The Vig

I got the news yesterday as I sat at Big Al’s watching Matt Leinart play his way out of the NFL; the Winterhawks had traded away the guy Mike Williamson once called the team’s biggest leader.  Were it not for the fact a goaltender cannot wear the captain’s C, Kurtis Mucha likely would have been a third year captain this season.  Of this I have no doubt.

Like Dylan B., I was initially shocked by how little the team got in return for him.  I was also shocked at what a crappy team he’d been sent to.  As soon as I read Steve Brandon’s article, the whole thing made a lot more sense to me.

Here are some facts Hawks fans need to take to heart:

1. The Portland Winterhawks aren’t going to win a championship this season.  They will consider the season a fortunate success if they get through the first-round of the playoffs.
2. The Western Hockey League is a developmental league.  That is to say, the primary purpose of each organization is to prepare players for the next level of hockey.  Players, especially players with skill, should seek every opportunity to maximize and showcase their skills.
3. Teams in the Wertern Hockey League who are building toward a championship in two or three seasons understand ice time is precious, especially for younger players who are developing.  Older players can only clog things up.

Let’s be honest.  We all love Mucha.  He poured his heart and soul out for an organization that had no business asking anything from him.  But for whatever reason he stuck it out.  I have no idea why.  Yes, things are finally headed in the right direction here, and that’s a fantastic thing.  That said, as fantastic as he is, this year’s Winterhawks team isn’t going anywhere with him.  Understanding that, the team needs to free up his position in order to develop a younger net minder with the hope that in two years he can be the guy to bring home a championship.  Will that be Carruth?  Hamilton?  Someone else?  Who knows.  The point is the team needs to start down that path now.

Does it smart for Mucha?  Yes.  I think he wanted to finish what he started in Portland, and  I don’t blame him one bit.  The simple fact is he wasn’t going to play here as much as he needs to.  He needs to develop and he wasn’t going to be able to here.  Maybe he can in Kamloops.  Perhaps he’ll get traded to a contender beyond that.  There are opportunities out there.  There aren’t any in Portland.