patsdude114
12-16-2010, 07:23 PM
GM warns price won't be cheap for clubs looking to pick up veteran Pats
By Greg Harder
REGINA — Regina Pats general manager Chad Lang got an early start on his Christmas shopping, but that doesn't necessarily mean his list is complete.
Although the Pats have already cashed in two of their main trade chips — Thomas Frazee and Carter Ashton — the GM's phone is still ringing and will likely continue right up to the Jan. 10 trade deadline. That said, Lang warned that the price won't be cheap for clubs looking to pick through the remnants of his veteran talent, including star centre Jordan Weal, captain Garrett Mitchell, overage centre Colin Reddin, goalie Damien Ketlo and blueliners Brandon Davidson and Art Bidlevskii.
Lang has already stated that it'll take a sock-blowing offer to pry away Weal, whom the Pats envision as a central figure in their rebuilding plan. While there are no untouchables, players like Weal, Mitchell and Davidson would certainly come at a premium.
"I think teams will continue to inquire and see if there's anything else that we're willing to do, but it's going to have to be something that we really feel is a benefit for our organization," said Lang. "We made two pretty significant moves, two moves that we're very happy with. We'll enjoy the Christmas break and see what the (post-holiday rush) has to bring."
Lang swung the WHL's first major pre-deadline trade on Friday, sending Ashton and a third-round bantam pick in 2012 to the Tri-City Americans for a package comprising two younger forwards (Nils Moser, 17, and Tanner Olstad, 18) along with three draft picks (a 2011 first-rounder, plus second- and fifth-rounders in 2012).
Lang followed that up late Tuesday night by shipping Frazee to the Kamloops Blazers for overage winger Shayne Neigum, forward prospect Lyndon Martell, 17, and a third-round pick in 2012.
By dealing Frazee and Ashton, Lang has accomplished his primary goal of recouping lost draft picks and adding depth up front in deficient age groups. As a result, Lang doesn't feel obligated to trade more of his veteran talent, including 19-year-olds Mitchell, Davidson, Ketlo and Bidlevskii. To do so would deprive the Pats of internal 20-year-old options again next year after having to acquire all three of their 20-year-olds via trade this season.
"We look at our 19-year-olds, potentially all four of them could come back," noted the GM. "Whether a couple of them go pro or not, it still allows us to ensure we have that leadership group coming back next year. I don't think you can ever underestimate that. If all four come back, I strongly believe there's value in all those guys and it provides us an asset next year to consider (trading at the deadline). It puts us in a real good position. I like all four of those individuals. They all play various roles and significant roles on our hockey club. It's going to have to be something really, really unique for us to even consider moving those guys."
With or without them, Lang views the second half of this season as an opportunity to develop his team's young talent. That said, he insists the Pats are not "waving the white flag."
"Sometimes adding youth can be a positive," said Lang. "They bring a lot of energy and they're excited to play. We're definitely not writing off this season. My expectation is for this team to continue to work hard each and every night. If we do that we'll put ourselves in a position to at least compete in those games and hopefully have some success in the second half."
It won't be easy.
"Any time you go through a (rebuilding) phase like this it's difficult on everybody involved," added Lang. "I encourage people to be patient. We knew it wasn't going to change overnight. Yet we feel we're making the proper steps in the right direction to get this team back on track."
NOTE: Neigum is slated to join the Pats immediately while Martell, currently with the BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings, isn't expected to arrive until after the Christmas break.
*from pats website*
also it makes sense for Neigum to join the Pats immdeiately since he is from Kindersley
By Greg Harder
REGINA — Regina Pats general manager Chad Lang got an early start on his Christmas shopping, but that doesn't necessarily mean his list is complete.
Although the Pats have already cashed in two of their main trade chips — Thomas Frazee and Carter Ashton — the GM's phone is still ringing and will likely continue right up to the Jan. 10 trade deadline. That said, Lang warned that the price won't be cheap for clubs looking to pick through the remnants of his veteran talent, including star centre Jordan Weal, captain Garrett Mitchell, overage centre Colin Reddin, goalie Damien Ketlo and blueliners Brandon Davidson and Art Bidlevskii.
Lang has already stated that it'll take a sock-blowing offer to pry away Weal, whom the Pats envision as a central figure in their rebuilding plan. While there are no untouchables, players like Weal, Mitchell and Davidson would certainly come at a premium.
"I think teams will continue to inquire and see if there's anything else that we're willing to do, but it's going to have to be something that we really feel is a benefit for our organization," said Lang. "We made two pretty significant moves, two moves that we're very happy with. We'll enjoy the Christmas break and see what the (post-holiday rush) has to bring."
Lang swung the WHL's first major pre-deadline trade on Friday, sending Ashton and a third-round bantam pick in 2012 to the Tri-City Americans for a package comprising two younger forwards (Nils Moser, 17, and Tanner Olstad, 18) along with three draft picks (a 2011 first-rounder, plus second- and fifth-rounders in 2012).
Lang followed that up late Tuesday night by shipping Frazee to the Kamloops Blazers for overage winger Shayne Neigum, forward prospect Lyndon Martell, 17, and a third-round pick in 2012.
By dealing Frazee and Ashton, Lang has accomplished his primary goal of recouping lost draft picks and adding depth up front in deficient age groups. As a result, Lang doesn't feel obligated to trade more of his veteran talent, including 19-year-olds Mitchell, Davidson, Ketlo and Bidlevskii. To do so would deprive the Pats of internal 20-year-old options again next year after having to acquire all three of their 20-year-olds via trade this season.
"We look at our 19-year-olds, potentially all four of them could come back," noted the GM. "Whether a couple of them go pro or not, it still allows us to ensure we have that leadership group coming back next year. I don't think you can ever underestimate that. If all four come back, I strongly believe there's value in all those guys and it provides us an asset next year to consider (trading at the deadline). It puts us in a real good position. I like all four of those individuals. They all play various roles and significant roles on our hockey club. It's going to have to be something really, really unique for us to even consider moving those guys."
With or without them, Lang views the second half of this season as an opportunity to develop his team's young talent. That said, he insists the Pats are not "waving the white flag."
"Sometimes adding youth can be a positive," said Lang. "They bring a lot of energy and they're excited to play. We're definitely not writing off this season. My expectation is for this team to continue to work hard each and every night. If we do that we'll put ourselves in a position to at least compete in those games and hopefully have some success in the second half."
It won't be easy.
"Any time you go through a (rebuilding) phase like this it's difficult on everybody involved," added Lang. "I encourage people to be patient. We knew it wasn't going to change overnight. Yet we feel we're making the proper steps in the right direction to get this team back on track."
NOTE: Neigum is slated to join the Pats immediately while Martell, currently with the BCHL's Prince George Spruce Kings, isn't expected to arrive until after the Christmas break.
*from pats website*
also it makes sense for Neigum to join the Pats immdeiately since he is from Kindersley