So, after the usual web prowling, I noticed something new. Something that doesn’t happen that much in Coyotes country during the offseason. Curiosity, speculation, hope and enthusiasm. WOW! Everyone and their mother has a question or a specualtion about the desert dogs.
Well, I gathered up some of the questions and grabbed my courage and bearded GMDM at today’s rookie camp. I figured he’d at least answer 1 or 2 before having me turfed out. Our gracious GM did more than that… he answered all of them! CANDIDLY! (he would’ve even let me record him dammittalltohell! I REALLY need a recording device). Well anyway with no further ado I am pleased to present our very first 1 on 1 exclusive interview with GMDM…. (paraphrased as usual because I am obviously a very slow learner and haven’t bought a damn recorder yet)
ME) What are the team’s plans for Brian McGrattan? What does that mean for Carcillo?
GMDM) Danny needs to be able to concentrate on other things this season. We need to be able to give him the opportunity to get those 20 – 30 goals. Danny can start the wars and Bryan can end them. But thats not the only reason Bryan is here, look behind you, (we all turned to look at the kids on the ice) thats the other reason, those kids out there, Turris, Boedker, Tikhonov need to be able to concentrate on their game without worrying. Bryan will give them the confidence and safety to play their game.
ME) Do you plan on bringing in any more forwards from outside of the organization, and if so, through what means?
GMDM) Our 1st order of business is to fix the blueline period. Once we have that done, then we’ll look around period (UFAs) we won’t really be looking at trading but if a deal falls our way then of course we’ll consider it. But with Tikhonov, Boedker and Porter looking for TOI RIGHT NOW, there doesn’t really seem to be a ‘NEED’ for another outside forward.
ME) Which types of defensemen in particular do you plan on pursuing? What price range?
GMDM) Primarily we’ll be looking for someone who can eat Bally’s minutes. Its a LOT of minutes and we need that steady, stable, reliable and safe choice. We’re currently considering 2 defensemen w/ NHL experience. Now don’t forget we still have Yandle and Matt Jones in the system who will most likely get increased minutes but will still need partners that can be depended on while they learn.
ME) How are Ross and Ahnelov looking?
GMDM) Nick is very young, he has been having a very good camp. Ahnelov is looking good also, both are a bit raw still, but who knows what we’ll see out of them come September. Whether its offense or defense we’ll be looking at who they are replacing (toi, skill set etc) first and foremost.
ME) Are there any Dmen currently in SA that are ready to step up?
GMDM) No. No one on the farm right now is ready.
ME) Who is closest?
GMDM) Declined to speculate.
ME) Since the league has set the cap minimum at 40.7 million with a cap of 56.7 million and we worked w/ a self imposed cap last season. What is the team’s budget this season?
GMDM) 40.8 (much laughter, I called him the Stanley Cup shopper of the NHL). Seriously, We will remain close to the floor. When these guys turn out like I think they’re going to, we may need that money to buy the last one or two pieces that will not only get us into the post season but to actually make a run at the cup.
ME) We all know about the youth movement and the 32 and outta here policy. Is there still an age limit on players you’ll pursue?
GMDM) Yes. We are still dedicated to the youth movement but because of the current blueline situation, the defensemen that we pick up may be a little older than our long term plan calls for.
ME) Of players within the organization who did not spend the full season in Phoenix last year, in your opinion are there any who have the inside track to make the team this year?
GMDM) Enver Lisin comes to mind. Lisin will practically have to play himself off the roster,.Basically its his spot to lose. Unless some other kid just completely blows us away in camp Lisin is in a very good spot. With the transfer agreement issue also bearing on this situation, we need to give Enver his chance to succeed and make sure he has every reason to want to stay and improve.
ME) So when are you going to re-sign fan-favorites TQ and Weller?
GMDM) Honestly? The level of talent is so huge this season, that Tjarnqvist (as much as we loved what he did last season) just doesn’t provide enough offense to justify keeping him at this time.
ME) So who is going to play all those PK minutes?
GMDM) We fully expect the young guys to hold their own on the PK. They all have that ability and in addition they can turn a PK into a real scoring opportunity, which hasn’t happened much in the past.
ME) Ok, what about Wellie?
GMDM) Craig has been offered a 2 way contract (just yesterday!). We certainly hope he accepts it but he may decide to explore free agency as he is UFA this season. We will have to wait and see.
ME) What’s up with Telly? staying or going? If he’s staying, then what’s going on in SA … another 3 headed goalie monster? With all the UFA goalies, is there much of a market for a #2 goalie at this point? … doesn’t seem like it with all the goalies hitting the market right now.
GMDM) Right now Bryz and Telly are THE combo for the Coyotes. We expect Bryz to return to elite form and Telly to continue to provide backup for him. I’ll tell you the truth, when our goaltending started to go south ono us at the beginning of the season I was ready to give Brian Burke something for Bryz. But as it turned out, Bryz’s agent talked to Burke and reminded him of his promise and that Monday Bryz was on the wire.
If one of the young goalies blows the doors off in camp… well, we’d have to re-evaluate and adjust as needed. Either way they all need to play. Tjordman is having a good camp and Montoya has been doing well.
ME) So why sign Joel Gistedt and bring him over?
GMDM) Gistedt is a very good goalie, but even over these last few days you can see the rust. His situation w/ Frolunda isn’t working out the way he needs to keep developing.
But no 3 headed goalie monster in SA. All 3 goalies will be vying for the jobs there. The odd man out will be placed in another situation, one that allows him to get playing time. That might mean a loan to another club, be it CHL or otherwise, where he can get the right minutes and continue to progress.
ME) So who do you see slipping in the west, or to put it another way, which teams might be left out come playoff time …. pretty much the same 8 as last year made the playoffs, but with quite a few teams getting stronger and starting to push basically who’s spot do you think we’ll take?
GMDM) Its too tight in the west to call it but we will be one of them. After DET and possibly SJ its basically a crapshoot. It will come down to who stays healthiest thru the season and who gets the best goalie performances.
ME) Are we looking to lock up Dmo this offseason? He’s part of the “core” leadership and is UFA next season.
GMDM) I had lunch with Derek and opened the dialogue about an extention. We consider Derek to part of our core group. Last season he really stepped up to another level. We want him back and hopefully he wants to stay and we can get an extention hammered out that both sides can get value from.
ME) So what is up w/ a QO to Kaigs? He obviously doesn’t want any part of the NHL and has previously signed out the wazoo to the super league to avoid us… why waste the offer? Is it because he hasn’t signed in Russia yet and may have an interest in the Yotes? or are you still of the opinion you had at the chalk talk?
GMDM) Strictly an asset management move. We made the qualifying offer strictly to retain his rights. We are not in any kind of negotiation with him at this time.
The 2 questions I didn’t bother to ask (I thought one was pointless and moot and the other rude) sorry you’ll have to ask these 2 for yourself whoever submitted them.
Do you have any idea why Blake Wheeler thinks Boston is such a better fit than Phoenix, that he was willing to give up all that money?
There is concern in the fan base that the org seems to balk at any contract containing more than 3 years and 3 mill?
I hope it was worth the wait… and yes these damn fine opportunities keep slapping me in the face so I WILL be buying some type of recording device very soon!