THE WEDNESDAY THRILLER … WITH PHIL ANDREWS

Voice of the Pats Phil Andrews

Wow what a week for the Regina Pats. The team traded away captain Kyle Burroughs, leading scorer Dryden Hunt, second leading scorer Connor Gay, their best player in Morgan Klimchuk and defenseman Brady Reagan. The club also sent a 1st round pick in 2016, 2nd round pick in 2015 and a 7th round pick in 2017 in the trades.

From Brandon Jesse Gabrielle becomes a Pat, Connor Hobbs a 2nd round pick in 2016 and a 3rd in 2015 from Medicine Hat. From Red Deer, 15 year old, 6th overall pick in 2014 Jake Leschyshyn as well as a 4th round pick in 2017.

A lot went on and the reaction has been mixed from fans in the city. Everyone has an opinion about the trades and so here is mine:

1.) The Pats did what people have asked for in years previous. Traded their top players to build for the future, two years from now I believe this club will be a contender. Yes I know it’s hard to swallow when the Pats sit 4th in the WHL but when you look at the other top teams I don’t think a championship was in the cards this year.

2.) A lot of people are concerned that the Pats gave up too much and didn’t get enough for their top players. Yes other teams got more draft picks and higher ones in their trades. But they did not get young players that can step in and play now. This is a build around Sam Steel plan, Not around players who wouldn’t be playing in Regina until four years down the road. If they went the way of getting first round picks in 2016 or 2017 Sam Steel would be the next star to be traded without the Pats becoming a contender.

3.) Yes the Connor Gay trade is a little daunting and hard to take in. However the Pats get the Rebels top prospect and a 4th round pick in return. It always costs a second round pick to move up in the first round in any draft. The only difference is the Pats get a guy who is already drafted and can play next season in Leschyshyn.

4.) Connor Hobbs and Jesse Gabrielle are studs, they can step in now, eat minutes and contribute. I’m not going to say the Pats will win another 24 games in the second half, however it’s not going to be as bad as everyone thinks. I will say it might be tough sledding in the first few games with this new look team who had the core of the team traded away but this is still a playoff team.

5.) I like the fact that all three players involved in the trades coming to Regina are from Saskatchewan.

6.) I commend John Paddock for sticking to the plan even though the team had the success it did ahead of the trades. Wasn’t an easy thing to do but it will pay off. John loves his players and this was not an easy thing for him at a personal level either.

7.) I know people are questioning Paddock over his comments from Friday when he said he didn’t have assets to trade away to load up for this year and then trades a 1st and a 2nd for Jake Leschyshyn. Here is the difference, Paddock was referring to trading high picks for 19-year-old’s who would play half a season and then be gone when he said the team couldn’t afford to give up those assets. In trading for Leschyshyn he acquires a 3-4 year player. It’s the same as using the first rounder right now to pick his own guy, except he can play next season. A completely different way to give up assets.

8.) Taylor Cooper has 28 points in his last 31 games with the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Yes the Pats gave up a 17-year-old in Brady Reagan to get him but those who have watched the Pats as much as I have understand that deal. With defensive prospects coming up and other guys playing well the team had room to make that deal. Cooper will be a 20 year old with this club next year.

9.) Anyone that says John Paddock should be fired or relieved of his General Manager duties needs to give their head a shake.

10.) This is it in a nutshell, my biggest message is that you can trust that this team is doing it right. I truly believe the doubters will be proved wrong. Nothing is guaranteed I know but lets just take a breath and let things play out. I think everyone will be pleased in the years to come. Would you not trade a championship team in the near future for maybe a second round playoff series this year?

11.) I do feel for Braden Christoffer, Patrick D’Amico and Pavel Padakin who are in their last years in the WHL and deserve a chance to win but this is hockey. Not to mention the friends who won’t see each other every day. It’s the ugly side of the business but it’s the reality.

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It’s been a busy week for other WHL teams as well when it comes to trades. The deadline is not until Saturday but I think that’s a big reason why teams are getting things done early. The fact that 20 of 22 teams are in action on that day really lends to getting deals done ahead of time.

Here is a recap on the trade front as of Tuesday night:

– Prince Albert traded F Leon Draisaitl to Kelowna in exchange for a 1st round pick in 2015, 4th round pick in 2016, a conditional 4th round pick in 2016 or 2017, 18 year-old forward Kris Schmidli and 18-year old defenseman Dalton Yorke.

– The Raiders then traded defenceman Tomas Andrlik to Prince George for a 12th round pick in 2015.

– Saskatoon traded goaltender Trevor Martin to Red Deer in exchange for defenceman Kolton Dixon.

– The Blades trade forward Alex Forsberg, a 3rd round 2015 pick and a 4th round pick in 2016 to Victoria for a 1st round pick in 2017 and the rights to 16-year-old forward Brayden Dunn.

– Saskatoon wasn’t done there trading 20-year-old defenseman Adam Henry to Portland for a 2nd round pick in 2017.

– The Calgary Hitmen acquired goaltender Brenden Burke from Portland in exchange for goaltender Evan Johnson and a 2016 4th round pick.

-Brandon receives 20 year old Reid Gow from Spokane for a 5th round pick in either 2015 or 2016.

– The Moose Jaw Warriors sent a 5th round pick to Kamloops for defenseman Connor Clouston. The son to Medicine Hat Tigers Head Coach Shawn Clouston.

– The Swift Current Broncos traded defenceman Brycen Martin to Kamloops for defenceman Josh Connolly and a 2nd round pick in 2016.

A lot has gone on, this does not include previous blockbusters such as Prince Albert trading Josh Morrissey to Kelowna.

I am very interested what teams like Calgary, Kootenay and Edmonton will do in the next couple of days. The Oil Kings could fetch a pretty penny for Pittsburgh Penguins prospect goaltender Tristan Jarry. Brandon seems like a good trading partner, Kelowna too. Two top teams that could use an upgrade there. While I doubt this will happen it is possible the Ottawa Senators could send Curtis Lazar back so Edmonton would have a decision to make.

Everyone in the West is wondering how they can beat Kelowna, in the East It’s Brandon and Medicine Hat. Will teams try and make a move to be competitive? I don’t know. Almost seems like a futile endeavor, especially out West considering the Rockets roster.

In the East it’s a little more wide open, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Kootenay Ice tried to add a defenceman or two, they’ve got goaltending and one of the best top 6 forward groups. It’s Sam Reinhart’s last year in the WHL, it’s either trade him or go for it in my mind.

There are a lot of teams that must be sitting on the fence pondering which way to go. The other factor is that most of the big fish are already accounted for. Does Seattle decide to move Shea Theodore? Does Calgary trade Jake Virtanen? He’s only 18 and very well could be back next year but at the same time you run the risk that he makes the NHL next season. The Canucks are pretty deep though so chances are he is back. Lots of questions…

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Back to the Pats for a moment, Braden Christoffer was named the clubs new captain yesterday. Colby Williams continues to wear an A while Patrick D’Amico and Pavel Padakin will now wear letters. A good move I think.

Connor Hobbs and Taylor Cooper will make their Pats debut tonight at home to the Everett Silvertips. As it stands right now the team will play a man short up front but a call-up could happen today. Ryan Krushen was called up to play on the back end with the departure of Brady Reagan. Chase Harrison and James Hilsendager remain out with upper body injuries while forward Jared McAmmond is also out with an upper body.

I wonder how the team will respond in their first game after all the trades. Not to mention the Silvertips are having great season and are a tough match-up no matter what.

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How good was the gold medal game between Team Canada and Russia at the World Juniors? What an incredible game to watch. The drought is finally over, what a team the Canadians put on the ice. I know this is what we expect every year considering the talent but these guys this year had something special. As a Leaf fan it was pretty cool to see a Domi raise a trophy at the ACC. Too bad Max is an Arizona draft pick.

Speaking of the Leafs, they fired Randy Carlyle yesterday… Not going to fix things I don’t think. This makes an up and down season worse. No playoffs again? I think so.

How did the Edmonton Oilers get a first round pick and Rob Klinkhammer for David Perron?

The NFL playoffs went almost exactly as I expected on Wild Card Weekend. The Arizona Cardinals lost in Carolina to the Panthers. Tough for the Cards who were down to their 3rd string QB. Expected Dallas to beat Detroit and Indianapolis to win over Cincinnati. However Pittsburgh losing at home to Baltimore I did not expect. Yes the Steelers were without Le’Veon Bell but I thought they could sustain that injury and get a win.

Yes the Lions got screwed by the refs against Dallas… Terrible non-call that was initially called pass-interference. But I’m not shedding a single tear for Detroit,

Now the divisional match-ups are set. New England hosts Baltimore, the one team that has had good success against the Patriots in previous years. Should be a good one but I’m taking Brady and the Pats. The other AFC game is Denver home to Indianapolis. The former Colt QB in Peyton Manning against the new one in Andrew Luck. I expect a high scoring affair and I think the Colts pull off the upset. In the NFC Carolina is on the road in Seattle. The Panthers defense is good but so is the one in Seattle. I would think a team with 6 regular season wins in the Panthers wouldn’t be able to beat Russell Wilson, especially at home. I’m going with the Seahawks. Finally my Packers host the Dallas Cowboys. Green Bay is unbeaten at home and Dallas has yet to lose on the road this season. The health of Aaron Rodgers is in question but he will play and the Pack will win.

That’s it from me today. Be sure to catch tonight’s episode of Pats TV on Access 7. We will have John Paddock and his news conference on Monday after the big trades. Starts at 6:30.

Have a great week!

Phil
@PhilTheThrill18