Wednesday, March 4, 2009

If you were the GM (Atlantic division)

(With the trade deadline upon us, Cycle like the Sedins decided to ask about 30 or so friends in the blogosphere to represent his or her team and answer the question: "What would you do if you were the GM during the trade deadline?

Since things change in a heartbeat, the date of each person's submission is listed next to each entry. So before you start screaming "BUT THEY TRADED HIM!" while food spills out of your mouth, we're showing what they thought at the time.

Don't like it? Psh.)

Pittsburgh Penguins

(March 2)
Denson from Bangin' Panger

Well, the Pens are on a roll lately...getting themselves back into the playoff picture. What, you may ask, has attributed to such a turn around? Obviously it is the arrival of this Jordan Staal character that must have come over with the Chris Kunitz/Ryan Whitney trade. Don't know too much about this Staal guy, according to every game ever against the Hurricanes and Rangers ... he has brothers that play in the NHL as well. Who knew?

So if I'm Ray Shero what are my next moves? Well for one, Shitan is traded for one of Jerome Iginlas extra mucles in-between his Tibialis anterior and Peroneus longus (the muscle that makes black people go real real fast)...and it is implanted in Hal Gill. Mario Lemieux comes out of retirement to replace Shitan to stand on the opposing team's blueline all game...only Mario will score. Phillepe Bouche is traded for acid to fill Crosby's tear ducts...so when Ovechkin bullies him, Crosby's tears will melt Ovechkin. And a 2nd and 3rd round draft pick is able to fetch Malkin some Hooked On Phonics lessons and Crosby some Shit Talking Lessons with Joey Porter. This all would obviously make the Pittsburgh Penguins the favorite for the Stanley Cup.

(2/28)
Frank D from Pensburgh

Chris Kunitz picked up the same amount of points in the first period of the first game he played in Pittsburgh (1G, 1A) as Ryan Whitney did over his last seven games as a Penguin. If I were the GM I'd look to make that upgrade another 15 to 20 times.

(2/28)
Tony Ferrante from The Confluence (Kukla's Korner)

If I were GMRS (GM Ray Shero), I'd trade Ryan Whitney for Chris Kunitz and Eric Tangradi (just kidding, but a good move). Then I'd trade Hal Gill and a mid-round draft pick for either another winger or an agitator (Neil). I would also not rule out some kind of move for another defenseman ...

(3/01)
Stefanie from Steel City Sports
If I was Ray Shero, I'd be giving my "Big Guns" a rest right now and sleep through March 4th!!

Seeing as how Shero already pulled the trigger twice for big moves prior to the trade deadline, I'm hoping he's not going to do much more.

He's honestly coming out of this smelling like a rose right now anyway (seeing as how Bylsma looks like a Savior even though it's more like his system that's saving the Pens for now), but I still think his decision to fire Therrien sucks and the bottom line is that the Pens began their downward spiral in the off-season thanks to his "wise" decisions when he tried too hard to sign Hossa. That screw job was two-fold: 1) Hossa waited absolutely too long before he "told" us he wasn't coming back which led to our losing alot of important / key players such as Malone and Ruutu among others (my readers know all too well my thoughts on this though as I'm still lamenting); b) Shero was crazy to wait so long to hear back from Hossa -- these two things were the beginning of the demise of the Pens this season and it's been too much to recover from -- all at the hands of their own GM being too enamoured by one Marian Hossa (who I cannot stand at this point, but never really could)!


I've gone from thinking Shero was a genius to coming to my senses right now realizing that his most recent decisions make him nothing more than a screw-up. So here's to hoping that Shero will be quiet leading up to the upcoming trade deadline as I believe Kunitz has been the spark we need to make it into the playoffs by the skin of our teeth!!!

Chris Kontos: Shitan is one of the funniest reverse-nicknames I've heard in a long while. The Penguins made a great pickup in Chris Kunitz, a decent offensive player who will pick it up even more with Crosby. The Penguins are going to struggle to make the playoffs but I don't know if another move is really going to help this team.

James O'Brien: For hockey newbies, the spelling of Satan's last name is high comedy. Once you get to know him more, you realize Shitan really is the better connection. Have to agree that the Kunitz move is paying dividends and all it cost the Penguins was a guy who wore out his welcome. No more moves needed until the summer.

***
New York Rangers

(2/28)

Patrick Hoffman from Goal Line Report (Kuklas Korner)

If I was New York Rangers General Manager Glen Sather, I'd probably be in hiding since most of my team's fans are calling for my head on a nightly basis at Madison Square Garden.

In all seriousness, if I am Glen Sather, I would look into getting a finisher. Could that be a guy like Bill Guerin? Could it be someone like Illya Kovalchuk? If it's guys like that they're after, the team will have to shed some salary as well as a top player from either their current roster or their farm system.

However, the only thing that will probably happen this week is that the club will claim Sean Avery off re-entry waivers and dump a salary or two. A lot of Blueshirt fans will wish it will be someone like Wade Redden or may be even someone like Drury but believe me when I say that those two aren't going anywhere.

To sum it all up, this team is stuck with the roster that Sather built during these past two off-seasons, for better or worse.

Chris Kontos: The Drury and Gomez tag team signing is going to haunt this team for a long time. Even after they eventually waive Redden. Getting the Dallas Stars sloppy seconds (too soon?) off of waivers is going to help this team a lot. Avery is at his best when he feels like he has a lot to prove.

James O'Brien: Jeez, it didn't take long for the lockout intelligence to wear off in New York, did it? People are going to blast the Wade Redden signing (and they did overpay for a guy whose stock went down), but say what you want Redden at least at some point seemed talented. Michal Rosival and Chris Drury are the two signings that were the worst (although giving Scott Gomez a Brad Richards-type contract is pretty bad too) because these players never showed ANY evidence to live up to those contracts.

Drury, in my book, is one of the most over-loved players in the NHL. Sure, he's a nice guy and has intangibles out the wazoo. But for a guy with a 60 point skill set, he sure gets deified a lot.

Anyone the Rangers can unload would be great. Aside from Henrik Lundqvist, the one player Sather somehow lucked into. Don't you get the feeling that Lundqvist's name was found on a napkin thrown out by a Detroit Red Wings scout or something? The Rangers are just such an terribly run franchise. It's stunning.
***
New York Islanders
(2/28)
Dominik from Light House Hockey

If I were Garth Snow, I would:

Permanently change the uniform scheme back to the original royal blue version as with this season's thirds, and never speak of any other Islanders uniform again. (Editor's note: Amen, Dominik. You're a wise man.)

Oh wait, this was about trades? Well, in that case, sell, SELL, SELL! UFA Andy Hilbert is a useful defensive forward and penalty killer who's having a "career" year (shhhhh: 10 G = career year). Take best offer. Same with Guerin (in the works) and even the injured Doug Weight, due back from IR by the playoffs. Parlay Dean McAmmond -- who looks alive since coming over for Comrie -- for scraps. If someone somehow asked me for Jeff Tambellini -- who can't score outside of the shootout or the AHL -- I'd pay his airfare and meal tab.

Obviously, the Islanders don't have much left to sell. But there is one outstanding issue: Brendan Witt, who was capable last season yet awful this one. He doesn't seem to fit Scott Gordon's system, yet he has two years left on his contract. While it's tempting to take the first offer that's not a prank, on this I'd play the psychology game and wait for that one vulnerable GM with the happy trigger finger. The GM whose team just got pushed around in a conference battle this week and has him (and his fans) second-guessing whether his otherwise loaded team is the proverbial "tough enough for the playoffs." Find that GM, demand a ransom (like a 1st-round pick and/or real prospect) for this battle-tested warrior [cue "Braveheart" soundtrack during GM call], and let him know I'd be just as happy waiting to deal Witt in the offseason for the scraps he's currently offering me. If he bites, genius! If not, meh, try to unload or reprogram Witt in the summer.

It goes without saying that, for any and all of the returns for these players, I would persuade Charles Wang to wait until the picks become actual stars before offering them decade-plus contracts. But that's just me.

Chris Kontos: Get rid of Witt before he starts taking cheap shots on his own players. And definitely keep losing to get Tavares. Then hire Mike Milbury again so that he'll trade Tavares for Rico Fata and Radek Bonk.

James O'Brien: Haha, hard to top Chris on that one. As I've said, Ilya Kovalchuk + Jon Tavares = possible salvation. Or at least the first few steps. Trade everyone. EVERRRRYYYYOOONNNNNEEEE.

***
New Jersey Devils

3/01

John Fischer fromIn Lou We Trust

If I were the GM of the Devils, I would be hanging up the phone and saying the phrase "Sorry, but we're not interested" over and over again over the next few days. Especially if the call begins with "We would like to know the availability of Travis Zajac or Johnny Oduya." Basically, I'd ignore the trade deadline unless a team really, really wants Scott Clemmensen or Kevin Weekes and is offering an offensive defenseman.

2/27

Daniel Owens from Frozen Fiend

If I were Loophole Lou ...

I'd pluck Avery off waivers just to make sure the Rangers didn't get him. Then I would fire Sutter and take over the coaching reins myself. And last but not least, I would play Weekes on the last day of the season to make sure Toronto doesn't make the playoffs.

Seriously though, I'm not sure that there is anything to do. It's not like a Rupp/Clemmer/draft pick/prospect package is going to be enough to get any player of significance in return. And I don't think that anything more than that would be worth giving up.
"Hey, David Poile, we're trying to get the band back together. I'll trade you this bag of pucks for Arnott. Come on, whattaya say?"

The current Devils lineup is the one that took over first place in the Atlantic. Why change a thing?

Chris Kontos: Much like the Predators are amazing to James, the Devils' success continue to boggle my mind. And since Brodeur is having such a hard time (/sarcasm) adjusting to being back... I'd say the Devils are in fantastic shape. I think getting rid of Weekes for a draft pick or so would be a great move.

James O'Brien: Ugh, Loophole Lou is getting old. Scott Clemmensen puts up great numbers and ... is sent to the AHL? It's not as bad as banishing Alexander Mogilny, but it's pretty obnoxious.

***
Philadelphia Flyers (EDIT: WE HAVE A GUEST POST WOOOO!)

Submitted by: Flyers Goal Scored By (March 4)If We were GMS,
Well first off, we'd sneak into Ed Snider's office, skim a little off the top of his massive piggybank, and get to the store for the trade-deadline-day specials: 2 cases of Sierra Nevada, a pack of smokes, some condoms, and massive amounts of beef jerky.

We then would put everyones' names around a dartboard, chug out 3 beers, and then fire 4 darts to see who is going. Then really hot souf philly girls would come into our office and tell us how awesome we were at "GM'ing" and then totally make out with each other, and then us, and then back to each other until 3pm. Then we'd high-five and crush a cheesesteak before falling asleep to old Rick Tocchet highlights. Being a GM rules.....

In reality, we'd be stressed as shit if we were the Flyers GM. They are getting constant pressure from the media and fans about "making a move". So one just has to ask, "What's worth making a move for?". If we were GMs, we'd be targeting two players, J-Bo and Nikky Backstrom. Since the Wild secured their #1 goalie, that leaves the Flyers with some run-of-the-mill talent to look at. No one can convince me that Bryzgolov or Lehtonen are better than Biron or Nitty. Our goalies are decent enough, and they will stop pucks. What they won't be able to stop is 40+ shots a game. Enter in JBo. Everyone knows the Flyers need a big defenseman, and no one is sexier right now than Mr. Meester. But what to give up for the guy? Do we toss Florida our junior-college star in James VanRiemsdyk or our blossoming sniper Claude Giroux? There answer is no. Those guys are the future, and will be studly forr years to come. We give up guys who we don't really want anymore. Guys who in college were cool Freshman year, but then as you got to know them and see how they act when they're drunk, you're like "Why am I friends with this guy? He peed on my couch!" There are 4 names out there that look expendable: Randy Jones, Matt Carle, Joffrey Lupul and Scottie Upshall. those guys are talented and are everyday players. Is that enough for JBo? Well, we'll have to wait and see.

Bottom line: If it's not JBo, we're not buying into it.

James O'Brien: Agreed: J-Bow or nothing.

6 comments:

jamestobrien said...

This Atlantic division post is distinguished by the "stick bending shot photos" of Bill Guerin and Mike Richards. The Guerin shot is especially cool and sort of feels a bit like one of those old-school black white hockey photos from the 20s.

Dominik said...

I believe the photo is from the '20s but was colorized to make Guerin appear to be from this era.

Denson said...

See my question with the Guerin pic is this...Was Jordan Staal the only other penguin playing that night? Honestly...where is everyone?

Vance said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vance said...

Denson's real question: How do you spell Phillipe Boucher?

themissile1 said...

so if stefanie from steel city sports was the gm of the pens during the trade deadline she would bitch about shero and his decision to fire hcmt and not sign hossa? what an idiot.