*This will only be my second EHM2007 started after 3.0.4 was released. My other career is now in 2045 and after a few jobs changes, I'm tearing the league apart with the NY Rangers. So, while I'm still having loads of fun, I thought I would do something different; start from unemployed again (with Recreational Player reputation) but be a pure GM (coaches coach, scouts draft, I trade, sign contracts and hire personnel). This will also allow me to go through seasons much quicker I hope. Updates will be succinct. The original database is used.
After a few unsuccessful job applications, I am appointed GM of the Rimouski Océanic of the QMJHL. They were languishing in last place when I took over, and, despite, a new head coach, the situation did not improve. With our best players being overagers and the lone bright spots being prospect Patrice Cormier and NHL 1st round pick Micheal Frolik, I devise a three year plan to get a shot at the President's Cup:
2007-08: Play the first half of the season with what we have, and, in the December trading window, unload as many assets born before 1990 for draft picks (including Frolik), no matter our position in the standings. Patrice Cormier plays his rookie season/NHL draft year.
2008-09: Play rookies to give them experience/evaluate them. Acquire missing pieces for next years run.
2009-10: Swing for the fences! Cormier will be in his final junior year, most of the team will have QMJHL experience. Pay the price to acquire top players.
This doesn't look half bad on paper... let's see out it pans out.
Best laid plans...
-
ChoseQuiVole
- Junior League
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Re: Best laid plans...
2007-08 Océanic de Rimouski
The Plan:
Play the first half of the season with what we have, and, in the December trading window, unload as many assets born before 1990 for draft picks (including Frolik), no matter our position in the standings. Patrice Cormier plays his rookie season/NHL draft year.
What happened:
With the first overall pick of the 2007 QMJHL draft, Head scout Joël St. Pierre picked playmaking winger Steve Anthony, a tremendous athlete with good hands and leadership. He should nicely complement Cormier. Challenging Anthony for the first pick was defenseman Simon Despres. The rest of the draft goes well considering the poor quality of this class.
The regular season, however, starts on a wrong note: the Florida Panthers sign Micheal Frolik and keep him in their 23 man roster! A major blow for our rebuilding effort... especially as the draft looks pretty good and deep. Early form is hit and miss until Cormier finds his bearings and starts to rack up the points. As the December trading period opens, we're in the thick of the playoff race in a super tight conference: only 4 points separate 3rd and 8th (the first 9 make the playoffs).
Despite our recent string of wins, the other GMs were not fooled and the bounty was a little disappointing. 7 players and 2 picks (13, 15) were traded for 6 picks (3,4,5,8,9,11). Not as much quality as I would've liked but not too bad either... Losing Frolik was a huge blow... Let's hope the scouts draft well.
Performances were not too affected by the many departures until injuries started to pile up. We managed to hold on and make the playoffs by a single point, and stole 2 games from top seeded Moncton before they disposed of us in 6. Only Cormier and our keeper average over 7 in the series... Cormier was 8th in scoring in the regular season, 2nd among rookies.
The Verdict: All in all, I'd give this season a 3 out 5; we got extra picks (but none in the first or second rounds...) and made the playoffs to please the boards.
The Plan:
Play the first half of the season with what we have, and, in the December trading window, unload as many assets born before 1990 for draft picks (including Frolik), no matter our position in the standings. Patrice Cormier plays his rookie season/NHL draft year.
What happened:
With the first overall pick of the 2007 QMJHL draft, Head scout Joël St. Pierre picked playmaking winger Steve Anthony, a tremendous athlete with good hands and leadership. He should nicely complement Cormier. Challenging Anthony for the first pick was defenseman Simon Despres. The rest of the draft goes well considering the poor quality of this class.
The regular season, however, starts on a wrong note: the Florida Panthers sign Micheal Frolik and keep him in their 23 man roster! A major blow for our rebuilding effort... especially as the draft looks pretty good and deep. Early form is hit and miss until Cormier finds his bearings and starts to rack up the points. As the December trading period opens, we're in the thick of the playoff race in a super tight conference: only 4 points separate 3rd and 8th (the first 9 make the playoffs).
Despite our recent string of wins, the other GMs were not fooled and the bounty was a little disappointing. 7 players and 2 picks (13, 15) were traded for 6 picks (3,4,5,8,9,11). Not as much quality as I would've liked but not too bad either... Losing Frolik was a huge blow... Let's hope the scouts draft well.
Performances were not too affected by the many departures until injuries started to pile up. We managed to hold on and make the playoffs by a single point, and stole 2 games from top seeded Moncton before they disposed of us in 6. Only Cormier and our keeper average over 7 in the series... Cormier was 8th in scoring in the regular season, 2nd among rookies.
The Verdict: All in all, I'd give this season a 3 out 5; we got extra picks (but none in the first or second rounds...) and made the playoffs to please the boards.
-
ChoseQuiVole
- Junior League
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Re: Best laid plans...
2008-09 Océanic de Rimouski
The Plan:
Play rookies to give them experience/evaluate them. Acquire missing pieces for next years run.
What happened:
We improved from barely making the playoffs to a comfortable mid-table finish. Far from the bottom-dwellers, but equally far from the elite teams. We even managed some CHL top 10 appearances early in the season. Some rookies played decently, but overall, second year players have a greater impact. Cormier finished 2nd in scoring despite missing games for the Red Wings camps and WJC (where he was also 2nd scorer). We had a lot of trouble pulling our weight when Cormier wasn't in the lineup.
We beat Chicoutimi in 7 tight games in the first round, only to get completely steam rolled in 4 by top seeded Victoriaville.
I didn't trade for any player this year, but since most of the team is coming back (except for one of my top defeseman) I reckon i'm 2 (maybe 3) impact players away from seriously challenging. I'm tempted to wait for the December window before making any moves, just to make sure I don't sacrifice good draft picks for nothing if the Wings decide to keep Cormier...
The Verdict:
4/5. Some rookies showed potential and we won a playoff round, but failed to land any big name player that will help our championship run.
The Plan:
Play rookies to give them experience/evaluate them. Acquire missing pieces for next years run.
What happened:
We improved from barely making the playoffs to a comfortable mid-table finish. Far from the bottom-dwellers, but equally far from the elite teams. We even managed some CHL top 10 appearances early in the season. Some rookies played decently, but overall, second year players have a greater impact. Cormier finished 2nd in scoring despite missing games for the Red Wings camps and WJC (where he was also 2nd scorer). We had a lot of trouble pulling our weight when Cormier wasn't in the lineup.
We beat Chicoutimi in 7 tight games in the first round, only to get completely steam rolled in 4 by top seeded Victoriaville.
I didn't trade for any player this year, but since most of the team is coming back (except for one of my top defeseman) I reckon i'm 2 (maybe 3) impact players away from seriously challenging. I'm tempted to wait for the December window before making any moves, just to make sure I don't sacrifice good draft picks for nothing if the Wings decide to keep Cormier...
The Verdict:
4/5. Some rookies showed potential and we won a playoff round, but failed to land any big name player that will help our championship run.
-
ChoseQuiVole
- Junior League
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Re: Best laid plans...
Oh rubbish... I didn't realize we were hosting the Memorial Cup this year... we got demolished and only scored 3 goals in 3 games. I thought about resigning over the blunder but then I realized there was no way I could turn the last place team I inherited in a Memorial Cup contender in 18 months and that sticking to my plan was the best course of action. I really hope it works now!
-
ChoseQuiVole
- Junior League
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Re: Best laid plans...
2009-2010 Océanic de Rimouski - The End of the Cormier Cycle
The Plan:
Swing for the fences! Cormier will be in his final junior year, most of the team will have QMJHL experience. Pay the price to acquire top players.
What happened:
Despite acquiring depth on the wings and upgrading our defense, we didn't hit our stride (thanks to shaky goaltending) until the December trading period during which we acquired a star left-winger to complement our first line. Cormier and his wingers then took off and we finished as the best-of-rest in 2nd place, quite some way behind runaway winner Québec.
We breezed through the first and third round of the playoffs, but had quite a scare when Chicoutimi took us to 7 games in round 2. This set us up against giant killers P.E.I. in the Finals. Unfortunately, the Rocket's rookie goaltender (and 1st overall pick) blanked us in the first game and we eventually lost in 6 as P.E.I., whom finished 10th overall, got their Memorial Cup ticket by disposing of teams ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th in the regular season.
The Verdict:
3/5. We won 3 playoff rounds. Overall the Cormier cycle got and average of 3.33/5, which is satisfactory considering we had a real shot at the Cup.
What's next:
With 6 of my top players leaving due to age or NHL contracts, serious rebuilding is in order. I have some interesting young defensemen and goaltenders, but not much in terms of youth up front. Another 3 year cycle is in order. I will look to upgrade the coaching staff too.
2010-11 Stockpile picks and prospects.
2011-12 Make playoffs, get experience. *Most of our current team will be 19 for this season, they should thus be at the peak of their junior careers... if they mature well (most of them have not been impressive so far), we might try to put the plan on overdrive and go for it
2012-13 Championship run.
(Also, don't tell the board, but I will start testing the waters when ECHL jobs become available. I hope I can make it out of junior after this cycle.)
The Plan:
Swing for the fences! Cormier will be in his final junior year, most of the team will have QMJHL experience. Pay the price to acquire top players.
What happened:
Despite acquiring depth on the wings and upgrading our defense, we didn't hit our stride (thanks to shaky goaltending) until the December trading period during which we acquired a star left-winger to complement our first line. Cormier and his wingers then took off and we finished as the best-of-rest in 2nd place, quite some way behind runaway winner Québec.
We breezed through the first and third round of the playoffs, but had quite a scare when Chicoutimi took us to 7 games in round 2. This set us up against giant killers P.E.I. in the Finals. Unfortunately, the Rocket's rookie goaltender (and 1st overall pick) blanked us in the first game and we eventually lost in 6 as P.E.I., whom finished 10th overall, got their Memorial Cup ticket by disposing of teams ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 7th in the regular season.
The Verdict:
3/5. We won 3 playoff rounds. Overall the Cormier cycle got and average of 3.33/5, which is satisfactory considering we had a real shot at the Cup.
What's next:
With 6 of my top players leaving due to age or NHL contracts, serious rebuilding is in order. I have some interesting young defensemen and goaltenders, but not much in terms of youth up front. Another 3 year cycle is in order. I will look to upgrade the coaching staff too.
2010-11 Stockpile picks and prospects.
2011-12 Make playoffs, get experience. *Most of our current team will be 19 for this season, they should thus be at the peak of their junior careers... if they mature well (most of them have not been impressive so far), we might try to put the plan on overdrive and go for it
2012-13 Championship run.
(Also, don't tell the board, but I will start testing the waters when ECHL jobs become available. I hope I can make it out of junior after this cycle.)
-
ChoseQuiVole
- Junior League
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Re: Best laid plans...
20210-2011 Océanic de Rimouski - The Alain Vigneault Cycle Year 1
The Plan:
Stockpile picks and prospects.
What Happened:
As the title indicates, we got a pretty big fish for the head coach position, former Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault (3 year contract). This was by far the biggest news of a season that saw us clinch the last available playoff berth of our conference by 4 points. We caused quite a surpise in the first round by eliminating the first seeded P.E.I. Rockets (we won the first three, but they forced game 7!) before losing in 6 to the 2nd seeded Halifax Moosehead.
I also managed to grab some nice picks and a winger that should bolster our top 6 for the next two seasons and I certainly hope that the experience (we played 14 rookies!) and confidence acquired will make us legitimate contenders next season. Our best player, a Swedish center, will play his overage year and I hope that I'm only two good wingers from repeating our finals appearance of last year. We have a great young goalie and our defense should be solid, if unspectacular this year.
There's another, more selfish, reason I want immediate success: getting out of this league! I was turned down by 6 ECHL teams this season and I hope chasing some hardware will raise my profile.
The Verdict:
4/5 I got some picks, a nice winger and we got revenge on the Rockets for last year's Finals.
The Plan:
Stockpile picks and prospects.
What Happened:
As the title indicates, we got a pretty big fish for the head coach position, former Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks coach Alain Vigneault (3 year contract). This was by far the biggest news of a season that saw us clinch the last available playoff berth of our conference by 4 points. We caused quite a surpise in the first round by eliminating the first seeded P.E.I. Rockets (we won the first three, but they forced game 7!) before losing in 6 to the 2nd seeded Halifax Moosehead.
I also managed to grab some nice picks and a winger that should bolster our top 6 for the next two seasons and I certainly hope that the experience (we played 14 rookies!) and confidence acquired will make us legitimate contenders next season. Our best player, a Swedish center, will play his overage year and I hope that I'm only two good wingers from repeating our finals appearance of last year. We have a great young goalie and our defense should be solid, if unspectacular this year.
There's another, more selfish, reason I want immediate success: getting out of this league! I was turned down by 6 ECHL teams this season and I hope chasing some hardware will raise my profile.
The Verdict:
4/5 I got some picks, a nice winger and we got revenge on the Rockets for last year's Finals.
-
ChoseQuiVole
- Junior League
- Posts: 49
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:05 pm
Re: Best laid plans...
2011-2012 Océanic de Rimouski - The Alain Vigneault Cycle Year 2
The Plan:
Make playoffs, get experience. *Most of our current team will be 19 for this season, they should thus be at the peak of their junior careers... if they mature well (most of them have not been impressive so far), we might try to put the plan on overdrive and go for it
What Happened:
A real downer this time. We spent the whole year in the CHL's top 10, bolstered our roster for the playoffs, finished 3rd, took a 3-1 lead in round 1 and then completely crashed out, losing 3 straight... and now my best player is leaving. Ouch. I got offered a job in Finland, but I turned it down before the playoffs. I kinda wished I had taken it now. Oh well, we should be competitive next year too.
The Verdict:
1/5 Acquired a nice winger that will also play next year... failed to win a single playoff round.
The Plan:
Make playoffs, get experience. *Most of our current team will be 19 for this season, they should thus be at the peak of their junior careers... if they mature well (most of them have not been impressive so far), we might try to put the plan on overdrive and go for it
What Happened:
A real downer this time. We spent the whole year in the CHL's top 10, bolstered our roster for the playoffs, finished 3rd, took a 3-1 lead in round 1 and then completely crashed out, losing 3 straight... and now my best player is leaving. Ouch. I got offered a job in Finland, but I turned it down before the playoffs. I kinda wished I had taken it now. Oh well, we should be competitive next year too.
The Verdict:
1/5 Acquired a nice winger that will also play next year... failed to win a single playoff round.