You might not agree with the stance Mike Kelly took at the OHL trade deadline, but you have to admire him for staying the course.
In the past week the Guelph Storm general manager saw the Western Conference landscape change dramatically, as several teams loaded up for a run at the conference title.
Rather than react to that changing landscape, Kelly maintained the course that the team has had since he took over, that this particular squad will peak in the 2012-13 season and that attempting to keep up with the Joneses this year would be detrimental to that plan.
While at one point the Storm might have been right there with any team in the conference, they now find themselves a couple of steps behind London, Plymouth and Owen Sound.
Trying to add the necessary players now to be a contender would be risky, given the quantity and quality of what the other teams were adding this week.
True, at one point this season it looked like Guelph only needed to add a couple of small pieces to the puzzle in order to be a serious contender this year. But after seeing how aggressive other teams were, it became apparent to Kelly that major moves would be needed just to keep up with London, Owen Sound and Plymouth.
Those moves would have involved trading good, young players who are being counted on to be a part the contending team next year.
Plymouth and Owen Sound both traded their first round draft pick from last year in order to try and rise to London’s level. Would the Storm fans that are upset Kelly didn’t make significant deals be happy if he had dealt Robby Fabbri?
Guelph could not have added the players it needed to keep up by throwing a few draft picks at teams or fringe players.
That’s not to say there shouldn’t be some questions asked as to why Guelph didn’t outbid teams for Slater Koekoek and Jake Dotchin, a couple of solid 18-year-old defencemen that were dealt.
Kelly said they didn’t have what Peterborough wanted in the Koekoek case. As for Dotchin, he felt the asking place was ridiculous.
Some will also ask why, if Guelph wasn’t going to load up, they didn’t sell off some players.
But their most desirable players would be imports Tanner Richard and Andrey Pedan, who won’t be back next season. They are imports, seriously narrowing the field of available buyers. And while both Richard and Pedan are good players, they are not star players and wouldn’t garner much more than draft picks in return.
I would have liked to have seen Guelph add some cheaper talent at the deadline and hope that a healthy Storm team, playing up to its potential, could go deep into the playoffs.
But with so many teams making such bold moves, Kelly felt that it wasn’t worth giving up what was being asked.
Storm fans are sick and tired of waiting for next year. It never seems to come for a team where first round playoff exits seem to be the norm.
Some argue that the team will have more holes next season than it does this season: that this was the year to “go for it” rather than next.
Instead he will hope this team can surprise some people in the playoffs, maybe win a round or two, and garner experience for next year.
In Stormland, there’s always next year.
SO Tony do you think they can win around without having to steal it as some think.
Posted by: bob | January 11, 2013 at 07:12 PM
I think Kelly made the right decision. Next season, they will be loaded up front with more than enough depth to flip one or two forwards to fill holes on the back end. This was not the year this team was built for, but 2013-2014. They are just not ready to compete with London and Owen Sound this year and Kelly was smart enough to realize that.
Posted by: 4th Man In | January 11, 2013 at 07:40 PM
It all depends if Sparks is back...
Posted by: Sean | January 11, 2013 at 11:11 PM
I think Mike Kelly is doing a wonderful job, and told him so this evening after the Town Hall meeting. Interestingly, despite all of the flak and trash talk I have seen in the comments on this blog, the Storm Forum and by various folks on Twitter, no one stepped up to really confront Mike Kelly tonight in the way that they feel most comfortable to do so with the anonymity of the 'net. I saw something this week where it was suggested that it was time Mike was fired - didn't see or hear any of that at the Town Hall meeting, despite that being the perfect forum to voice that opinion and solicit a response.
I think the Storm are on track here, and I know Mike Kelly has way more experience than any of us - I continue to trust his instincts and continue to take the opinions of many in the social media arena with a grain of salt.
Thanks again Tony for your continued updates and unbiased reporting.
Posted by: LV | January 12, 2013 at 01:02 AM
I agree LV....Mike has done a very good job in drafting these kids...and staying the coarse.Bertuzzi made an immediate impact in his return. His physicality, and relentless forecheck..creates so much room for his linemates...glad to see him back. Posa, played a real solid game , steady Eddie back there, just what the doctor ordered, he'll relieve some pressure from Harpur as far as minutes. The rookie looked really good out there , be interesting to see where he goes from here, but regardless , its safe to say that he will be with us next year full time . We just beat the #1 team in the east, surely without their best player but we were without ours and with Sparks back in the paint (" keeping up with the Jones' " ), trust me , we'll be slapping a few of those Jones' in the face on our way to the playoffs. Go Storm Go !!
Posted by: StormFan#1 | January 12, 2013 at 07:37 AM
Go Storm Go
Posted by: bob | January 12, 2013 at 10:54 AM
If they stay healthy and play up to their potential on a consistent basis, they could win the Western Conference.
But they haven't been able to do either over the long term so far this season.
Posted by: Tony | January 12, 2013 at 01:36 PM
The first time Mr. Krlly was in Guelph as GM I dio not remember him doing things any different then now. Where have you been Tim. I am glad you are not the ownwer, thank God.
Posted by: bob | January 13, 2013 at 10:26 PM
Mr Kelly knows what he's doing. Nobody need to worry about it!
Bob your right he was a great GM when they were top in the league years back, don't see why he can't do it again.
Tim seems to think he knows all because he's a HARDCORE storm fan? Probably wouldnt last a month in the GM office!!!!
Posted by: STORMFAN | January 14, 2013 at 08:05 AM