Post deadline interview with Columbus Blue Jackets GM
Aug 12, 2016 9:38:37 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 2 more like this
Post by Ville (SJS) on Aug 12, 2016 9:38:37 GMT -5
TSN got in touch with CBJ first year general manager, mr Willy Leaf to ask his views on the recent and other trades made by the Jackets this season. The biggest talking points were of course going to be the trading of future star William Nylander and the trade with Ottawa, which saw Columbus give their 2019 first round pick.
Interviewer: Hello mr Leaf. You've made your presence felt here in Columbus by making no less than 14 trades this year, what's the thinking behind all that movement?
mr Leaf: Hello. Yes there's been quite a few, hasn't there? When I took over in the summer as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets we felt that last seasons record of 26-47-9 was enough proof that a complete rebuild of the team was needed. We didn't set out to do as many trades as possible, but were looking for ways to improve the team in every way possible.
Interviewer: Okay. We'll get into talking the actual trades then. First we would like to know the thinking behind the three way trade between CBJ, BUF and PHI that saw Dmitrij Jaskin move to Philly, where he actually has went on to score more goals and points than any Columbus player this season?
mr Leaf: Well that trade was interesting, as we were in no intention to trade and were by no means shopping Jaskin. We were in talks with Buffalo over other players when we got the indication that Michael Dal Colle, whom we liked very much, could be available. At the same time we were approached by Philadelphia asking about the availability of Jaskin. Things went fast from there and I think everybody got what they wanted here. Sure Jaskin's been good in Philly, and we always knew he would, but we got the young, dynamic forward we wanted and some prospects who will get their shots in preseason.
Interviewer: Makes sense, yes but if you're rebuilding as you stated earlier, then why would you trade away a promising future franchise player like William Nylander?
mr Leaf: That's another one were we were absolutely not shopping the player, and in fact had no plans on letting him go. We did get a few inquiries about his availability earlier, but the answer was always that he's not going anywhere. Then the offer from Anaheim came in that got us thinking. We did go over that one for a while and while we acknowledge the fact that William will be a very good player for years in this league, we just felt that the offer was too good to pass upon. We might not get a player with similar star caliber, but we got three really good prospects and we expect every one to be good players for us soon. Troy Terry has already been solid as our 3rd line C, nd then we used the pick we got from the trade to acquire swedish winger Marcus Sörensen at the deadline. So we did give away a really good player, but we feel comfortable with the return we got and believe that this will make us a better hockey club in the end.
Interviewer: Then the question on everybody's lips here and a trade that many have been labeling overpayment, why the decision to trade next years first round pick to Ottawa for Kevin Fiala? What was the thinking process behind that one and how do you feel about the remarks that you've overpaid?
mr Leaf: Well I do admit that this was a bold move and a first round pick is never easy to give. We looked at the prospects in our system, of which at least 3-4 are already close to competing for a spot on the roster and the amount of young players already on our roster, and felt that this pick could be moved. We will very likely pick top-5 this draft and still have a couple of seconds, so we felt we are quite stacked prospect -wise. Fiala is a former first rounder that has moved around a lot and has not found his place in this league yet. We can give him that opportunity, to play in our top six, powerplay, and overall get to play a lot more minutes than he has been getting earlier. We certainly believe he has the potential to produce constantly in this league and that is why we payed to get him. Whether that is overpaying or not, I'll be happy to let others decide that. I run a hockey team.
Interviewer: That concludes it then, thank you for your time mr Leaf.
mr Leaf: Thanks, it's been a pleasure.
Interviewer: Hello mr Leaf. You've made your presence felt here in Columbus by making no less than 14 trades this year, what's the thinking behind all that movement?
mr Leaf: Hello. Yes there's been quite a few, hasn't there? When I took over in the summer as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets we felt that last seasons record of 26-47-9 was enough proof that a complete rebuild of the team was needed. We didn't set out to do as many trades as possible, but were looking for ways to improve the team in every way possible.
Interviewer: Okay. We'll get into talking the actual trades then. First we would like to know the thinking behind the three way trade between CBJ, BUF and PHI that saw Dmitrij Jaskin move to Philly, where he actually has went on to score more goals and points than any Columbus player this season?
mr Leaf: Well that trade was interesting, as we were in no intention to trade and were by no means shopping Jaskin. We were in talks with Buffalo over other players when we got the indication that Michael Dal Colle, whom we liked very much, could be available. At the same time we were approached by Philadelphia asking about the availability of Jaskin. Things went fast from there and I think everybody got what they wanted here. Sure Jaskin's been good in Philly, and we always knew he would, but we got the young, dynamic forward we wanted and some prospects who will get their shots in preseason.
Interviewer: Makes sense, yes but if you're rebuilding as you stated earlier, then why would you trade away a promising future franchise player like William Nylander?
mr Leaf: That's another one were we were absolutely not shopping the player, and in fact had no plans on letting him go. We did get a few inquiries about his availability earlier, but the answer was always that he's not going anywhere. Then the offer from Anaheim came in that got us thinking. We did go over that one for a while and while we acknowledge the fact that William will be a very good player for years in this league, we just felt that the offer was too good to pass upon. We might not get a player with similar star caliber, but we got three really good prospects and we expect every one to be good players for us soon. Troy Terry has already been solid as our 3rd line C, nd then we used the pick we got from the trade to acquire swedish winger Marcus Sörensen at the deadline. So we did give away a really good player, but we feel comfortable with the return we got and believe that this will make us a better hockey club in the end.
Interviewer: Then the question on everybody's lips here and a trade that many have been labeling overpayment, why the decision to trade next years first round pick to Ottawa for Kevin Fiala? What was the thinking process behind that one and how do you feel about the remarks that you've overpaid?
mr Leaf: Well I do admit that this was a bold move and a first round pick is never easy to give. We looked at the prospects in our system, of which at least 3-4 are already close to competing for a spot on the roster and the amount of young players already on our roster, and felt that this pick could be moved. We will very likely pick top-5 this draft and still have a couple of seconds, so we felt we are quite stacked prospect -wise. Fiala is a former first rounder that has moved around a lot and has not found his place in this league yet. We can give him that opportunity, to play in our top six, powerplay, and overall get to play a lot more minutes than he has been getting earlier. We certainly believe he has the potential to produce constantly in this league and that is why we payed to get him. Whether that is overpaying or not, I'll be happy to let others decide that. I run a hockey team.
Interviewer: That concludes it then, thank you for your time mr Leaf.
mr Leaf: Thanks, it's been a pleasure.