Just thought I'd make this thread more readable. Season review gobbledy-goop is in the spoiler section.
Spoiler!
What a season it's been.
First of all, this team was put together by previous GM simmer2 and much like the real-life Hawks and Dale Tallon, credit needs to go where credit is due. Same goes to all GMs who helped answer my questions and give advice, and thanks for your patience when dealing with me - I was pretty cautious my first year.
After winning the previous year, this year's team had many great pieces in place but seemed to lack coaching, direction and chemistry. Sitting with a 34-21 record, a new GM was hired.
Realizing what we had, the decision was made to tinker rather than overhaul which is always a temptation as a new GM. New lines were set, and instant chemistry followed.
The team ended up going 24-2-1 under new management and nearly overtook the Flyers for the President's Trophy, erasing a huge deficit. In the end, we finished first with 58 wins and second with 117 points but it was a different trophy we were looking for.
Though the team was good, we saw the Flyers continually adding star after star in trades down the stretch and felt that we needed to make a move. After bolstering the depth up front with Marco Sturm and Ryan Malone earlier, we made the big splash and dealt futures for Patrick Marleau.
Marleau ended up being a key contributor taking pressure off the top line and the team rolled into the playoffs on a high.
If the playoffs taught us anything it was how hard it truly is to win it all. We had a legitimate chance of losing every series and so many one-goal and OT games it was ridiculous. We came from behind to survive the Rangers in six, then defeated the Sabres in five (four one-goal games), and then met the mighty Flyers. Won the first two on the road but lost the next three and thought we were toast but the team rallied to stun the CPHL world in seven. The Sharks gave us an incredible battle in the final given their payroll and roster on paper. Three more OT games before we finally broke Jim Howard and hammered the Sharks 7-2 in game six to lift the Cup.
What a way to start as a GM in the CPHL! It will make the exodus this off-season much easier to take.
Speaking of said exodus, unfortunately just about the entire team hits free agency and we won't be able to keep most of them. But this much must be said: we are NOT re-building. The goal is to contend every year, make the playoffs and challenge for a championship.
With that out of the way, here is the plan.
The following players are on the block and we will need proper value for them.
Marian Gaborik (UFA) - Dealt to L.A.
Mikko Koivu (RFA) - Dealt to Philly
Wojtek Wolski (RFA) - Dealt to Colorado
Joni Pitkanen - Dealt to Washington
Brent Burns - Dealt to Philly
Dennis Wideman (RFA) - Dealt to Philly
Ondrej Pavelec (RFA) - Dealt to New York
The following players can be had cheaply.
Blair Betts (UFA)
Chuck Kobasew (UFA)
Sergei Gonchar (UFA) - Dealt to Nashville
Marco Sturm - Dealt to Washington
Ryan Malone - Dealt to Florida
Tim Kennedy - Dealt to Florida
I am looking for the following things in return:
-A cheap, nasty stay at home d-man
-4th line centre
-Prospects
-Draft picks
-Cap space
PM is best during the day, MSN is best when I'm actually online. I'll always get PMs though.
Fire away!