Post by Derrick - Senators on Nov 13, 2010 3:05:18 GMT -5
NAFHL Press
2:18 AM EST
November 13, 2010
Early on in this 2011 season teams have been ravished by injury, plagued by slow starts, and otherwise bewildered as the first signs of warning reared their ugly heads, leaving respective GM's searching for answers. But what could cause such devastation in such a relatively short span? While many GM's look for clues, the NAFHL press might have the inside scoop.
It seems that a storm has come that the weatherman couldn't predict. Armed with a barrage of goals, a relentless downpour of SHP, and a torrent of SOG, Hurricane Markus originated in Europe, and steadily picked up speed as it slammed the Carolina coast and sent shockwaves through the NAFHL standings.
Now, NAFHL beat writers caught up with the savvy new GM of the NAFHL Hurricanes to see if they could catch a sneak peak into the eye of the storm to see what makes this monster tick.
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NAFHL: Could you please state your name, age, and where you are from for the record?
MH: Markus Ylinampa, 27 years old. Uleabårg, Sweden.
NAFHL: Being from Sweden, have you encountered a language barrier during league proceedings or while dealing with fellow GM's that has prohibited or otherwise made your duties more difficult?
MH: Hej och tack so bra.
I'd like to thank fellow GM's for the warm welcome I've had in the league, even though I do not understand why I wasn't allowed to relocate the franchise to Stockholm like I wanted. Sweden is in many ways like Canada, just more awesome. I'm sure the visiting teams would have enjoyed their stay.
Sweden is very easy to find just grab a map of Europe and look for for the gulf of Pansyland, we're the banana-shaped thingy west from there. You know you're across the border when everyone starts to look like the Sedin brothers. On my behalf I'd like to welcome you all for a visit.
In regards to the language barrier, there hasn't been any as the Swedes are known to be bilingual. We talk both, crap and nonsense fluently. Thus there haven't been any problems.
(PS. I'm from Finland - We're eternal rivals with Sweden when it comes to ice hockey so I couldn't resist having a bit of a laugh.)
NAFHL: How does the time change/time zone change work when trying to keep up on all the games in North America since there is a 7 or 8 hour difference? This must be tricky right?
MH: I don't typically watch many games live, only during the weekends. Luckily we can get ESPN gamecenter in europe aswell so I have the option of watching games when I wake up. I've seen every single Philadelphia, Carolina and Colorado game from this season so far, among with a bunch of other fixtures.
NAFHL: Having relatively little to no experience in a keeper league, what do you think the NAFHL management saw in you that they did not see in other candidates vying for the Columbus Blue Jacket/Carolina Hurricanes GM position?
MH: Well I would have said it's obviously my stunningly good looks, but since you haven't seen a picture (no I dont look like Sedin brothers god damn it.) it must be my charming personality. I'll propably bring some new ideas and perspective aswell.
NAFHL: Formerly the Columbus Blue Jackets, your organization has finished runner-up to the NAFHL championship 2 of the past 3 years. Already being a new GM put under the microscope, do you feel like you have a set of expectations to live up to, and how much added pressure (if any) does this place on your shoulders?
MH: The team has a very strong core so I don't see a need for huge changes. I feel I adressed the biggest weakness in the team with an early trade and the team is stronger now than what it was when I took over. If the goaltending doesn't become an issue, the team has every chance to compete this year aswell.
NAFHL: Before this past week (4) the Carolina Hurricanes were 1 of only 3 NAFHL teams yet to record a shut out. Talk about what Niklas Backstrom's shutout means for your squad, how it feels finally getting a shut out, and what it meant in such an important matchup against a tough opponent like the San Jose Sharks.
MH: Niklas Bacström is an amazing goalkeeper and with Miller injured, he has to succeed if Carolina wishes to compete against any opponent. Getting a shutout was a bonus, but San Jose's Luongo was quick to counter any edge we had with a shutout of his own.
NAFHL: On a related note, talk about Ryan Miller. He seems to be off to a slow start. There are rumors of injury floating around, as we have seen him miss several games now. Shed some light on the severity of injury, when you expect him back, and if the slow start is related to said injury.
MH: Ryan Miller was finally sent to Injury Reserve earlier today. The injury he has suffered has been there since the preseason and I'm sure it has reflected in his perfomances early on in the season. Ryan Miller remains the best goalkeeper in the league and a minor setback won't change that evaluation. Niklas is more than capable of carrying the franchise in Ryan's absence.
NAFHL: Much of the attention goes to Backstrom and Miller when discussing the Carolina goal tending and its strengths, but a lot of hype is starting to build around a Carolina prospect goalie. Talk about what 2010 1st Round Draft Pick Jack Campbell means to the Carolina Hurricanes and what role he plays in your organization moving forward.
MH: Jack Cambell is the future cornerstone of the franchise. That being said, Backström and Miller remain the duo who carry the burden of exceptations in the coming years. Cambell will be given a lot of time before he's required to take over full time.
NAFHL: In your first NAFHL trade we saw you ship off Dion Phaneuf, Justin Williams, and a pick for Bobby Ryan, Marek Zidlicky, and a pick. What was Carolina's deciding factor in making this deal? Are you happy with the outcome so far?
MH: Carolina Hurricanes were shopping for a new left winger and we were engaged in talks regarding another high profile signing when Ottawa Senators came forward with an approach for Dion Phaneuf. Ottawa were willing to part with highly regarded youngster, Bobby Ryan and as the trade was mutually beneficial, negotiations proceeded quickly. Zidlicky and Williams were added to the trade along with draft picks to balance the trade. For Hurricanes the deciding factor was the elite potential that Bobby Ryan brings. Ryan is also a player who's capable of filling in at centre which further adds to his value.
NAFHL: Are there any more deals in the works from the Carolina front office? Any certain players that garner extra attention from fellow GM's when talking trade?
MH: The Hurricanes are always open for trade talks. Currently we aren't actively trying to trade any particular player away, but we don't have any players labeled as indispensable either.
NAFHL: I know its a long season, but you occupied the top spot in the league for two weeks and are near the top of the standings now. Is this a sign of things to come this year and for future years? What things must you focus on and/or improve in order to maintain this level of success?
MH: This year, I'm certain we will finish among the top teams and with smart maintenance the franchise will remain competitive for years to come. The franchise must focus on acquiring young depth to supplement the proven stars we have.
NAFHL: Where do you see the Carolina Hurricanes finishing this NAFHL season?
MH: That's easy, first.
-----------------------------------
The calm after the storm. This guy remains as cool as the other side of the pillow and certainly doesn't shy away from competition. The situation in Carolina will definitely be among the top stories to monitor all season long leading into the playoffs, whereas there is much to prove on the coast. On behalf of the entire NAFHL staff we would like to thank Markus for taking the time out of his schedule to sit down and chat with us about the season. There is no question in our minds this guy is a class act.
The only question that remains is: Is this team for real? Or just another flash in the pan? Regardless, early on, this team of Hurricanes has been pumping out a series of gale force wins that should have any team running for cover.
2:18 AM EST
November 13, 2010
Early on in this 2011 season teams have been ravished by injury, plagued by slow starts, and otherwise bewildered as the first signs of warning reared their ugly heads, leaving respective GM's searching for answers. But what could cause such devastation in such a relatively short span? While many GM's look for clues, the NAFHL press might have the inside scoop.
It seems that a storm has come that the weatherman couldn't predict. Armed with a barrage of goals, a relentless downpour of SHP, and a torrent of SOG, Hurricane Markus originated in Europe, and steadily picked up speed as it slammed the Carolina coast and sent shockwaves through the NAFHL standings.
Now, NAFHL beat writers caught up with the savvy new GM of the NAFHL Hurricanes to see if they could catch a sneak peak into the eye of the storm to see what makes this monster tick.
----------------------------------
NAFHL: Could you please state your name, age, and where you are from for the record?
MH: Markus Ylinampa, 27 years old. Uleabårg, Sweden.
NAFHL: Being from Sweden, have you encountered a language barrier during league proceedings or while dealing with fellow GM's that has prohibited or otherwise made your duties more difficult?
MH: Hej och tack so bra.
I'd like to thank fellow GM's for the warm welcome I've had in the league, even though I do not understand why I wasn't allowed to relocate the franchise to Stockholm like I wanted. Sweden is in many ways like Canada, just more awesome. I'm sure the visiting teams would have enjoyed their stay.
Sweden is very easy to find just grab a map of Europe and look for for the gulf of Pansyland, we're the banana-shaped thingy west from there. You know you're across the border when everyone starts to look like the Sedin brothers. On my behalf I'd like to welcome you all for a visit.
In regards to the language barrier, there hasn't been any as the Swedes are known to be bilingual. We talk both, crap and nonsense fluently. Thus there haven't been any problems.
(PS. I'm from Finland - We're eternal rivals with Sweden when it comes to ice hockey so I couldn't resist having a bit of a laugh.)
NAFHL: How does the time change/time zone change work when trying to keep up on all the games in North America since there is a 7 or 8 hour difference? This must be tricky right?
MH: I don't typically watch many games live, only during the weekends. Luckily we can get ESPN gamecenter in europe aswell so I have the option of watching games when I wake up. I've seen every single Philadelphia, Carolina and Colorado game from this season so far, among with a bunch of other fixtures.
NAFHL: Having relatively little to no experience in a keeper league, what do you think the NAFHL management saw in you that they did not see in other candidates vying for the Columbus Blue Jacket/Carolina Hurricanes GM position?
MH: Well I would have said it's obviously my stunningly good looks, but since you haven't seen a picture (no I dont look like Sedin brothers god damn it.) it must be my charming personality. I'll propably bring some new ideas and perspective aswell.
NAFHL: Formerly the Columbus Blue Jackets, your organization has finished runner-up to the NAFHL championship 2 of the past 3 years. Already being a new GM put under the microscope, do you feel like you have a set of expectations to live up to, and how much added pressure (if any) does this place on your shoulders?
MH: The team has a very strong core so I don't see a need for huge changes. I feel I adressed the biggest weakness in the team with an early trade and the team is stronger now than what it was when I took over. If the goaltending doesn't become an issue, the team has every chance to compete this year aswell.
NAFHL: Before this past week (4) the Carolina Hurricanes were 1 of only 3 NAFHL teams yet to record a shut out. Talk about what Niklas Backstrom's shutout means for your squad, how it feels finally getting a shut out, and what it meant in such an important matchup against a tough opponent like the San Jose Sharks.
MH: Niklas Bacström is an amazing goalkeeper and with Miller injured, he has to succeed if Carolina wishes to compete against any opponent. Getting a shutout was a bonus, but San Jose's Luongo was quick to counter any edge we had with a shutout of his own.
NAFHL: On a related note, talk about Ryan Miller. He seems to be off to a slow start. There are rumors of injury floating around, as we have seen him miss several games now. Shed some light on the severity of injury, when you expect him back, and if the slow start is related to said injury.
MH: Ryan Miller was finally sent to Injury Reserve earlier today. The injury he has suffered has been there since the preseason and I'm sure it has reflected in his perfomances early on in the season. Ryan Miller remains the best goalkeeper in the league and a minor setback won't change that evaluation. Niklas is more than capable of carrying the franchise in Ryan's absence.
NAFHL: Much of the attention goes to Backstrom and Miller when discussing the Carolina goal tending and its strengths, but a lot of hype is starting to build around a Carolina prospect goalie. Talk about what 2010 1st Round Draft Pick Jack Campbell means to the Carolina Hurricanes and what role he plays in your organization moving forward.
MH: Jack Cambell is the future cornerstone of the franchise. That being said, Backström and Miller remain the duo who carry the burden of exceptations in the coming years. Cambell will be given a lot of time before he's required to take over full time.
NAFHL: In your first NAFHL trade we saw you ship off Dion Phaneuf, Justin Williams, and a pick for Bobby Ryan, Marek Zidlicky, and a pick. What was Carolina's deciding factor in making this deal? Are you happy with the outcome so far?
MH: Carolina Hurricanes were shopping for a new left winger and we were engaged in talks regarding another high profile signing when Ottawa Senators came forward with an approach for Dion Phaneuf. Ottawa were willing to part with highly regarded youngster, Bobby Ryan and as the trade was mutually beneficial, negotiations proceeded quickly. Zidlicky and Williams were added to the trade along with draft picks to balance the trade. For Hurricanes the deciding factor was the elite potential that Bobby Ryan brings. Ryan is also a player who's capable of filling in at centre which further adds to his value.
NAFHL: Are there any more deals in the works from the Carolina front office? Any certain players that garner extra attention from fellow GM's when talking trade?
MH: The Hurricanes are always open for trade talks. Currently we aren't actively trying to trade any particular player away, but we don't have any players labeled as indispensable either.
NAFHL: I know its a long season, but you occupied the top spot in the league for two weeks and are near the top of the standings now. Is this a sign of things to come this year and for future years? What things must you focus on and/or improve in order to maintain this level of success?
MH: This year, I'm certain we will finish among the top teams and with smart maintenance the franchise will remain competitive for years to come. The franchise must focus on acquiring young depth to supplement the proven stars we have.
NAFHL: Where do you see the Carolina Hurricanes finishing this NAFHL season?
MH: That's easy, first.
-----------------------------------
The calm after the storm. This guy remains as cool as the other side of the pillow and certainly doesn't shy away from competition. The situation in Carolina will definitely be among the top stories to monitor all season long leading into the playoffs, whereas there is much to prove on the coast. On behalf of the entire NAFHL staff we would like to thank Markus for taking the time out of his schedule to sit down and chat with us about the season. There is no question in our minds this guy is a class act.
The only question that remains is: Is this team for real? Or just another flash in the pan? Regardless, early on, this team of Hurricanes has been pumping out a series of gale force wins that should have any team running for cover.