Post by Nemits - Former Minnesota GM on Jan 8, 2009 22:09:41 GMT -5
The other day I had a chance to sit down with the new GM of the Philadelphia Flyers. He made his presence felt almost immediately making many many trades. He seems to have one hell of a team, and with Free Agency left to go, he can only get better. Watch out East, the Flyers have come to play.
Q: Why such a massive re-modeling of the team, did you not feel the team you had coming in could compete?
When I came in we had a pretty good team...on paper. Obviously what the previous GM hadn't worked because we were a non-playoff team, and to me we didn't have any clear-cut leaders. I brought in Staal to be the leader we needed, but I ended up trading him away too, it was a good offer and I just did what I thought was right. I made a lot of trades to try and get some younger guys who can be leaders.
Q: The first trade you made was to get rid of fan favourite Richards, along with Lupul for Eric Staal. Do you feel that Staal can be more productive then Richards and Lupul can?
As I previously said, Staal has been traded too, but yes if we still had him I believe he would have been more productive than the two of them. He also makes the players around him better, not to mention he is a better leader than Richards, don’t get me wrong, Richards is a good player, and he will be missed, but I did what I thought wat right.
Q: As soon as you came in as GM, you made your intentions clear that Del Zotto would be wearing a Flyers jersey by the start of the season. You made good on that when acquiring him from the Wild, but at the cost of Timonen and Vaananen, and youngster Sbisa. Was the trade worth it?
I think the trade was worth it, to me, Del Zotto is a young guy that will be here for a long time, we could build the team around him and his defense partner Ellis. I’ve watched Del Zotto play in Oshawa for a couple years now, and he is an impact player and a great leader.
Q: In a draft full of depth, you were able to get 2 picks in the top 13. You used them to pick up Schenn and Ellis. How do you think these 2 players will be able to contribute to your team, and what role will they play?
Well both will be here for a long, long time, they are both young guys that we can build the franchise around. Their roles this year is just to adjust to the NHL style of play, they’re expected to make mistakes as all rookies do. They will be the future of the team along side Michael Dell Zotto, James Van Riemsdyk and to a lesser degree Blake Wheeler.
Q: Captain: Brendan Morrison, Alternate: Matt Carle, Alternate: Michael Del Zotto. What the hell is that? Do you not think that you have more qualified people to give those titles to?
Brendan Morrison is one of the best leaders on my team, as far as I’m concerned. Morrison was a no brainer. As far as Carle goes, I think he deserves this, it may boost his confidence to play better. Lastly Del Zotto was a great leader in Oshawa, he will be the captain of this team one day so we figured we’d let him get used to it now.
Q: Del Zotto top pairing, you are showing a lot of faith in this youngster. What if he doesn't pan out?
Well at first I don’t expect much from Del Zotto and Ellis, but if Del Zotto doesn’t do well on the top line, he will move down the lineup, and will eventually be sent to the minors. I don’t think Del Zotto will get traded, and he will receive more than one chance if he doesn’t do well to start.
Q: Who gets the start, Nittymaki or Biron, or neither, trade perhaps?
Well if my understanding of the contract is correct, than Biron will be lost to Free Agency. Nittymaki is a younger goalie, and as you can see, I’m making a fairly young team. I feel at this point in their careers, Nittymaki is the better goalie.
Q: What do you have against Left Wings? You have none playing for you.
Hahaha, nothing, everyone wanted the Left Wingers we had so we traded them, we feel the current lineup is capable of producing as we have a lot of depth, and the centers and right wingers playing on the left side should be fine. If we’re in a playoff spot at the trade deadline, look for us to make a big trade involving a left winger coming our way.
Q: What do you plan on doing this FA, if anything?
First and foremost I need a backup goaltender, seeing as I only have one goalie under contract. Then with my remaining cap I'll just look to see if there is anyone I want.
Thanks again to the Flyers for doing this. Wish them a great season. As for everyone else who has sent me a request, I will get the questions out soon. In the mean time sit down and shut up.