PR - Fog Devils

*The opening segment of "Off The Record" on TSN runs and we see Michael Landsberg sitting with the GM of the Fog Devils Jon Osbonre and Head Coach Paul Maurice.

ML: Welcome everyone to "Off The Record" I'm Michael Landsberg, your Host, and Welcome to our week on the THFL. With me today and the GM and the new Head Coach of the Fog Devils franchise. Jon Osborne and Paul Maurice. Welcome Gentlemen.

JO & PM: Thank you

ML: Jon, let me start with you, how do you feel about the assets you have given Paul Maurice to work with and improve the club this season.

JO: I think Paul has a good team to work with this season. He has a team under him that was one win away from the THFL final last season, we were underdogs, no one really expected us to make the play offs let alone go to the seventh game of the semi finals. So he has a quality players to come in and implement his system and try and get us to the next step.

ML: Well, you have received some criticism during this off season about the lack of free agent signings, can you speak to that?

JO: Well Michael, we did obtain Chris Phillips and are happy with the addition he will make to our club, many have said we overpaid but we felt he had the stats and excelled in the areas we need to have a solid crop of defensemen this year. As far as our inactivity, I would not say we were inactive, a lot of the players we needed were RFA'S and the teams matched the bid. We were in the Bure bidding war and Pavel made a decision to go with another club. We had lots of bids out and were able to sign Matts Sundin again, despite him hitting the free agent market. He knows the quality organization we are and believes in it so much he was willing to take a pay cut to be here. So to be honest I am happy with where we are right now and our performance in the off season. But time is the only teller of how well teams did, and at the end of the season, its only then we'll know who had the best off-season.

ML: Paul, when you were announced as head coach, you mentioned in the press conference that there was a lot of work to do, what have you been doing with the team in training camp.

PM: The first thing any new coach has to do when he comes into an organization is review a lot of tape so he can get to know his players and they tendicies and the pro's and con's of their game. In training camp it's getting to know the player more personally, how far you can push em, what's gonna help motivate that particular player, what he'll respond to, whether that's yelling and screaming, or giving him a pat on the back.

ML: What are some key factors of the Fog Devils team from last year that you like, and some factors you will work to correct.

PM: I am very impressed with our special teams play. We had the leagues best penalty kill last year and a top 10 power play ranking. So obliviously they are going to be areas I want to reinforce and make sure we continue to do well. What I am really want to improve on this team is the 5 on 5 play. There were way to many players last year in the minus category for plus/minus. We need to keep smart and play well when its 5 on 5 , not just do it when we're under pressure on special teams. So I think motivating these guys when its 5 on 5 is something I am going to have to work on. But more or less I am happy thus far with the performances in training camp.

ML: Name some players that are really impressing you?

PM: Dubnyk is picking up right from where he left off last season, he is in good form and he will be our started this year. Sam Gagner is impressing me, for such a young kid he has an amazing raw talent. He is very comfortable playing at this level. I don't know that from a development stand point that it would be smart to play him up here this year, but if we get hit with some injuries, look to see him in the line up.

ML: Jon, rumors are swirling that you have been receiving some interesting offers for Dan Sprang and Jocelyn Thibault, are you shopping these players around.\?

JO: No, I am not shopping them around, but if the right deal comes along that will improve this hockey club I'd be stupid not to listen. Dan is a great defenseman, always in position and a great defender in our zone, and Joycelyn was a big part in getting us to where we went last season and helped develop Dubnyk so quickly. That being said there are some areas of the team I am looking to make stronger so like I said if I get approached with the right deal, I will make it.

ML: Thank you guys for an interesting show, look forward to having you back sometime soon

JO &PM: Thank you


*show goes to commercial*