Shamrocks GM goes All-in

After an eventful trade deadline it appears that the Shamrocks are adopting a policy of win now rather than win later. With an ageing core and Jason Arnott's career high swansong type year the team has dealt many of their high quality prospects for players that can help them win now. The extent of the deals was probably sparked by the second 5 game losing streak of the season however the response from the team hasn't been as great. After a deadline that saw the additions of Marian Gaborik, Jason Pominville and Matthew Carle the team struggled to gain a point from the McBuck Cherrypickers. It seems that the chemistry between the new additions and those players left after the deals will take some time to get going. However the game also highlighted the end of another team regular since the beginning of the 606 league. The team's first pick in the entry draft Ryan Miller has been demoted to the farm club. He has been incredibly inconsistent this year and the recent run of games really seem to have broken his confidence. After 4 years he struggled to really grasp the number 1 job and the two years in which the Shamrocks won the cup and got to the final were on the back of other net minders. With the stellar play of Scott Wedgewood he has been promoted to the big time and while Stephen Valliquette will likely remain the number one if the rookie can get on a good run the team has shown they have no problems sticking with the guy who is form over the veteran or established net minder.

It's not clear yet whether the huge additions at the deadline will have the desired effect and while the Shamrocks had some breathing room earlier in the season the Chops and Beef's are beginning to gain ground. If the team can't get things together soon it could be a disappointing year for the new look Shamrocks. It's clear that they have to win now as they have dealt the majority of the their high quality prospects. The current year probably presents the best chance but thankfully the new team can build around the core of Weiss, Gagne and Gaborik and look to be competitive for the next 3-4 years.