The One Dollar Article

       As a statistician, we are always looking for a connection between "trade value"; a players renumeration (read: paycheque) and their production, ala points, ice time, dressing room prescence, ect.     So, here's today's trivia for all you stats-junkies in the BTHL:  What stat do Robert Reichel, Jeff Finley, Tom Fitzgerald, and Duncan Milroy share?

They're all worth a buck.

     
 -At least, that's what the GM stat sheet will tell you.   Of course, if you ask any one of the above, they're worth more than that. 

     At a time of year when interest in payrolls, player development, and early point production are at a premium, it seems that 'older' players' are losing some value.  But, as an individual who wishes that he played hockey for money (rather than just recreation/exercise), I see something wrong with this new (horrid) trend of 'dumping salaries':  Player Worth.    Consider how you would feel if worked your ass off since well before puberty, made the Bigs, and went gangbusters for a few years... only to be traded to another team for $1.00.      Now, don't think that I don't understand the financial mechanics within the Bigtime Hockey League.  Nor am I blind to the fact that teams are trying to conserve money, cut corners, make trades and salary moves to improve the bottom line for owners.    That's all good, and it's what being a GM is all about.   But just ask Brian Burke, or even newly appointed Mike Keenan what other responsibilities come with being a General Manager.  Public Relations are huge, and with that come the mercurial dealings with players, be them content, or be them choked.    If I'm a Reichel, a Milroy, a Fitzgerald or Finley, I'm now in the "choked" category, and my GM better staighten it out.   And if I've been moved to a new team in a salary move, and I come in under the "cheap-talent" banner, he better play nice with the media until my rep takes a serious incline.

    So at this point, a big "kudos" goes out to Marauders GM Jason Rebelato for avoiding this new 'trend' by not putting a One Dollar tag on players he released.   I think it points to his committment to a quality product in Chicago, while keeping the faith with the people who've filled his seats for so long: The talent.  The players, who obviously give a damn also, with a fantastic effort last season, considering what they're up against.   Veterans Randy McKay and Scott Young can rest a little easier at night, knowing that all their intense effort and dedication didn't go unnoticed by the one person who can "make or break their reputation"....  Their General Manager, aka Public Relations consultant.    

ps: Anyone gonna pay me my buck for this article?  Hey, I am after all, a starving journalist...

Simply, as good as it gets.
The BTHL's own Daniel O'Flaherty (Decepticons) hoists the Stanley Cup!

Detroit Scorpions: More Offensive Venom

     What a difference a season can make... just ask Detroit Scorpions GM Tony Riordan.  After a forgettable 2003-04 performance, the man behind the desk decided it was time for a direction change.   Going with his gut instinct, he decided the team would need even more offensive firepower, while not taking away from the gritty core.   With that mandate in mind, his personnel has seen a number of upgrades, right from recent trades within his conference, right down to drafting decisions for their minor league affiliate, the Beavers.

    The most recent change included giving up reargaurd Dan Boyle and grinding winger Matt Cooke in exchange for IceHawks power centre Bobby Holik, checking centre Jason Weimer, and the 'Hawks 2nd round draft pick.   "We just needed to give Shanny and Feds-ie a bit more room up there" said Riordan.  "Playing the kind of minutes that they do, it was time to bolster our team where we really needed it, and that was at centre.  With Pavel (Datsyuk) and Henrik (Zetterberg), we've got a lot of speed and offensive flare at centre, but what we were really missing was the size.  I think with the addition of Bobby, we've addressed that concern.  I believe in the long term Weimer fits into our plans as well.  But we will certainly miss Dan (Boyle) and Matt."   Certainly the Scorpions will miss Boyle on the back end.  Averaging nearly an assist a game in the early goings of the 2004-05 season, Boyles' contributions to the team will undoubtedly be more noticeable.  

   But with change comes growth.  At the moment, the Scorpions new-look checking line reads like this:  Bobby Holik centering Brad May and Tie Domi.   It's a line to give other GM's fits as they try to evade the checking prowess these three provide.  "It's nice to have the checking and banging versatility that Bobby brings to the table here in Detroit.  Our PK will never be the same, and I like the improvement in size at the centre position.  I think there's something to be said for establishing a prescence in front of the other teams goaltender, and Bobby brings that too"  -Good summation from a GM who sits 4 points ahead of last years pace already.  Don't think other teams haven't taken notice either.  With the fantastic goaltending tandem of Curtis Joseph and Evgeni Nabokov, this team is getting harder and harder to beat.  Goals against are down by 6 compared to last years, as team defence has appeared to tighten up.   Defence by committee, rather than by individual, is a message that Riordan is obviously getting through to his players.

   The writing on the wall says this may be a remarkable year for the Scorpions.  The only other question more burning than the sting of the new offensive power they house:  Is GM Tony Riordan done changing the composition of his team?  Only he knows that for sure, but one thing is certain: Though they may be tied for 5th in the Western Conference right now, they seem destined to finish within the top four by seasons' end.
 

Article submitted June 9th by Columbia Academy Sports Columnist Larenzo Jensen 

Pittsburgh: From Haze to Pure Riesen

In a recent meeting with the General Managers of the Big Time Hockey League, Riesen assured new fellow GM's of his committment to open lines of communication.   Already having made some noteworthy deals, he confirmed his resolve to instill confidence once again within the organization.  His main channel for doing so initially would be 'building with the present and future in mind' by trading some of his current roster to other teams.   The end results still remain untabulated, as Kyle had a very modest line-up to begin with.  But in sticking with his gameplan and overall projections for the team, the building process should be less painful than imagined.    Barring last minute problems with the printing press, pictures of said players should be available for viewing, one last 'snapshot' if you will of the team as it was at Riesen: Day 1.  Heaven knows the picture will look considerably different in the near future.   Whether or not those changes could increase the liklihood of a post-season birth is unknown.  What is known is this:  Don't expect this team to stand for finishing the season without establishing it's own identity.   Once the back-page splash so often in Steeltown, signature faces like Alexei Morozov, Robert Lang, Arturs Irbe, Jozef Stumpel, Bryan Marchment, and Valeri Bure will no longer appear.   Will the new Haze have as much impact, short and longterm on opponents?  -From the dressing room rumours to the papparazzi projection, Purple is a proud color to wear now.   If I played for the Haze, I'd be ready to play my butt off for my new GM.  That is blatantly obvious, from the starting line-up, to the 4th liners on the San Diego Slapshots.   The mystere surrounding the Haze is almost as profound as their namesake would suggest, and it's ready to envelope unwary adversaries: Present and Future.

Article submitted June 12, 2004 by Columbia Academy Sports Editor: Larenzo Jensen

Yes, it happened, just 2 games into the regular season, the last member of the Marauder’s number one line, and the Chicago leader in goals (37),  assists (43), points (80),  and +/- (+28), Glen Murray is gone.  Earlier today, the call to answer for a big centre was answered in the way of Doug Weight from the Synthesis, but it cost them last year’s team MVP. 

“I was shocked”, Murray said of hearing the news of the trade, “one minute Jason [Rebelato] is letting me know I’m the leader of this team, signing me to a long term contract, and the next I’m on my way out…I guess that’s the nature of the game”.

It was well known that RW was a position Rebelato could spare, but no one expected Murray’s name to be the one leaving Chicago. 

“It’s really come as a surprise to the locker room”, Tony Amonte told reporters, “he was the team leader last year.  Those are going to be hard shoes to fill”. 

But playing on a line centered by the gritty Doug Weight, and the scoring touch of Jochen Hecht is probably sitting well with Amonte.  Weight scored 24 goals and had 68 points last season with the Lumberjacks, which is only a slight downgrade to Murray’s totals from last season. 

Also included in this 6 player deal were Kirk Maltby and Jay Pandolfo coming to Chicago, and Wes Walz and Juraj Kolnik leaving for Edinburgh.  Maltby had 18 points last year and was a +4, Pandolfo brings additional support on LW.  Walz is a talented centre, who probably most importantly comes at an inexpensive price.

Both these teams were looking to shake things up and fill holes and both teams succeeded in improving in these areas.  So, while everyone in Chicago was expecting Sean Burke’s name to be thrown up first, the GM throws a curveball and sneaks the offensive leader out the back door. 

“We felt that we have a more spread out scoring mix”, Rebelato explained in his press conference earlier today, “With the way Scott [Gomez], Jochen [Hecht] and Tony [Amonte] have come out offensively, and the addition of Weight, we felt that Murray became expendable…nothing can be said for his brilliant play last season, and he certainly didn’t get traded for lack of production, we just had to cut corners”. 

With the goaltending dilemma still a distraction here in Chicago, you can bet that Rebelato will have at least one more trade in the works.  With Kiprisoff slated to start the next game against the Mist, it seems apparent that Rebelato may have other reasons to bench Sean Burke.  With the rumors abounding, the goaltenders seem to be the most anxious to see the axe fall. 

“We try not to let us bother us”, Kiprisoff said, “but obviously it’ll be one less thing on our minds once it’s done.”

Now that Murray is gone, will Rebelato perform the ultimate sin and deal the second best Marauder of last year?  It looks like that’s the way things are headed, which will really put Rebelato’s reputation on the line, if his gamble on Kiprisoff doesn’t pay off. 

So until further notice, it’s still a waiting game for the goaltenders in Chicago, but at least the problem at centre seems to be fixed.