Visiting the Office Of...Martin Auzins

Welcome once again to ""Visiting the Office Of..." an interview series that goes behind the scenes with the general managers of the Elite Hockey Experience. In this edition, we talked to Martin Auzins, of the New York Rangers.

Aside from a small technicality (see below for a bit more info on that), Martin has been around and active for the entire 9-year history of the EHE, so he was able to share some great insights with us.

Enjoy!

When did you join the Elite Hockey Experience? Had you been involved with sim hockey before?

I joined during the first part of EHE Inaugural draft, round 12 I believe and my first selection was Tom Wilson. I had a small sim experience before in two leagues, can't even remember the name of either - it's been 11 years. Nothing in comparison to EHE that's for sure. 

So you were there at the start of the league, including the Inaugural Draft. But interestingly, someone else made the Rangers' picks until Round 12 and then it was you the rest of the way. What happened there? 

I don't think I have ever asked that question to be honest. You would have to ask the league office, I was just happy I got the team that I root for in real life.

I remember taking over and first 11 rounds were made like the team is going to compete with several veterans selected already and that wasn't my vision at all at that time. Most of them were past their prime and I thought that the team will have to be broken apart pretty quickly so I figured I shall start right then and there. On some small level, 11 years later I still think I haven't found the right combination of EHE success.

Do you remember who you took with your final pick, in the 53rd round?

I actually looked up all the selections from the Inaugural draft and boy did I miss loads of selections. If I name those players selected at the end, nobody is going to know who they are these days. But that is the fun part of a sim league - you just never know. I think that's why people get so hyped up around Entry drafts. Just the sheer thought of nailing that one pick is on everyone's mind. Think a lot of GM's will agree the draft is one the most fun times to be around.

After the dust had settled, how did your first season go in the general manager's chair?

My vision from the get go was to move all the veterans because in a few years they would all retire. I moved the likes of Marian Hossa, Shea Weber, Dennis Seidenberg, Paul Martin and Jarome Iginla to name a few and fittingly I finished 26th in our first year. 

Switching gears here, I wanted to try something a little different. Looking at the graph below, can you guess what it's representing?

Did I really make 80 moves in 2019??

You nailed it on the first try (laughs). It was 79 to be exact, but yeah, that's the number of trades the Rangers have made every year since the EHE first started.

I am on a downward trend...:(

Has that been a strategic choice? Or is it just a question of the deals that were available on a year-to-year basis?

Yes and no. Maybe to a lesser extent now as I have gotten older and have more responsibilities outside fantasy world but I just was always inquiring about players, picks & prospects all around the league constantly. It's just who I am as a person as well, just never satisfied with the result.

With every move I think long term, I'm sure to many it just looks like I am doing trades for the sake of it but you should see my excel spreadsheets of all the info I am gathering while doing so. And these days it's just fun to talk about the sport in general or just with other GM's about anything really so when seeing that chart I get why I am on a downward trend trade wise. I am sure you guys will hear from me when the pre-season activities roll up again, haha.

One effect of that wheeling and dealing has been a massive amount of draft picks making their way to the Big Apple, with the Rangers holding the league records for most picks in a 5-round draft (22 in 2019), most picks in a 7-round draft (18 in 2015), and most picks all-time (108 in 9 total drafts). And yet, your team has never formally undertaken a rebuild, averaging 93 points per season and qualifying for the playoffs five times. ​​​​​​Is it fair to say that your goal is to be competitive every single year? And if so, how have you managed to do so while also raking in so many picks? 

That's a decent statistic I suppose but in the end I could make Stanley Cup finals every year, lose and that will still count for nothing. All these picks, prospects and so so many trades need to start bringing some results.

I think my mindset has shifted a bit after a super frustrating season last year where I felt I had built the best Rangers team in history of EHE only to fall short of playoffs by a point. In real life I would probably get fired. So looking forward to another year where I will try to put my best foot forward and some offseason moves reflect that already. As one great GM of EHE once said "Prospects are cool but parades are cooler".

But back to your question - as I said I try to think long term when making moves and that has brought me some picks along the way, always researching the trends of players to try to capitalize on the best moment to make a move. EHE is so competitive so even when you think you are doing good other GM's will just pull something out of the bag to keep you on your toes all the time. Especially the Metro division. By far the most active division out there and everyone is trying to win, it's a blessing and a curse honestly. I found that out the hard way last year that just goes to show you how tight it is. Wouldn't have it any other way but at the same time can you guys just lose a bit more?

Now, I want to preface this next question by saying it's not at all intended to be a "gotcha," but you did make a bold call drafting William Eklund 2nd overall in 2021. Considering that for the moment he seems to have been surpassed by some of the players selected right after him, would you make a different pick if you could do it over again? Or do you think in the long run he'll prove he was worth it?

He was my number two guy and I stand by it. Honestly, it's still way too early to judge. He is playing top 6 minutes on a team that is heavily flawed at the moment. All those top 6-7 guys were so close that it was a hard choice to make but I am happy with what I chose, unfortunately it wasn't long lived as he got moved in a trade for Mat Barzal.

Again, I was thinking long term - seeing what Sharks were doing I thought Eklund will take some time to develop and with EHE criteria it will take even longer for him to become a difference maker. Have to wonder if Seattle, Philly & Calgary are happy now that I took Eklund.

Your farm team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, claimed their first Calder Cup title last year; considering that they've made the playoffs in 7 out of 9 seasons under your leadership, did that championship run feel like it was a long time coming?

A consolation prize last year for sure. I am always trying to make my farm competitive while having some prospects in there for a decent mix of players. Guys like Macelli, Berggren & Lapierre were main contributors to last year's run so trying that approach has mostly been successful.

When you win in the EHE, never ever take it for granted because do know that there will be about 30 hungry GMs coming to take that away from you.

Unfortunately it seems likely the Wolf Pack will have to weather some major departures next season, with Joe Veleno, Philipp Kurashev, Matias Maccelli, Rasmus Sandin, and Sam Montembault all primed to become full-time NHLers. Do you think Hartford can defend their title in spite of those losses?

Absolutely and you didn't even name the most important player to that run, Nic Petan. Guys like Chisholm, Lapierre & Lind will have to take on more leadership and hopefully the next step in their production. Then guys like Rosen, Blumel & Stastney will come into their ELC's and will try to contribute. And we will do what we can in Free Agency as well to see where we need to balance the team.

Wow, can't believe I forgot Nic Petan! The Barracuda alumni association is gonna have my ass...

Anyway, as we talked about earlier you've made a lot of trades over the years, and that has of course included some huge stars coming and going on Broadway. Are there any deals that you're particularly proud of, or blockbusters you remember especially well?

Acquiring Mark Scheifele was one of the hardest deals I had to make. Kirklan is just as tough as nails GM there is, not in a bad way. And somehow I would put John Tavares deal in my top 3 as well. When Rangers & Avs come together we always seem to make big deals work and somehow looking back he has always gotten the best out of it, haha. Have to watch out next time.

Trading JP Pageau to the Sens is another one we worked on for quite a while. Another talks where you just feel relief after it's done and again, not in a bad way but in a way where a GM challenges you on every part of the deal is what I love about it. Little nuances of this and that. You hate it but you love it kinda way. Mika Zibanejad to the Flyers was another one that would make the top 5 in terms of how big and complicated it was.

One trade that I am proud of? Probably acquiring Andrei Svechnikov from Montreal back in 2019. And then in a complete 180 trading him for Huberdeau. It can all change so quickly and for good measure I added Joshua Roy in that deal who's one of the best AHL players in his first pro season. So yeah, well done to me. 

On the off topic - remember all the Rangers - Sharks trades from back in the day? Don't think any of them had less than 10 pieces moving. Would love to hear Kevin's comments on those.

Any trades you wish you could take back?

Guess I just answered your question above. Definitely wouldn't trade Jack Hughes and 4 other pieces for John Tavares now. But then again John Tavares was later traded for Jason Robertson, Hampus Lindholm and a few other pieces. So it wasn't all bad on that trade tree but the Svechinkov trade just keeps looking worse and worse. Insert sad Huberdeau getting benched in the 3rd emoji here.

What advice would you give to a GM just starting out in the EHE?  

Just let yourself settle in, seek advice from more tenured GM's and ask questions if unsure. It's a great bunch here in EHE and everyone is always helpful. After you have settled in, be ready for a wild ride that is the Elite Hockey Experience.

Also if you enjoy sarcasm, message Andrew in Columbus. He is always spot on. 

Okay, we've focused on a lot of off-ice stuff, so how about grabbing your crystal ball and telling us what you see the Rangers accomplishing on the ice in 2023-24.

I wish I could but the EHE is just full of surprises so trying not to jump ahead of anything. Looking forward to what the Free Agency brings and what moves other GM's make. Teams are only starting to prepare for the next season so landscape is definitely a subject to change. 

What about three years from now. What do you think the state of the Rangers will be?

Hopefully a cup winner by then? The highest of expectations will be put on for sure. I think the roster is a few tweaks away from being a competitive team. Main thing is to actually turn all this potential into results so we will see what happens. 

Well Martin, that's all the time we've got for now. Thanks for a great interview, and good luck to you in the upcoming season!

I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this so thank you for having me on. Enjoy the read guys and more importantly I will see you all on ice very shortly. Cheers.

Kirklan Lycar

Great stuff! Thanks for the shout out Martins ;) Miss our chats bud

Visiting the Office Of...Martin Auzins

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