tb
Draft Pick
Posts: 1
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Post by tb on Jun 29, 2022 9:48:12 GMT -4
Not long ago, The Saint John Seadogs were one of the most successful and respected organizations in the QMJHL. 5 years ago all of that quickly changed, resulting in the least number of wins in the league over the past 5 seasons, disgruntled players requesting trades, an array of fired coaches, a loss of community identity and empty seats.
This year, a new coach worked tirelessly to change the culture in the dressing room among the players. He inherited the same group that most QMJHL followers say underachieved in previous seasons. For the first half of this year he worked with what he had to instill accountability. A record number of trades were made at the deadline which always requires an enormous effort from the coaching staff to blend the new and old. Many coaches can't make this work which is why good teams are built over years and not one trade period.
Constant change and turmoil over 5 years aside, the Seadog team playing in the final tonight won 25 of 27 games down the stretch, including its last 15. Coach Dwyer finally brought some credibility back to the organization. Fans were able to expect a consistent effort and wins for the time in years. For some reason, things were amiss in the first round of the playoffs and the record setting offense was stymied. It happens! As a matter of fact, during this year's NHL playoffs, Mikhail Sergachev talked in the media about the year Tampa Bay scored almost at will during the regular season and lost their touch in the playoffs to be massively upset by the Blue Jackets.
Good teams, like the the Seadogs before the Trevor Georgie era, don't make knee jerk decisons. Smart hockey people work together to make tweaks and fill holes resulting from attrition, injuries, etc. All champions make a few moves to get better. They stay invested in their community and keep their fan base informed. They treat staff and players with respect. Coaches coach and GMs manage. Owners put people in place with the experience in their roles needed to succeed.
Unfortunately, the only thing consistent with this organization over the past 5 years is the GM with NO hockey background and a turnstile for coaches. It is common knowledge around the league that the GM and assistant GM have NO respect. Most success comes with collaboration but these two guys obviously prefer to work alone. Speaking of preferred work style, both of them were in a national sports publication tooting their own horns about how they drafted small players who they didn't think NHL teams would want. I am thinking most GMs at any level, draft the best players available at the time then groom them to become better in a TEAM environment. In the CHL, if they lose them at the age of 19 that is the sign of a good organization and good organizations are typically rewarded as a whole.
Do the hockey gods reward a dysfunctional franchise tonight? Does a GM who has no hockey experience or knowledge get to lift a trophy? Does his Assistant GM who has a minimal amount more experience and knowledge get to stand beside him? Does a core group of players on a team that had the fewest wins in the league over the past 5 years get rewarded with championship? Time will tell. If the Seadogs win tonight it must be for the fans who watched in the demise of a once great organization.
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Post by berner on Jun 29, 2022 13:17:09 GMT -4
Oh look, a ‘trash the GM’ thread. On the day of the Memorial Cup final. What a beauty 🙄
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Post by Naomi on Jun 29, 2022 13:20:43 GMT -4
Oh look, a ‘trash the GM’ thread. On the day of the Memorial Cup final. What a beauty 🙄 First post too. I was doubtful of the Dogs going into the tournament and they've proved me wrong pretty much every game. There have definitely been bumps in the road, some way bigger than the others. They didn't just stumble to the finals though. Enjoy the ride, after tonight you guys will likely have some rough seasons coming up.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Jun 29, 2022 13:29:35 GMT -4
SJ is still a successful and respected organization.
Hard to call Georgie a crap GM if he's rewarded with a CHL championship.
Come to Cape Breton if you want dysfunction. Havent been beyond round 2 in 15 years. Reality is unless you're London every single CHL franchise goes through peaks and valleys and its not always fun and exciting as a fan.
Wins over 5 years as a measurement tool while heading into a championship winner take all scenario is a pathetic reach that has no barring on this season and the players currently on the team.
Just go find another sport to enjoy if you can't find joy in watching your team compete for the CHL championship. Weak reaches and bad takes mean nothing right now when 100% of the focus should be on the team competing tonight.
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Post by ysj28 on Jun 29, 2022 14:15:10 GMT -4
Guess we found Gordie's burner account.
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Post by j3e4 on Jun 29, 2022 14:18:39 GMT -4
Oh look, a ‘trash the GM’ thread. On the day of the Memorial Cup final. What a beauty 🙄 Unbelievable! On the day when the Sea Dogs are in the Memorial Cup final on home ice for what will likely be the only time in our lifetimes, we get this toxic garbage. Some people just can't help themselves. I wonder if this "hockey genius" realizes that a big reason why the rebuild was as painful as it was is because the GM prior to Georgie completely botched every draft pick he made outside of the 2015 first round. The 2014, 2015, and 2016 drafts were all critical to this cycle and could have improved our odds of winning the Memorial Cup in 2017 if he didn't draft so poorly.
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Post by ysj28 on Jun 29, 2022 14:28:14 GMT -4
Oh look, a ‘trash the GM’ thread. On the day of the Memorial Cup final. What a beauty 🙄 Unbelievable! On the day when the Sea Dogs are in the Memorial Cup final on home ice for what will likely be the only time in our lifetimes, we get this toxic garbage. Some people just can't help themselves. I wonder if this "hockey genius" realizes that a big reason why the rebuild was as painful as it was is because the GM prior to Georgie completely botched every draft pick he made outside of the 2015 first round. The 2014, 2015, and 2016 drafts were all critical to this cycle and could have improved our odds of winning the Memorial Cup in 2017 if he didn't draft so poorly. Actually, now that you mention it, this is likely Darryl's burner account. He's been going around the arena this week slamming anything and everything to do with the Sea Dogs.
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Post by Naomi on Jun 29, 2022 14:31:00 GMT -4
Oh look, a ‘trash the GM’ thread. On the day of the Memorial Cup final. What a beauty 🙄 Unbelievable! On the day when the Sea Dogs are in the Memorial Cup final on home ice for what will likely be the only time in our lifetimes, we get this toxic garbage. Some people just can't help themselves.I wonder if this "hockey genius" realizes that a big reason why the rebuild was as painful as it was is because the GM prior to Georgie completely botched every draft pick he made outside of the 2015 first round. The 2014, 2015, and 2016 drafts were all critical to this cycle and could have improved our odds of winning the Memorial Cup in 2017 if he didn't draft so poorly. No chance. Everything I heard was that Saint John was an amazing host and threw a great party for the tournament. You'll get it back very soon, and at that point it's a crap-shoot as to who makes the finals.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Jun 29, 2022 15:40:20 GMT -4
Unbelievable! On the day when the Sea Dogs are in the Memorial Cup final on home ice for what will likely be the only time in our lifetimes, we get this toxic garbage. Some people just can't help themselves.I wonder if this "hockey genius" realizes that a big reason why the rebuild was as painful as it was is because the GM prior to Georgie completely botched every draft pick he made outside of the 2015 first round. The 2014, 2015, and 2016 drafts were all critical to this cycle and could have improved our odds of winning the Memorial Cup in 2017 if he didn't draft so poorly. No chance. Everything I heard was that Saint John was an amazing host and threw a great party for the tournament. You'll get it back very soon, and at that point it's a crap-shoot as to who makes the finals. Never know. It takes a perfect storm to get the hosting bid. You need the arena, the team, government on board...if the league goes back to trying to rotate between Quebec based and Maritime based it means once every 6 years and Moncton and Halifax could also bid. So even if SJ does a lot well it could be 18 years before it happens again and thats assuming nothing happens in Charlottetown or Sydney or that the league doesnt start to set revenue expectations that only the really larger arenas can meet. Thats why you should enjoy it when you do have it as there really is no guarantee it ever happens again.
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Post by yesisaiditfirst on Jun 29, 2022 19:57:54 GMT -4
No chance. Everything I heard was that Saint John was an amazing host and threw a great party for the tournament. You'll get it back very soon, and at that point it's a crap-shoot as to who makes the finals. Never know. It takes a perfect storm to get the hosting bid. You need the arena, the team, government on board...if the league goes back to trying to rotate between Quebec based and Maritime based it means once every 6 years and Moncton and Halifax could also bid. So even if SJ does a lot well it could be 18 years before it happens again and thats assuming nothing happens in Charlottetown or Sydney or that the league doesnt start to set revenue expectations that only the really larger arenas can meet. Thats why you should enjoy it when you do have it as there really is no guarantee it ever happens again. Right you know that certain places will take their chances at bids in 3 years 6 years and 9 years. Sherbrooke, Quebec again, possibly Blainville or Gatineau and then the next Maritime bids are likely Sydney, Moncton and Charlottetown only if a new building is in place. We know Moncton wants to host its going to be 20 years since they have soon. And Sydney has it in their big dreams. Maritime team will likely be considered next in the 3rd cycle so 2030-31 since we just had them back to back.
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Post by frogmorton2 on Jun 29, 2022 23:00:35 GMT -4
Sadly Cape Breton can't host with their arena as it stands now. It was confirmed in a press conference last week.
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Post by Jack Bauer on Jun 30, 2022 8:08:08 GMT -4
Sadly Cape Breton can't host with their arena as it stands now. It was confirmed in a press conference last week. There was zero context provided with that though. They submitted a bid 10 years ago so they can't be that far behind. Looking at that last 10 days in SJ....I cant help but ask what couldn't Sydney do? We have the outdoor areas very close to the arena to host music and gatherings. We have the hotels. We have right around 5000 seats to sell when you factor in the private boxes. I refuse to believe CB is that far behind.
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Post by pinkbeaver on Jun 30, 2022 10:29:47 GMT -4
Sadly Cape Breton can't host with their arena as it stands now. It was confirmed in a press conference last week. There was zero context provided with that though. They submitted a bid 10 years ago so they can't be that far behind. Looking at that last 10 days in SJ....I cant help but ask what couldn't Sydney do? We have the outdoor areas very close to the arena to host music and gatherings. We have the hotels. We have right around 5000 seats to sell when you factor in the private boxes. I refuse to believe CB is that far behind. My guess is corporate $upport and then filling the rink might be an issue for non host games. SJ is drawing from other City's, especially Moncton & Fredericton.
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Post by yesisaiditfirst on Jun 30, 2022 10:30:31 GMT -4
Sadly Cape Breton can't host with their arena as it stands now. It was confirmed in a press conference last week. There was zero context provided with that though. They submitted a bid 10 years ago so they can't be that far behind. Looking at that last 10 days in SJ....I cant help but ask what couldn't Sydney do? We have the outdoor areas very close to the arena to host music and gatherings. We have the hotels. We have right around 5000 seats to sell when you factor in the private boxes. I refuse to believe CB is that far behind. exactly. They aren't bidding for 2025 - no maritime team will. But beyond that...who knows. The reason you assess these things is so you can address those things. Will 5 years put them in position to bid? What we don't know is where is CHL going with this. A few years ago I felt as if they were going to larger arenas which would have excluded 3/4 their markets. I think they are beginning to realize that it's not just potential bums in seats model that makes the only successful metric. This is evolving just like it has in other sports. For gawd sakes the Arizona Coyotes ..lol -- there is a math that works. I think that some upgrades need to be made to C200 that are long overdue. I also think that if flights don't return to Sydney Airport that would kill any bid. But 5 years probably 8 years from now I wouldn't bet against a bid
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Post by frogmorton2 on Jun 30, 2022 10:54:26 GMT -4
Sadly Cape Breton can't host with their arena as it stands now. It was confirmed in a press conference last week. There was zero context provided with that though. They submitted a bid 10 years ago so they can't be that far behind. Looking at that last 10 days in SJ....I cant help but ask what couldn't Sydney do? We have the outdoor areas very close to the arena to host music and gatherings. We have the hotels. We have right around 5000 seats to sell when you factor in the private boxes. I refuse to believe CB is that far behind. I'm in full agreement with you! I honestly wish they'd allow every team in CHL to have an equal chance at hosting. Especially in some of the smaller markets like a Baie-Comeau / Val D'or. I think the "paid" attendance was roughly around 5400 for the games at Harbour Station. I can see Victoria and Moncton looking to host within the next 5-10 years.
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