GM Mike Ostrom opens up some time in his busy competitive food eating schedule to speak to the media about the upcomming season
Q1: Mr Ostrom, are you worried that a media availability will jinx your team?
A: Absolutely, but I mean I haven't had many in the last 3 years and how many cups have we won?
Q2: Mike, at the end of last season you mentioned that Malkin, Byfuglien and Jones would all be off to the highest bidder, yet there are still here. What gives?
A: When the highest bid that comes in involves Gagner from Philly, you bite your tongue and keep them. They are all solid players that I am happy to have on my team. Jones is going to have to battle for ice time as we can't hold back Shesh anymore. Byfuglien has to just keep doing what hes doing. Malkin needs to figure out if he wants to be with us long term and at a reasonable rate. Worse case he leaves for nothing but we hopefully make a run. Other option includes a re-rate to get his contract another year but then his stats drop. Finally, if someone wants to give me what hes worth, or any of the 3, then they could be moved as well. Nothing blew me away, so we kept the stars. I know their value.
Q3: Seems like you are going with a depth roster this year, how do you think that will work?
A: Starting off with similar ice time for top 2 lines, slightly less for 3rd, and less for 4th. Win by committee. If things start to go sideways we can load up a line. 6 solid D who can defend and move the puck. I like what we got.
Q4: Whats your goal this year?
A: If I ain't eating 4 lbs of chili out of the Stanley Cup at the end of this season I will be very disappointed.
Q5: What do you think about the rest of the league?
A: We have 32 31 30 strong teams in this league that are all going to fight for a playoff spot. Last year the race was crazy. This goes to show that GM's are all almost all building for the cup, and not the basement. Its going to be a heck of a year, and there will be some disappointed GMs. Hopefully I am not one of them.
Q6: What's your ideal McDonalds meal?
A: 10 Chicken Nuggets, Quarter Cheese Combo, Big Mac, Jr Chicken, Diet Coke
Q7: You dumped a lot of picks yet again this year, but to move some contracts as well. Why don't you ever participate in the draft?
A: I get hammered that weekend every year with Calgary GM Chad Scanlan, wouldn't want to ruin the weekend by having to focus on our future.
Q7b: Its a different weekend every time...
A: Exactly. Best two weekends of the year.
Q8: You lost out on PK Subban despite having the 2nd highest offer and arguably the most reasonable. How did you feel about that?
A: You should ask him after we face him for the first time. He might be found in an ambulance.
Q9: Jesus, that quite uncalled for. Did you actually just threaten a player who chose not to sign with you?
A: In this league you are either with us or against us. PK is against us so he get's what he get's. And by the way these questions are going, you sound like you are against us as well...
This concludes today's media availability. If you would like anymore questions answered to can reach out to GMMO on slack.