Off season changes - a new hope?

The Giraffes have declared that Alexei Ponikarovsky and Ratislev Olesz will not be offered new contracts. Said Leafy: 'Alexei has been a long and true servant of this club, and we wish him well. I am certain he shall find a place to land. Rotislev came from the Knights, and while never shining, still put on a solid operformance every night'. Young poster boy Taylor Hall has been offered a new contract, rumoured to be around the $15m dollar mark. The Giraffes have also called up Mikhail Grigerenko, there third round pick in this years deep draft, along with 2nd rounders from year 4, Vladislav Namestnikov and Zakhar Arzamastsev. Said Leafy: 'These guys will bring a certain talent to the Machine. Oh yes, the Machine'.

The Machine the GM is talking about is our new farm team. Following a robbery and an arson attack at the Post Office, the Old Women have upped and left Wavendon, and our second prospect team, The Big Red Machine of Moscow will now run the farm team. It is not known if this is a long term agreement, or if the new arenas being constructed in Woburn and Olney are going to house a new MKG farm team. It is uinclear whether German superstar and champion Bratwurst eater Uter Zorker will play in Moscow this year, however hopes are high for the youngster.

In trade news, The Giraffes have traded in ex-Knights No.1 Jonathan Quick, along with a 4th rounder for Russian goaltender Simeon Varlamov. Rumours of Alex Semin being traded before the draft were heartily guffawed at by GM Leafy, stating 'It would take something really special to move Alex, or Jeff for that matter, and a first rounder and some tat doesn't even come close. Not that that was offered you understand, all trade moves are secret and that was just a hypothectical offer. Still, it would be more than new rivals the Victory would offer...

Speaking of rivalries, following GM Driz's reckless abandonment of the Spirit, it was decided that as they were now without that lead weight, they could become an interesting team. This caused the decision to no longer honour the rivalry and stand side by side with this new GM. Whoever and whenever that may be. Because of Welsh ties and other reasons, the Swansea Sharks and Chatham Victory were selected as new rivals, with GMs of much grrrness to Leafy. Up popped young upstart MockingJay from down the A421 in Bedford wanting to muddy his paws, so the Giraffes honoured his request and will pursue sound batterment of the newly relocated Bedford Brewers. And much beer post-game. But Concrete Cow beer - maybe a Midsummer Ale....

Kovy to leave?

Has Leafy done the unimaginable at traded a Russian superstar? Watch this space....

Leafy today announces the signing of the top defenceman the Giraffes have long been waiting for.

'It is true that we have signed the magnificent beard that is Brent Burns. While we had to pay a high price in Kovalchuk, we have Taylor Hall knocking on the door of being a top line superstar in the mould of Alex Semin, and sufficient forwards to make this worthwhile. Throw in two 1st rounders to add to the SLS pick acquired in the Hedman trade, the MKG now have three picks in the first round, all belonging to teams that missed the playoffs last year'.

With Hall rumoured to be moved to the top line, it is a wait and see game if Leafy moves for another winger, or promotes Viktor Tikhonov from Moscow. Burns should slide into the top two pairing on the defence, but Leafy is known to like the pairing of Grebeshkov and Kulikov, so again it is a watch this space moment. With the addition of both Brent Burns and Jonathan Quick, the Giraffes defence has been shored up somewhat after last years disappointing campaign.

Asked about more possible moves, Leafy is quoted as saying 'The only moves I wanted to make was the new goalie and a marquee d-man. While I'm not ruling out any other opportunities to strengthen the second line, realistically I don't see any big moves. The three players I really want I know are unavailable, and rightly so, and with Carter and Semin once again leading the charge, hopefully this year we can make the playoffs.'

After an indifferent season, the Giraffes announce a new kit for sale at the club shop in the Gardens. The new kit costs a snip at a mere £89.99, and comes with a free pass to the MKG pre-season. To get a sneaky peeky at the outfit your very own Giraffes will play in next season, head over to the MKG Club Information and History section at the MKG section of the 606hl website.

Following the departure of Dion Phaneuf, saving the club billions of roubles, the new captain was unveiled to be Dustin Brown. A late addition last season, Brown impressed Leafy with his multi-way play. The players playng with the A on their sleeve next season are confirmed as 2 long standing Giraffe defencemen, Denis Grebeshkov and Alexandre R. Picard.

Go Giraffes! The tallest (and therefore closest to God) team in the 606HL!