The thinking behind it was again to solidify production down the stretch and protect the hockey club's standing in the WHL's Most Improved race - that, of course, secures us an early pick in the opening rounds of the 2010 draft, and that's where the real talent will come from."
While most observers had Lucic nailed down as a keeper for the Redcoats, the young power forward has struggled to hit the heights since coming back from injury early this year. The signing of Phil Kessel - producing at a phenomenal rate recently - undermined Lucic's potential long term position, and when the opportunity to pick up Dan Carcillo arose, his outbound ticket was rubber-stamped. "Dan has generated 40% more points than Lucic since the New Year" said Merrills "In our position, I have to trade for that sort of upturn when the opportunity arises".
"Keith and Cory, point for point, are a minor downgrade compared to Bergeron and Vrbata at their best" continued the Rhode Island GM "but they offer solid, reliable production rather than peaks and troughs, and if they can carry that forward after resting up over the Olympic break, then they'll have done everything I can ask of them".
The final piece in the jigsaw sounds almost inconsequential, but was in reality the driving force behind the whole deal. Positional realignments opened up a free spot at center ice, and Greg Campbell was picked up off the waiver wire in place of Brad Winchester (LW), giving the club another near 50% boost in player for player point production. Further free agent signings in the near future may further increase this positive differential.
"It's mind-numbing stuff - bean counting to the n'th degree" said Merrills "but to lay the foundations for the future of the club, I'm trading names for numbers right now. If other GM's want to offer solid production from John Doe in return for a flashy name, they know where I am....".
It's all change in Rhode Island again, as another trade - this time with the West Edmonton Mauls - sees a total of four new signings tip up at the Cocumcussoc building site. Eyebrows will no doubt be raised at the fact that two of the players are of veteran status, with Keith Tkachuk (37) and Cory Stillman (36) set to struggle in to their new scarlet, black and gold uniforms, while Milan Lucic, Patrice Bergeron and Radim Vrbata pack their thermals and head for the frozen tundra in Alberta.
"As far as the players involved are concerned" said Recoats GM Rob Merrills, "this is not a trade for the future. The thinking behind it was again to solidify production down the stretch and protect the hockey club's standing in the WHL's Most Improved race - that, of course, secures us an early pick in the opening rounds of the 2010 draft, and that's where the real talent will come from."
While most observers had Lucic nailed down as a keeper for the Redcoats, the young power forward has struggled to hit the heights since coming back from injury early this year. The signing of Phil Kessel - producing at a phenomenal rate recently - undermined Lucic's potential long term position, and when the opportunity to pick up Dan Carcillo arose, his outbound ticket was rubber-stamped. "Dan has generated 40% more points than Lucic since the New Year" said Merrills "In our position, I have to trade for that sort of upturn when the opportunity arises".
"Keith and Cory, point for point, are a minor downgrade compared to Bergeron and Vrbata at their best" continued the Rhode Island GM "but they offer solid, reliable production rather than peaks and troughs, and if they can carry that forward after resting up over the Olympic break, then they'll have done everything I can ask of them".
The final piece in the jigsaw sounds almost inconsequential, but was in reality the driving force behind the whole deal. Positional realignments opened up a free spot at center ice, and Greg Campbell was picked up off the waiver wire in place of Brad Winchester (LW), giving the club another near 50% boost in player for player point production. Further free agent signings in the near future may further increase this positive differential.
"It's mind-numbing stuff - bean counting to the n'th degree" said Merrills "but to lay the foundations for the future of the club, I'm trading names for numbers right now. If other GM's want to offer solid production from John Doe in return for a flashy name, they know where I am....".
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Crosby, Stolls and Nash
Portland, ME--The rich got richer today as the Portland Pints added Rick Nash to an already star-studded roster. The Portland Pints acquire Nash, 2010 6th and 18th round picks and a player TBD from the New Jersey Wallflowers in a unique two-part transaction.
"The Pints organization is very pleased to welcome Rick to Portland and I'm proud of the creativity my front office staff showed in helping bring this deal to fruition," said Portland general manager Colin Smith. "The exact structure of this deal was actually inspired by a proposal we received from another team earlier in the season. That particular offer didn't pan out, but I admired my fellow GM's creativity," Smith continued.
Part one of the trade sees Nash and an 18th go to Portland for defenseman Zbynek Michalek and a 3rd round selection. To complete the deal in the off-season, Portland will send goaltender Jonathan Quick and a 16th round pick to the Wall Flowers in exchange for a 6th round draft choice and a player to be named later.
"Rick will really solidify the left wing position, where we haven't had a true top-liner since we traded Dustin to Rhode Island. What makes Rick a great player are his strong scoring instincts and willingness to shoot the puck. Obviously, being able to hold on to Quick for the rest of the season is what made this deal work for us and we were willing to pay extra in draft picks to make it happen."
Trade rumors have been swirling around the WHL in recent weeks. Names floating around include Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Mason, Marty Turco and Dion Phaneuf.
[i]Glad that you got it made
When did you finalize your last trade?
You are the only one I've ever seen
Do what you done[/i]
-[i]Got It Made[/i],Crosby, Stills & Nash
"The Pints organization is very pleased to welcome Rick to Portland and I'm proud of the creativity my front office staff showed in helping bring this deal to fruition," said Portland general manager Colin Smith. "The exact structure of this deal was actually inspired by a proposal we received from another team earlier in the season. That particular offer didn't pan out, but I admired my fellow GM's creativity," Smith continued.
Part one of the trade sees Nash and an 18th go to Portland for defenseman Zbynek Michalek and a 3rd round selection. To complete the deal in the off-season, Portland will send goaltender Jonathan Quick and a 16th round pick to the Wall Flowers in exchange for a 6th round draft choice and a player to be named later.
"Rick will really solidify the left wing position, where we haven't had a true top-liner since we traded Dustin to Rhode Island. What makes Rick a great player are his strong scoring instincts and willingness to shoot the puck. Obviously, being able to hold on to Quick for the rest of the season is what made this deal work for us and we were willing to pay extra in draft picks to make it happen."
Trade rumors have been swirling around the WHL in recent weeks. Names floating around include Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin, Chris Mason, Marty Turco and Dion Phaneuf.
[i]Glad that you got it made
When did you finalize your last trade?
You are the only one I've ever seen
Do what you done[/i]
-[i]Got It Made[/i],Crosby, Stills & Nash
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Red Coats Press Release
By Rob Merrills
Cocumcussoc, RI--It’s been a big few days for various business sectors across Rhode Island recently, with the Redcoats’ front office making two impactful trades that will see five players changing uniform, subject to league approval. For those who like to dabble in share dealing, as well as having an interest in hockey, market analysts now predict that the time is now ripe to:
BUY in Providence telecoms companies, on the back of the frantic exchanges as the deals were put together by way of protracted negotiations
SELL an interests in local couture houses and bespoke wardrobe manufacturers, as Sean Avery is shipped out of town (which may also adversely affect burlesque houses in the region, but this – of course – is no more than unfounded speculation…)
BUY big in liquor stores, breweries, and domestic service providers, as marquee signing Mike Richards steams in to town and enlivens the area’s social scene. Lawyers engaged to act on behalf of the Providence Journal may also see an upturn in workload, while overtime for the ProJo hacks is certain to become the norm - Bourbon and cigarette sales are likely to increase exponentially, so convenience stores around Providence Place will see increased turnover….
For the hockey club, Richards had been a long-coveted target, but generally considered to be beyond the means of the struggling franchise. It was a bolt from the blue when CSKA Moscow offered Richards as part of a deal to secure the services of Ondrej Pavalec, and GM Rob Merrills took “about three or four seconds” to consider the offer before sending the goaltender back beyond the iron curtain, along with Stephen Weiss, in return for the abrasive centre who is likely to be presented to the public as epitomizing the Redcoats’ new brand of in your face hockey.
Lubomir Visnovsky also joins the club as part of the deal, and his arrival paved the way for the second big transaction, immediately making the constantly disappointing Jay Bouwmeester yet more surplus to requirements. The outgoing defensman, who’s much-vaunted “second half production” has entirely failed to materialise this season, served to balance the stats across a deal that also sends Avery and Matt Stajan to the Mount Vernon Blades, with Brian McCabe, Phil Kessel and Steve Reinprecht moving in the opposite direction.
The Redcoats’ front office quantified this second deal as a “kick up the backside” for the remaining players as the club looks to hold on to it’s coveted current high ranking in the WHL’s “most improved” standings. “Matt and Avery did a job for us” says Merrills, “but their figures showed they’d just been treading water since the New Year – and to be honest, Sean’s damn cologne just stank out the dressing room – and the Redcoats organisation has never been fully supportive of the concept of guys playing with dolls…..”.
“Steve (Reinpriecht) has the ability to make an impact down the stretch” continued Merrills, “and Phil makes a three way contribution, helping out in a problem position, making a solid contribution in points, and winding up everyone who lives in Boston, which can only be a good thing. McCabe is just a solid, hardworking guy with guaranteed production, rather than Jay’s promise of points that may or may not be accrued depending on some vague intangible – I can’t take this club forward on the basis of unfulfilled promise”
With Richards now likely to have completed the projected five man keeper line up for the club, it may also be reasonable to say that Kessel in particular will be viewed as more attractive trade-bait later in the year as the jostling for draft positions heats up than would Bouwmeester, who had been punted in several speculative deals without ever generating much interest.
All in all, a whirlwind few days for the Redcoats front office, and – with the acquisition of Richards – perhaps the first real statement of intent for a franchise looking to redefine itself after months of futility. To coin a phrase – the Redcoats are coming !
Cocumcussoc, RI--It’s been a big few days for various business sectors across Rhode Island recently, with the Redcoats’ front office making two impactful trades that will see five players changing uniform, subject to league approval. For those who like to dabble in share dealing, as well as having an interest in hockey, market analysts now predict that the time is now ripe to:
BUY in Providence telecoms companies, on the back of the frantic exchanges as the deals were put together by way of protracted negotiations
SELL an interests in local couture houses and bespoke wardrobe manufacturers, as Sean Avery is shipped out of town (which may also adversely affect burlesque houses in the region, but this – of course – is no more than unfounded speculation…)
BUY big in liquor stores, breweries, and domestic service providers, as marquee signing Mike Richards steams in to town and enlivens the area’s social scene. Lawyers engaged to act on behalf of the Providence Journal may also see an upturn in workload, while overtime for the ProJo hacks is certain to become the norm - Bourbon and cigarette sales are likely to increase exponentially, so convenience stores around Providence Place will see increased turnover….
For the hockey club, Richards had been a long-coveted target, but generally considered to be beyond the means of the struggling franchise. It was a bolt from the blue when CSKA Moscow offered Richards as part of a deal to secure the services of Ondrej Pavalec, and GM Rob Merrills took “about three or four seconds” to consider the offer before sending the goaltender back beyond the iron curtain, along with Stephen Weiss, in return for the abrasive centre who is likely to be presented to the public as epitomizing the Redcoats’ new brand of in your face hockey.
Lubomir Visnovsky also joins the club as part of the deal, and his arrival paved the way for the second big transaction, immediately making the constantly disappointing Jay Bouwmeester yet more surplus to requirements. The outgoing defensman, who’s much-vaunted “second half production” has entirely failed to materialise this season, served to balance the stats across a deal that also sends Avery and Matt Stajan to the Mount Vernon Blades, with Brian McCabe, Phil Kessel and Steve Reinprecht moving in the opposite direction.
The Redcoats’ front office quantified this second deal as a “kick up the backside” for the remaining players as the club looks to hold on to it’s coveted current high ranking in the WHL’s “most improved” standings. “Matt and Avery did a job for us” says Merrills, “but their figures showed they’d just been treading water since the New Year – and to be honest, Sean’s damn cologne just stank out the dressing room – and the Redcoats organisation has never been fully supportive of the concept of guys playing with dolls…..”.
“Steve (Reinpriecht) has the ability to make an impact down the stretch” continued Merrills, “and Phil makes a three way contribution, helping out in a problem position, making a solid contribution in points, and winding up everyone who lives in Boston, which can only be a good thing. McCabe is just a solid, hardworking guy with guaranteed production, rather than Jay’s promise of points that may or may not be accrued depending on some vague intangible – I can’t take this club forward on the basis of unfulfilled promise”
With Richards now likely to have completed the projected five man keeper line up for the club, it may also be reasonable to say that Kessel in particular will be viewed as more attractive trade-bait later in the year as the jostling for draft positions heats up than would Bouwmeester, who had been punted in several speculative deals without ever generating much interest.
All in all, a whirlwind few days for the Redcoats front office, and – with the acquisition of Richards – perhaps the first real statement of intent for a franchise looking to redefine itself after months of futility. To coin a phrase – the Redcoats are coming !
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Interview with Rhode Island GM Rob Merrills
1. What about the game of hockey draws you in as a fan?
It can be enjoyed on so many different levels - if you're feeling lazy,
just take in the speed, impacts, skill and physicality of the action on
the ice in its purest form - or take a little more interest and look at
the tactics, try to second guess the coaches, imagine how you'd counter
the defensive set up or protect your goaltender if you were wearing the
suit and tie during a game. And then - as with any US sport - there's the
stats (which is obviously where the fantasy interest comes in) - take a
couple of hours to watch a game, and then take the rest of the week to
make your analysis of it based on the figures. The way that the figures
are so integral to the TV coverage is great - everything's expressed in
numbers, in real time, no speculation or vacuous opinion - gives you the
chance to add so much more depth to what goes on if you're prepared to
take it all on board.
2. You mentioned that you played at the University level. Can you tell us
a bit about that (where, what position, fondest memories)?
Hah well - it was *while* I was at university, rather than at a level
anything approaching the US university programme - used to skate by way of
exercise at a rink near to campus and happened to be there as the local
semi-pro team was practicing one evening. Joined in to make up the
numbers, got thrown a mask and goaltenders stick as everyone else hated
going in nets, and took it up from there - loved it from the off. I was
part of the squad for just over a year - a National League team called the
Medway Bears - the standard was not good, so poor, in fact, that I managed
one appearance in a British League game when the first choice minder
deflected a puck up in to his face and went off to hospital, and the regular back up
was missing for some reason - took over for almost the entire third
period, and finished without conceding a goal. That was it in the senior
team, though, left University shortly after, and never picked up a stick
in anger again !
3. Favorite hockey smell?
same as with any other sports event - the stewed onions at the food
concession stands !
4. Does pro hockey exist in the UK? How is it viewed, in general?
It does exist, but is barely viewed at all, which is the problem. The
various leagues have never had much credibility in the media and get so
little coverage as to restrict it to very much minority sport level. There
is a national league, but the set up and teams seem to change on a regular
basis, which doesn't help to give it any sort of stability or lasting
profile. It might be different if the national team had any sort of
success, but it has made little or no impact on the world scene over the
years, and so there are no aspirational figures for young people to look
up to and hope to emulate, which kills the grassroots of the game. There's
a concerted effort to relaunch the game over here usually once a decade or
so, with a fanfare of high-level sponsorship and coverage on some minor
cable or satellite tv channel, but it invariably dies the death after a
season or so, and the game returns to its moribund state. Was - by all
accounts, very much more popular in the 1950's and 60's, but failed to
compete with football when TV sport became the big thing, and has never
regained significant popularity again
5. What are some of your favorite NHL moments?
the first winter classic was fantastic - got to see it live on tv over
here, and it was just great - the setting, the snow - everything (well -
other than the sabres losing - but that didn't really matter, in the
context...) - Other than that, Hartford beating the Nordiques in the mid
1980's for their one and only play-off series win - that was before
internet, satellite tv and any sort of coverage over here, so I had to
follow it on American Forces Radio and via three day old write ups in USA
Today !
6. Better movie - Mighty Ducks or Miracle?
Miracle by a country mile - it's next to impossible to get any sort of
feel for the history of the game over here, so anything that puts it in
perspective is great, even if it - errr - could have been slightly more
objective !
7. Daniel Carcillo, Sean Avery, Derek Boogard. Steel cage. Who wins?
Boogard only fights with kids, Carcillo only fights outdoors, and Avery is
a "jerk" (© Don Cherry) who messes with goaltenders: Pat Kaleta takes
the lot of 'em
8. You get to change one NHL rule. Go.
Get rid of the shoot out and go back to tied games - if two teams are even
over 60 minutes and overtime, then they're even, and don't need any circus
ring behaviour to artificially conjure up a "winner"
9. Your Stanley Cup prediction. Be bold.
Buffalo over San Jose in six; Sabres are down by at least three at one
point in all four games that they win...
10. You're in last place. What is it about your team that still brings
fans through the gate? Do you have a message for your fan base regarding the future of the
Redcoats?
It's not necessarily the make up of the team per se that'll get fans
pouring in to the controversial new Cocumcussoc Auditorium when it's
complete - it'll be a continuation of the franchise's contrary attitude
that sets them apart from the rest of the WHL.
Take the name for starters – deliberately chosen to evoke (and probably
provoke) that deep seated colonial antipathy rooted in the Revolutionary
War, in the same way that the Columbus Bluejackets are unlikely to secure
too much market penetration in downtown Nashville and Atlanta, only
looking for disapproval on a non-exclusive nationwide basis. The Redcoats
are an unconventional, coldly analytical hockey club, with little loyalty
to underperforming players and an apparent predilection for inexplicable
trades that leave fans and hockey purists alike wondering exactly what is
going on.
It is, however, this outwardly shambolic lack of direction that appeals to
the fans - take your chances, make mistakes, hold on for the ride - the
one thing that there's not going to be is any predictability !
Undoubted future club captain Tyler Myers epitomises the club's ethic -
sure, the kid can play hockey with the best of ‘em, but why do the usual
dour, defenseman thing for twenty five minutes a game, when you can go on
rampaging forays up the ice, slipping the puck through the legs of other
guys and flailing slapshots to all parts - it's what the fans want to see
! Same with Del Zotto – fine two-way skater, but defensively flawed and
primarily an aspiring power-play quarterback – the emphasis is all about
outscoring an opponent, not blanking them. Milan Lucic, hey, a marquee
forward who’s not a natural goalscorer or skater, but can hold his own
when the gloves come off, and overpower a defense – he’s a Redcoat !
And Dustin Brown – probably the most gifted hockey player on the roster
and the leader on the ice – but no-one’s 100% certain exactly where
his lead may take the team….
It'll be a club made up of similar loose cannons when the recruiting is
done - maybe one or two regulation big names to fulfil the obligations
that a modern club has to the marketing and media sectors, but
predominantly, hard-nosed hockey mavericks with a more flair than tactical
savvy - more determination than delicate touches and probably twice as
many penalty minutes as points - the only thing that you can say for sure
about Redcoats hockey is that Lady Byng's Trophy will not be heading to
Rhode Island anytime soon....
As for the future, well, this half-season is just a cameo – a
scene-setting pretence of hockey playing normality on the back of
intransigent league-wide management and a waiver wire bereft of suitable
talent. It’ll be the 2010 draft that marks the real instigation of the
new order, and the season that follows will see a squad of Redcoats
players making their mark with Redcoats hockey. And no newts.
It can be enjoyed on so many different levels - if you're feeling lazy,
just take in the speed, impacts, skill and physicality of the action on
the ice in its purest form - or take a little more interest and look at
the tactics, try to second guess the coaches, imagine how you'd counter
the defensive set up or protect your goaltender if you were wearing the
suit and tie during a game. And then - as with any US sport - there's the
stats (which is obviously where the fantasy interest comes in) - take a
couple of hours to watch a game, and then take the rest of the week to
make your analysis of it based on the figures. The way that the figures
are so integral to the TV coverage is great - everything's expressed in
numbers, in real time, no speculation or vacuous opinion - gives you the
chance to add so much more depth to what goes on if you're prepared to
take it all on board.
2. You mentioned that you played at the University level. Can you tell us
a bit about that (where, what position, fondest memories)?
Hah well - it was *while* I was at university, rather than at a level
anything approaching the US university programme - used to skate by way of
exercise at a rink near to campus and happened to be there as the local
semi-pro team was practicing one evening. Joined in to make up the
numbers, got thrown a mask and goaltenders stick as everyone else hated
going in nets, and took it up from there - loved it from the off. I was
part of the squad for just over a year - a National League team called the
Medway Bears - the standard was not good, so poor, in fact, that I managed
one appearance in a British League game when the first choice minder
deflected a puck up in to his face and went off to hospital, and the regular back up
was missing for some reason - took over for almost the entire third
period, and finished without conceding a goal. That was it in the senior
team, though, left University shortly after, and never picked up a stick
in anger again !
3. Favorite hockey smell?
same as with any other sports event - the stewed onions at the food
concession stands !
4. Does pro hockey exist in the UK? How is it viewed, in general?
It does exist, but is barely viewed at all, which is the problem. The
various leagues have never had much credibility in the media and get so
little coverage as to restrict it to very much minority sport level. There
is a national league, but the set up and teams seem to change on a regular
basis, which doesn't help to give it any sort of stability or lasting
profile. It might be different if the national team had any sort of
success, but it has made little or no impact on the world scene over the
years, and so there are no aspirational figures for young people to look
up to and hope to emulate, which kills the grassroots of the game. There's
a concerted effort to relaunch the game over here usually once a decade or
so, with a fanfare of high-level sponsorship and coverage on some minor
cable or satellite tv channel, but it invariably dies the death after a
season or so, and the game returns to its moribund state. Was - by all
accounts, very much more popular in the 1950's and 60's, but failed to
compete with football when TV sport became the big thing, and has never
regained significant popularity again
5. What are some of your favorite NHL moments?
the first winter classic was fantastic - got to see it live on tv over
here, and it was just great - the setting, the snow - everything (well -
other than the sabres losing - but that didn't really matter, in the
context...) - Other than that, Hartford beating the Nordiques in the mid
1980's for their one and only play-off series win - that was before
internet, satellite tv and any sort of coverage over here, so I had to
follow it on American Forces Radio and via three day old write ups in USA
Today !
6. Better movie - Mighty Ducks or Miracle?
Miracle by a country mile - it's next to impossible to get any sort of
feel for the history of the game over here, so anything that puts it in
perspective is great, even if it - errr - could have been slightly more
objective !
7. Daniel Carcillo, Sean Avery, Derek Boogard. Steel cage. Who wins?
Boogard only fights with kids, Carcillo only fights outdoors, and Avery is
a "jerk" (© Don Cherry) who messes with goaltenders: Pat Kaleta takes
the lot of 'em
8. You get to change one NHL rule. Go.
Get rid of the shoot out and go back to tied games - if two teams are even
over 60 minutes and overtime, then they're even, and don't need any circus
ring behaviour to artificially conjure up a "winner"
9. Your Stanley Cup prediction. Be bold.
Buffalo over San Jose in six; Sabres are down by at least three at one
point in all four games that they win...
10. You're in last place. What is it about your team that still brings
fans through the gate? Do you have a message for your fan base regarding the future of the
Redcoats?
It's not necessarily the make up of the team per se that'll get fans
pouring in to the controversial new Cocumcussoc Auditorium when it's
complete - it'll be a continuation of the franchise's contrary attitude
that sets them apart from the rest of the WHL.
Take the name for starters – deliberately chosen to evoke (and probably
provoke) that deep seated colonial antipathy rooted in the Revolutionary
War, in the same way that the Columbus Bluejackets are unlikely to secure
too much market penetration in downtown Nashville and Atlanta, only
looking for disapproval on a non-exclusive nationwide basis. The Redcoats
are an unconventional, coldly analytical hockey club, with little loyalty
to underperforming players and an apparent predilection for inexplicable
trades that leave fans and hockey purists alike wondering exactly what is
going on.
It is, however, this outwardly shambolic lack of direction that appeals to
the fans - take your chances, make mistakes, hold on for the ride - the
one thing that there's not going to be is any predictability !
Undoubted future club captain Tyler Myers epitomises the club's ethic -
sure, the kid can play hockey with the best of ‘em, but why do the usual
dour, defenseman thing for twenty five minutes a game, when you can go on
rampaging forays up the ice, slipping the puck through the legs of other
guys and flailing slapshots to all parts - it's what the fans want to see
! Same with Del Zotto – fine two-way skater, but defensively flawed and
primarily an aspiring power-play quarterback – the emphasis is all about
outscoring an opponent, not blanking them. Milan Lucic, hey, a marquee
forward who’s not a natural goalscorer or skater, but can hold his own
when the gloves come off, and overpower a defense – he’s a Redcoat !
And Dustin Brown – probably the most gifted hockey player on the roster
and the leader on the ice – but no-one’s 100% certain exactly where
his lead may take the team….
It'll be a club made up of similar loose cannons when the recruiting is
done - maybe one or two regulation big names to fulfil the obligations
that a modern club has to the marketing and media sectors, but
predominantly, hard-nosed hockey mavericks with a more flair than tactical
savvy - more determination than delicate touches and probably twice as
many penalty minutes as points - the only thing that you can say for sure
about Redcoats hockey is that Lady Byng's Trophy will not be heading to
Rhode Island anytime soon....
As for the future, well, this half-season is just a cameo – a
scene-setting pretence of hockey playing normality on the back of
intransigent league-wide management and a waiver wire bereft of suitable
talent. It’ll be the 2010 draft that marks the real instigation of the
new order, and the season that follows will see a squad of Redcoats
players making their mark with Redcoats hockey. And no newts.
Veteran Swap
Portland,ME—Mark Recchi is a patient man. A veteran of 20 NHL seasons, the Recchin' Ball has been traded seven times. After winning the Stanley Cup with Pittsburgh in 1990-91, Recchi brought the same grit and leadership to the rink every day for fifteen years before hoisting silver again. He's also accomplished a thing or ten. Recchi has two Stanley Cups, six All-Star appearances, competed for Canada in the Nagano Olympics, and is the only player to ever score a game-tying goal at Fenway Park.
Recchi, 41, now finds himself immersed in a new challenge playing for CSKA Moscow of the World Hockey League. General manager Nathan Fournier acquired the veteran from Steve Irvine's St. Boniface Saints on January 16th in exchange for John Madden and a 2010 4th round pick.
Madden, 36, has an interesting history as well. He grew up in a Toronto public housing project and never played major junior hockey, the highest level of minor hockey in Canada. He was passed over at the 1993 NHL Entry Draft (and remained undrafted), but went on to set the NCAA record for shorthanded goals with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Brendan Morrison, Madden's teammate at UM and the New Jersey Devil's 2nd round pick in '93, mentioned Madden to GM Lou Lamoriello, who later offered Madden a pro contract. After two stellar years in the American Hockey League, Madden went on to establish himself as a premier NHL checking forward and was even awarded the Frank J. Selke trophy in 2001 as the NHL's best defensive forward.
Recchi, 41, now finds himself immersed in a new challenge playing for CSKA Moscow of the World Hockey League. General manager Nathan Fournier acquired the veteran from Steve Irvine's St. Boniface Saints on January 16th in exchange for John Madden and a 2010 4th round pick.
Madden, 36, has an interesting history as well. He grew up in a Toronto public housing project and never played major junior hockey, the highest level of minor hockey in Canada. He was passed over at the 1993 NHL Entry Draft (and remained undrafted), but went on to set the NCAA record for shorthanded goals with the University of Michigan Wolverines. Brendan Morrison, Madden's teammate at UM and the New Jersey Devil's 2nd round pick in '93, mentioned Madden to GM Lou Lamoriello, who later offered Madden a pro contract. After two stellar years in the American Hockey League, Madden went on to establish himself as a premier NHL checking forward and was even awarded the Frank J. Selke trophy in 2001 as the NHL's best defensive forward.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Heating Up
Mount Vernon—For Blades GM Chet Merola, the future is now. Merola made a big splash recently, acquiring Dany Heatley, Tomas Kaberle, Miro Satan and a 2010 5th round pick from the Brooklyn Cyclones in exchange for James Neal, Kris Versteeg, Clarke MacArthur and a 2010 2nd round pick.
A gutsy move, perhaps, for a 9th ranked team nearly 500 points removed from first place. From a different perspective, Mount Vernon ranks 5th in the WHL's most improved race, so selling young assets for an elite player may actually benefit Merola's rebuild via top draft picks in the first three rounds.
Brooklyn manager Mike Zecca is taking a more traditional approach in preparing for the 2010-11 season, waving goodbye to Heatley and his $58.9 million dollar contract and welcoming in younger and cheaper forwards James Neal and Kris Versteeg, and a 2010 2nd round pick.
With injuries and unpredictable trends always looming, there is no such thing as a full-proof strategy in fantasy sports. One thing is for sure - WHL managers have more rebuilding options now than ever before and several are showing no fear in taking risks.
A gutsy move, perhaps, for a 9th ranked team nearly 500 points removed from first place. From a different perspective, Mount Vernon ranks 5th in the WHL's most improved race, so selling young assets for an elite player may actually benefit Merola's rebuild via top draft picks in the first three rounds.
Brooklyn manager Mike Zecca is taking a more traditional approach in preparing for the 2010-11 season, waving goodbye to Heatley and his $58.9 million dollar contract and welcoming in younger and cheaper forwards James Neal and Kris Versteeg, and a 2010 2nd round pick.
With injuries and unpredictable trends always looming, there is no such thing as a full-proof strategy in fantasy sports. One thing is for sure - WHL managers have more rebuilding options now than ever before and several are showing no fear in taking risks.
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