Season's end sit down (Devils)
Mar 21, 2016 11:11:41 GMT -8
NYR (Rob), MIN (Juuso), and 2 more like this
Post by NJD (Chloe) on Mar 21, 2016 11:11:41 GMT -8
Time has run out for the New Jersey Devils as their season unfortunately came to end with the regular season ending yesterday. We were able to get the GM of the team Kyle over to have a few words with us and ask some questions about this season and what the future holds for the team.
You took over this team after the ownership and city gave up on the team, shipped them off to New Jersey following an 0-6 start to the season, how do you feel things went for you since you became the GM of this team?
You know, it’s kind of rough trying to turn over a team from someone who seemed to neglect his players; I came in knowing I had to work to do with fixing this roster and making them into a competitive team. I realized early in that with me coming into this team later into the season than ideally, I needed to plan for the future years instead of trying to push for the playoffs. With that being said we made well over the normal amount of trades you would expect to see in one season, while signing on a fair number of people who seem to be promising prospects. Some of the trades we made here, were great for the team and will be the cornerstones for this franchise for years to come, while other deals did not go as well for us here, we realized now we were a little too quick to make a splash and show everyone we meant business here. Guys like Barrie, Seabrook, Suter, Oshie and Johnson are going to be valuable assets to this team for years to come and I think they all enjoy being on this team and what’s ahead for us. Overall I’d say if I had to evaluate myself right now, I think I did the best I could with the pieces that were left for me here.
On the topic of trades, like you said, you certainly were actively trading players left and right since the moment you stepped into the door for this team, do you ever feel bad that you kept moving these players without ever giving them a true chance to develop in the system here in New Jersey?
I mean, as a GM I feel I can’t really show any signs of emotional attachment to players right now as I just came into the league. Of course it is going to be hard moving players you like and feel like they had a chance to thrive here in New Jersey, but without trying to sound rude, in the end, this league is still a business and a competition, if I am not trying to put the best team out there I can every day then I feel I do not deserve to be doing the job I am now. Maybe in a year or two when I see I may have made a bad trade and the general consensus is I messed up I will feel some regret of not waiting on them to hit their prime, but that can happen to anyone so I cannot dwell on it for too long if that time comes.
One common thing that seemed to have kept happening to you is that your team would have a lead for a good portion if not up until the last day of the week and then fail to close out and win, how do you plan on trying to fix that for next year?
Yeah, that is certainly something that was very frustrating for myself and the players here. It is sad that we can get close so often and just not end up coming out with the W. But I think that right there is what is going to be a major reason for our success next year. We can see the final step in sight only to be kicked down the stairs right before we reach the top; the guys here don’t want to experience that anymore, and I think between that and the potential of adding new players in the coming year will allows us to avoid this at least more than this year.
What is your plans for the quickly approaching Entry draft?
Well, I feel I really should not disclose the private information like our big board rankings for the players, but what I can say is; due to not having our own first rounder, and having someone else’s we have to make sure we have multiple scenarios planned out here so that we can have the best draft we can regardless of where are draft picks lie in the draft.
Any last words you would like to say to the fans and readers out there?
Yes, I would like to say, for those who followed and stuck with us since the beginning, thank you and your patience will hopefully be payed of soon, as for the general public; even though our record this season was 5-18-0, does not mean you can doubt us for being a contender next year, we’re going to be ready to compete with the likes of Calgary, Minnesota and the other top teams, just you wait and see.
Thank you for your time and good luck with things until we speak again.
You’re welcome, and thanks hopefully next time we speak it will be on more positive terms.
You took over this team after the ownership and city gave up on the team, shipped them off to New Jersey following an 0-6 start to the season, how do you feel things went for you since you became the GM of this team?
You know, it’s kind of rough trying to turn over a team from someone who seemed to neglect his players; I came in knowing I had to work to do with fixing this roster and making them into a competitive team. I realized early in that with me coming into this team later into the season than ideally, I needed to plan for the future years instead of trying to push for the playoffs. With that being said we made well over the normal amount of trades you would expect to see in one season, while signing on a fair number of people who seem to be promising prospects. Some of the trades we made here, were great for the team and will be the cornerstones for this franchise for years to come, while other deals did not go as well for us here, we realized now we were a little too quick to make a splash and show everyone we meant business here. Guys like Barrie, Seabrook, Suter, Oshie and Johnson are going to be valuable assets to this team for years to come and I think they all enjoy being on this team and what’s ahead for us. Overall I’d say if I had to evaluate myself right now, I think I did the best I could with the pieces that were left for me here.
On the topic of trades, like you said, you certainly were actively trading players left and right since the moment you stepped into the door for this team, do you ever feel bad that you kept moving these players without ever giving them a true chance to develop in the system here in New Jersey?
I mean, as a GM I feel I can’t really show any signs of emotional attachment to players right now as I just came into the league. Of course it is going to be hard moving players you like and feel like they had a chance to thrive here in New Jersey, but without trying to sound rude, in the end, this league is still a business and a competition, if I am not trying to put the best team out there I can every day then I feel I do not deserve to be doing the job I am now. Maybe in a year or two when I see I may have made a bad trade and the general consensus is I messed up I will feel some regret of not waiting on them to hit their prime, but that can happen to anyone so I cannot dwell on it for too long if that time comes.
One common thing that seemed to have kept happening to you is that your team would have a lead for a good portion if not up until the last day of the week and then fail to close out and win, how do you plan on trying to fix that for next year?
Yeah, that is certainly something that was very frustrating for myself and the players here. It is sad that we can get close so often and just not end up coming out with the W. But I think that right there is what is going to be a major reason for our success next year. We can see the final step in sight only to be kicked down the stairs right before we reach the top; the guys here don’t want to experience that anymore, and I think between that and the potential of adding new players in the coming year will allows us to avoid this at least more than this year.
What is your plans for the quickly approaching Entry draft?
Well, I feel I really should not disclose the private information like our big board rankings for the players, but what I can say is; due to not having our own first rounder, and having someone else’s we have to make sure we have multiple scenarios planned out here so that we can have the best draft we can regardless of where are draft picks lie in the draft.
Any last words you would like to say to the fans and readers out there?
Yes, I would like to say, for those who followed and stuck with us since the beginning, thank you and your patience will hopefully be payed of soon, as for the general public; even though our record this season was 5-18-0, does not mean you can doubt us for being a contender next year, we’re going to be ready to compete with the likes of Calgary, Minnesota and the other top teams, just you wait and see.
Thank you for your time and good luck with things until we speak again.
You’re welcome, and thanks hopefully next time we speak it will be on more positive terms.