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karlssens · 02-14-2016, 11:52 PM

ready for grading

Another season down, yet still a similar result for the Portland Admirals as they once again find themselves at the bottom of the standings. With a record of 18-29-3 the collected a total of 39 points, the lowest total in the league. In fact it matched their output last season where they managed to go 17-28-5. Despite the poor result there were still many positives that hopefully point to a better result in the future, perhaps even as early as next season.

<div align="center"> [Image: rsz_leon.jpg?quality=55&strip=all]

[Image: rsz_leon.jpg?quality=55&strip=all]

Portland Admirals captain Nikolaus Scholz discusses S27 with media following the final game of the regular season.</div>

Here are the 3 biggest positives that stand out from season 27:

<div align="center"> :admirals: Individual Production :admirals:</div>
Last season the Admirals had one lone player reach the 40 point plateau. This season 4 players managed to reach that level of production, including an insane 54 point season for franchise winger Buster Killington. Multiple players blew their career bests out of the water as well. The most notable of which were offensive defenseman Patrick Brumm, who put up an additional 10 points over an already impressive 30 last season, and playmaking center Nikolaus Scholz who crushed his career best by 12 points this season and flirted with a point per game production (47 points). Lastly, offseason acquisition Beau Ballard proved why he was a top 5 draft selection in season 24 as he collected 40 points in his first full season with the Admirals.

<div align="center">:admirals: Milestone Mania :admirals:</div>
Season 27 was a milestone year for many Admirals. Multiple players recorded their 100th point of the career including Buster Killington (134 career total), Pal Vikingstod (101) and Nikolaus Scholz (108). It was also the 3rd time in 3 years that the Portland Admirals called up their top pick to the SHL as a true rookie, and the 3rd time in 3 years an Admiral true rookie finished in the top 10 in rookie scoring by seasonâ€™s end (Scholz S25, Sven Karlsson S26 and Krystof Kowalski S27). Last and most importantly it was the first year an Admiral finished the season with a scoring title as Buster Killington led the entire league in goals with 26, 2 more than second place Theo Kane and Asborn Alexandersen (24). He was just a point shy of ex-Admiral now Blizzard Chico Salmon for the points title (55).

<div align="center">:admirals: Win Streak! :admirals:</div>
In comparison to the rest of the league a 5 game winning streak in small potatoes, but the 5 games between day 59 and 65 marked the longest win streak for the young Portland Admirals organization. They outscored their opponents 23-12 including a pair of confident wins over the Hamilton Steelhawks (4-1) and the Minnesota Chiefs (6-1).

I'll now open up the floor for any questions concerning the Admirals or Nik Scholz.

Interview

What do you think the reason is that the Admirals had the same result as last season, despite their players getting much better?
If by better you mean better individual statistics it was unfortunately the result of several players taking the majority of the points. In fact the Admirals scored only 5 goals more than last season (or +0.1 goals per game). Regardless the big issue is protecting our own net as we allowed 167 goals against (the most in the league). If we can improve our goaltending, defense and 2-way play I believe we can maintain the goal production while drastically reducing the number of goals against.

Interview

Do you see this team turning it around next season?
Well when you're in last place there's no where to go but up so yes I see this team improving. By how much it is tough to say, but I hope we can challenge for a playoff position next time around.

Interview

What is the biggest need for the team?
Depth. We have a few key pieces to build upon, but our depth just can't match some of the other teams in the league. Unfortunately that is something that can only be achieved by building talent from within or trading away the future. We've opted for the building from within and each season our depth improves. Also goaltending Wink

.

How have you enjoyed your captaincy?
It's been awesome. I feel I've really grown in to the role in a relatively short time and I look forward to the opportunity to improve my leadership abilities in the future.

Interview

Where do you feel you most excelled as captain, and where do you feel you can improve as a captain?
I believe I excelled most as captain on the ice and in the locker room. I took over the #1 center position from previous captain Yousef Scherbluk and proved I can not only compete in this league, but excel. In the locker room I'm thoroughly dedicated to training and improving as a player and I hope it rubs off on others. As for where I can improve that'd have to be off the ice. I'm relatively quiet outside of our locker room and it could go a long way in improving the team if I spoke some more like Buster or Patrick. Maybe even help land another Beau Ballard.

Interview

What is one position the Admirals could get in the draft or free agency that would make the most immediate impact?
We have a lot of talented players at defense and center, but our wings could use some dedicated wingers. We addressed that last season when we acquired Maximilian Wachter and Riley Mason, but it always nice to have a surplus of talent to pull from. More importantly we need active and dedicated players that are willing to stick with us through the growing pains as a new organization and bask in the rewards to come in the future.

Interview

If JP didn't force Ignant out of the door do you think the Addys make the playoffs?
That's a tough question. Unfortunately we never really will know because you left us too soon. If I had to put money on it, absolutely Wink

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If Ignant somehow came back to Portland how many consecutive Cups would the Addys win?
I don't like to throw the word "dynasty" around lightly, but you missed your chance. Also I'm with JP on this one, Addy's doesn't have a nice ring to it.

Interview

What are you guys looking to do to improve for next year?
With 134 goals for I think we proved we can hang with some of the better teams, but our 167 goals against needs to improve. Although it is 3 less than the previous season (170) we need that to come down to a more league friendly number. In order to do that we need to work on our goaltending and defense.

Interview

What positions are you looking to solidify?
Going back to what I said earlier our greatest need is on our wings, but if you look at the bigger picture the underlying issue is depth. In order to address that we need to acquire active and dedicated players looking to stay with Portand for the long haul.

Interview

What's the environment like after another disappointing season?
You'd think with another last place finish the locker room would be a graveyard, but in fact it is the exact opposite. This has been by far our most active locker room to date and with more people joining after the draft and potentially in the off-season that activity will only improve. We may get frustrated some times, but we are all looking at the long term plan here and hopefully we can realize that soon.

Interview

What is best thing in Admirals for new players?
Playing time and more responsibility. The Admirals ask a lot of their young players and so far they have delivered time and time again. We don't have the luxury of sheltered minutes quite yet, so you'll be expected to log big minutes for a new player and we've found most tend to thrive in that situation.

JumpierPegasus · 02-15-2016, 12:40 AM

What do you think the reason is that the Admirals had the same result as last season, despite their players getting much better?

Do you see this team turning it around next season?

What is the biggest need for the team?

How have you enjoyed your captaincy?

Banjo · 02-15-2016, 01:14 AM

Where do you feel you most excelled as captain, and where do you feel you can improve as a captain?

What is one position the Admirals could get in the draft or free agency that would make the most immediate impact?

~~GroupMeIsKindOfOkay~~ · 02-15-2016, 01:17 AM

If JP didn't force Ignant out of the door do you think the Addys make the playoffs?

If Ignant somehow came back to Portland how many consecutive Cups would the Addys win?

JumpierPegasus · 02-15-2016, 01:19 AM

Quote:Originally posted by Shevy Shev@Feb 14 2016, 09:17 PM
If JP didn't force Ignant out of the door do you think the Addys make the playoffs?

If Ignant somehow came back to Portland how many consecutive Cups would the Addys win?

We- we're going to have to suggest you don't call us "the Addys"

WZjang · 02-15-2016, 01:23 AM

What are you guys looking to do to improve for next year?

What positions are you looking to solidify?

What's the environment like after another disappointing season?