*************************************
Dear Russ, I would like to remind you of the 1995-96 season
trade deadline.
In case you have forgotten, that was your first year back in
Seattle after a wonderful time in Philadelphia.
You had a very average team that season.
At the trading deadline, you dismantled the team, blew it
up, shipped out any major assets you had.
You traded in division, in conference, it didn't
matter. Any team that wanted a player, you took the best offer.
If I recall correctly, the team was about to get on the bus
for a road trip. As the players were getting on the bus, a bunch were
told they were not getting on. The bus left with a total of 13 skaters
for that nights road game (in Kelowna if I really remember).
You sent the likes of Jan Hrdina to Spokane, Blair Manning
to Medicine Hat, Tyler Perry to Swift Current, Kevin Popp to Portland.
There might even have been a couple others that I don't recall. Those
were the heart and soul players of the team. The captain, the tough guy,
the fan favorite.
Why did you do this? To make your team better.
To get the players you thought would fit better.
What happened? Well, your team still made the
playoffs. The 1996-97 team finished second to a top Portland team and
went on to the WHL final. The 1997-98, if Patrick Marleau is returned by
San Jose as an 18, had a great chance of returning to the finals.
So how does this look down memory lane relate to today.
Coach K said it best in last night’s post game notes.
"As you learn more and more about players and their
character you analyze that and you don't want the guys (that don't play hard
every night) on your team. You want guys that are going to give you everything
they have."
You as a GM know who they are. Coach K, R, And M all
know. We as fans all know who these players are. It doesn't take a
mathematician to find a complex formula to figure out who they are. Trade
them, move them, release them, whatever highly technical term people like to
use these days.
Jon
2 comments :
I remember that season well. And would welcome a repeat!
Just show us you are seeing what we are seeing Russ.
Good post Jon.
Good post! I see many whl teams start bringing up their 15 year old prospects to see what they're drafted players look like. Are we going to see this with Seattle in the next couple of months. Or is just making the playoffs the biggest priority.
Post a Comment