Post by Chris - Capitals on Apr 22, 2013 22:38:37 GMT -5
Recently I was able to sit down with each of the managers of the Championship matchup between the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks. Interestingly enough since the leagues inception in 2006 San Jose has won 3 championships to Ottawa’s 2, each having won 2 of the last 4 years. In both 2010 and 2009 the two faced each other head to head in the finals Ottawa winning out in 2009 and San Jose in 2010. To say the very least this matchup is a tough battle that both managers look to on their calendars every regular season.
Firstly in this two part piece we have the flamboyant and exuberant manager of the San Jose Sharks Nos who before we even got started was chanting to himself “Best in the World” Over the years he has put in countless hours of research to put together what he credits as the best group of players ever assembled. As you can see from any of his many quotes he makes no bones about it he believes to the very core that his team is the best and cannot be beat.
After calming him down from his rocking and chanting I was able to get some responses out of him in regards to the league championship currently unfolding and other matters of the league, here is that interview.
Me: Firstly congrats on making the finals this year 3 years in a row regardless of what anyone thinks this is very impressive. First question, what do you think of the Ottawa Senators how do you think they stack up?
Nos: I think the Ottawa Senators have a fine team. Maybe a little old, smells kinda over-the-hilly, a little too much focus on recent trends as well as past successes that shouldn’t have been expected to be sustained with any certainty. Average core.
Me: What does the championship matchup mean to the already very public rivalry that you and Derrick have going?
Nos: I think this matchup solidifies our rivalry as one of the greatest in Fantasy Sports History! Part 3 gives it some history.
Me: This is the 3rd time the two of you have met in the finals how is this time different than the others?
Nos: You go into it the same, confidences, talent, strategy, you support your players, pay mind to everything but in the end always you have confidence in your players. The difference here is minimal, do I think this is the best time I’ve ever iced? Absolutely, it’s lethal. Do I think this is the best team Derrick has ever iced? No, I don’t, not even close. He’s taken a few steps back and doesn’t even realize it. He’s fortunate to be where he is.
Me: How do you feel going into the championship week with the unknown status surrounding superstar center Sidney Crosby?
Nos: It must be embarrassing for clubs to lose so badly to a team who doesn’t have their best player, the best player in the world, playing. The Sharks have proven in the past that despite such a huge loss that we as a team can rise above, excel, and win Championships without our best players. That just shows how deep our team is, in the little areas and within its core. Just because he’s down doesn’t mean he won’t still be a presence, in the locker room, he’s the heart of the Sharks, their Captain, leader, and he’ll be back.
Me: Having said that what are your thoughts on the roaring comeback that Ottawa’s star leftwing is having, does it at all make you change strategy for the finals?
Nos: Alexander Ovechkin was playing so badly that it got to the point where I was rooting for him to succeed again. I’m happy for him. Good for him. It doesn’t {However} change anything, strategic or otherwise.
Me: What are the strengths and weaknesses that you see in your team heading into this finals matchup?
Nos: I have the best offense in the league, best defense, tops in all major categories, goaltending has made a roaring comeback recently to even put me above Derricks totals on the year. Goaltending will need to kick some ass but the great thing about having the best everything is that even if something falters you always have the offense, or the defense, to pull you out of it. Really, when you get right down to it, I’ve done everything you can expect of a manager….and then more. I have all strengths. Weaknesses? No, just lesser strengths.
What would a 3rd straight Championship mean to the city of San Jose and you as the owner/manager?
Nos: It would mean what is already a known fact. The San Jose Sharks are the BEST IN THE WORLD!
Me: Any other comments or thoughts that you have towards Derrick and the rest of the league in general?
Nos: Bring your best, play hard, make tough decisions, sacrifice, blood, sweat & tears, heart & soul. Fight for that inch. Love this game. Get ready.
Me: Lastly, how do you feel about your chances?
Nos: My chances? The San Jose Sharks will win, once more, there’s no doubt in my mind
There you have it folks confidence is leaking out of San Jose as GM Nos got up grinning ear to ear after the interview as has been said all along like him or not he can put together a team and has regardless of his methods put together a team that is knocking on the door of its 3rd straight championship. Good luck to him and the fine city of San Jose may you enjoy this run.
Firstly in this two part piece we have the flamboyant and exuberant manager of the San Jose Sharks Nos who before we even got started was chanting to himself “Best in the World” Over the years he has put in countless hours of research to put together what he credits as the best group of players ever assembled. As you can see from any of his many quotes he makes no bones about it he believes to the very core that his team is the best and cannot be beat.
After calming him down from his rocking and chanting I was able to get some responses out of him in regards to the league championship currently unfolding and other matters of the league, here is that interview.
Me: Firstly congrats on making the finals this year 3 years in a row regardless of what anyone thinks this is very impressive. First question, what do you think of the Ottawa Senators how do you think they stack up?
Nos: I think the Ottawa Senators have a fine team. Maybe a little old, smells kinda over-the-hilly, a little too much focus on recent trends as well as past successes that shouldn’t have been expected to be sustained with any certainty. Average core.
Me: What does the championship matchup mean to the already very public rivalry that you and Derrick have going?
Nos: I think this matchup solidifies our rivalry as one of the greatest in Fantasy Sports History! Part 3 gives it some history.
Me: This is the 3rd time the two of you have met in the finals how is this time different than the others?
Nos: You go into it the same, confidences, talent, strategy, you support your players, pay mind to everything but in the end always you have confidence in your players. The difference here is minimal, do I think this is the best time I’ve ever iced? Absolutely, it’s lethal. Do I think this is the best team Derrick has ever iced? No, I don’t, not even close. He’s taken a few steps back and doesn’t even realize it. He’s fortunate to be where he is.
Me: How do you feel going into the championship week with the unknown status surrounding superstar center Sidney Crosby?
Nos: It must be embarrassing for clubs to lose so badly to a team who doesn’t have their best player, the best player in the world, playing. The Sharks have proven in the past that despite such a huge loss that we as a team can rise above, excel, and win Championships without our best players. That just shows how deep our team is, in the little areas and within its core. Just because he’s down doesn’t mean he won’t still be a presence, in the locker room, he’s the heart of the Sharks, their Captain, leader, and he’ll be back.
Me: Having said that what are your thoughts on the roaring comeback that Ottawa’s star leftwing is having, does it at all make you change strategy for the finals?
Nos: Alexander Ovechkin was playing so badly that it got to the point where I was rooting for him to succeed again. I’m happy for him. Good for him. It doesn’t {However} change anything, strategic or otherwise.
Me: What are the strengths and weaknesses that you see in your team heading into this finals matchup?
Nos: I have the best offense in the league, best defense, tops in all major categories, goaltending has made a roaring comeback recently to even put me above Derricks totals on the year. Goaltending will need to kick some ass but the great thing about having the best everything is that even if something falters you always have the offense, or the defense, to pull you out of it. Really, when you get right down to it, I’ve done everything you can expect of a manager….and then more. I have all strengths. Weaknesses? No, just lesser strengths.
What would a 3rd straight Championship mean to the city of San Jose and you as the owner/manager?
Nos: It would mean what is already a known fact. The San Jose Sharks are the BEST IN THE WORLD!
Me: Any other comments or thoughts that you have towards Derrick and the rest of the league in general?
Nos: Bring your best, play hard, make tough decisions, sacrifice, blood, sweat & tears, heart & soul. Fight for that inch. Love this game. Get ready.
Me: Lastly, how do you feel about your chances?
Nos: My chances? The San Jose Sharks will win, once more, there’s no doubt in my mind
There you have it folks confidence is leaking out of San Jose as GM Nos got up grinning ear to ear after the interview as has been said all along like him or not he can put together a team and has regardless of his methods put together a team that is knocking on the door of its 3rd straight championship. Good luck to him and the fine city of San Jose may you enjoy this run.