"It's the 20th of June, 2016. It's that time of the year when the season is finally over and we have our new Stanley Cup winners. In this season, it was the Dallas Stars' overcomers, the Winnipeg Jets. One could say, it makes the loss even bitter or can it be percieved also the other way around? It depends a lot on your personal perspective.
Today, we're going to ask the Dallas Stars GM."
Q:"How do you look at the last season today?"
A:"Well, how did the play-offs play out. It was bitter. The first couple of days after that loss were heartbreaking. Dissapointing. Everybody was dissapointed. The staff, the players and me too. We've put a lot of work into this team, to get better. We all felt demotivated. But as the time passed, I think we all feel better about it and we're proud of all the things we've done. We have excellent fanbase and they understand the whole situation. Everybody knows we're just rising up, getting better with every week and month. And it will take years and the fans know it. We know it (the staff) and players know it too. So we're not blaming anybody. We know we did all we could and we have achieved our goals set before the season (author note: to get through first round of play-offs) and we even almost overcame it. We were very close to get through that second round. But Winnipeg were just better and eventually, won the cup. Which makes it all even bitter, but at the other hand, it means that we were defeated by the best team in the league which is not so bad. So, in order to achieve even greater goals, we have to keep moving forward. And we will definitely do so. So, to answer your question: I rate the last season positively. It was a very good season and we're in perspective to have even better season next year. We have to progress step by step. Time will tell how big those steps will be."
Q:Can we except some major changes in the line-up and in the team system in the next season?
A:Major changes? I wouldn't say so. But ...
(the reoprter jumps into the GM's answer)
Q: ...because we've seen some rather big trades happening in the recent days. Can you provide us with a bit more of an insight to the team's plans, regarding roster transactions?
A: Yes, I think I can. But let me finish the sentence (laughs). We made some major trades that we, hope will have a big positive impact on the team going forward. We traded one of our best forwards in Telegin (plus some prospects, namely: Barbashev, Lauzon, Collins), but we've got a very valuable asset in return, which we're going to use in the best way we can. When you take a look at the roster, you'll see that there's a lot good, talented forwards, a lot of two-way forwards who can play hard and we needed to add some offensive talent in the top 6. We traded for Havlat on the trade deadline, but it didn't worked out so well for both sides...
Q: So, Havlat isn't staying with the team, right?
A: No, he will hit the unrestrected free agency.
Q: So, there's a hope that Brassard can fill those shoes, right?
A:Yes, we believe that Brassard is what we were looking for. There's a belief he will fit very good along with sniper like Mike Cammalleri who was also brought during the course of the last season and should fit in just fine along Grigorenko.
The plan is that, we will go ahead with the first line with Cammalleri on the left wing, Grigo on the dot and Brassard helping to make plays, from the right wing. Of course, it can change on the fly, but we think that there's a good probability that the line composed like this that can achieve very good results together. That's why we made that trade.
Q: There was a rumor that Cammalleri will be named a new captain. Now that Derek Morris is gone. Can you comment on that?
A: Yes, Mike will be the new team's captain. Everything will be soon officially announced. The team is now in a process of picking of his assistants.
Q: Also, MacMillan was included in the trade. How are you going to fill the hole left after his departure?
A: Yes, we liked MacMillan and he also liked it here, but that's business. We didn't wanted to give him up but we had to. The blues ware showing interest in him some time ago, so that's how the puzzle was completed. He was signed as an UFA in the summer and he did a very good job for us. We're going to fill a hole after him by promoting the bluechip prospect, Pavel Buchnevich. He should be ready for the NHL now. Now it'll be up to him on how he will take his chance on that. Undoubtedly, he'll be given the opportunity. We also recieved the rights to another young russian forward from Anaheim (author note: in exchange for 5th round pick), Ilya Korenev who can also jump up and play in the NHL. And with Brassard coming in, we can move the depth chart up and down a bit, so definitely, there will be no empty slots left upfront. Actually, we're loaded on the offense. That's also one of the key reasons we've traded Telegin.
Q: So, the rumors are true. Are Dallas Stars going to draft a defenseman from that 7th pick?
A: I don't think I have the priviledge to either confirm it or deny it and I don't think anybody does. And it's not so clear matter anyway, because we also have some great prospects on the blueline down in Texas, like Meloche, Heatherington, Coulombe and Murphy. Murphy is expected to go up and play the NHL in the next season and we have faith in his abilities. The others mentioned still need some time to grow and fully develop. Oh, and yes, Schmaltz is also expected to become a regular for our big team.
(The moderator confidently announces: "Last question now folks".)
Q: What's the status on the expiring UFAs and RFAs in the team? Is it true that Markstrom will not be re-signed? Can we except some more trades in the next days?
A: That's three questions (laughs). But that's not a problem, I'm more than happy to answer them all. The first question: Hmm, I think I will answer first two question both together. Markstrom and the other RFAs and UFAs. Chris Phillips and
Chris Drury are going to retire and they're going to announce it officially shortly. Martin Havlat, David Rodman, Brandon Pirri and Partick Koudys will not be-resigned. We're still considering re-signing Markstrom and Lupul and we're working on new extensions with Fedor Tyutin, Kyle Quincey, Mark Jankowski, Ilya Korenev and Ivan Bocharov. I also heard from Stu Barnes (Texas Stars GM) that he'd like to have Krestchmann back on the team. I was also given an information that Zlobin is going to sign with the team from the KHL and therefore, his contract will be cancelled. And the last question... What was it? I can't remember.
Q: ... if we can except some more trades in the next days?
A: Oh, not really, I don't think we can. Markstrom and Lupul have been put on the block so maybe they can be traded around the draft period but that's all for now, I guess. Or at least, as far as I can tell.
Have a nice day all of you.
(P.S.: The press box is not working)