OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Turning Over a New Leaf(s): The 1988-89 Maple Leafs

uWoHollywood · 06-12-2023, 01:40 PM

With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, Leafs GM Jason Taylor reviewed his goaltenders’ statistics with great frustration. Not only was the starter’s role still up for grabs, but neither Ken Wregget nor Ed Belfour was having a halfway-decent season. Wregget was the more talented goaltender, but was maddeningly inconsistent; he was rarely able to have even 2-3 quality starts in a row before relapsing with a very poor showing. Ed Belfour was not as talented as Wregget, but it was nearly unanimous among Leafs scouts that Belfour was the top prospect in their system. Taylor and his brain trust scoured the league looking for goalies who were a) an upgrade over Wregget, and b) willing to move their starting goalie.

There were really only three options: Kelly Hrudy (NYI), Mario Gosselin (QUE) and Kick McLean (VAN). Taylor asked Torrey about Hrudey, and Torrey immediately refused; he had just signed a 4-year extension. Gosselin would likely be easier to acquire, but his inconsistency (albeit on a bad Quebec team) suggested it would simply be more of the same problems in net. That left Kirk McLean; his stat line may not be great, but he had been playing well of late despite Vancouver playing in a very tough Smythe division.

Taylor called VAN GM Pat Quinn and said he was interested in McLean (8-12-0, 4.51, .869), and Quinn immediately chuckled. “We’re in a rebuild, and McLean is only 22”. Taylor acknowledged and was blunt. “We have Ken Wregget (22-9-2, 3.59 and .872), who turns 25 in a few weeks. We would get a slight upgrade in net for the playoffs, and you’d get a goalie who is young enough for a rebuild plus another asset or two. Quinn mulled it over. “I’d want a 3rd round pick and one of your AHL defenseman, we’re a little thin on the blueline.” Taylor brought up Paul Stanton and Jeff Serowik, saying Quinn could have his choice. Quinn said he would want Serowik (5-18-23 and +5 in 55GP AHL); Taylor accepted the request, and offered a 6th round pick as a sweetener. Quinn replied “Come on, I don’t want a 6th. Make it a 3rd and you have a deal.” Taylor paused, then responded “Tell you what. I’ll make it a 4th rounder, but next year, not this year. And I’ll take any expensive contract you want to dump.” Quinn said “Any contract?”, to which Taylor was affirmative; Quinn named Charlie Simmer (3-2-5 and -13 in 32GP), who had been an absolute bust of a UFA signing. The deal was finalized. Vancouver traded G Kirk McLean, 22 and LW Charlie Simmer, 34 in exchange for G Ken Wregget, 25 , D Jeff Serowik, 22 and Toronto’s 4th round pick in 1990.

At a press conference the next day, all of the Toronto media corps was virtually screaming at Taylor for trading their best goaltender with less than 20 games left in the season. “Ken has done well for us this year; but as the old saying goes you have to give something to get something. We believe Kirk will be a great fit in net; he’s done well with Vancouver against some very tough competition. We are confident in his ability to adapt and succeed with our defense corps in front of him.” The Toronto Star asked about Charlie Simmer, and Taylor was a little blunt. “Mr. Ballard has given us the green light to spend a bit more freely this year. Charlie joined Vancouver as a free agent this past summer, but I think even he would agree he wasn’t quite lived up to that contract. We are able to absorb that cost better than most teams in the league. Charlie will be sent to Newmarket to help mentor some of our young players, and he’ll be high on our list of call-ups in case of injury.” After a few more questions, Taylor thanked the press corps for their time and left the podium.

Game 65 - 7-2 W @ NYR
Kirk McLean’s first test was a tough one but he was up to the task, stopping 26 of 28. Toronto shelled Steve Weeks for 7 goals on 32 shots, and the Leafs absolutely smothered New York defensively. The second line of Damphousse, Cullen and Marois combined for 5G and 4A while Brad Marsh had 3A and was +4.
C Pierre Turgeon’s 5-assist night helped the Sabres edge the Kings 8-7

On the trade deadline, the Hartford Whalers (28-33-3, 3rd in the Adams) decided they needed a change. Larry Pleau was fired, and replaced with junior hockey legend Brian Kilrea. He was widely seen as a good fit for the young Whalers.

06-12-2023, 01:40 PM	#21
uWoHollywood Minors (Single A) Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 55	March Part I - Goaltending Shakeup With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, Leafs GM Jason Taylor reviewed his goaltenders’ statistics with great frustration. Not only was the starter’s role still up for grabs, but neither Ken Wregget nor Ed Belfour was having a halfway-decent season. Wregget was the more talented goaltender, but was maddeningly inconsistent; he was rarely able to have even 2-3 quality starts in a row before relapsing with a very poor showing. Ed Belfour was not as talented as Wregget, but it was nearly unanimous among Leafs scouts that Belfour was the top prospect in their system. Taylor and his brain trust scoured the league looking for goalies who were a) an upgrade over Wregget, and b) willing to move their starting goalie. There were really only three options: Kelly Hrudy (NYI), Mario Gosselin (QUE) and Kick McLean (VAN). Taylor asked Torrey about Hrudey, and Torrey immediately refused; he had just signed a 4-year extension. Gosselin would likely be easier to acquire, but his inconsistency (albeit on a bad Quebec team) suggested it would simply be more of the same problems in net. That left Kirk McLean; his stat line may not be great, but he had been playing well of late despite Vancouver playing in a very tough Smythe division. Taylor called VAN GM Pat Quinn and said he was interested in McLean (8-12-0, 4.51, .869), and Quinn immediately chuckled. “We’re in a rebuild, and McLean is only 22”. Taylor acknowledged and was blunt. “We have Ken Wregget (22-9-2, 3.59 and .872), who turns 25 in a few weeks. We would get a slight upgrade in net for the playoffs, and you’d get a goalie who is young enough for a rebuild plus another asset or two. Quinn mulled it over. “I’d want a 3rd round pick and one of your AHL defenseman, we’re a little thin on the blueline.” Taylor brought up Paul Stanton and Jeff Serowik, saying Quinn could have his choice. Quinn said he would want Serowik (5-18-23 and +5 in 55GP AHL); Taylor accepted the request, and offered a 6th round pick as a sweetener. Quinn replied “Come on, I don’t want a 6th. Make it a 3rd and you have a deal.” Taylor paused, then responded “Tell you what. I’ll make it a 4th rounder, but next year, not this year. And I’ll take any expensive contract you want to dump.” Quinn said “Any contract?”, to which Taylor was affirmative; Quinn named Charlie Simmer (3-2-5 and -13 in 32GP), who had been an absolute bust of a UFA signing. The deal was finalized. Vancouver traded G Kirk McLean, 22 and LW Charlie Simmer, 34 in exchange for G Ken Wregget, 25 , D Jeff Serowik, 22 and Toronto’s 4th round pick in 1990. At a press conference the next day, all of the Toronto media corps was virtually screaming at Taylor for trading their best goaltender with less than 20 games left in the season. “Ken has done well for us this year; but as the old saying goes you have to give something to get something. We believe Kirk will be a great fit in net; he’s done well with Vancouver against some very tough competition. We are confident in his ability to adapt and succeed with our defense corps in front of him.” The Toronto Star asked about Charlie Simmer, and Taylor was a little blunt. “Mr. Ballard has given us the green light to spend a bit more freely this year. Charlie joined Vancouver as a free agent this past summer, but I think even he would agree he wasn’t quite lived up to that contract. We are able to absorb that cost better than most teams in the league. Charlie will be sent to Newmarket to help mentor some of our young players, and he’ll be high on our list of call-ups in case of injury.” After a few more questions, Taylor thanked the press corps for their time and left the podium. Game 65 - 7-2 W @ NYR Kirk McLean’s first test was a tough one but he was up to the task, stopping 26 of 28. Toronto shelled Steve Weeks for 7 goals on 32 shots, and the Leafs absolutely smothered New York defensively. The second line of Damphousse, Cullen and Marois combined for 5G and 4A while Brad Marsh had 3A and was +4. C Pierre Turgeon’s 5-assist night helped the Sabres edge the Kings 8-7 On the trade deadline, the Hartford Whalers (28-33-3, 3rd in the Adams) decided they needed a change. Larry Pleau was fired, and replaced with junior hockey legend Brian Kilrea. He was widely seen as a good fit for the young Whalers.