This will be a unique story, centring around the experiences of a rookie GM in charge of a broke-*** organization in the pre-lockout NHL. I will be using NHL 2003. Yes. The game with a young Jarome Iginla on it.
Corel Centre
Ottawa, ON, Canada
"We're very happy to unveil our new management team here in Ottawa," rambles NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at a podium a few seats to my left. The anxious crowd of journalists in front of me all look expectantly towards me as Bettman says the words I've been waiting all summer to hear.
"Firstly, the new general manager of the Ottawa Senators will be Carlos Verde."
I smoothly choke on my water. A few of the older reporters in the room chuckle quietly, some nod, others type and scribble furiously.
"Carlos brings a unique kind of experience to the Senators organization," says the short, slimy Bettman. "In his six years coaching and managing the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, Carlos won two and reached four Memorial Cups..."
I tune out of the rest of his speech, and as he unveils the rest of the coaching and management team - my best bud and colleague from Sudbury Ty McDonald as Assistant GM, the recently-retired Bob Essensa as goalie coach, and finally--
"The head coach of the Ottawa Senators for the 2002-2003 season will be Al Arbour," Bettman beams from the podium. I scan the room. Wide eyes, a couple guffaws, and a lot of downcast smiles. "Al coached many an Islander team to many successful seasons, and we firmly believe he has what it takes to help guide this franchise to newfound heights."
With that, the stubby NHL commissioner wraps up the press conference, and Ty and I are immediately swept from the room.
"Holy christ man, what have we gotten ourselves into," I ask Ty as we get back to the team offices. "We've got the lowest budget in the league, which owns us, a wicked payroll as is, and opening puck drop is just two months away!"
**EDIT: In this alternate universe of the NHL, the season kicks off in early November, and the regular season is only 58 games.**
"Honestly man, don't worry. We'll figure this out. I've already got Randy and our pro scouts checking out tape from last year," he reassures me.
"Alright, let's take a look at our roster," I mutter quietly, determined to make this god-awful situation, with the league owning our franchise, work.
"I don't know if, uh, Bettman told you," Ty says sheepishly.
"Just say it man."
"Since we're under league ownership, we can't afford Lalime. Or Havlat. Or Hossa."
I sigh inwardly. This could be a challenge.
-------------------
September 1st, 2002Corel Centre
Ottawa, ON, Canada
"We're very happy to unveil our new management team here in Ottawa," rambles NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at a podium a few seats to my left. The anxious crowd of journalists in front of me all look expectantly towards me as Bettman says the words I've been waiting all summer to hear.
"Firstly, the new general manager of the Ottawa Senators will be Carlos Verde."
I smoothly choke on my water. A few of the older reporters in the room chuckle quietly, some nod, others type and scribble furiously.
"Carlos brings a unique kind of experience to the Senators organization," says the short, slimy Bettman. "In his six years coaching and managing the OHL's Sudbury Wolves, Carlos won two and reached four Memorial Cups..."
I tune out of the rest of his speech, and as he unveils the rest of the coaching and management team - my best bud and colleague from Sudbury Ty McDonald as Assistant GM, the recently-retired Bob Essensa as goalie coach, and finally--
"The head coach of the Ottawa Senators for the 2002-2003 season will be Al Arbour," Bettman beams from the podium. I scan the room. Wide eyes, a couple guffaws, and a lot of downcast smiles. "Al coached many an Islander team to many successful seasons, and we firmly believe he has what it takes to help guide this franchise to newfound heights."
With that, the stubby NHL commissioner wraps up the press conference, and Ty and I are immediately swept from the room.
-------------
"Holy christ man, what have we gotten ourselves into," I ask Ty as we get back to the team offices. "We've got the lowest budget in the league, which owns us, a wicked payroll as is, and opening puck drop is just two months away!"
**EDIT: In this alternate universe of the NHL, the season kicks off in early November, and the regular season is only 58 games.**
"Honestly man, don't worry. We'll figure this out. I've already got Randy and our pro scouts checking out tape from last year," he reassures me.
"Alright, let's take a look at our roster," I mutter quietly, determined to make this god-awful situation, with the league owning our franchise, work.
| Ottawa Senators Depth Chart - 02-03 | ||||
| STARTER | 2ND | 3RD | 4TH | |
| LW | Marian Hossa (91) | Magnus Arvedson (82) | Benoit Brunet (69) | Chris Herperger (68) |
| C | Radek Bonk (88) | Martin Havlat (86) | Todd White (83) | Mike Fisher (77) |
| RW | Daniel Alfredsson (95) | Chris Neil (71) | Jody Hull (69) | Josh Langfeld (67) |
| D #1 | Wade Redden (91) | Chris Phillips (82) | Sami Salo (76) | Josef Boumedienne (69) |
| D #2 | Zdeno Chara (86) | Karel Rachunek (80) | Curtis Leschyshyn (73) | |
| G | Patrick Lalime (90) | Jani Hurme (81) | Mike Fountain (64) | |
"I don't know if, uh, Bettman told you," Ty says sheepishly.
"Just say it man."
"Since we're under league ownership, we can't afford Lalime. Or Havlat. Or Hossa."
I sigh inwardly. This could be a challenge.
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