Maybe the Rangers weren't interested in Pinelli with all the changes they made already. Rehkoph was their big splash.
If this is the case then I'd say it was played properly especially by MM.
That's the face of someone not coming back to Kitchener, even if it is only 18C there.
La Quinta is only a 20 minute drive the CV arena
The Rangers did get swept last year but it was closer than a dominant 4 game sweep in my opinion. 2 of the games were 1 goal games until a late empty net was scored, and a 3rd was a 1 goal game until the end.
We have been through good GMs and bad GMs in Kitchener. I put MM up there. The "better situation than most teams" was meant more as a slight to other teams. A good GM will recover from mistakes he makes. DeBoer made his mistakes too as GM and was able to recover. I like MM and companies assessment of talent. He had one horrendous draft with Hage, Longacre...etc. but dont know what was said in those conversations. Feel like he made up for it the next year with Romano and Reid so far. Look at the total body of work, yes we can revisit later.
Hamara wanted out for more playing time and Schmidt landed on MM's doorstep after the decision was made to keep Martin for when he recovered. That being said, I do agree, they weren't going for it last year, but they did overachieve. Seems to be the Jussi way these days.
The Rehkropf deal was made with the intention of being sellers. Our team over performed and changed the situation. The CHL\NCAA rule change also made it easier to pivot from seller to contender. Things happen, its more of how you adapt. And it might be against popular opinion....I do think MM is a top 5 GM in this league.
I think early MM got some questionable advice from his predecessor who is still hanging around the organization.
Mexico
Did he not last year took some time off after the WJHC as well??Mexico
Decent town to do the usual tourist stuff. Sale is doing the Canadian thing and enjoying a swim while the locals have their coats on
If Jussi doesn't win coach of the year this year I don't know why they even hand out the award.
Second year Jussi has been great. If he can work a system in for the PP, these playoffs may get interesting.
This next 3 years will go a long way into cementing MM's status and legacy. Right now he's finally hired a coach that's able to develop players. He's also had some things break his way with regards to draft picks. Even with the bad draft year where Hage and Longacre didn't report, he recouped with getting Romano with the supplemental first round pick. He's also had quite a few NCAA commits land in his lap.
Its not "waving the white flag", junior hockey is cyclical...even for powerhouses, even for pretenders and inbetween. You come up with a game plan at the start of the season and adapt from there. Most teams do it that way to setup for the best success (either now or the next season..whatever). You dont have to stick to the gameplan if its not right.
They did go for it last year with the future in mind. Savard should be here this year but retired - likely due to injury. Concussed here in the post season.
