News Flash: Management has learned nothing from the past several years of futility

[johnnyradiant]

Neither Lang or Thomas are signed so it's too early to predict what will happen there. There isn't a strong group of 96 born players in the league. The Giants actually have several good candidates to return. That could also fetch them a decent haul in a future deal with another team. While I wasn't necessarily thrilled with moving Stukel at the same time I think that trade has been a blessing in disguise. It got rid of Houck (both Houck and Stukel were invisible tonight, BTW), cleared up the goaltender jam (Porter got pulled tonight while Kubic shined) and I think Thomas and Lang have been two of the better Giants this season. Both had strong games tonight too against their former team unlike Houck, Stukel and Porter. Of course Wapple was supposed to be the starter so I can't say that trade alone helped Kubic emerge as a starting caliber goalie but it helped get the ball rolling. Remember Stukel was unable to stay healthy and there is no guarantee that will change in time. He is putting up great numbers no doubt but both teams have benefited from that move, IMO.



I agree on the Cunningham deal. I don't think the Giants would be able to fetch that type of return for Cox though. Different year different asking prices. I agree on Popoff. In fact I would really try to move him by Sunday. Cole Sanford has asked for a trade from the Tigers. It would make sense to reunite him with Cox. I would happily dump Popoff and replace him with Sanford if possible. But there are a handful of playoff teams that could use an upgrade too so I'm sure plenty of GM's will be all over that.

Sanford's trade seemed to fair well this year

[Lucic]

One team was willing to severely overpay. Regina will regret that in the end. If you are implying Cox would have fetched the same I doubt it. You would have to find two suckers. I think most teams were fine staying pat as it's pretty wide open. That and the fact Cox wasn't on the trading block. I realize that is the key point of contention for many of you but there is no point crying over that. Management made it clear they weren't selling and the playoffs were their goal. It doesn't matter if that is right or wrong it's what was happening all along regardless. And right now it isn't looking like a bad idea. The team is playing well and just knocked off two of the better teams in the Eastern Conference without two of their best players. Now only 3 points back from the final playoff spot. Getting back into the playoffs isn't as uphill of a battle as some of you are making it out to be.

[johnnyradiant]

No, not implying Cox coulda or shoulda got the same. Implying that it isn't much of a different time/asking $ for someone deemed to be good stock. Cunningham was deemed to be able to fetch good return. And a couple teams (The Hat & the Pats) thought Sanford was worth a bunch this year. Just thinking times aint much different just the players (aka the guys pulling the strings on the trades).

[dondo]

Still a couple of months left in the season and I agree that the team has been on a roll, but I would hazard to say that they have been punching above their weight (so to speak). The problem is they always think they have a chance at the playoffs when they are really don't - so this year is a bit different as it is marginally closer - but when do we rebuild?

My big question continues to be -- when do we begin to use assets to advance and get better instead of holding onto players who are better dealt when their worth is high, than keeping and getting nothing but a few possible playoffs games?

We are not doing ourselves any favours hoping to squeak into the playoffs only to face a powerhouse team in the first round. I'm not sure if we'll maintain our current position, but we have a few games versus Kelowna, Kamloops and Everett still to come and those could easily shift the balance the wrong way and then where are we?

[johnnyradiant]

They always seem to forget that when they have these periods of 'doing good now' and they say wait till we get to the playoffs and we kick it up a notch - the other teams around them also kick it up a notch, and they also quit lolly-gagging about at the same time so it is like 2 steps up for the others.

[dondo]

So can I say I told you so now?

But it matters not as Toigo seems to have taken the reins lately and is driving the team straight off the nearest cliff. I feel sorry for the players and fans as we watched almost unwatchable hockey this season (part Dub fault, part team) and without anyone with real hockey sense and some NHL cred the team is speeding it's way towards the precipice. There is no way in hell we were going to make the playoffs and the last month of "hockey" the team has been playing has been simply awful.

I guess I can't turn back the clock to when Dub hockey was a hard, heart on the sleeve, leave it all out there on the ice kind of game instead of the - instigating a fight and shooting the puck over the glass is a penalty - brand of hockey mentality.

At least in the earlies when the team sucked, you could depend on some physical play a few fights and some visceral excitement - now-a-days it's just boring and yawn inducing. Rattle the boards and it's a boarding call whether the refs saw anything or not - that's how far our much beloved game has fallen. Also David Branch can go do unspeakable things to himself and is and has always been a hand-wringing idiot who is one of the people behind the destruction of the our game.

[scrunt]

Well, that last game was a fitting end to an embarrassment of a season.

While injuries down the stretch removed any hope that the Giants could make the playoffs, this team was at or near the bottom of the conference standings for almost the entire season. As usual, a brief surge before the trade deadline blinded management from the reality that this was a last place team should be building for the future, not chasing short term playoff dreams.

Maybe the team will have a strong roster of 20 year olds next season... I'm not sure Thomas did enough to earn a pro contract, so he might be back, and if Osipov still has NHL inspirations he may not go to the KHL. I still think Lang will turn pro though, but we still have Foster and Odgers as 20 year old options. On the other hand, the Giants have a high pick in the Euro draft this year -- I believe the Dub picks first this year -- so maybe Osipov as a two spotter is out of the picture. Hmm, that leaves Thomas, Foster and Odgers... Maybe that is not so good after all.

There were only two bright spots for me this season: the emergence of Kubic as a legit starter and Ronning's goal scoring. I will give credit to management for keeping Ronning as I though that was a mistake before the season started, but they get no credit for Kubic since that only happened when by accident when Wapple got injured.

It's really quite sad.

[Swando]

Although I did not attend a game I have to admit I listened to many many games..lol If Osipov would stay as a 20 he'd be a no brainer (Unless great trade bait) I think Foster is a fixture ( unless he wants out)\
Odgers just cant score enough to to be a consideration. I'm not sure either Thomas or Lang will be able to sign a pro contract. Personally I think that is why Bonner made the trade giving up Stukel..thinking we'd have one or both for two years...otherwise we got took in the trade.

[Lucic]

I'm still not remotely impressed with Ronning despite the goal scoring. He does absolutely nothing without from puck. Good for him for finally being able to score at this level and sort of live up to his hype but he's far from a legit NHL prospect like many in the media are trying to portray. A player like Hardy for example as a 16 year old impresses me much more than Ronning yet he'll probably never be a huge goal scorer. But he will have more pro upside, IMO.

I have a feeling both Lang and Thomas will be back (even though Thomas did just sign an ELC with Tampa Bay), which in part is why Bonner made that deal, IMO. Say what you want about Stukel, the fact is he didn't produce here and Lang and Thomas were two of the Giants best players all season. That trade also allowed Kubic to become a starter and he is better than Porter. So all in all that trade worked out for both teams. One of the rare trades in which both teams benefited. Obviously if Osipov decides to return and not play pro there are your overagers right there. Although one has to figure Foster would be in the mix. The Giants are in a good position in that sense as the 96 age group league wide is very weak next season. The Giants have some quality 96 players returning. Teams will be forced to overpay to upgrade.

[rinkrat]

Speaking of futility, the Giants posted a link on Twitter showing all the former players to play in the NHL, and asked fans, how many do you remember?

They omitted Jon Blum... Wow

Of course he noticed and tweeted out a frown face. This team really is pathetic...