Tension in Helsinki

[Arce 755]

 

With the S83 season winding down, we are down to the final few games of the final. It is almost that time for off-season, which comes with the drama and speculation of what will happen. What a whirlwind of a season it was for the Helsinki Titans. Entering the S83 season, the Titans were highly favored to be a top tier contending team in the European Conference to compete with the Moscow Menace and Riga Reign. By the trade deadline, the Titans found themselves well outside of playoff contention and the locker room started to unravel. Players were calling out management, which resulted in the Titan's AGM, the beloved Mr_Hatter to step down. Rumors were swirling about what the team would do. Would they try to stick it out? Would they try to sell some assets? The deadline came and went very quietly, and the Titans chose to hold the ship, and almost got into the playoffs. It came down to the last set of games, and Helsinki fell just a point short to London for the final spot in the European Conference. With the disappointing season at the end, GM Frank Funk finds himself having quite the offseason ahead. His three star forwards are set to be UFA, as well as his two defensive standouts. Will they be able to maintain most of these deals? What is the latest?

 

Negotiations with Nico Pearce Have Begun

 

Close sources indicate that GM Frank Funk has been in touch with his star center Nico Pearce, and has begun negotiations. Apparently these negotiations have started off on a very sour note, as both camps are very far apart from making progress on a potential deal. Helsinki's initial offer allegedly was not taken well by the Nico Pearce camp. One member close to Peace said he found the offer insulting, and it has left a sour taste in his mouth. This has caused early tensions in one of the most important negotiations, if not the most important negotiation the team will have to draw. Remember Helsinki gave up two important role players to acquire Pearce in S82, so losing Pearce would be detrimental for Helsinki. To make matters worse, it is said that Pearce has high interest in testing the free agency market. He has a list of teams in his back pocket that he has interest in. News the Titans did NOT want to hear, as they were hoping to prevent any of their big 3 from even being able to talk to other teams. It is no secret that Pearce was not happy with the team in S83, and made a vocal effort to try to right the ship. The last thing that was needed here was a weak offer to turn Pearce off from the team. It appears barring some miracle, Nico Pearce will be at least talking to other teams this off-season. The massive bridge between the two parties will have to be taken down in order to prevent this. After the opening meeting at the Helsinki facilities, Pearce flew home to Greece to be with his family to think things through. Now that Pearce isn't even available country side, this is not looking good for a future relationship in the early going.

 

Ripple Effect on Nezuko Negotiations?

 

To add a little salt in the wound, the tensions between Helsinki and the Nico Pearce camp have also had an effect on the early negotiations with Nezuko per source. This is an unfortunate ripple effect as Nezuko has expressed playing with Pearce would be incentive for him to stay. This seems to be a mutual feeling, as without the other Peace and Nezuko's production would suffer as well as Helsinki's chances at being competitive. The Nezuko camp has reportedly been keeping close tabs on what is going on with the Pearce negotiations, and keeping it in mind with their own. This could result in Nezuko testing the market, as there is no indication of a deal with the two parties coming together anytime soon. It also doesn't help that Helsinki is trying to give both team friendly deals so they can secure all their important assets under the salary cap and have some flexibility to make other moves. it makes complete sense from the team perspective, but the player camps are not happy. Many teams find themselves at a crossroads when having to pick between two stars, but what does one do if both could be an all or none stay?

 

Could it Trickle Down Further?

 

The Titans also have Gustislav Nasherov heading for free agency for his final season. It is unknown if he will re-sign with the Titans for his final season. This has to beg the question, could what happens with Pearce and Nezuko trickle down to what happens with Nasherov? It absolutely could if Nasherov is chasing hardware for his final season in the league. Nasherov may play the waiting game and see what the Titans plans are if they are able to get both or one of Pearce or Nezuko, or see what the backup plan could be if both walk. It is almost certain defenseman Erlantz Jokinen is going to walk right? He called out management and blew up the locker room mid season. To this point, there have been no reports of contact between Funk and Jokinen, so it is unknown at this time if the two parties will even attempt negotiations. It would be a surprise with all things considered that Jokinen would want to come back to Helsinki, or even if Helsinki would want him back. It is also unknown if the team will bring back defenseman Flynn Remy, as the team was not overly impressed by his work ethic this past season. After training camp, Remy was very quiet and was not seen at the facilities for practices during the season. He is set to enter free agency, and we have not heard any reports of negotiations between the two parties. The team has star goaltender Xaiver Booberry locked up through S86, so the Titans will always have him to build around which is the one pro we have so far for them. It is amazing how far down the ripple can go just from negotiations with one player. It is still early, and things could take a turn once again. What will the Titans fate be in S84? Updates to follow this off-season!

 

Word Count: 1073

Claim for 6/19, 6/26

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2022 by Arce

[AJW 2,156]

I haven’t paid attention to Helstinki all season but this was a fun update to read.

[Spartan 4,402]

[Shindigs 1,771]

Arce just cause you're in the Moscow LR doesn't mean you can call yourself a "close source" and write whatever you feel like, regardless of it anyone actually said it. Though it is hilarious, so you may as well keep going.

[Arce 755]

11 minutes ago, Shindigs said:

Arce just cause you're in the Moscow LR doesn't mean you can call yourself a "close source" and write whatever you feel like, regardless of it anyone actually said it. Though it is hilarious, so you may as well keep going.

 

I do have sources very close that can confirm this! 

[Daniel Janser 2,169]

15 minutes ago, Shindigs said:

 and write whatever you feel like, regardless of it anyone actually said it.

Well isn't that what the RL press does? Especially the tabloids...

[jRuutu 2,464]

All I'm seeing is wild hearsay and speculation with very little tagging.

[Tate 450]

For my sake, and my sake alone, would you mind updating the title of this MS to, "Tension in Helsinki" ? 

 

Let's just get rid of that extra S so the tension in my chest can subside. Thank you.

 

@Arce

[Arce 755]

31 minutes ago, jRuutu said:

All I'm seeing is wild hearsay and speculation with very little tagging.

All we can do is speculate until it's official though, right?

[Arce 755]

16 minutes ago, Tate said:

For my sake, and my sake alone, would you mind updating the title of this MS to, "Tension in Helsinki" ? 

 

Let's just get rid of that extra S so the tension in my chest can subside. Thank you.

 

@Arce

 

For you, this may be very doable.

[Rayzor_7 741]

[BOOM 8,745]

Omg, what have I been drafted into. This is outrageous. 

[Arce 755]

Claim for 6/26.

 

*Doubles Week with Player Store Purchase.

Edited June 22, 2022 by Arce

[BOOM 8,745]

You sir, are a goddamm prophet.