OK, I'm sorry I haven't posted a lot lately (OK, at all). I assure you the blog is not dead. I also have to worry about other things during the summer, and unfortunately there is not enough Mike Kloepfer action or crappy Paul Tutka writing to keep me occupied.
A couple of weeks ago, there was a blockbuster MSL trade. Mark Steinhuis was shipped to the St. Regis from Barrie for Aimee Caines (a washed up mediocrity of a goal scorer), Jackson Gair (an Orillia boy coming off a terrible injury with the Junior Indians in the playoffs last year) and a draft pick (which one can assume will be used on Caleb Wiles or Rick Acorn, even if somebody better such as Stephen Keough is available).
Now, it is pretty obvious Steinhuis wanted to play on Cornwall Island with John Tavares. I also am aware of the fact that Lindsay Sanderson appears to be running the show up in Barrie. Unfortunately for the people of Barrie, Kloepfer owns the team and one would think any deal would go through him. So ultimately, I am going be an asshole and pin this on Mikey K. Anybody that would get that little for Steinhuis, an undeniable superstar and huge name in lacrosse, does not deserve to be an owner, manager, coach or waterboy of a lacrosse team, whether it be in minor pee wee or the NLL.
The awesome thing about the Lakeshores too this year is that they got forced out of the Barrie Molson Centre (not sure why-the Colts, lack of attendance, apathy of the Barrie sports fans) to the smaller Holly Community Centre, essentially a junior B rink. I guess Mike thought this would be a Peterborough situation when he got the expansion team a couple of years ago. Too bad for him they have only been mildly successful on and off the field.
Stay tuned for more.
Showing posts with label Trades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trades. Show all posts
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Wiles Out
Luke Wiles is out pretty much until May. If this had happened about a week and a half ago, I am pretty sure Mike Kloepfer would have traded Josh Sanderson back to San Jose for him.
I could see this quote coming into the papers had that happened:
"Although we are 7-4 and riding an incredibly amazing goaltending season from a goalie in his late 30s with not many good years left, we feel it was important to get somebody for the future. Although it will be tough to replace Josh Sanderson's 54 points, we believe that having Luke Wiles experience with Barrie Lakeshores hanging around the team in practice will be enough to push us over the top."
Of course that never happened. But that seems like a typical Kloepfer trade.
I could see this quote coming into the papers had that happened:
"Although we are 7-4 and riding an incredibly amazing goaltending season from a goalie in his late 30s with not many good years left, we feel it was important to get somebody for the future. Although it will be tough to replace Josh Sanderson's 54 points, we believe that having Luke Wiles experience with Barrie Lakeshores hanging around the team in practice will be enough to push us over the top."
Of course that never happened. But that seems like a typical Kloepfer trade.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Ratcliff Stats
I posted some stats over on the NLL message board about Lewis Ratcliff. I will now cherry pick some of those to prove his value as an NLL scorer and particularly to the Rock.
Of his assists this season, only 37% have been second assists. As we all know, 1st assists are generally more important as they contribute directly to the goal. Not to say 2nd assists aren't important, but on average, it is safe to say 1st assists are the more important.
Since 2005 at the Air Canada Centre, Ratcliff has averaged over 5 PPG, scoring 13 goals and 13 assists in that span. This bodes well for the remainder of the season, with Ratcliff having 3 more home games.
Unfortunately, his points go down slightly against the Eastern Conference. This year in games against Rochester, Buffalo and Toronto, he has 1.7 goals and assists per game. This will have to get significantly better.
The stats support this trade. Ratcliff has also contributed to 22.0% of Calgary's goals this year, where as Josh Sanderson had only contributed to 19.2 % of Toronto's.
Of his assists this season, only 37% have been second assists. As we all know, 1st assists are generally more important as they contribute directly to the goal. Not to say 2nd assists aren't important, but on average, it is safe to say 1st assists are the more important.
Since 2005 at the Air Canada Centre, Ratcliff has averaged over 5 PPG, scoring 13 goals and 13 assists in that span. This bodes well for the remainder of the season, with Ratcliff having 3 more home games.
Unfortunately, his points go down slightly against the Eastern Conference. This year in games against Rochester, Buffalo and Toronto, he has 1.7 goals and assists per game. This will have to get significantly better.
The stats support this trade. Ratcliff has also contributed to 22.0% of Calgary's goals this year, where as Josh Sanderson had only contributed to 19.2 % of Toronto's.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Lewis Ratcliff
I took a look at the NLL website yesterday and saw one thing I was hoping for. The Rock got a big power forward, which is one thing they desperately need. They also traded one of the best play-makers of all-time in a deal which made sense.
Here is a quotation from our favourite guy, the Director of Lacrosse Operations for the Rock, one Mike Kloepfer: "Kloepfer admitted that replacing the burly Doyle, one of the catalysts of the Rock's early decade dynasty, has been difficult, but felt that Ratcliff could solve the team's scoring woes."
OK. I have no problem with getting Ratcliff. The problem I have is that Kloepfer seems to think that there was some external force acting on him back in December of 2006. He believes that God spoke to him one night, saying that he needed to trade Colin Doyle for immortality. The owner of a local Tim Hortons franchise offered him free donuts for life if Doyle were traded, particularly if his favourite player, Chad Thompson came back in return. He may have also played that crossword lottery, and managed to put together a series of words saying "Trade Colin Doyle".
The point being that Kloepfer did not need to trade Doyle back then. He was still in his prime and still is. If replacing Doyle has been so difficult, then why do it in the first place? There was no need to trade for him. Had he not traded him, then there would no need to trade a premier playmaker like Sanderson for a power forward. Not to mention we lost a first round pick in the deal.
Lewis Ratcliff will solve a lot of the Rock's offensive needs. But where is the offence going to to run out of now? I'd expect to see a little more Jimmy Veltman out there as the quarterback in the last 5 games.
Here is a quotation from our favourite guy, the Director of Lacrosse Operations for the Rock, one Mike Kloepfer: "Kloepfer admitted that replacing the burly Doyle, one of the catalysts of the Rock's early decade dynasty, has been difficult, but felt that Ratcliff could solve the team's scoring woes."
OK. I have no problem with getting Ratcliff. The problem I have is that Kloepfer seems to think that there was some external force acting on him back in December of 2006. He believes that God spoke to him one night, saying that he needed to trade Colin Doyle for immortality. The owner of a local Tim Hortons franchise offered him free donuts for life if Doyle were traded, particularly if his favourite player, Chad Thompson came back in return. He may have also played that crossword lottery, and managed to put together a series of words saying "Trade Colin Doyle".
The point being that Kloepfer did not need to trade Doyle back then. He was still in his prime and still is. If replacing Doyle has been so difficult, then why do it in the first place? There was no need to trade for him. Had he not traded him, then there would no need to trade a premier playmaker like Sanderson for a power forward. Not to mention we lost a first round pick in the deal.
Lewis Ratcliff will solve a lot of the Rock's offensive needs. But where is the offence going to to run out of now? I'd expect to see a little more Jimmy Veltman out there as the quarterback in the last 5 games.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Doyle Update
A quick update on our favourite son: #7 Colin Doyle
10 GP, 20 G, 39 A, 59 PTS, .190 SHT%
The man he got traded for essentially: #21 Ryan Benesch
11 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 PTS, .133 SHT%
Who won that trade?
I know there were other parts, but thats what it boils down to. If we want to talk about other parts, how about Chad Thompson? He is having a solid year isn't he? Just running that transition game like he is the next Steve Toll.
*I know Thompson is injured, but he gets points for having played about 25 years of junior for the Orillia Kings.
10 GP, 20 G, 39 A, 59 PTS, .190 SHT%
The man he got traded for essentially: #21 Ryan Benesch
11 GP, 14 G, 25 A, 39 PTS, .133 SHT%
Who won that trade?
I know there were other parts, but thats what it boils down to. If we want to talk about other parts, how about Chad Thompson? He is having a solid year isn't he? Just running that transition game like he is the next Steve Toll.
*I know Thompson is injured, but he gets points for having played about 25 years of junior for the Orillia Kings.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Trade Deadline Preview
What will happen on Tuesday, in what can be considered a key day for NLL junkies to digest if their favourite team has what it takes to go to the big game in May? The trade deadline is on its way, and with an extremely tight east, and a western conference where every team has a chance to make the playoffs, it may be quieter than usual. With that in mind though, here are some guys who may be available:
Mat Giles, Chicago: Despite the win against Rochester last night, its pretty damn obvious the 'Rox aren't going to do anything this year. Giles is having another solid year, on pace for about 45-48 points. He is a big body with a ton of big game experience for the Peterborough Lakers, and could help any team in contention. If Jamie Batley is still under the illusion that Brad Self will show up and lead Chicago to glory, then Giles won't go anywhere. But it would be neat to see Giles attempt to go after his teammate Chris Panos' teams played for record.
Jonas Derks, Chicago: With the Windy City crew being the most mathematically unlikely to make the playoffs, they may be willing to part with another guy that has played in a ton of places, Jonas Derks. Derks had a huge game Saturday with 4 goals in the win over the big, bad Knighthawks, and could be a good secondary offensive addition for a contending team.
Also, Scott Self, one of the best shutdown defenceman in the game, could be had, but the Arizona situation keeps this cloudy. Chances are Batley would unload him if he knew that 'Zona was coming back sure, but who the hell knows anymore what Doug Moss is thinking.
Dan Stroup/Chris Gill, Edmonton: These guys basically follow each other around in the NLL (aside from Gill's brief journey to Cowtown in 2005) with stops in Toronto, Vancouver, Colorado and now Edmonton. They won't be going to an Eastern Conference team, but could be attractive to somebody in the West who wants to add depth and championship experience to its offence (Colorado again or San Jose) or somebody who wants some scorers to put them over the top (Portland). Bob Hamley could also hang on to these guys and try to track down Portland and Calgary himself. However, these guys don't have much left, and the Rush would likely face a quick playoff exit at the hands of San Jose or the Mammoth, so unloading them makes the most sense in the long run of the Rush.
Ken Millen, Rochester: The Knighthawks look to be in tough to make the playoffs, let alone repeat as champions. They won't trade John Grant, who still has at least 5 solid years left, nor will they trade Shawn Williams, who signed that big contract in the off-season. The Evans brothers are still both young and Chris Schiller is a local boy who is in the prime of his career. That leaves Millen, normally a solid offensive threat who is struggling this year, with a shooting percentage under 10%. He could probably be had for a 2nd or 3rd round pick, and could provide depth to someone's attack.
Brad MacDonald, Portland: The Lumberjax are unlikely to win the West this year, even with that beast of a power forward in Dan Dawson. It makes sense to try to get value and some future production in the form of a draft pick or prospect. With that in mind, MacDonald could be the guy to go. He is a solid defender, but will likely only go to a western team. San Jose and Colorado could both be interested.
Those are just some guys who could be traded. There are always some wacky trades (who the hell would have thought Craig Conn would have gone from Minnesota to Arizona in 2005) and other strange happenings (Paul Gait coming out of retirement to join his brother for one last hurrah). We shall see what will happen on the 25th.
As for the Rock, what will they do? It is hard to say under Kloepfer. Will he decide to trade the top 3 of his scorers, believing that securing more Barrie Lakeshores will bring glory back to the Rock? Will he do something smart, bringing in that big power forward that is desperately needed and try to ride an amazing goaltender one last time?
History suggests he will completely surprise us, doing something that leaves us scratching our heads and drinking a lot of beer to curve the pain.
Mat Giles, Chicago: Despite the win against Rochester last night, its pretty damn obvious the 'Rox aren't going to do anything this year. Giles is having another solid year, on pace for about 45-48 points. He is a big body with a ton of big game experience for the Peterborough Lakers, and could help any team in contention. If Jamie Batley is still under the illusion that Brad Self will show up and lead Chicago to glory, then Giles won't go anywhere. But it would be neat to see Giles attempt to go after his teammate Chris Panos' teams played for record.
Jonas Derks, Chicago: With the Windy City crew being the most mathematically unlikely to make the playoffs, they may be willing to part with another guy that has played in a ton of places, Jonas Derks. Derks had a huge game Saturday with 4 goals in the win over the big, bad Knighthawks, and could be a good secondary offensive addition for a contending team.
Also, Scott Self, one of the best shutdown defenceman in the game, could be had, but the Arizona situation keeps this cloudy. Chances are Batley would unload him if he knew that 'Zona was coming back sure, but who the hell knows anymore what Doug Moss is thinking.
Dan Stroup/Chris Gill, Edmonton: These guys basically follow each other around in the NLL (aside from Gill's brief journey to Cowtown in 2005) with stops in Toronto, Vancouver, Colorado and now Edmonton. They won't be going to an Eastern Conference team, but could be attractive to somebody in the West who wants to add depth and championship experience to its offence (Colorado again or San Jose) or somebody who wants some scorers to put them over the top (Portland). Bob Hamley could also hang on to these guys and try to track down Portland and Calgary himself. However, these guys don't have much left, and the Rush would likely face a quick playoff exit at the hands of San Jose or the Mammoth, so unloading them makes the most sense in the long run of the Rush.
Ken Millen, Rochester: The Knighthawks look to be in tough to make the playoffs, let alone repeat as champions. They won't trade John Grant, who still has at least 5 solid years left, nor will they trade Shawn Williams, who signed that big contract in the off-season. The Evans brothers are still both young and Chris Schiller is a local boy who is in the prime of his career. That leaves Millen, normally a solid offensive threat who is struggling this year, with a shooting percentage under 10%. He could probably be had for a 2nd or 3rd round pick, and could provide depth to someone's attack.
Brad MacDonald, Portland: The Lumberjax are unlikely to win the West this year, even with that beast of a power forward in Dan Dawson. It makes sense to try to get value and some future production in the form of a draft pick or prospect. With that in mind, MacDonald could be the guy to go. He is a solid defender, but will likely only go to a western team. San Jose and Colorado could both be interested.
Those are just some guys who could be traded. There are always some wacky trades (who the hell would have thought Craig Conn would have gone from Minnesota to Arizona in 2005) and other strange happenings (Paul Gait coming out of retirement to join his brother for one last hurrah). We shall see what will happen on the 25th.
As for the Rock, what will they do? It is hard to say under Kloepfer. Will he decide to trade the top 3 of his scorers, believing that securing more Barrie Lakeshores will bring glory back to the Rock? Will he do something smart, bringing in that big power forward that is desperately needed and try to ride an amazing goaltender one last time?
History suggests he will completely surprise us, doing something that leaves us scratching our heads and drinking a lot of beer to curve the pain.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The First Post
Well, what to talk about in the very first post ever in "Fire Mike Kloepfer"? Perhaps a general introduction would be in order. Mike Kloepfer is essentially the General Manager for probably the most successful lacrosse team of the past ten years, the Toronto Rock. Mr. Kloepfer was hired as Director of Lacrosse Operations after an 8-8 2006 season, and proceeded to dismantle a solid team. Just an example of some the guys he has gotten rid of since he took over: Phil Sanderson, Brian Beisel, Brad MacDonald, Rusty Kruger, Patrick Merrill, Darryl Gibson, Ian Rubel, and perhaps most importantly, Colin Doyle. Those guys were all solid if not spectacular players. Their replacements, well, just look at the Rock record since then (11-14).
With the trade deadline coming up after 2 big games this weekend, one can only wonder what Kloepfer will do? Perhaps he will deal Josh Sanderson, Blaine Manning and Aaron Wilson to Portland for Matt Holman and a 2nd round pick. One can only see.
My recommendations for the Rock at deadline time:
1. Acquire a power forward in order to create space for the Rock's smaller offensive players.
2. Acquire a guy with good speed who can create solid transition opportunities to alleviate the pressure from Rob Marshall and Chris Driscoll.
3. Don't trade for anybody from Barrie unless its Luke Wiles.
With the trade deadline coming up after 2 big games this weekend, one can only wonder what Kloepfer will do? Perhaps he will deal Josh Sanderson, Blaine Manning and Aaron Wilson to Portland for Matt Holman and a 2nd round pick. One can only see.
My recommendations for the Rock at deadline time:
1. Acquire a power forward in order to create space for the Rock's smaller offensive players.
2. Acquire a guy with good speed who can create solid transition opportunities to alleviate the pressure from Rob Marshall and Chris Driscoll.
3. Don't trade for anybody from Barrie unless its Luke Wiles.
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