Post by Chris - Capitals on Apr 23, 2013 16:59:35 GMT -5
As promised here is part 2 to our 2 part piece interviewing the GM of the Championship matchup going on this week.
First I would like to point out the stark differences in the two GMs that have been interviewed if there was an exact opposite to the way Nos gallivants around the league offices and runs around his city of San Jose chanting to himself “Best in the World” it would have to be Derrick GM of the Ottawa Senators. He commands respect when entering the room and takes his seat across from me very in control professional and ready to get down to work.
Derrick: First allow me to take the time and thank you for having me. I would also like to congratulate the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames on fine season. Both are great hockey clubs who have bright futures ahead of them.
Me: Well put sir they both accomplished quite a lot this season ultimately falling just shore of what I’m sure is both their teams goal in a championship. First question, What do you think of the San Jose sharks and how Nos has constructed that team?
Derrick: Nos has a strong team. But as an organization we are looking to exploit how top-heavy the San Jose Sharks are. Crosby, [Eric] Staal, and Stamkos have accounted for 1/3 of all the points scored this season for the Sharks. With Crosby out, all it takes is a sub-par outing from Stamkos and/or Staal and the Sharks are in trouble. As evidence by it Week 22 loss against Minnesota and nearly again last week [in the semi’s] against Boston.
Me: Interesting, based on that and being that this is the 3rd time that you and Nos have met in the finals what do you see as being the keys to the matchup and how do you feel it may or may not be different from when you two have matched up in the past?
Derrick: Having met two times prior, each organization has one victory. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup won’t be any different than the two of times past; a dog fight. These are the matchups that have been decided at midnight Sunday night. I don’t see this one being any different. The keys to winning this matchup are the same keys to winning we have used all season. Play our game. We fell as though we have the marked advantage on the power play and are decidedly tougher in the penalty minute department. As with any matchup, we need our goalies to hold strong. If they do, this is our championship to lose.
Me: Speaking of goalies how to do you feel about your currently what you would you say to your critics about what has been described at times a a revolving door of goalies this season?
Derrick: Goaltending is something that Ottawa has always been known for. Many starting goalies have began their professional careers with us. In order to get them some playing time, and to improve their stocks, it is sometimes necessary to employ a “revolving door of goalies” strategy. With that said, I am not too concerned with our goaltending situation heading into the championship. As mentioned earlier, we feel as though we can beat a team in many different ways. So far we have been fortunate enough to have the backing of our offense when Peks and Marty have stumbled a bit, and vice versa when our offense has slowed down. Those two guys are competitors, and when it matters most, they elevate their games.
We brought Marty back at the deadline to solidify the goaltending unit a bit, because as an organization we were in a bit of a unique spot contract wise with Tuuka and Bobrovsky. It is unfortunate they couldn’t be a part of this championship run, but we look forward to having them next season.
Me: What does this matchup mean to the already very public rivalry that you and Nos have going?
Derrick: To me, this is just another week, and just another opponent. You prepare the same, you practice the same, you play the same. You can’t let what is written in the media affect how you approach a matchup, especially one as important as the NAFHL championship. I know the battles that have happened in the past, the jawing, all of that. But it is the past. I am focused on this matchup and this matchup only.
Me: How do you feel about your chances going forward this week?
Derrick: This matchup will without a doubt be a war of attrition. But the Ottawa Senators have been built to grind games out. We can play fast, or can play slow. We can score goals in bunches and we can play a tight defensive game. I feel like we have so many different ways we can beat an opponent. As a GM, I have tried to build a balanced team that will give us the best chance to win night in and night out, and I feel like I have done that. We stack up very well against the San Jose Sharks.
Me: How does it feel getting a rejuvenated Alexander Ovechkin playing at his peak again entering the finals?
Derrick: You know, Ovi has been great for us. MVP over the past few weeks, for sure. He is hitting his stride at the perfect time, and as a result, the Ottawa Senators have an opportunity to play for the NAFHL championship. We had a tough decision to make at the deadline sending away Marchand and Carter, a couple of great goal scorers, but we as an organization knew that Alex would find his game again heading into the playoffs. So far, so good.
Me: What would it mean to the city and fan base their in Ottawa to be able to bring home its 3rd championship?
Derrick: We have the best fans in the entire world, period. It would mean everything to bring the NAFHL cup back to the great city of Ottawa. Being an ‘Original Six’ team, we have such a great history here, such passion among fans, and such passion within the organization. You know, a couple seasons back there was some uncertainty surrounding the team and whether or not it would relocate to a different city. But the fans rallied, made some noise, and with the backing of the organization we were able to make things work. And work for the best, because here we are going for our 3rd championship. That’s all an organization could ask for.
Me: What do you view are your teams current strengths and weaknesses heading into this great finals matchup?
Derrick: We are resilient. Our main strength is that we are not one-dimensional. We lead the league in goals and game winning goals, as well as penalty minutes and power play points. Not to mention being top 5 in goals against average and shutouts. This shows we can play a finesse game, or we can play a gritty defensive game, or both. Doesn’t matter. The only weakness this team faces this week, and every week, is the unpredictability of streaky players on the opposing team and certain unpredictable statistical categories that fluctuate on a weekly basis. The most we can do is put ourselves in the best possible position to win each and every week, and I feel like this is what we have done.
Me: Well thank you Derrick for sitting down with me for this interview lastly, do you have anything at all you would like to say to the league, Nos, or anyone else?
Derrick: Down goes Frazier.
There you have it either way this matchup ends up its going to be one for the ages folks. Will it be the tightlipped and professional Derrick or the flamboyant and in your face Nos? Only time will tell, what we do know at this point is both GMs bring very dramatically different styles to their approach and presentation either way the fans of this great league are in for a treat as 2 of the leagues perennial heavy weight face off for a 3rd time in the leagues short history.
First I would like to point out the stark differences in the two GMs that have been interviewed if there was an exact opposite to the way Nos gallivants around the league offices and runs around his city of San Jose chanting to himself “Best in the World” it would have to be Derrick GM of the Ottawa Senators. He commands respect when entering the room and takes his seat across from me very in control professional and ready to get down to work.
Derrick: First allow me to take the time and thank you for having me. I would also like to congratulate the Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames on fine season. Both are great hockey clubs who have bright futures ahead of them.
Me: Well put sir they both accomplished quite a lot this season ultimately falling just shore of what I’m sure is both their teams goal in a championship. First question, What do you think of the San Jose sharks and how Nos has constructed that team?
Derrick: Nos has a strong team. But as an organization we are looking to exploit how top-heavy the San Jose Sharks are. Crosby, [Eric] Staal, and Stamkos have accounted for 1/3 of all the points scored this season for the Sharks. With Crosby out, all it takes is a sub-par outing from Stamkos and/or Staal and the Sharks are in trouble. As evidence by it Week 22 loss against Minnesota and nearly again last week [in the semi’s] against Boston.
Me: Interesting, based on that and being that this is the 3rd time that you and Nos have met in the finals what do you see as being the keys to the matchup and how do you feel it may or may not be different from when you two have matched up in the past?
Derrick: Having met two times prior, each organization has one victory. Regardless of the outcome, this matchup won’t be any different than the two of times past; a dog fight. These are the matchups that have been decided at midnight Sunday night. I don’t see this one being any different. The keys to winning this matchup are the same keys to winning we have used all season. Play our game. We fell as though we have the marked advantage on the power play and are decidedly tougher in the penalty minute department. As with any matchup, we need our goalies to hold strong. If they do, this is our championship to lose.
Me: Speaking of goalies how to do you feel about your currently what you would you say to your critics about what has been described at times a a revolving door of goalies this season?
Derrick: Goaltending is something that Ottawa has always been known for. Many starting goalies have began their professional careers with us. In order to get them some playing time, and to improve their stocks, it is sometimes necessary to employ a “revolving door of goalies” strategy. With that said, I am not too concerned with our goaltending situation heading into the championship. As mentioned earlier, we feel as though we can beat a team in many different ways. So far we have been fortunate enough to have the backing of our offense when Peks and Marty have stumbled a bit, and vice versa when our offense has slowed down. Those two guys are competitors, and when it matters most, they elevate their games.
We brought Marty back at the deadline to solidify the goaltending unit a bit, because as an organization we were in a bit of a unique spot contract wise with Tuuka and Bobrovsky. It is unfortunate they couldn’t be a part of this championship run, but we look forward to having them next season.
Me: What does this matchup mean to the already very public rivalry that you and Nos have going?
Derrick: To me, this is just another week, and just another opponent. You prepare the same, you practice the same, you play the same. You can’t let what is written in the media affect how you approach a matchup, especially one as important as the NAFHL championship. I know the battles that have happened in the past, the jawing, all of that. But it is the past. I am focused on this matchup and this matchup only.
Me: How do you feel about your chances going forward this week?
Derrick: This matchup will without a doubt be a war of attrition. But the Ottawa Senators have been built to grind games out. We can play fast, or can play slow. We can score goals in bunches and we can play a tight defensive game. I feel like we have so many different ways we can beat an opponent. As a GM, I have tried to build a balanced team that will give us the best chance to win night in and night out, and I feel like I have done that. We stack up very well against the San Jose Sharks.
Me: How does it feel getting a rejuvenated Alexander Ovechkin playing at his peak again entering the finals?
Derrick: You know, Ovi has been great for us. MVP over the past few weeks, for sure. He is hitting his stride at the perfect time, and as a result, the Ottawa Senators have an opportunity to play for the NAFHL championship. We had a tough decision to make at the deadline sending away Marchand and Carter, a couple of great goal scorers, but we as an organization knew that Alex would find his game again heading into the playoffs. So far, so good.
Me: What would it mean to the city and fan base their in Ottawa to be able to bring home its 3rd championship?
Derrick: We have the best fans in the entire world, period. It would mean everything to bring the NAFHL cup back to the great city of Ottawa. Being an ‘Original Six’ team, we have such a great history here, such passion among fans, and such passion within the organization. You know, a couple seasons back there was some uncertainty surrounding the team and whether or not it would relocate to a different city. But the fans rallied, made some noise, and with the backing of the organization we were able to make things work. And work for the best, because here we are going for our 3rd championship. That’s all an organization could ask for.
Me: What do you view are your teams current strengths and weaknesses heading into this great finals matchup?
Derrick: We are resilient. Our main strength is that we are not one-dimensional. We lead the league in goals and game winning goals, as well as penalty minutes and power play points. Not to mention being top 5 in goals against average and shutouts. This shows we can play a finesse game, or we can play a gritty defensive game, or both. Doesn’t matter. The only weakness this team faces this week, and every week, is the unpredictability of streaky players on the opposing team and certain unpredictable statistical categories that fluctuate on a weekly basis. The most we can do is put ourselves in the best possible position to win each and every week, and I feel like this is what we have done.
Me: Well thank you Derrick for sitting down with me for this interview lastly, do you have anything at all you would like to say to the league, Nos, or anyone else?
Derrick: Down goes Frazier.
There you have it either way this matchup ends up its going to be one for the ages folks. Will it be the tightlipped and professional Derrick or the flamboyant and in your face Nos? Only time will tell, what we do know at this point is both GMs bring very dramatically different styles to their approach and presentation either way the fans of this great league are in for a treat as 2 of the leagues perennial heavy weight face off for a 3rd time in the leagues short history.