The WHL's Hottest Panel Show!
Anna Kournikova:	"Welcome to another Big Hitz! Today we will have special guests Demi Moore (Taipans) and Jock Wilson (SmokeEaters), along with regulars Jim Rome (Icedogs), and Michael Landsberg (Bulls)." "Well lets get things going here. There have been some big trades as of late in the WHL. By the looks of things there won't be much talent left to trade for at the trade dealine. Do you think this will be a busy deadline day or have most of the deals already been done?"
Demi Moore (Taipans):	"Well, thanks for having me on the show, Anna. You are a pretty busy girl too, aren't you? We all know you are a member of The Greenpeace Greenskeepers, the cheerleading squad of The Vancouver Greenpeace of The Trans-World Hockey League, and yet you still have time for this show as well. Good for you! It seemed that the South China Sea's own GM, Easton, really opened the trade floodgates after the WHL saw months of relative inaction on the trades front. He started dealing, several deals were announced, and everyone jumped on the bandwagon with trades left, right & centre! Easton kept dealing, and so did everyone else, and now that he's backed down from the market, it seems almost the whole League is quiet again! Funny… in the end, the rush of deals may very well have precipitated what could have been a busy trade-deadline, and it could be all quiet on the Western & Eastern fronts! "
Michael Landsberg:	"Listen Demi, there's probably NO way for either you or Anna to ever get on my bad side, but why does a lady like you work for the Taipans?... The Bulls could surely pay you more!, plus you'd get to work with me! (*okay, maybe there is a downside - laughs*). But seriously, unless one of the contenders decide to overhual things, I don't see much happening at the deadline... All the big dealers have made their moves early, so don't expect a whole lot when the clock strikes midnight on d-day."
Jock Wilson (SmokeEaters):	"Well, I don't think all the deals are done. I think there will be some cosmetic trading. You know you add 4th line winger here or a 7 defenceman there. Most blockbuster have been completed. Most of the poorer teams are playing things a little closer to the vest with their prospects these days."
Jim Rome:	"Personally, I don't see this being that busy of a day. There will be some deals but I don't think there will be anything major like in the past. It appears as though most of the top teams have already made their moves or will have made them in the next week. However I'm sure somebody will pull a surprise out of their hat on deadline day."
Anna Kournikova:	"Who do you guys think could still be moved that would have a big impact on a team in the playoffs and what team do you think will land these players?"
Michael Landsberg:	"It's hard to say right now seeing how the likes of Fedorov, Blake, Bure, Lemieux, and Kariya have all been moved over the last little while... but I do think the Raiders will be looking to move a guy like Brett Hull if they can get some value back for him, as well as the Hensch moving a guy like Alfredsson possibly. As for buyers?, well the Saints look like they still want to make one more impact move before the deadline, as do the Icedogs."
Jock Wilson:	"Hard to say at this point but you have guys like Jonas Hoglund of the Bears or Jamie Langenbrunner from our team. Neither guy is gonna set the world on fire for a top team but they could certainly give a team added insurance. I couldn't tell you where they will land, we haven't had much talk involving Jamie lately but he is a constant producer and 25 goal scorer. We would love to give him a chance to make a run."
Jim Rome:	"I think there is still a number of players out there that could be moved. The Hensch have Daniel Alfredsson and Jaroslav Modry that could provide a big boost to a contender. My sources say that the Hensch really value these guys and they wouldn't come cheaply. The chances that these guys get moved is pretty slim. The Oceanics have Fredrik Olaussen he's older and would be a good rental player. Olaussen would be great on the PP and in the playoffs we all know special teams are really important. I could see maybe the Stallions or maybe even the Icedogs going after Fredrik. The Enforcers right now are holding down the 8th and final playoff spot but I just don't see them doing anything once in the playoffs. I think they could potentially move Adam Deadmarsh, Alexei Kovalev and Ed Belfour. The price would be steep to land any of those 3. I'm not sure if there is anybody that would be willing to pay the price. The Lunatics have Patrick Roy I think we could see Roy in a different uniform making a run for the cyber cup. The team likely most interested would be the Sparrows. Theo Fleury of the Cougars has been on the block for some time now with no apparent takers as he hasn't been moved. I look for a team like the Icedogs, Saints or Dropkicks to go after Fleury. The Raiders have Brett Hull and Greg DeVries both of these will likely be moved. Hull wants to be on a contender playing for the Cyber cup. I would look for a team possible like the Saints, Corinths or Icedogs to be trying to land one of these guys. The last guys I see avaliable that could have a big impact are Jason Arnott and Roman Hamrlik or the Vikings. I could see possible the Dropkicks work out a deal to bring in one of these guys."
Demi Moore:	"I have to wonder if anyone with a 'big name' will be dealt again this Season. I mean, most of the dealers lately have been Playoffs teams who think they have a chance to go for it all, meaning that it's teams out of the playoffs that are being raided. But who else is there left to steal? From The Wales Conference, The Hensch have a few guys, but it looks like they're making a run to the playoffs, and will keep their players until they know they're out. The Enforcers are in the same position, but will a huge deal like the one that saw Fedorov move be enough to convince their GM to move guys like Briere, Kovalev or Delmore? I suppose the Lunatics could move Schnieder or Jokinen. The Bears have no-one, and The Taipans are taking a run for it all as well. From The Campbell Conference, if The Cougars have called it quits, Theo Fluery could well be moving to a contender. In fact, that may be the most certain move to be made before the deadline. The Hawks could move Hal Gill to a team needing defensive depth. Either The Krushers clean house, and they haven’t made any moves in that direction, despite announcements considering just that, or I have a feeling they'll be biting the bullet, and trying in the off-season to build on what they've got, rather than running a fire-sale. We could see Brett Hull of The Raiders moving. Will The Vikings move Roman Hamrlik? And The Timberjacks may have Zdeno Chara on the block. So, all in all, maybe there will be movement after all, Anna! As for where any of these players may be heading, it's likely already been demonstrated that Vancouver, Oakville, South China Sea, Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, Quebec City and Chicoutimi are the teams making a real run."
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Anna Kournikova:	"What do you all think of the big deals made in the last couple weeks? Which teams have really improved their chances of winning the cyber cup?"
Jock Wilson:	"Well obviouslythe Dropkicks have really increased their chances by adding Rob Blake to their lineup as well as Eric Brewer. The Bulls will be tough competitors and the Corinthians added some solid backup goaltending. The Saints made that deal with us where they added Roberto Luongo which has also had some very exciting results for that Franchise."
Jim Rome:	"Well their have been some big deals lately. I think that the Saints and Icedogs however have improved their teams the most. The Saints have really made some big splashes since new owner Rob Sypes took over the club. The Icedogs have been really quite this year in making their moves. Until the Sergei Fedorov deal which might have been the worst kept secret in the WHL seeing as the original deal was not passed by the Trade review. It took another week to finally get the deal done but just last night the deal was confirmed. The deal had an added twist which also seen the Icedogs add Sean Hill to the blueline. Going into the season the Icedogs only real weakness was there Blueline. Their blueline is now a strengh and they have only improved their scoring up front as the season has gone on. To me this years cyber cup is going to be a 6 team race between the Bulls, Dropkicks, Voodoo, Stallions, Icedogs and Saints. However I'm still sticking with my early season pick the Dropkicks will win the Cyber cup this year."
Demi Moore:	"Actually, Anna, could we get off these Trades questions, and start talking about your panties? Where can I get a pair after you finish playing?" "Now, if we really have to talk trades still, then I'd have to say that most of the deals have been insane! Generally, two things have happened. Weaker teams have played DIRECTLY into the hands of the 'big brothers' by taking on one skilled player and giving up their great youth to teams that would have had their HANDS TIED come the off-season when the Salary Cap comes into effect! The cost of those players with the teams being FORCED to move them, would be SO MUCH CHEAPER!!! But instead, they've paid at times ludicrous prices for players and allowed the strong teams to get under possible salary cap considerations while getting way more back than could have been market value! Senseless, and short-sighted, period. The other kind of trade has seen teams deal their futures away for old foggies, thinking that they have any realistic chance at a Cyber Cup run! I throw The Icedogs into that mix. Let alone that last deal to get Fedorov, every other deal they've made has just been one more nail into the future franchise's coffin. In both types of deals being made, the 'big' moves generally made have been sad for the entire League."
Michael Landsberg:	"As usual the Bulls, Dropkicks and Icedogs have been making some big moves, but I certainly like the Icedogs chances with the additions of Zhamnov, Fedorov, Brind'Amour, MacInnis and Hill. I think their goaltending is often disrespected, but look out come playoffs because their guys will be ready to go... but again, to quote my buddy Ric Flair: 'to be the man you gotta beat the man', so the Bulls are still my favourites."
Anna Kournikova:	"We got an email question from the man made famous by his Mullet - Al Iafrate. Al asks Do you guys think that the Toronto Stallions should blow up their team and start from scratch?"
Jim Rome:	"Good question Al. The Stallions are a old team. When I say old what I really mean is prehistoric. I mean I'm expecting that by next year you could find fossils of some of the guys currently playing on the Stallions. However despite the age of this club I do give them credit. These guys were the best team in the WHL until last week. I think that after this year the Stallions ownership group should really consider starting a rebuilding plan for this geriatric center. They do have some guys to build around like Patrick Elias, Tomas Kaberle and Mikka Kiprusoff... So rebuilding shouldn't be a long stressful process for this organization. Also Al, my advice to you is lose the Mullet, or at least downsize - even Brian Howe downsized the mullet this year."
Demi Moore:	"Do they have a choice, Anna? Here's an idea; let's blow up The Stallions, and start scratching you! *wink* In fact, you look like you're ready to do the scratching in this nice shot!" "Are you wearing the same panties? Oh, come on, Anna, don't play shy! Okay, seriously, Toronto are so old they have WHA alumni playing their power-play! An unbelievable season so far will come crashing to an end faster than you can say, 'Are you ready for your Pre-game Gerber food?' I'll hand it to them, it's been a pretty impressive ride, but you're going to see a vastly different team come next season in Toronto… not that it will make any difference, as Toronto is Toronto, and that in itself means they can't win it all in ANY League!"
Michael Landsberg:	"Wow, I'm glad Demi's come bearing gifts today, nice shots Anna (*smiles*)... Well, lets look at it like this... The Stallions missed their chance at the Cup two years ago... last year was a bit of a write off... So many guessed the team would atleast attempt to inject some younger talent into the franchise after that, but this has still yet to happen. The Stallions are running a funeral home, with little assets left to deal for real quality - by saying that I mean that I don't think moving Sakic and Elias would be smart on their part. So if they stand pat for one more year this franchise will be in a lot of trouble. Not only does Toronto have a lot of retiring players, but they have a lot of inactive players who will decrease in talent. The Stallions desparately need to cut some overpaid talent (Lindros, Sanderson and Renberg to name a few) for more depth in the youth department... your organization is only as good as its total assets, and the Stallions are in real danger at seasons end - as pointed out by a few BOD members last week... which is why I don't understand how they could let guys like Regehr and Cibak go."
Jock Wilson:	"Wow! If they blew up their team it would take a lot of time and care to rebuild it. They don't have any young centre piece type prospect to build around. It would certainly be interesting to see what would happen but I think blowing the team up is a bit drastic at this point given what they have to work with."
Anna Kournikova:	It appears that the South China Sea Taipans are making a push to get into the playoffs. Do you think these guys are for real, or are they just playing over their heads? surely they won't make they playoffs after the start to the season they had."
Michael Landsberg:	"They won't make the playoffs now... their strategy backfired horribly, and they made their push much too late. Even if they won every game left in the regular season they would only have something like 56 points, and seeing how you need somewhere around 70 points - they're as done as Teemu and his quest for the MVP(*laughs*)... very embarassing for the Taipans franchise this year... but I will go out and say that if the Taipans get the miracle they've been looking for and squeek into this years postseason, I promise to take down all of my Anna posters... well, for a day anyways. (*smiles*)"
Jock Wilson:	"The 10 point gap is too much to overcome even with the Taipans fine play in the second half. The Hensch are matching them win for win right now and time is quickly running out. I don't think they have the pieces to make it."
Jim Rome:	"Well I'll admit I certainly didn't think that the Taipans could get things turned around. However they have been on a roll of late. They are currently 11 points out of a playoff spot with with 28 games to go. It's not going to be easy that's for sure. They have to get at least 6 more wins in those 28 games then the Enforcers who currently hold down the last playoff spot. Not to mention they still have other teams they need to pass before they can even think of grabbing a playoff spot. Personally I think as long as they don't suffer any big injuries they could grab the 8th spot in the playoffs."
Demi Moore:	"Anna, Anna, Anna. BELIEVE! The Taipans have guarenteed their fans, and that's A LOT OF PEOPLE (The South China Sea borders over 11 South-East Asian Countries!), that they'll be seeing Playoffs Action on The S.S. Slimedeck. As it's looking now, that means catching The Saskatoon Enforcers for the 8th and final spot in the Wales Conference, which would be 2 times the pleasure for the team, after they knocked Montreal out of the Playoffs last Season! The unfortunate fact is that The Taipans have already won their Season Series against Saskatoon, and they can't gain any more "4-pointers" against them. So, they're going to have to keep hoping The Enforcers continue acting like pacifists, while Teemu Terrific and Danny Hard Boyle, the League's last two Players Of The Week, continue directing them towards what most see as an unlikely conclusion, but The Taipans management and players see as destiny!"
Anna Kournikova:	"It's now time for the prospect segment which we haven't done in the last two episodes. We are going to take a look at a player that will be avaliable in the upcoming draft and see what you guys think of him. Where will he be drafted and what kind of potential does he have. The player we are going to profile this episode is Michael Ryder. So what do you guys think?"
Jock Wilson:	"Ryder is a fine prospect. His skating is slightly suspect right now. He has a knack around the net he can find the hole and get to it. He is good at distributing the puck to his linemates and is a real heart and soul type player. I look at him as a Butch Goring type of guy. Tenacious and fierce competitor. I think he will go in the top 5 of the draft, probably #5 on that list."
Jim Rome:	"In my opinion Ryder is certainly a top 3 pick. The guy is going to be able to step into the WHL right away and have an impact. I could see Ryder playing on one of the top two lines for just about any team in the WHL right now. Ryder is very versatile as he can play all three forward positions. He is more known for being a shooter but his passing is just as good. He likes to drive to the net and doesn't seem to have any problem getting there. He will never be mistaken for selke winner but he does work hard in his own end and understand what needs to be done."
Demi Moore:	"Um, my first comment is a question back at you, Anna. Where in the heck did you hear that Michael Ryder will be available in the upcoming Draft? I have yet to see any published reports about a Draft List, and in fact, according to The Taipans GM, he's asked The League for information about who might be available, and been told that List is not ready. So, where does this name come from? Okay, here's a more important question, and this may be more to the point. A recent controversey has come up throughout the League about some GM's using "insider information" unavailable to the general public in the League. Is this another case of just that situation? I mean, come clean, Anna! In fact, you can use my bathtub! But these concerns really need to be addressed!"
Michael Landsberg:	"mmm... bathtub... (*slaps himself*). Sorry, I'm back. Well first off the WHL always includes first round draft picks from the NHL and its rookies in our league's drafts each season. The league site even has a link with the rookies to be drafted Click Here . So no, that's not insider information, but Anna does get scoops we don't sometimes you know (*laughs*). As for the youngster, I don't see Ryder falling out of the top 5 in this year's draft. His ability to play anywhere up front will atract a lot of teams. He does seem a little too good to be true though, so personally, I'd determine his value after he's played a couple years of pro."
[COMMERCIAL BREAK] - Nike 'Naslund and Kovalchuk break through the arena boards in a crazy game of keep-away... it seems as though nobody can stop them as they make their way down the street... suddenly both mens jaws drop in awe... [camera scans over] revealing the Swedish women's soccer team doing a photo-shoot' "Nike. Just do it!"
Anna Kournikova:	"Earlier this week Commissioner Mike Hebert spoke about the cap issue. He said that by Monday March 8th the league will know for sure what exactly is going to be done regarding the cap. Do you think it is wise of Mike to set such a deadline on such an important issue? I mean everyone knows there will be a cap and that it will effect the top teams that have a boat load of talent. So why the urgency I mean I think it's pretty obvious who will be over the cap, likely 5 or 6 teams: Voodoo, Stallions, Bulls, Icedogs, Dropkicks and Corinths."
Jim Rome:	"It's a tough call really. The league has been waiting patiently for the announcement, however this is a big issue and I don't think that Hebert should have set a deadline. I think as long as it's settled by the end of the regular season that should be good enough. It's really no secret that the Bulls, Voodoo, Dropkicks and Stallions will be over the cap along with most likely the Corinths. With the recent deal the Icedogs made to get Fedorov and Hill they will certainly be over as well. As for other teams I don't think they need to worry right now about being in danger of going over the cap. I'm not sure exactly what the numbers will be but my opinion is that the teams listed above should know that they will need to move some pretty good players if they hope to be under the cap once the trade dealine passes. Personally I think they BOD should take all the time they need to make sure that they get the best possible numbers for the cap."
Demi Moore:	"See above! But beyond that, as long as GM's are honest, I really don't see an urgency, UNLESS the League says that Teams won't have enough time to re-work their Rosters, and use that as a reason to not make the "cap" come into effect until WHL11, or something! But as long as an effective system is created, and I mean EFFECTIVE system, that can be instituted for WHL10 and balances out the League, there's no need at all for rushing it. In fact, considering the importance of the issue, I sure hope that the Commissioner doesn't use the "deadline" to shove a system down our throats that we don't approve of! This is a matter that SHOULD be voted on league wide, as should many of the other issues that have come up lately. I see the BOD as a group of GM's that can work out the details to ideas, and present them to the League for acceptance. They shouldn't be a final judging body, that creates their Rules and forces them on all the GM's throughout the League, whether they like it or not. Unfortunately, that seems to be the way the BOD is run now, and that's unfortunate. It makes for disharmony in the League, and promotes special interests. There's my editorial for the evening, Anna! And here's a last shot, only it's a little more self-serving!!! Keep it in a safe place, girl, and call me anytime!"
Michael Landsberg:	"The fact that all GMs aren't included in these discussions is reason enough for their to be a deadline put in place; this isn't a matter of rushing things now, because the numbers haven't changed in quite some time. The faster the GMs know what they're going to do with their club before the deadline, the better... don't tell me the BOD can't get things done under pressure... The cap's been discussed for over a year, so if the BOD can't come to a decision by the deadline - then there's more to worry about than a cap... remember, Mr.Hebert said he'd quit if something wasn't decided by March 8th, but I'd expect to see a league wide vote soon."
Jock Wilson:	"It's important that this get done and ratified before the trading deadline so we can have a clear understanding of what the rules entail and move our franchise in the direction that we would like to see it. No hidden details and not misjudgements. Every franchise needs to know whats going on in the leadup to the trade deadline it is the most important day next to the amateur entry draft."
Anna Kournikova:	"And with that we're almost out of time for today - I'm Anna Kournikova thanking special guests Demi Moore and Jock Wilson for joining us today, and as always thanks to Jim Rome and Michael Landsberg for a great show today!"