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+---- Thread: Kesler Reaches A Decision (/showthread.php?tid=77838)
- Jala - 08-02-2017
Before I get into the 'player PoV' of this article I'd like to thank all the GMs and players who made my first dive into free agency EVER a ton of fun. Across all the sim leagues and years that spanned my career on them, I've never actively gone into free agency. I've been drafted, traded, re-signed, inactively signed as a FA and ended up on a new team when I come back and been cut while inactive and retired a free agent; but this is the first time in the 3 (jesus christ) calendar years I've been on sim leagues that I've been able to go to the free market and test the waters.
This was an absolutely mind-blowing experience for me and the most fun on sim leagues that I've had in a long time. I'm really glad I had the week off of work as I had time to focus on making a choice. I had a couple offers I really liked but one team really made it impossible to say no to signing with them. Going into FA I was looking for a team that could offer a short term contract and give me solid playing time. I didn't think anyone would find room for me in their top-6 but almost everyone said they'd try to fit me in.
I'd just like to apologize to all the GMs who aren't going to sign me. I never expected as much interest in my player as was expressed, and the number of GMs or players I would love to play with was overwhelming. There wasn't a new team that was a definite no in my books to sign with and almost all the offers that were presented to me were very appealing. I was also very happy that I've left a positive impression on most everyone who approached me and that made me a valuable asset to their clubs.
<a href='index.php?showuser=1722' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Nereus</a> <a href='index.php?showuser=2264' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-10'>ToeDragon84</a> - I think the Jets are a great squad and I appreciate you guys being interested in me. Nereus you've done great since L4E stepped down and I feel like you guys are just around the corner from being a great squad.
<a href='index.php?showuser=2236' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Wally</a> - There are a lot of great players on your roster that I'd like to play with. <a href='index.php?showuser=537' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-8'>Schultzy</a> is an awesome guy and the fact that you guys have been to the finals in back-to-back years made it difficult to say no.
<a href='index.php?showuser=881' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Muerto</a> - Like I said, I am very interested in playing for you and you've always been a great guy around the boards. Another team with a bunch of great guys on it and a recent Cup winner, which made it real hard to say no. Your offer was arguably my favourite and you guys were the top team until one other team finally pushed me over.
<a href='index.php?showuser=283' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>ThatDamnMcJesus</a> - I can understand your articles now, so that's a positive. Thanks for reaching out to me.
<a href='index.php?showuser=1242' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Andybj</a> <a href='index.php?showuser=1773' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-5'>Baelor Swift</a> - A S20 and Czech teammate and someone I think is a great guy, and a VHL teammate who was an awesome teammate. I think you guys are both solid and Minny is coming along nicely. I hope you guys can get through this rebuild and become the powerhouse you know you can make the Chiefs.
<a href='index.php?showuser=1290' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>vbottas17</a> - Another S20 guy and someone I always enjoy being in a LR with. <a href='index.php?showuser=78' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Wasty</a> is the only GM left of a team since I've joined and I've heard he's an amazing one at that. I think the Panthers are going in the right direction and if I had been drafted to you guys I'd probably be more open to changing things up.
<a href='index.php?showuser=1045' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Steelhead77</a> - Not going to the Dragons is a very hard thing to do. The core is still mostly intact from when I left and the management is always top notch.
Esa is someone who will always do what's best for his team and you. I actually discussed other offers and seeked his opinion on them because I knew he would tell me to do what's best for me, and he did. Not to say he didn't try and convince me to sign with them, but he knew what I wanted and he was clear that he couldn't give it to me. He also won't sacrifice anything for his own team and that's why he's built a contender for as long as the Dragons have been. Even on Zoidberg, he was understanding of any issues I had and told me what he would do to try and rectify them, but wouldn't just throw something away for nothing.
Anyone who's on the fence about becoming a Dragon, take it from someone who was there. They're a great squad and Esa is probably the best GM you could ask for.
I wish I had 7 multis so I could play for all of you, but alas that's not the SHL we live in.
Thanks again to everyone who made this an enjoyable, albeit stressful and somewhat emotion, experience. With that, Teddy Kesler is here and ready to take the stage.
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![[Image: 1297577082202_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&size=420x]](http://storage.torontosun.com/v1/dynamic_resize/sws_path/suns-prod-images/1297577082202_ORIGINAL.jpg?quality=80&size=420x)
Thank you all for coming tonight. I've made my decision as to where I'll be spending the first couple seasons, and potentially longer, of my SHL career.
First off, I'd like to thank the Colorado Mammoths for the great years I got to spend with them. They're a great bunch of guys down there and best of luck to them. Hopefully they can win themselves a championship soon.
Secondly, thank you to the Seattle Riot for drafting me. Even though I never wore their sweater, it was nice to be a part of their organization. Best of luck in the future.
Alright. The moment you've all been waiting for. I'll keep this short and sweet and while the decision was a taxing one, I feel it was the right choice for my career at this point. I will be signing with the:
TORONTO NORTH STARS
I'll be frank. Their offer wasn't my favourite, their ice-time promises aren't guaranteed to be what I wanted, but there is options and potentially I can slot in to. Aside from that, both <a href='index.php?showuser=1833' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-13'>Cynthia</a> and <a href='index.php?showuser=1663' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-5'>Winter is Coming</a> reached out to me and were persistent and tenacious in how they approached my free agency. Their locker room looks to be a good fit for me and I can bring some additional leadership and stability to help their captain mold the youngsters on their squad. I respect the hell out of <a href='index.php?showuser=9' rel='nofollow' alt='profile link' class='user-tagged mgroup-54'>raymond3000</a> and it'll be a great honour to share a locker room with him.
WiC was persistent to the point of if I was a female, it'd be creepy. But, he and his squad were all very forthcoming and made me feel like I could become an integral part of their squad for not only now, but the future as well. Coming off a Cup victory doesn't hurt and hopefully we can get there again with me on the roster.
After some skillful negotiations by my agent, I'm pleased with the outcome of my contract and I think it's very generous. Overall I found this to be the best choice for me and I'm looking forward to donning the number 17 in blue and white.
Thank you everyone who reached out to my agent in regards to me during free agency. I didn't think there would be as much demand for a young, unproven center, but I was wrong.
Good luck to all of you in the upcoming season and go North Stars!
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Oh yeah, what the hell, I'll take any questions now.
- vbottas17 - 08-03-2017
Good luck in Toronto Jala!
- raymond3000 - 08-03-2017
Jala!! Welcome to Toronto!
- Jala - 08-03-2017
Quote:Originally posted by vbottas17@Aug 2 2017, 08:00 PMThanks man
Good luck in Toronto Jala!
- WannabeFinn - 08-03-2017
your decision should've been to retire and recreate u inactive slime
jk, have fun in Toronna
- Jala - 08-03-2017
Quote:Originally posted by raymond3000@Aug 2 2017, 08:01 PMLooking forward to being here
Jala!! Welcome to Toronto!
- Jala - 08-03-2017
Quote:Originally posted by WannabeFinn@Aug 2 2017, 08:03 PMyou didnt even draft me, why so mad lol
your decision should've been to retire and recreate u inactive slime
jk, have fun in Toronna
- ToeDragon84 - 08-03-2017
Was nice talking with you, Kesler was huge for Colorado this season, going to miss you!! Best of luck
- Winter is Coming - 08-03-2017
:wub:
So fucking glad we were able to add you to the fold. I have great expectations for both your player and the team long-term.
- WannabeFinn - 08-03-2017
Quote:Originally posted by Jala@Aug 3 2017, 12:04 AMi was joshing around my man
you didnt even draft me, why so mad lol
i really don't care who you'd sign with.. signing in LA wouldn't have been the best idea lol considering we have Dweaves, Smirnov Light, Mazais, and Soulja all fighting for ice time as young centers
- Jala - 08-03-2017
Quote:Originally posted by WannabeFinn@Aug 2 2017, 08:08 PMi was kidding too
i was joshing around my man
i really don't care who you'd sign with.. signing in LA wouldn't have been the best idea lol considering we have Dweaves, Smirnov Light, Mazais, and Soulja all fighting for ice time as young centers
and yeah, i just wasn't willing to spend the 12m to move to D. big commitment but you guys would've been a great spot to land in
- Jiggly_333 - 08-03-2017
Hoi!
- Steelhead77 - 08-03-2017
You're the best Jala! Thanks for the kind words, glad I could help in some way with your decision. Best of luck in Toronto!
- DeletedAtUserRequest - 08-03-2017
fun post to read
- Baelor Swift - 08-03-2017
Good luck with Toronto! Wish we could have added you but looks like I need to wait a few more seasons before we reunite