Jump to content

How did Toronto throw it all away?


Victor

Recommended Posts

  • Admin

In Season 40, four teams were stocking up the draft picks. Four-time finalists Davos, underwhelming Seattle and Vasteras still competed in Season 39, while Toronto, three-time finalists themselves, decided to pack in in after Season 38. Yet despite the headstart, they have now gone into a new rebuild, having watched the Bears sweep them and win a cup, while Davos and now Stockholm are poised for several seasons at the top.

Where did it all go wrong? Well, the S41 VHL Entry Draft for example: http://www.vhlforum.com/index.php?/topic/14877-s41-vhl-entry-draft/

The four teams had 16 of the first 17 picks, yet while Seattle got Mikaelson, Rhinehart, Samuelsson, and Karlsson (and then Pajodcast), Toronto ended up with Okranitz, Firkley, and Pettyfer. The last of these is the best player but is peaking elsewhere.

To get Okranitz, Toronto gave up on the S42 draft too (another example of Seattle getting quality over Stockholm's quantity) and then had to start competing to keep the S40 core of Zoidberg, Cote, and Poole happy. The trade for Mike was necessary but they shouldn't have been in that position. Even more importantly, this trade... http://www.vhlforum.com/index.php?/topic/17014-rigtor-s41-off-season/

The reasoning for giving up a S44 first >

Not that S44 was any good.

And then finally, maybe the Legion still should have beaten Cologne to Waldron or maybe even Quebec to Mikaelson. The team's still decent and not excessively old and I'm guessing Seattle's lines got the better of them last season despite, imo, a better roster. Anyway, hopefully the next cycle is less underwhelming.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well obviously, you had publicly stated you would retire if you ever played for Toronto.

 

No I just asked to go to a competing team and said the teams I would prefer. I said I don't want to go to Toronto from the loss of talent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Admin

No I just asked to go to a competing team and said the teams I would prefer. I said I don't want to go to Toronto from the loss of talent.

Toronto lost Wahl, Quebec lost Kurri from last season, that's one hell of a mass exodus.

Also I already did retire, therefore, I made my way to QC. Obvi you guys forgot the retirement.

You made your promise after unretiring.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Something not mentioned that I think was a big factor too: Losing Greg in free agency due to really inactive GMing. At that point, felt like Edgar (probably rightfully) started to panic a bit, especially with Poole showing indications of wanting out, rather than stay the course and set themselves up beautifully for S44 and S45.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Toronto lost Wahl, Quebec lost Kurri from last season, that's one hell of a mass exodus.

You made your promise after unretiring.

 

Therefore you can see who the greater loss is.

 

Also, little did anyone know it coincided with it :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Admin

Something not mentioned that I think was a big factor too: Losing Greg in free agency due to really inactive GMing. At that point, felt like Edgar (probably rightfully) started to panic a bit, especially with Poole showing indications of wanting out, rather than stay the course and set themselves up beautifully for S44 and S45.

Fair point.

Still needed a goalie though. Sinclair was out of reach, Barnstormer wouldn't have helped, would he have picked Campbell where Helsinki picked Demko? And Wingate would have worked but the team would have fallen apart if Toronto was still picking in the top 3 of S43.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I mean, easy answer is that an active GM would have probably created one instead of Ed Grrr. Alternatively, with the amassed talent that included Greg and S44 picks, would have at least had a better shot at trading for either necessary picks (for Campbell/Barnstormer/Wingate) or grabbing Waldron or Mikaelson this offseason.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Unlucky player's performance. Toronto just had a better roster than many teams for some seasons and they were just unlucky. We would speak of a disaster in Seattle too without their unlikely cup.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After Greg left us high and dry, there were talks about losing Poole, so when Okranitz crapped out, we were kinda forced to trade for Mike or risk losing our team for nothing.

Other than that trade you highlighted, Edgar did a fantastic job of getting a competitive team together and keeping us happy at the same time. While I wouldnt have minded waiting, Edgar couldnt have afforded too and ill admit I was even a bit antsy to get competing before it was too late for me. Kinda in a shit situation, but with all the inactive jokes aside, Edgar did a great job as a GM. Just had a stroke of bad luck and went about it in the not so typical ol fashion way yall do it. :P

Honestly, I had no regrets about sticking it out and would have stuck it out had jalador not stepped up and gave us an out. Shit happens and it just wasnt meant to be in the end. Atleast I got to play under Edgar and not Bushito, that would have drove me insane.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After Greg left us high and dry, there were talks about losing Poole, so when Okranitz crapped out, we were kinda forced to trade for Mike or risk losing our team for nothing.

Other than that trade you highlighted, Edgar did a fantastic job of getting a competitive team together and keeping us happy at the same time. While I wouldnt have minded waiting, Edgar couldnt have afforded too and ill admit I was even a bit antsy to get competing before it was too late for me. Kinda in a shit situation, but with all the inactive jokes aside, Edgar did a great job as a GM. Just had a stroke of bad luck and went about it in the not so typical ol fashion way yall do it. :P

Honestly, I had no regrets about sticking it out and would have stuck it out had jalador not stepped up and gave us an out. Shit happens and it just wasnt meant to be in the end. Atleast I got to play under Edgar and not Bushito, that would have drove me insane.

Yeah but come on let's be honest, showing no initiative with his own player wasn't the brightest moment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yeah but come on let's be honest, showing no initiative with his own player wasn't the brightest moment.

My role in the league at that time was to GM the team.  

 

Having an active player would have helped the team, but my priority was to GM which is why I was ok creating a defenseman (arguably the least impact-ful position), I was ok creating a low-TPE player who would act as depth to fill a position while letting top-heavy offense talent earn more money, and ultimately, not signing my own player in my final season.

 

Also, thanks for the kind words Ball

 

And Cowboy was right.  I was feeling a little bit panicked and rushed, but for the most part, I entered the playoffs and I competed for a cup (though it was a miserable attempt :P) both on pace with my plan from when I initially started the rebuild.  Sometimes, the cards don't always go your way, and as a result, you are forced to leave the league and cry in the corner of your room for two weeks straight before leaving the house again because you are low on groceries.

Edited by Haliburton
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...