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Goriders · 03-05-2023, 08:59 AM

Well this season is pretty much over. Probably the most disappointing one since I’ve been a fan. I’ve watched some brutal Flames teams where losing was expected. But this version was a preseason favourite to be in the cup final.

Lots of opinions on what the issues are. A hard team to figure out. So inconsistent. What would you do if you were GM?

Personally for the rest of the year I would try and figure out who fit into my long term plans. I would essentially make the last 19 games a precursor for the next season’s training camp.

I’d give Ritchie and Stecher an extended audition as well as Zary and Wolf. If possible I’d also give Coronato an opportunity once his NCAA season is complete.

I would start sitting Lucic and Lewis to allow for the auditions. I would not bring them back next season. This team is going to require more ELCs in the lineup to afford the big contracts they signed last summer.

I’d start working on extending our UFAs for the end of next season. Backlund, Lindholm, Toffoli, Dube (RFA), Zadorov, Tanev, Hanifin. Anyone not interested I would start the process of finding interested trading partners. Preferably prior to the draft to maximize potential picks. I would be interested in extending all of them as they all had fairly good seasons.

I would commit to bringing Wolf up next season and marketing Vladar. Not sure why but I have a feeling that Markstrom will bounce back next season. Wolf will also need some veteran support to keep developing.

At the year end interviews I would try and figure out if the coaching staff needs to be overhauled. My gut feel is it does. There are too many underachieving players on the roster. That’s the head coaches primary responsibility. Getting the most that he can out of his players. The powerplay was horrible this season. I think that is also a direct result of coaching. I think the players have grown tired of Sutter hockey.

Of the highest underperforming players (In my mind Mangiapane, Huberdeau, Markstrom) I’d try and decide which ones were a blip and which ones were permanent. Gut feel is Markstrom and Huberdeau are blips. Mangiapane isn’t. I would look for a trading partner for Mangiapane. I would look for a linemate in free agency for Huberdeau that better fits his style of play. The potential of a coaching change might also fix this problem. I’d give Markstrom another half season to prove himself. If he can’t I would transition Wolf into the starters role and try and bring in another veteran goalie. I’d bury Markstrom somewhere and look at buying him out if I couldn’t find a trading partner.

Bottom line though. If it’s still Treliving I wouldn’t want his job this offseason. There will probably be a number of hard decisions that will have to be made to right the ship. Something is wrong with this team.

03-05-2023, 08:59 AM	#1
Goriders Franchise Player Join Date: Apr 2014 Exp:	You’re The GM Well this season is pretty much over. Probably the most disappointing one since I’ve been a fan. I’ve watched some brutal Flames teams where losing was expected. But this version was a preseason favourite to be in the cup final. Lots of opinions on what the issues are. A hard team to figure out. So inconsistent. What would you do if you were GM? Personally for the rest of the year I would try and figure out who fit into my long term plans. I would essentially make the last 19 games a precursor for the next season’s training camp. I’d give Ritchie and Stecher an extended audition as well as Zary and Wolf. If possible I’d also give Coronato an opportunity once his NCAA season is complete. I would start sitting Lucic and Lewis to allow for the auditions. I would not bring them back next season. This team is going to require more ELCs in the lineup to afford the big contracts they signed last summer. I’d start working on extending our UFAs for the end of next season. Backlund, Lindholm, Toffoli, Dube (RFA), Zadorov, Tanev, Hanifin. Anyone not interested I would start the process of finding interested trading partners. Preferably prior to the draft to maximize potential picks. I would be interested in extending all of them as they all had fairly good seasons. I would commit to bringing Wolf up next season and marketing Vladar. Not sure why but I have a feeling that Markstrom will bounce back next season. Wolf will also need some veteran support to keep developing. At the year end interviews I would try and figure out if the coaching staff needs to be overhauled. My gut feel is it does. There are too many underachieving players on the roster. That’s the head coaches primary responsibility. Getting the most that he can out of his players. The powerplay was horrible this season. I think that is also a direct result of coaching. I think the players have grown tired of Sutter hockey. Of the highest underperforming players (In my mind Mangiapane, Huberdeau, Markstrom) I’d try and decide which ones were a blip and which ones were permanent. Gut feel is Markstrom and Huberdeau are blips. Mangiapane isn’t. I would look for a trading partner for Mangiapane. I would look for a linemate in free agency for Huberdeau that better fits his style of play. The potential of a coaching change might also fix this problem. I’d give Markstrom another half season to prove himself. If he can’t I would transition Wolf into the starters role and try and bring in another veteran goalie. I’d bury Markstrom somewhere and look at buying him out if I couldn’t find a trading partner. Bottom line though. If it’s still Treliving I wouldn’t want his job this offseason. There will probably be a number of hard decisions that will have to be made to right the ship. Something is wrong with this team.