Someone on HF posted this:
Quote (Wildcarder;86120085)
Laurence Gilman spoke at the end of the CBN event to update on the team; he was well-spoken and funny but had a few interesting tidbits also. Thought it'd be interesting to share for anyone who's following what's going on this off-season.
Relevant Team Info
- Wants to draft a center but believes the top ones will be taken by the 6th pick. (Singled out LA as the team to emulate as being built down the middle)
- Stated that Ekblad is the consensus number 1 pick.
- Virtanen was the only name he singled out, believes that if two players are the same they would prefer to draft a local kid, thinks Virtanen is a consensus top 10 pick
- Canucks interviewed 64 players at the combine, did mention there are good wingers (and specifically also mentioned good European wingers)
- On trade activity at the draft: believes this year has the weakest crop of free agents since the salary cap started, mentioned stock falling for Vanek, Moulson...Cammelleri available, but no centers. Thinks that teams may get desperate due to lack of quality free agents and more trades could happen this year.
- Coach decision will happen sooner rather than later, the process is progressing "in earnest" this week.
- Asked about NTCs he mentioned only 2 players have NMCs (the twins). NTCs in this day and age are almost necessary to get a "hometown discount" as a player wants to have some control.
- Doesn't have a problem sitting down with a player who has an NTC to have an honest conversation to preclude a trade...especially if their role has/will change, or conditions have changed since they signed the NTC (i.e. different coach). It just becomes a 3 way conversation (including player/agent also) instead of GM to GM. Used Richards/Carter as examples and mentioned how Giroux's latest contract had no hometown discount.
Interesting/Funny
- Can never count out the Islanders (drafting 5th) as no one can ever predict what they'll do. Asked people not to tweet about that to Garth Snow.
- They graded every prospect in the interview and some are labelled NFW - they won't touch them no matter how far they fall
- Interesting question they found out that another team asked prospects during interviews: "If you were in the army and had to choose only one role, would you choose a sniper, a medic, or a helicopter pilot?"
- Cheering for the Rangers because he "loves the guy behind the bench" but stated that LA will win.
- Laughed at his own situation saying he's survived more nuclear explosions than a cockroach. Mentioned he was interviewed for the GM position, didn't seem bitter or angry at it. Lot of self-deprecating but light-hearted humour.
This post was edited by LuLer on Jun 6 2014 05:21am