GMDP's TOKYO KATANAS NHL 15 GM LOG
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PAST ENTRIES
1-
Introduction
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HERE AND THERE: EARLY SEASON
-Tokyo go 0-7 in the pre-season while getting outscored 45-5.
-On October 14th, the Tokyo Katanas get their first NHL win with a 4-3 upset of the Carolina Hurricanes.
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Confirmed Trade With Link [TYO/OTT] Psysk and a 2017 2nd Round pick for Mike Hoffman (84oa 25yo) and Anton Volchenkov (81oa 32yo)
Early in the afternoon, the hockey world learned of the second trade in the history of the Katanas organization.
The Katanas hooked up with the Ottawa Senators and acquired the speedy goal scorer, Mike Hoffman.
Hoffman was heavily rumoured to have priced himself out of Ottawa after requesting an 8 year deal early during contract negotiations. This trade all but confirms the team's previously rumoured reluctance to commit to Mike Hoffman long term.
In order to acquire Hoffman, the Katanas had to move their current top prospect, defenseman Mark Psysk. They also had to bundle in a 2nd round pick, which if this season is any indication, should end up being in the top 35 picks of the 2017 draft.
The Katanas took back veteran defender, Anton Volchenkov. Volchenkov signed with the Senators in the off season, but quickly found himself out of the lineup. On the Katanas, Volchenkov will get a chance to be the team's premier franchise defender (yeah I know....).
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POST TRADE PRESS CONFERENCE
“I needed to find someone for Gretzky to play with” said GMDP when asked why he pulled the trigger on this trade.
“Murata and Wakabayashi have worked very hard to step up their game and adapt to the speed of the NHL. But we needed someone with a different skillset, I think they'll flourish further down in the lineup”-GMDP trying to be nice about the 50oa players being demoted after not getting the job done.
“We're committed to extending Hoffman long term and meeting his contract demands. That should not be an issue. He'll be a star here in Tokyo.”-On whether the team is willing to meet the 25yo RFAs lofty 8 year contract demands.
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HERE AND THERE: MID SEASON
-The Hoffman trade pays off. Japan go 2-1 since acquiring Hoffman with a 5-4 win over Winnipeg and a 6-5 win over Montreal.
-Phil Varone recalled from Rochester (long plane ride)
-Daniel Briere claimed off waivers mid-season from Chicago and settles in as Japan's 2C. 18 year old time travelling Gretzky clone was clearly confused when the 38 year old Briere told him how much he enjoyed growing up watching him win multiple cups on the Edmonton Oilers.
-Tokyo's franchise defender (lol) Anton Volchenkov is receptive to an extension. He will not be available a the deadline.
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BRIERE WATCH 2015
Despite being an underwhelming player nearing retirement, there is some interest among cup contenders in Daniel Briere. Briere currently has 29 points in 59 games on a struggling Tokyo team. In previous years, Briere has earned a reputation as a clutch playoff performer, which at the right price, makes him a desirable cheap pickup for a contending team.
“We're looking for an NHL player. We have lots of draft picks. NHL players haven't caught on that Tokyo is a great city to live in, and I think it is fair to assume we're going to have some trouble attracting free agents. I'd like to get a young guy who might be lost in the shuffle on a contender, but has potential to come in and play a big role on our club.”-
GMDP on what they are looking for in exchange for Briere.
“We'd consider adding in something extra for the right player. But if a team wants to get to the front of the line in this Briere derby, they've gotta be ready to do a 1 for 1 deal”-
GMDP on if they'll be willing to package another asset with Briere
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HERE AND THERE: BRIERE WATCH
-The Katanas have very few assets to move. Daniel Briere who was claimed off waivers earlier this season and is 38yo will be shopped around. Trading away Briere will likely be the only move the Katanas are able to make at the deadline.
-Teams in on Briere: LA, TB, STL
-The Katanas would accept a draft pick as a last resort, but are angling to get a young NHL player who is an odd man out with another team.
-The Katanas have asked for 24 year old Thomas Vincour from LA. Vincour has potential to be a big time goal scorer in the (EA) NHL, but has only played 12 games this season for LA. Still, LA wants more than just Briere if the Katanas are going to nab Vey.
-Vladislav Namestnikov is the ask from TB. Similar to Vey, Briere likely isn't enough to get it done. Namestnikov is a former 1st round pick
-The Katanas would probably look at Dimitrij Jaskin from STL. Jaskin has been a healthy scratch for the entire season and could be plugged into Tokyo's top 6 right away.
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Confirmed Trade With No Link [TYO/STL] BRIERE TO ST.LOUIS FOR DIMTRIJ JASKIN (80oa)
Rumour has it, Jaskin wasn't Tokyo's first choice this trade deadline. The team was in on LA winger Thomas Vincour until the dying hours of the deadline.
Word out of Tokyo is that LA wanted one of Carrier or Baptiste, Daniel Briere, and a 2nd round draft pick. The Katanas final offer was both Carrier and Baptiste+Briere, but it was rejected by LA.
Instead, Briere was sent to St.Louis for Jaskin. The Katanas didn't see enough in Namestnikov to be willing to add another asset to Briere in order to acquire him. St.Louis was willing to do a 1 for 1 swap, which made the trade easy for the Katanas.
The entire point of this move for the Katanas is to get a roster player who can contribute long term due to the team's inability to attract large amounts of proven NHL veterans to replace their current roster of born and bread Japanese players who clearly aren't NHL calibre.
On the outside looking in, the Blues are seeing their chances at the playoffs dwindle. Which is why moving a healthy scratch who they'd potentially have to waive next season for a player who can help them now was a key move for them.
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HALL OF SHAME (TEAMS WHO LOST TO TOKYO)
Carolina loses 4-3
Winnipeg loses 5-4
Montreal loses 6-5
Ottawa loses 3-0
Tampa Bay loses 5-4
New Jersey loses 3-2
Calgary loses 3-2
Dallas loses 3-2
Ottawa loses 4-3
*Acquisition of Jaskin
Ottawa loses 2-1
Washington loses 8-3
Boston loses 3-0
New Jersey loses 4-3
Dallas loses 7-5
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END OF SEASON TOP STORIES
GRETZKY TRADE PAYS IMMEDIATE DIVIDENDS
Tokyo pulled the trigger on one of the biggest trades in NHL history at the beginning of the season. They sent future franchise centre Sam Reinhart, their first round pick which was projected to almost certainly be at least 2nd overall (pending a lottery win), as well as two other first round picks and their top defensive prospect for the 18 year old clone of the greatest NHL player of all time.
“We needed a big name, we needed to give this team some hope.”-GMDP on the Gretzky trade
Despite playing on a team that only managed to put up 15 wins, Wayne Gretzky lead the entire NHL in goals with 57, and with 103 points was fourth in points behind Mario Lemieux (125), Tyler Seguin (117), and Pavel Bure (104).
Not only that, Gretzky's presence lead to mid season acquisition Mike Hoffman putting up career best numbers. Hoffman had 29 goals and a whopping 90 points.
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JASKIN HEATS UP WITH GRETZKY
Hoffman isn't the only player who Gretzky made better. Jaskin, a prospect who was scratched the entire season in STL, and only put up 2 points in 18 games the previous season. Playing with Gretzky after the trade deadline, Jaskin put up 8 goals and 22 points.
Despite only playing 19 games, Jaskin was 6th in team scoring.
Jaskin was Tokyo's second choice at the deadline, but things seem to have worked out for the best. Katana fans have to be happy with how things played out. The team now has an exciting top line to lean on.
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BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE TOKYO
Tokyo was last in the league in GF with 160 (CBJ second last with 200), as well as in GA with 405 (CBJ second with 262).
The special teams units were decent, both sitting 19th best in the league.
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THE RICH GET RICHER
As controversial as the Gretzky trade was for the Legends, they will end up with multiple high end prospects as a result. The Legends now own the picks originally belonging to Tokyo, St.Louis, and the NY Islanders. Tokyo finished last in the league, St.Louis finished 9th last, while the New York Islanders won their division.
Sending Gretzky out of the conference certainly didn't hurt the Arizona Legends who finished with a 65-13-4 record with 134 points, good for 22 points more than the 2nd place Sharks.
The Legends could conceivably end up with both the first and second overall picks if they win the lottery with St.Louis' pick.
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*AI Coach called up some AHL players to fill in for injuries.
TOP SCORERS
Gretzky 82gp 57-103
Hoffman 74gp 29-90
Wakabayashi 77gp 11-35
Varone 60gp 12-29
Gauthier-Leduc 82gp 5-24
Akeson 35gp 3-18
Yoshida 61gp 3-13
GOALIES
Fukufuji 1-21-1 .871
Lieuwin 14-40-0 .892 2SO
Ueno 0-4-0 .800
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HERE AND THERE: POST SEASON
-Gary Bettman gets his wish, the Arizona Legends win the Stanley Cup by defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-1 in the final. They only lose a combined 4 games in the entire post season. Bettman laced up the skates during the cup celebration, and as per his team policy, he was the first one to hoist the Stanley Cup.
-The Rochester Samurais finished last in the AHL.
-The Katanas do not own their original 2nd round pick (31st OA) because the roster I am using has updated draft picks (I believe Colorado owns it from the IRL O'Reilly trade). They own the Islanders 55th overall pick. They also do not have their own 3rd round pick.
-The Katanas will have a hard time improving their team via trade for a few seasons. Their only real assets are draft picks. Considering the team isn't going to trade away Gretzky, Hoffman, Jaskin, or Volchenkov, they have almost no assets. They got lucky that Chicago was forced to waive Briere after a trade, which allowed them to flip the 38 year old centre at the deadline.
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ENTRY DRAfT TRADE RUMOURS
-The Legends and Katanas are talking. The Katanas want to make some noise next season. Might be willing to trade for 50 year old Patrick Roy if he doesn't retire in the off season. The Legends will almost certainly take their goalie of the future with one of their four first round picks. The Legends have two ageing elite goalies in Roy and Brodeur, so trading one for an A level asset wouldn't be the worst move.
-The Katanas are willing to move the 55th overall pick for a player who can fit in their lineup right away. Unless someone unexpected falls to 55, expect the Katanas to seriously consider drafting a goalie with their pick.
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