How can you set the Eagles up for a run?

[coleminer]

The GM isn't likely going anywhere for a least a few years unless he leaves on his own. 
There is no coach yet.

Everyone is talking bad about the organization, and it is deserved. So what would you do to make it better, to gear up towards a run? Do you trade everyone away at Christmas? Trade for everyone at Christmas? Maybe make a few small deals with an eye towards the future? What would you do with the roster and assets the team currently has to prepare for a run? When would you like that run to be?

[coleminer]

I should add. You don't need to say who you would trade for explicitly. That isn't realistic and is just dumb. How would you try to structure the team and assets to get to your goal of a run?

[Jack Bauer]

You can't undo the past decisions so you kind of have to give it until Xmas. The 2024 1st being gone also plays into that decision.

My plan would be to look long term. Can I cash out on 19yr olds? Seems to be the most obvious way to look to the future. Get younger.

Invest money into hockey ops. Skill development. Scouting. Think of the things you can control and focus on doing them well.

Going on a "run" isn't about declaring when it is today. Today is about setting the table so that one day you have a run. If the mistakes of the last 12 months means thats 3-4 years away...rushing it just risks moving it even further away. But long term the payoff will be worth more with a team the community can grow with and see mostly develop as a core here together.

[emerz]

Turn back time and acquire a number of high draft picks, try to draft impact forwards.

Typically the Q is won on the back of a few superstar forwards and a decent leadership core.

There won't be a run this year unless Lavoie and Squires take a massive development step (which is entirely possible, albeit unlikely). Maybe a 2nd round playoff series depending on how much the GM pillages the draft pick pile. I hope that he focuses on adding 2+ year players and not just expensive NHL drafted 19 year olds or impact 20s.

[Citris]

This is a fun concept and I'd like to take a run at it.

If I'm named general manager TODAY, now hypothetical going back in time, etc, here's what I would do to set the Eagles up for long-term success.

Also, I'm acknowledging in this thread that as a GM I don't set the budget, so I'm not going to pretend that the way to go is acquiring top 10 picks that don't want to play on the Island.

The two main philosophies I think that need to be adopted to bring the Eagles success are

1) Player development - The most important thing a small market team can do is properly develop drafted players. Give them ice time or leave them in QMAAA for another year, whatever you need, just hit on your picks, develop talent from within.

2) "STOP SCREWING WITH IT" - This is a fun little term that means "follow the process". I think the biggest frustration for fans, reading comments here, really comes down to screwing with the process. Moving off players too early, trading high picks for veterans in years when you're not going to contend, this is "screwing with it".


In a vacuum, the Eagles situation right now is not bad. You have a 1st and 4 2nds going into next year.

I think you just hold your training camp, and put a premium on developing guys like Sheilds, Richard, and Foley up front.

At the Christmas trade deadline, I honestly think you still stick to the "Don't screw with it" philosophy. You listen for offers on guys like MacDonald, Boutin, Houde, Newcombe, Biggar, Smith or Ruccia, but you acknowledge your pool of picks is pretty strong and you're not desperate for assets. If someone wants to make a trade, make them make a good offer. Stop taking pennies for the dollar on players. (And just as importantly, stop paying premiums for guys you don't really need.)


I honestly think that with just a bit of patience, proper drafting and development, and a few shrewd moves the Eagles could be good again as early as next season, and extremely competitive the season after while still having assets in the bank and young players in the system.

[Jack Bauer]

Jun 16, 2023 12:19:44 GMT -4 Citris said:

This is a fun concept and I'd like to take a run at it.

If I'm named general manager TODAY, now hypothetical going back in time, etc, here's what I would do to set the Eagles up for long-term success.

Also, I'm acknowledging in this thread that as a GM I don't set the budget, so I'm not going to pretend that the way to go is acquiring top 10 picks that don't want to play on the Island.

The two main philosophies I think that need to be adopted to bring the Eagles success are

1) Player development - The most important thing a small market team can do is properly develop drafted players. Give them ice time or leave them in QMAAA for another year, whatever you need, just hit on your picks, develop talent from within.

2) "STOP SCREWING WITH IT" - This is a fun little term that means "follow the process". I think the biggest frustration for fans, reading comments here, really comes down to screwing with the process. Moving off players too early, trading high picks for veterans in years when you're not going to contend, this is "screwing with it".


In a vacuum, the Eagles situation right now is not bad. You have a 1st and 4 2nds going into next year.

I think you just hold your training camp, and put a premium on developing guys like Sheilds, Richard, and Foley up front.

At the Christmas trade deadline, I honestly think you still stick to the "Don't screw with it" philosophy. You listen for offers on guys like MacDonald, Boutin, Houde, Newcombe, Biggar, Smith or Ruccia, but you acknowledge your pool of picks is pretty strong and you're not desperate for assets. If someone wants to make a trade, make them make a good offer. Stop taking pennies for the dollar on players. (And just as importantly, stop paying premiums for guys you don't really need.)


I honestly think that with just a bit of patience, proper drafting and development, and a few shrewd moves the Eagles could be good again as early as next season, and extremely competitive the season after while still having assets in the bank and young players in the system.

You nailed it.

To me it's about not moving those picks for vets while investing in specialty coaching whether it be skating, shooting, goaltending...be the innovator trying to take what is currently already in play in other organizations to some degree but take it to the next level.

The slow and steady also resonates more with the fans. They will appreciate the big games in that peak season more.

Halifax made a lot of mistakes and had to earn back many fans trust at one point. There's still hope this all works out.

An elite #1 goaltender via the import draft would at least fill a huge void.

[howitzer]

It would go a long way if you guys starting drafting import players that will actually play junior hockey. You've wasted the last 2 picks on Nemec and Kulich. It's sexy to have an article in the local paper talking about these elite talents, but what's the point if they'll never put on your jersey?

You could have used two import guys last year, and again this year. Instead you pissed away 4th and 3rd overall picks. That is unacceptable.

Ivan Ivan was picked 36th overall. Was undersized, and nobody knew who he was. Worked out ok didnt it?