What's Your Definition Of "Buyer" Or "Seller"?

[JiriHrdina]

I try not to be exclusively a buyer or a seller. I've made deals in recent weeks to bring in vets like Satan and Federov which would be classified as a "buyer" deal, while at the same time I made another deal to trade McCabe which woudl be a "seller" deal.

And at times I really like the "something now/something later" deals where I deal a young player for a better vet, and a pick or prospect.

I think sometimes GMs get too caught up in the "rebuild" at this time of year and dump players that could be valuable next season.

Ultimately though value is set by the two GMs negotiating and if there is a gap between what value those GMs assign to the players being discussed - there likely won't be a deal to be had.

In the case of the Nords it is a tough spot because Rob simply doesn't have many assets to deal except for his core. So upgrading that core is gonna be a tough thing to do.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Prottotype

The CPHL has been known to fire a GM or two who weren't interested in bettering their roster

And just to address this - I think that's a pretty misleading way of describing why GMs have been fired in the past.

Generally not a good idea to speculate on our reasons because we very rarely if ever talk about why we fire a GM.

[Prototype]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

And just to address this - I think that's a pretty misleading way of describing why GMs have been fired in the past.

Generally not a good idea to speculate on our reasons because we very rarely if ever talk about why we fire a GM.

For the record... I think the current regime has done a great job maintaining the peace around here. My comment may not have been the most appropriate, but I didn't want to make the remainder of my post sound like I expect that everyone should hand over the best pieces of their team to me. We're all here to better our teams, and if we're not interested in doing that, there's going to be a GM-in-waiting who will.

This isn't the place to argue about why people have or haven't been fired from the CPHL, so I'll leave it as IIRC I thought it was a reason some have been fiired, but I don't want to be fired, so I'll shut up now.

You are bang on with your assessment of the Nords that other than our core, which I would perfer not to move, I don't have much else. That's not to say that I don't have anything else available, but I'm not turning this franchise into an Edmonton Oilers over night. If I could, I'd expect GM of the year votes.

I do have pieces, and I'm personally looking for UFAs that teams aren't interested in re-signing July 1, and are just playing out the stretch. I'm willing to give up a pick (all-be-it 2010 picks), AHLers (of which I signed a buttload who have cracked the NHL this season), or ECHLers (where my non-core prized possession resides).

Many offers I have seen have been more lateral, and not quite what I'm looking for, which is why I wanted to get a little more clearification to peoples expectations heading into the trade deadline.

Maybe I expected that I'd be able to get guys that teams aren't looking to resign for smaller assets, considering that come the offseason, the UFAs would be lost.

I don't think in the last week or two I have tried to get a high profile player who is signed long term. If I have, I have offered up a core player. Jiri can attest to this, cause we did have talks about some of his players that involved Shane Doan heading to MIN. It was me who backed out of that one.

So, long story short... if you're out of the playoffs, and have a UFA that you're not considering re-signing in July, and you'd like to get a body, or a pick, or something for him before they become a free agent, come talk to me. If you think I'm giving up a major piece of my puzzel to get someone that I may not be able to afford come July 1, I wont. If you want a clause to go along with that... I'm game.

I want the Nords in the playoffs this year. I would be a major accomplishment for me to get back into the CPHL playoffs... and I'm kicking and scratching to get back into the top 8 in the east.

Thought I would clearify my position and thoughts before I headed home from work.

[OILFAN #81]

I'm a buyer at the moment but when the offseason rolls around and teams with lots of cap space are looking to target big players that's when I become a seller. Right now the plan is to make the roster the best possible team for a chance at a Cup Run. When July rolls around I look for 2 for 1 type deals where I can "sell" a player I can't afford or is not a long term part of the team, for 2 lesser rated players/prospects who can plug holes but still play on my team. Then the next season I use those pieces to get a highly rated player and the cycle continues.

[nyrcrisfer]

Basically, a seller is actively shopping any player on their roster who
a) is a pending UFA
b) is no longer in the NHL
c) is over a certain age (maybe 34 or so) and clearly on the downside of their career and may have a big contract.
d) in some cases, is a pending RFA who might be due a huge raise and the team has a lot of holes to fill.

A buyer is any team interested in that player, especially guys who meet the first 3.

Those are the only true buyer/seller. Everyone else is in the big gray area in between. Actually most of the league probably is.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by nyrcrisfer

Basically, a seller is actively shopping any player on their roster who
a) is a pending UFA
b) is no longer in the NHL
c) is over a certain age (maybe 34 or so) and clearly on the downside of their career and may have a big contract.
d) in some cases, is a pending RFA who might be due a huge raise and the team has a lot of holes to fill.

A buyer is any team interested in that player, especially guys who meet the first 3.

Those are the only true buyer/seller. Everyone else is in the big gray area in between. Actually most of the league probably is.

What if a bottom-feeding team trades a good player who isn't an impending free agent, in order to get a good return that can help the team next year and in the future?

You would not call this a true seller?

[Enforcer]

I'm a seller. I'm not in playoff position and I don't see a rally into a playoff spot. That's my definition.

I started out by selling guys I didn't want on the team next year (Bates and Laraque) and a player I had to trade because he went back to Europe and his value was only going down (Danny Markov). I probably would have traded Markov anyway because of the position I was in with him.

I could and probably will trade more players, but I won't be dumping the key UFAs that I have because I have plenty of money to resign them and buy others.

Also to be a buyer you really have to have a group of younger players and prospects that people want. If I was still 7th in the conference, I think I still would have had difficulty buying guys.

[flamesfan6]

whats the middle of buyer and seller? stay put?

however i might be more towards buying by deadline

[nyrcrisfer]

Originally Posted by icarus

What if a bottom-feeding team trades a good player who isn't an impending free agent, in order to get a good return that can help the team next year and in the future?

You would not call this a true seller?

Not really I guess. Doing that depends on the return and if they get younger players that they really like. They might do it because they lack depth, or have too much depth, or need to cut salary or whatever.

I guess to me a true seller lets the market determine the price of the players they want to sell. They'll take the best offer they can get even if they don't love it, because they know they aren't keeping the player anyway.

In your example the team wouldn't take the best offer no matter what, but they'd have to get an offer they really like. And when a bad team takes a good player they can keep and trades him for the highest offer, even if they don't love it, then it's usually a bad trade for them.

[looooob]

as the recognized Kevin Lowe of the CPHL (8th place or bust baby!) I'm never good at being either a buyer or a seller. this year I'm selling, but only the crap and want to be competitive again next season. never patient enough for a proper rebuild or gutsy enough for a proper 'go for it'

[HelloHockeyFans]

Originally Posted by looooob

as the recognized Kevin Lowe of the CPHL (8th place or bust baby!) I'm never good at being either a buyer or a seller. this year I'm selling, but only the crap and want to be competitive again next season. never patient enough for a proper rebuild or gutsy enough for a proper 'go for it'

I guess that makes me the Mike Milbury of the CPHL! How fitting since I'm also the GM of the CPHL Isles!!