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***Wally*** · 12-27-2022, 08:37 PM

The horn sounds and the team slowly heads to the locker room with their heads hung low once again.

It's like the movie Groundhog Day is a common locker room theme in the city that floods the arena night in and night out. Toronto has become so accustomed to early exits, that this season's end seemed inevitable in the end. Getting familiar with heartache is easier than having high expectations... buzzzzzzzzzz.

I can honestly say this second time GM-ing in the league has been perhaps the most enjoyable times in the league. I don't think I could ever get used to losing and it is what makes every season that goes by that much more difficult... and won't lie, has often led me to the path of rushing our chances.

Taking over almost exactly a year ago, it has been absolutely phenomenal.

I don't think my expectations from day one were to ever be sitting in the position of having as many first round picks as championships. However, I definitely didn't think my expectations of finding this locker room filled with so many awesome users. Season after season it is the one true thing that keeps me pursuing our ultimate goal in this league, while I enjoy the mini-accomplishments along the way.

Where we are

In the last two seasons, we have made massive strides... helped by the hurrying of some trades. In S68, Toronto set a team goals for record... and to put it frank... We didn't give a shit how many the other side scored. I wanted it to be a fun season for the team and as our chemistry continues to grow, the cohesiveness on the ice will continue to help.

Our strength, was essentially matched in our series against Buffalo and with their legendary chemistry... it would be difficult to beat a mirroring strategy in a rivalry series. So we now look to the future.

Who we are

I can't even tell you where the hodge podge of players came from at this point. Pieced together via trade primarily, we only have one forward (Faust Faker) that is a North Star born player. Seeing an offense come together like they have with a work in progress chemistry absolutely makes me proud to see them to continue updating for one another and bring the best opportunity to the table week after week. We will only be as good as our vets stave off regression in coming seasons... But in my opinion it has been awesome to see these guys form their identity in the attacking zone.

A once an up and coming team, this season we will begin to face regression with what was our initial core. It will test our dedication and commitment... Not only to this team, but to prepare for the next era of North Stars. The ability to stick it out is what is going to continue to allow our chemistry on the ice to build and further our chances even as TPE trends downward to start every season. We will start to lean on new anchors on the blue line in Luca Hunziker and Louise St. Martin as they start looking to surpassing our stalwarts in Ryosuke Sato and Magnus Liljestrom.

Going Forward

At this point I don't even know how many times I've been asked our plan going forward without draft picks to refill our stable and fill the gaps. After the S64 season, as our locker room began to fall into place I made the commitment to this team that I will do what it takes to make Toronto's experience better than just a midling, middle of the road squad. All of the resources we had in our arsenal we (meaning McGriddle and myself) committed to giving our current users a shot at winning, even if it meant staring down an extended future of dark ages.

I think for the most part we succeeded at that... minus a championship... but that isn't for me to judge.

In going forward, however, the challenge is different... Our dependency of Free Agency is more intense than any time I've been a GM in any league (SHL/EFL/SBA). I think the hardest part of Free Agency, isn't the selling of a plan anymore, but the selling of change as we all have niche locker rooms. Jolting impactful players has grown increasingly difficult because of process and paths currently in place.

It has grown increasingly difficult to find users that are truly free agents. By this I mean, players just don't go to free agency much anymore. Many go to the free agency period for conversation, but seek a return for their current team. It, in my opinion, is one of the intangibles that is different from the time when I was previously GM in the early-30s.

With Toronto looking at filling a couple of spots potentially, you sit back as a GM and have to make a list of not only potential free agents that prioritize winning at this point in their career, but also ones that won't seek compensation. There are always a few, but it is rare these days as sign and trades continue to be the stronghold as users don't want to feel like they are dumping on their current team.

To the Team

Thank you for all you do in the locker room... the positivity... the updates... the support. It is what makes this place special and this season was an amazing one. Just as you continue to stay committed to your player and your teammates, I will continue to stay diligent in bringing in the pieces we need... the coaching game after game... and the love in the locker room. I look forward to the seasons to come with all of you current, past and future North Stars.

- Wally
Stars

#LookNorth

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@unconfident69 , @GCool , @dogwoodmaple , @Leafs4ever @Inf1d3l , @Patty , @Highhaschdi , @Pickle Juice , @Grapehead , @Dangles13 , @Valpix , @mcgriddleluver , @roastpuff , @Dextaria , @Thunder39 , @Carpy48 , @advenny4 , and all you ALUMNI!

Valpix · 12-27-2022, 09:16 PM

<3

*RashfordU* · 12-28-2022, 12:02 AM

@Wally you and I have had many great chats over the past few seasons,
I think what you have done with TOR over that time is exceptional!
Excited to see where you take this team!

*Carpy48* · 12-28-2022, 04:05 AM

#stargang forever!

Grapehead · 12-28-2022, 11:06 AM

*mcgriddleluver* · 12-28-2022, 11:23 AM

I love you bby

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