Post by Colorado Avalanche on May 8, 2022 13:41:41 GMT -6
Finland’s preferred NHL reporter Jouni Nieminen is meeting Colorado’s GM Jussi Kalmi in Helsinki. Meeting place is lovely Italian cafeteria La Torrefazione.
Meeting starts with two Negroni aperitive drinks. Known to be Jussi’s favorite drink.
Jouni: “Well Jussi, this season seems to have not gone by initial plan?”
Jussi: “Unfortunately you are totally correct. Our initial plan was getting into playoffs, but season started poorly, and we had to adjust our short- and long-term plans accordingly.”
Jouni: “What were the main reasons for poor results?”
Jussi: “Few players never got into Julien’s game plan, and collective play was not up-to-standard. Simple facts. But, if must be found a scapegoat, it’s me of course.”
Jouni: “You started quite early to sell main players of the team. Parayko, Benn, OEL to name a few. But then came the huge surprise of selling Mackinnon! What made you to do that move?”
Jussi: “We thought with certain trades things would change and would start to play as united and collective team. Partly we achieved it and partly not. Our intention was to keep Mackinnon in Colorado for long time, he was also our franchise player. Would like to say that Mackinnon never requested trade, it was a mutual decision after positive talks.”
Jouni: “Could enlighten us how everything evolved?”
Jussi: “We had already received many enquiries on Mackinnon, but we always refused to go further with those talks. GM Wolf contacted me one afternoon and was extremely eager to start Mackinnon talks. Truthfully speaking I accepted his invitation for the talks only to be polite. I noticed he was willing to match my price requirements and wanted to give Mackinnon the winning chance which he deserves. I called Mackinnon immediately after the meeting and we talked at least for 3-4 hours. Very honest talk and what we said stays between us. In overall he accepted to go to Minnesota but was also very sad to leave. So, at the end everything went quickly.”
Jussi: “He was actually worried about couple of things…”
Jouni: “On which ones?”
Jussi: “This is not no secret, so I can reveal (smiling). Firstly, GM Wolf is underaged, so no adult fun time in the team. Secondly, notorious agent Lundek has a lot of influence in Minnesota organization, which concerns Nathan quite a bit. And I would be worried as well…”
Jouni: “Colorado did not do nothing on trade deadline. Why is that?”
Jussi: “As we have our 2-year plan, we did not have any urgent need to do trades. We had few talks there, but most of the talks died very quickly. We will see in off-season how our roster looks like, especially how our players have potentially improved or declined. Then we will do our plans. And in overall I don’t like when I’m “forced” to do trades, I don’t do trades just for sake of it!”
Jouni: “What are the potential main players of the team now and in future?”
Jussi: “We have high hopes on many our players. Obvious ones are Shevchenko, Stutzle and Saros.”
Jouni: “Are you worried on potential signing sheet offers next season? Drysdale for example.”
Jussi: “No, I’m not. I will match those offers for sure. If I receive signing sheet offers, I will do mine as well (laughing).”
Jouni: “Thank you Jussi. And all the best for Colorado organization”
Jussi: “Thanks Jouni. Let’s have a Cuba Libre?”
Meeting starts with two Negroni aperitive drinks. Known to be Jussi’s favorite drink.
Jouni: “Well Jussi, this season seems to have not gone by initial plan?”
Jussi: “Unfortunately you are totally correct. Our initial plan was getting into playoffs, but season started poorly, and we had to adjust our short- and long-term plans accordingly.”
Jouni: “What were the main reasons for poor results?”
Jussi: “Few players never got into Julien’s game plan, and collective play was not up-to-standard. Simple facts. But, if must be found a scapegoat, it’s me of course.”
Jouni: “You started quite early to sell main players of the team. Parayko, Benn, OEL to name a few. But then came the huge surprise of selling Mackinnon! What made you to do that move?”
Jussi: “We thought with certain trades things would change and would start to play as united and collective team. Partly we achieved it and partly not. Our intention was to keep Mackinnon in Colorado for long time, he was also our franchise player. Would like to say that Mackinnon never requested trade, it was a mutual decision after positive talks.”
Jouni: “Could enlighten us how everything evolved?”
Jussi: “We had already received many enquiries on Mackinnon, but we always refused to go further with those talks. GM Wolf contacted me one afternoon and was extremely eager to start Mackinnon talks. Truthfully speaking I accepted his invitation for the talks only to be polite. I noticed he was willing to match my price requirements and wanted to give Mackinnon the winning chance which he deserves. I called Mackinnon immediately after the meeting and we talked at least for 3-4 hours. Very honest talk and what we said stays between us. In overall he accepted to go to Minnesota but was also very sad to leave. So, at the end everything went quickly.”
Jussi: “He was actually worried about couple of things…”
Jouni: “On which ones?”
Jussi: “This is not no secret, so I can reveal (smiling). Firstly, GM Wolf is underaged, so no adult fun time in the team. Secondly, notorious agent Lundek has a lot of influence in Minnesota organization, which concerns Nathan quite a bit. And I would be worried as well…”
Jouni: “Colorado did not do nothing on trade deadline. Why is that?”
Jussi: “As we have our 2-year plan, we did not have any urgent need to do trades. We had few talks there, but most of the talks died very quickly. We will see in off-season how our roster looks like, especially how our players have potentially improved or declined. Then we will do our plans. And in overall I don’t like when I’m “forced” to do trades, I don’t do trades just for sake of it!”
Jouni: “What are the potential main players of the team now and in future?”
Jussi: “We have high hopes on many our players. Obvious ones are Shevchenko, Stutzle and Saros.”
Jouni: “Are you worried on potential signing sheet offers next season? Drysdale for example.”
Jussi: “No, I’m not. I will match those offers for sure. If I receive signing sheet offers, I will do mine as well (laughing).”
Jouni: “Thank you Jussi. And all the best for Colorado organization”
Jussi: “Thanks Jouni. Let’s have a Cuba Libre?”
