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Post by wingman on Oct 30, 2007 5:13:17 GMT -4
I think a move like that makes sense and I think that if the Rocket had made moves like that in previous years, it could have made alot of difference. Last year they knew, or at least had a good idea, that Gragnani wasn't coming back this year so they kept him anyways and the lost him without any return. What was the point of hanging onto him when the Rocket didn't have a team that was going to go for it last season? When building for a season, they have to get away from the "wait until Xmas and see how the team is doing" line of thinking and start planning and making moves for it the season before. They have to be more proactive instead of reactive. If the Rocket feel they are not going to have the team for it this year, start making moves for the future and get something in return for the players that you know you will be losing. It may be an unpopular move, but those are the kinds of moves that have to be made if the Rocket are to be a contending team.
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Post by mboyan on Oct 30, 2007 8:43:03 GMT -4
From the Rocket web site
"Changes at Rocket's mission control"
October 30, 2007 :-: Charles Reid - The Guardian
Serge Savard Jr. The season of change continues for the P.E.I. Rocket.
Since August, the squad’s welcomed a new trainer and new assistant and head coaches.
And now Serge Savard Jr., Rocket president, is taking over his brother Marc’s job as governor of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team.
Serge Savard is also giving up his GM duties to head coach Guy Chouinard, who takes over as director of hockey operations.
“There’s a rule, a law in the Q, you cannot be GM and governor of any team. They don’t want hockey guys to be the governor. The governor is usually the owner,” said Savard.
Savard co-owns the Rocket with Marc, a lawyer.
Marc recently took a five-year position with the Quebec government overlooking the provincial lottery and gaming system.
To avoid any conflict of interest (league sponsorship includes Atlantic Lotto), said Serge, his brother resigned as Rocket governor and president of the league’s board of governors. Jean Brousseau is his replacement at the league level.
Marc and Serge split 117 of the Rocket’s 126 shares. Marc’s will be put in trust until the family decides whether to sell or keep them. The other nine shares are held by minority owners.
Governors vote on things like expansion, rule changes and teams moving from one market to another.
It means more work on the business side and league meetings five times a year for the junior Savard.
“It’s something that I had to do. It was me or my father (Montreal legend Serge Savard Sr.),” said Savard. “My father is semi-retired, living in South Carolina. He’s not interested in making a comeback.”
Serge knew about the change for about a month. When he decided to replace former head coach Yanick Jean, Savard said he looked for a candidate who could fill both roles.
Enter Chouinard.
He will handle the day-to-day hockey related stuff like player development and dealing with the league on suspensions while Savard sticks with the overall business of the club.
Chouinard’s worn both hats before as GM with Sherbrooke in 1994-95. But as new bench boss of a struggling team, the former Atlanta and Calgary Flames forward is more concerned about game day than draft day.
“Right now, I would say the coaching job is the one I’m more keying on. Being a coach and coming into a new position this time of year . . . that meeting the guys and knowing the guys would be a challenge,” said Chouinard.
Chouinard accepted the Rocket job last week. P.E.I. had won three straight before the change. It’s 0-3 since.
The Rocket leaves Thursday for games in Lewiston Friday and Saturday.
While Savard might not be in the day-to-day flow, he said this a hockey club first and that he will have a major presence.
“I’m still going to overlook every aspect of the team, but not directly operating the hockey operation. There’s not a president that doesn’t get involved in hockey. The final decision goes on his desk.”
(creid@theguardian.pe.ca)
*****
Serge Savard Jr.’s hits and misses as general manager of the P.E.I. Rocket:
Trade Hits
- Brett Morrison, Geoff Walker and steady 19-year-old defencemen Pierre-Luc Lessard and Benoit Gervais, all from Gatineau. Morrison’s 28 points is second in the league overall this season.
Trade Misses
- Sending enforcer Kevin Cormier to Halifax for goalie Jonathan Boutin in mid-season 2004 only to ship the Tampa Bay Lightning netminding prospect to Quebec at mid-season the next year. The 2004-05 Rocket started strong, but won just six games in the second half of the season and finished out of the playoffs.
- Shipping forwards Michael Dubuc and Tyler Hawes to Rouyn-Noranda. Both have been stalwarts on a resurgent Huskies program.
Draft Hits
- Marc-Andre Gragnani and David Laliberte, now in the pros. Current members Chris Doyle, Jordon Southorn and Antoine Lafleur, all blue-chip players despite a difficult 7-10-1 start for the Rocket.
Draft Misses
- Defenceman Stephen Lund, a former number one pick in 2005, didn’t develop in P.E.I. and was sent to Halifax last season.
- This year, trading forward Joey Haddad, a fourth round pick in 2006, to Cape Breton for 20-year-old defenceman Jason Swit. The Rocket sent Swit home to Ontario last week while Haddad has 18 points for the league-leading Eagles.
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Post by SteveUL on Oct 30, 2007 10:29:06 GMT -4
DOH Operations means he is in charge of all player personel decisions ... in charge of trades, drafts, scouting staff ... hiring and firing coaches and scouts. I'm sure Savard will still have his input ... but the final decision will be Chouinard's ... if its not like that then he isn't DOH Operations ... but rather Asst DOH Operations. Well then someone better tell Brian Burke that he doesn't make the calls in Anahiem since he is only a lowly GM. Because according to you it is his President of Hockey Operations Bob Murray who is in charge of all player personel decision  Get real, just like Lala said Chouinard has been out of the Q for a few seasons which is why I expect that Savard will still do the leg work on deals and still be in charge. Having said that naming Chouinard the Director of Hockey Operations is acknowledging that he will have a say in all decisions and have a lot more say that the average coach in the moves which are made which I think is a good thing. Here in Moncton we have a GM and a DHO (Director of Hockey Operations) ... two different people. We have a new guy (can't recall his name) now that just replaced Schurman who went back to Summerside ... Schurman was called the GM during his tenure here ... but his function was running the business side of the team ... he had no involvement in any player decisions. Nolan, then Torchetti and now Flynn are called Head Coach and DHO ... and they run the hockey side of the team. I am picturing Savard being the business manager of the team while Chouinard runs the hockey side. Savard's input will always be welcome as he knows the league ... but it has to be Chouinard's final decision for it to work. |
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Post by bois on Oct 30, 2007 11:52:10 GMT -4
Wingman the Rocket should have dealt Gragnani two years ago when he went public with his trade demands... he would have fetched some prize package that we'd be reaping the benefits of right now..
That was the single biggest mishap in the tenure of Savard on PEI as GM in my opinion
as for what to do now.. if things don't get settled by xmas time I think and feel Morrison should be traded.. but it has to be for a huge deal and if they are going to do that might as well shop Lessard, Walker and Latal as well
I really can't see CB being a suitor tho.. I know they've played over their heads so far but I still fully expect them to fall back soon and they will not be adding at xmas imo
Morrison could be great trade bait for whomever is atop the Telus side tho.. especially Rouyn who we have a trade history with in the past
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Post by Jack Bauer on Oct 30, 2007 12:13:57 GMT -4
Wingman the Rocket should have dealt Gragnani two years ago when he went public with his trade demands... he would have fetched some prize package that we'd be reaping the benefits of right now.. That was the single biggest mishap in the tenure of Savard on PEI as GM in my opinion as for what to do now.. if things don't get settled by xmas time I think and feel Morrison should be traded.. but it has to be for a huge deal and if they are going to do that might as well shop Lessard, Walker and Latal as well I really can't see CB being a suitor tho.. I know they've played over their heads so far but I still fully expect them to fall back soon and they will not be adding at xmas imo Morrison could be great trade bait for whomever is atop the Telus side tho.. especially Rouyn who we have a trade history with in the past If we're top 3 at Xmas, we're a buyer I'd say. Maybe Vincent will look to trade down, but we certainly seem to have the depth to absorb a couple additions. Not Bourdon types but another Prokopetz and/or Laberge type like last season could set us up for a nice run and still keep most of the rookies who are playing so well. |
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Post by Krang7 on Oct 30, 2007 12:25:18 GMT -4
All of these changes and the comment that Chouinard made in that interview about how people were overestimating the team gives me the idea that he's going to blow this team up at Christmas and start over. Make it his own team through and through and go into rebuild mode.
I don't know if we can contend this year even if we added a top-6 FW and a top-2 offensive, first pass type Dman. To me, as I think Steve might have mentioned in another thread, our go for it year looks like in a couple of years time when our crop of 17s will be 19. Obviously we don't need to keep them all until then, but Doyle, Southorn, Kana, Clow, perhaps even Mosher... that's a very solid core.
I dunno, I just get the impression that this will end up being the first year of a turnaround. Sweeping changes on the horizon....?
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Post by SteveUL on Oct 30, 2007 14:22:45 GMT -4
Wingman the Rocket should have dealt Gragnani two years ago when he went public with his trade demands... he would have fetched some prize package that we'd be reaping the benefits of right now.. That was the single biggest mishap in the tenure of Savard on PEI as GM in my opinion as for what to do now.. if things don't get settled by xmas time I think and feel Morrison should be traded.. but it has to be for a huge deal and if they are going to do that might as well shop Lessard, Walker and Latal as well I really can't see CB being a suitor tho.. I know they've played over their heads so far but I still fully expect them to fall back soon and they will not be adding at xmas imo Morrison could be great trade bait for whomever is atop the Telus side tho.. especially Rouyn who we have a trade history with in the past If we're top 3 at Xmas, we're a buyer I'd say. Maybe Vincent will look to trade down, but we certainly seem to have the depth to absorb a couple additions. Not Bourdon types but another Prokopetz and/or Laberge type like last season could set us up for a nice run and still keep most of the rookies who are playing so well. That would be a foolish strategy I think ... you can stand pat and see how far it gets you ... but adding veterans at a cost of your youth would be a mistake. Next year is when you are going to feel the real pains of rebuilding ... when those carry-over veterans are gone and there is nobody left to lead your team. We are living that now in Moncton ... did real well last year for a big part of the season because of the leadership from returning veterans ... and a fantastic work ethic. If Sheppard was suddenly sent back ... I might reconsider my position. You guys are a young team that wins by hard work. When the playoffs and the down the stretch playoff races come along you'll find that all teams work hard and that advantage you had over teams all year (willing to outwork them) will disappear. |
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Post by Jack Bauer on Oct 30, 2007 14:32:57 GMT -4
If we're top 3 at Xmas, we're a buyer I'd say. Maybe Vincent will look to trade down, but we certainly seem to have the depth to absorb a couple additions. Not Bourdon types but another Prokopetz and/or Laberge type like last season could set us up for a nice run and still keep most of the rookies who are playing so well. That would be a foolish strategy I think ... you can stand pat and see how far it gets you ... but adding veterans at a cost of your youth would be a mistake. Next year is when you are going to feel the real pains of rebuilding ... when those carry-over veterans are gone and there is nobody left to lead your team. We are living that now in Moncton ... did real well last year for a big part of the season because of the leadership from returning veterans ... and a fantastic work ethic. If Sheppard was suddenly sent back ... I might reconsider my position. You guys are a young team that wins by hard work. When the playoffs and the down the stretch playoff races come along you'll find that all teams work hard and that advantage you had over teams all year (willing to outwork them) will disappear. Depends how you look at it. I'm looking as it as we've had 3-4 years of good hockey. If we can stretch it out another year and try to knock off a team or 2 in the playoffs i'd be all for it. We were supposed to be last place this year, so if we put it off another year while giving our young guys some experience I wouldnt have much of an issue with it. I don't see the big deal of being bad next year, when we were supposed to be bad this year. I'm not talking about trading Roy or Finn for vets, just a 2nd or 3rd rounder for a veteran dman or forward. |
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Post by bois on Oct 30, 2007 14:39:34 GMT -4
We're talking about Morrison here.. a 2nd rounder won't get it done
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Post by Jack Bauer on Oct 30, 2007 15:08:38 GMT -4
We're talking about Morrison here.. a 2nd rounder won't get it done I'm not talking about Morrison, we don't need another 20. |
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joust
Draft Pick
Posts: 15
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Post by joust on Oct 30, 2007 15:19:45 GMT -4
All of these changes and the comment that Chouinard made in that interview about how people were overestimating the team gives me the idea that he's going to blow this team up at Christmas and start over. Make it his own team through and through and go into rebuild mode. I don't know if we can contend this year even if we added a top-6 FW and a top-2 offensive, first pass type Dman. To me, as I think Steve might have mentioned in another thread, our go for it year looks like in a couple of years time when our crop of 17s will be 19. Obviously we don't need to keep them all until then, but Doyle, Southorn, Kana, Clow, perhaps even Mosher... that's a very solid core. I dunno, I just get the impression that this will end up being the first year of a turnaround. Sweeping changes on the horizon....? That is the way I see things too Krang7. I believe that Chouinard wants to make this his team. Perhaps some of the players on the current roster are not his type of players. Every coach has their likes and dislikes of player styles. I think that we as fans will see Chouinard ship a few players out at the deadline, and start to build this team up his way. One good thing, the Rocket currently have a load of young talent to work with. Kana-17, Doyle-17, Southorn-17, Clow-17, Deighan-17, DesRoches-17, Mosher-17, MacLean-16. This will make the turnaround that much easier and faster. |
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Post by yousuckref on Oct 30, 2007 15:21:58 GMT -4
Trade Misses - Sending enforcer Kevin Cormier to Halifax for goalie Jonathan Boutin in mid-season 2004 only to ship the Tampa Bay Lightning netminding prospect to Quebec at mid-season the next year. The 2004-05 Rocket started strong, but won just six games in the second half of the season and finished out of the playoffs. This statement shows how little the Guardian knows about Rocket hockey. Johnathan Boutin is arguably the best netminder the Rocket ever had. Cormier wasn't going to crack our roster with Jimmy around. Sounds like someone at the Guardian is a Cormier fan. |
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Post by coreyapple on Oct 30, 2007 16:34:24 GMT -4
The striking thing about the Rocket roster is how few 18-year-olds we have, and the fact that not one of them is a marquee player.
McKinley, Gélinas, and Cliche - leads one to think that after Christmas, we may have fewer than three 18-year-olds, doesn't it?
In Major Junior, 18-year-olds are the backbone of your team.
Scary, in terms of prospects.....but for a new Coach-DHO, having this many good 17-year-olds is probably an ideal situation.
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reggiedunlop7
Blue-Chip Prospect
It's sunny and warm outside...not hockey weather
Posts: 346
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Post by reggiedunlop7 on Oct 30, 2007 16:42:02 GMT -4
I believe the Boutin comment was to illustrate the fact we DIDN'T keep Boots and Halifax kept Cormier until he was a 20 before shipping him out. If we had kept Cormier all those threads about team toughness and "ever since Bonneau left" would be for not.
Like him or not...KC did put up Bonneau scoring numbers in HFX and the minutes along with the rep.
Boots played exceptionally well, but what did we do? We moved him instead of getting more from him.
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Post by bois on Oct 30, 2007 17:35:25 GMT -4
Moving Boots was the right move.. we had a shit team and a young goalie in Mior who needed a chance to start
the problem was two fold.. year one we only added Boutin.. didnt go all out to win
then the next year we only sold Boutin.. didn't go all out to rebuild
and coreyapple 18's are not the backbone of your team but you certainly do need a few for a team to have a successful stretch of seasons.... I do like how MacKinley is developing.. but next year looks very poor if we are to go into the year with 2 maybe 3 19 year olds.... thats ugly.. Chouinard will definitely be looking to add some 18's I think at trade time.. or else maybe he can land us some free agents.. something we've historically sucked ass at
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