P.E.Nes The Business of the VHL, Trade Deadline Controversy

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From the files of Peter Elliott Nes, Private investigator. 

 

With the VHL trade deadline now in the past I can finally release my investigation for this week. Most would think that something as normal as the VHL trade deadline would be without controversy but unfortunately, I know otherwise. 

 

Rumors have been swirling for weeks about the potential big trade.  The top teams in the league, Vancouver, Moscow and Malmo are said to be looking for the one last piece that will take them to the championship.  Playoff bound contenders like Calgary, Riga and Davos, if rumors are true are looking for that piece that will allow them to upset the league’s top teams. Then there are those hoping to secure a place in the playoffs, New York, Toronto, Seattle, Chicago and Prague, hoping that the right piece will push them enough.  Lastly there are those at the bottom DC, Los Angeles, London, Helsinki and Warsaw, hoping that a last-minute move can position themselves for a better outcome in season 98.  It is amusing that the trade rumors are always positioned in a manner that has teams vying for inevitable glory that comes with winning a championship. Don’t believe that lie. 

Now don’t get me wrong the players work hard every day to try and attain the glory of a playoff championship but those in place to make trade decisions are in it for something else. Yes, winning a championship is good for them as well, but only because you have to play games to win and playing games means more money.  It shouldn’t be a surprise that the VHL is a business and games make money, lots of money. 

 

So, if the whole basis of the business of VHL is about making money for a small group of owners then how does the management and sometimes even manipulation of trades work into that. Trades that occur are about two factors; the first factor is about evening up team’s power and skill levels so that series can be pushed to the most games possible.7 game series maximize profit.  The second factor is just as simple, player trades are about maximizing merchandise sales.  Top players moving around the league is good for jersey sale.  Let’s be honest if Maverick Goncalves the league’s top point scorer suddenly found themselves on Helsinki, we know that there would be a rush on Helsinki jerseys with Goncalves on the back. 

I know that I haven’t put out anything shocking out there, OMG the owners are trying to make money.  So, this is where I am going to let you in on a little secret. The league owners aren’t always on the same page and sometimes in order to force the league management to make specific decisions the league owners take it upon themselves to manipulate the situation until the league co-operates and does as they are told. 

 

It appears that the league owners and GM have had enough regarding the poor management of Los Angeles.  GM Instant Rockstar has been targeted to be eliminated from league management. 

 

This year’s trade deadline is a continuing effort to keep LA at the bottom of the North American standings, to push the league to finally pull the trigger and eliminate Instant Rockstar from his position. 

 

We will see where this goes, but the reality is there is a controversy brewing and the trade deadline was part of it.