What’s wrong in Seattle?

[Bojovnik 487]

The Seattle Bears are in trouble. After what could be considered to be a promising start to the season for the team from the Pacific Northwest, the wheels of the wagon have truly fallen off over the past 12 games.

 

Let’s run through the data: Over the past 12 games, the Bears have registered a 3-7-2 record. Of course, losing runs happen, but the matter in which the Bears are losing games at the present time is a major cause of concern. In those 12 games, the Bears have scored just 15 goals. Essentially, the Bears can’t score any goals right now, and without goaltender Dusty Wilson putting in a superhuman performance, they don’t have a chance at winning games.

 

Going through the individual player statistics: the Bears don’t have a player who is scoring over a point-per-game. In fact, out of their forwards, Hulk Hogan 2 is the only player even approaching this benchmark (37 points in 39 games). Recently, Bears fans have been calling for Russian forward Yaroslav Bogatyrev to be traded away from the team as his struggles continue.

 

The Nizhnii Tagil native has put up just 19 points throughout the season to date (the second-least out of any forward on the team), and Bogatyrev himself addressed these trade rumours one week ago. With a dozen more games in the books, the pressure on the youngster is increasing as he continues to be kept off the scoresheet, and as the Bears go from third in the NA Conference to now being in a position where they might not even make the postseason Wild Card.

 

“I think something’s got to be done, as it’s clear that the team, as it is constructed now, or whatever systems we’ve put into place, aren’t working. For two seasons now, we’ve started with optimism, only for it to be shot down. It’s a pretty tough place to be playing hockey right now,” Bogatyrev said after the Bears’ 3-1 loss to the DC Dragons on Sunday, their third loss in a row.

 

The trade market is a tough one for General Managers at the present time. Draft picks for the S88 draft have tanked in value due to changes made to the league structure, leaving little maneuver for bosses looking to rebuild or retool. That being said, Bogatyrev is one of those players who could leave for free agency after the end of S88.

 

“The question of what happens after the end of next season is still one that’s far away. I will say though, I came into this league to be competing for championships. That’s always been my primary goal. After a season and a half in Seattle, it’s hard to see if we’re any closer to that goal or not. It seems to be that we put one foot forward, only to then take two or three steps back. It’s definitely a trying time mentally. I’ll work with my team to put together a plan for what happens in the months ahead” the Russian forward said.