Post by atlantagm on Jan 13, 2016 22:58:26 GMT
Atlanta Gazette Online
March 16, 2016
Atlanta, GA
It’s almost the tale of two different hockey cities, if you were to ask an outsider. What a difference a few months can make for an NHL franchise; more specifically, our Atlanta Thrashers, which have crashed in the standings, and just went through a roster overhaul at the trade deadline. "It's been a tough season for this franchise, and our fans," GM Joe Papp said. "We felt like a few guys would be better served in another town, either because the offer was too good to pass up, or we wanted to begin the process of the changing of the guard, so to speak."
We were able to sit with the GM and get his take on the trades.
Buffalo Sabres traded BUF's round 1 pick in 2016 to Atlanta Thrashers for Maxime Talbot and Andrew Ladd
-- "This is one trade that was very hard to make. We felt like we gave up a really great talent, and our captain, to acquire an asset in the future to help us. These trades are never easy to make, but we hope that this helps to speed things along, and get us a quality young asset as a building block" he said.
Edmonton Oilers traded Jonas Siegenthaler and EDM's round 1 pick in 2016 to Atlanta Thrashers for Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Brendan Lemieux and CBS's round 2 pick in 2016
-- "When a team comes to you and wants your top talent, you need to make sure the return is there. We felt like our main pickup was Siegenthaler, who we liken to someone like Jack Sadek in our system; big body, willing to throw his weight around, playing in the Swiss A. He's playing along side (Andrej, formally of the NHL) Sustr and they've formed quite an offensive duo, but also two big men who shut down top lines" he said. There is talk of Siegenthaler playing for the Chicago Wolves in 17'-18'. "We had to even up the deal a bit, if not overpay, but we really like the prospect of Siegenthaler and another asset we could obtain in the draft."
Atlanta Thrashers traded Dustin Byfuglien, NYI's round 3 pick in 2016 and ATL's round 4 pick in 2016 to Carolina Hurricanes for Curtis McKenzie and Fredrik Forsberg
-- Opening up about trading Byfuglien seemed to bring a bit of nostalgia to the GM. "Its never easy to move a guy like Big Buff; he means so much to the team and to the organization. When the opportunity came by to acquire Forsberg, we had to bite. We think he'll be a top line talent in the league, given the time and opportunity to develop," he said. "and in the short term, we want to give McKenzie an opportunity. We think he'll be a nice fit to make life difficult for opposing teams. Any time you move a 'jam' guy like Byfuglien, you want to make sure you have someone who can provide it." he said. It should also be noted that the news hit Byfuglien hard; The Charlotte Observer reached out to the recently traded winger about the trade.
"Usually when you get the call from the GM it can only mean bad news," he commented and seemed a little troubled.
Here's to hoping he can find a groove in Carolina, a team headed for the playoffs (but will likely choke, and get rebuilt after the season).
Atlanta Thrashers traded Tobias Enström and ATL's round 3 pick in 2017 to St. Louis Blues for Jérôme 'Le Frog' Dallaire
-- "Here's another example where a team offers you a player that you cannot say no to. Despite Jerome's size, we're really excited about him. We think he possesses world-class vision at a mere 18 years old, and can be a special player for us. There is some question about where he projects as a position, either Center or on the Wing, but he has time to figure it out. On top of it, he's just a good, smart kid, and probably has one of the best 'motors' you'll see -- he skates fast and plays hard; it's always the same high gear with him. It really signals how we want to build this franchise moving forward -- speed, skill, and a 700 horsepower engine. He'll fit in nicely with the way Gerry (Meehan) wants to run his guys out there." he indicated.
On the subject of the head coach, a small but vocal group has been calling for his job as the team has slid in the standings. However, Papp indicated that would not happen this year or this offseason. "thingyypock. Just pure thingyypock. Gerry is a respected manager and ambassador to this league. This has been a tough year for everyone, especially when team management has been so in flux. Gerry will have every opportunity to shape the way this team will look for next season, and hopefully beyond that.
March 16, 2016
Atlanta, GA
It’s almost the tale of two different hockey cities, if you were to ask an outsider. What a difference a few months can make for an NHL franchise; more specifically, our Atlanta Thrashers, which have crashed in the standings, and just went through a roster overhaul at the trade deadline. "It's been a tough season for this franchise, and our fans," GM Joe Papp said. "We felt like a few guys would be better served in another town, either because the offer was too good to pass up, or we wanted to begin the process of the changing of the guard, so to speak."
We were able to sit with the GM and get his take on the trades.
Buffalo Sabres traded BUF's round 1 pick in 2016 to Atlanta Thrashers for Maxime Talbot and Andrew Ladd
-- "This is one trade that was very hard to make. We felt like we gave up a really great talent, and our captain, to acquire an asset in the future to help us. These trades are never easy to make, but we hope that this helps to speed things along, and get us a quality young asset as a building block" he said.
Edmonton Oilers traded Jonas Siegenthaler and EDM's round 1 pick in 2016 to Atlanta Thrashers for Blake Wheeler, Bryan Little, Brendan Lemieux and CBS's round 2 pick in 2016
-- "When a team comes to you and wants your top talent, you need to make sure the return is there. We felt like our main pickup was Siegenthaler, who we liken to someone like Jack Sadek in our system; big body, willing to throw his weight around, playing in the Swiss A. He's playing along side (Andrej, formally of the NHL) Sustr and they've formed quite an offensive duo, but also two big men who shut down top lines" he said. There is talk of Siegenthaler playing for the Chicago Wolves in 17'-18'. "We had to even up the deal a bit, if not overpay, but we really like the prospect of Siegenthaler and another asset we could obtain in the draft."
Atlanta Thrashers traded Dustin Byfuglien, NYI's round 3 pick in 2016 and ATL's round 4 pick in 2016 to Carolina Hurricanes for Curtis McKenzie and Fredrik Forsberg
-- Opening up about trading Byfuglien seemed to bring a bit of nostalgia to the GM. "Its never easy to move a guy like Big Buff; he means so much to the team and to the organization. When the opportunity came by to acquire Forsberg, we had to bite. We think he'll be a top line talent in the league, given the time and opportunity to develop," he said. "and in the short term, we want to give McKenzie an opportunity. We think he'll be a nice fit to make life difficult for opposing teams. Any time you move a 'jam' guy like Byfuglien, you want to make sure you have someone who can provide it." he said. It should also be noted that the news hit Byfuglien hard; The Charlotte Observer reached out to the recently traded winger about the trade.
"Usually when you get the call from the GM it can only mean bad news," he commented and seemed a little troubled.
Here's to hoping he can find a groove in Carolina, a team headed for the playoffs (but will likely choke, and get rebuilt after the season).
Atlanta Thrashers traded Tobias Enström and ATL's round 3 pick in 2017 to St. Louis Blues for Jérôme 'Le Frog' Dallaire
-- "Here's another example where a team offers you a player that you cannot say no to. Despite Jerome's size, we're really excited about him. We think he possesses world-class vision at a mere 18 years old, and can be a special player for us. There is some question about where he projects as a position, either Center or on the Wing, but he has time to figure it out. On top of it, he's just a good, smart kid, and probably has one of the best 'motors' you'll see -- he skates fast and plays hard; it's always the same high gear with him. It really signals how we want to build this franchise moving forward -- speed, skill, and a 700 horsepower engine. He'll fit in nicely with the way Gerry (Meehan) wants to run his guys out there." he indicated.
On the subject of the head coach, a small but vocal group has been calling for his job as the team has slid in the standings. However, Papp indicated that would not happen this year or this offseason. "thingyypock. Just pure thingyypock. Gerry is a respected manager and ambassador to this league. This has been a tough year for everyone, especially when team management has been so in flux. Gerry will have every opportunity to shape the way this team will look for next season, and hopefully beyond that.
i'll be doing it all on friday as its teh only day off I have at the moment. Sorry, we are down people and its long late shifts at teh moment. 