Lady Luck, Let the Dice Stay Hot
2017-05-25Yesterday afternoon the EHE Rumor Mill was flooded with reports, and rumors that the San Jose Sharks General Manager, Douglas Waite was in some hot water with the team brass over his extracurricular activities that did not involve team business. Shortly after an article was posted, rumors again began to float that the General Manager was out in San Jose and would be landing in Las Vegas.
Those reports came true this afternoon, as the Bill Foley, Vegas Golden Knights owner introduced Waite as the first General Manager in the club’s history in front of a large crowd.
“Well, that was a fun week,” Waite joked as he took to the podium. “It is always fun to roll out of bed, pick up my phone, and read about the situation in San Jose, then immediately read that I was being offered the job in Las Vegas. It was a whirl wind couple of minutes.”
Hired late in the 16-17 season, Waite made his presence in San Jose known right away, with a press conference at a local bar, and showing sarcastic wit that rubbed Sharks members the wrong way. While not showing a strong record after taking over the Sharks, he did make several moves that started to lead the team away from the older generation to get younger. The drama though flowed throughout his few months in San Jose, and this week headlines appeared showing with his seemingly lack of interest in San Jose Sharks matters, and showing more interest in other aspects of the EHE.
“I never really felt like San Jose was my team. They had a lot of turn over with Managers, and I did not agree with a lot of the moves, but there was nothing I could do about the past. I was trying to get the team in a spot where we could grow for the future. I had a deal in place for an elite goaltending prospect, whom I will not name, so I did have plans and goals going on, despite the rumors floating around.” When asked, who said netminder was, Waite replied with, “Hopefully he comes to Vegas, so you can find out.”
Building a team from the ground up is going to be a challenge for the new Golden Knights Manager, but one that he is looking forward too. Thankfully a mock draft has already outlined many of his picks, or has it?
“I wouldn’t say it has. First the lists were made off the top of our heads. No real intel was done on our parts. Do I expect Phillip Danult, or Justin Schultz to be available, no. So, we will have to see once we get the real lists from the other clubs.”
It is going to be an action-packed summer in Sin-City, but Waite isn’t feeling rushed yet.
“Time to go grab a beer, and get to work I guess…”
Five things about Vegas:
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AHL Affiliate: Nothing is set in stone yet, but hints were dropped that a western ECHL team will be selected. Chicago, whom is currently the affiliate to St. Louis will not be used out of respect to Blues GM, Shaun Stephens.
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The Golden Knights have outlined seven to eight goalies who they feel they can get in the expansion draft. Plan on selecting four or five.
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Eight draft picks currently. Will be looking to acquire more picks for this year’s draft, but will also look to build a stockpile for next year’s draft.
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Looking for a solid foundation to build off of. Plan on building from the Goal out.
- Not looking to overpay for UFA’s. RFA’s however, may be a different story. Especially if they were born in Korkino, or Lloydminster.