We are less than halfway through the season and fans of the Orlando Mounties are not happy.
After getting bounced from the playoffs in Round 1 two years ago, Orlando failed to even qualify for the UHL playoffs last year. Despite having high profile talent such as Crosby, Kane, Tavares, Orlando made big moves around the trading deadline last year acquiring Ryan Getzlaf, Ben Beship, Marc Staal and Roman Polak to shore up what owner/GM John Salerno felt were weak spots on this roster.
This year Salerno did not wait to make some more eye catching news, which had some questionioning the reason behind it since the Mounties were one of the teams to come out of the gate hot this year. In seperate moves with the Meteors Orlando traded for Jonathan Toews and Jakub Voracek, making the top 2 lines fairly formidable. Things have not gone as planned for the beleagured franchise, as it seems not matter how big a name Salerno brings in, it hasn't resulted in any type of success.
"I just don't understand", Salerno said. "We should be one of the better teams in this league, not fighting to cling on to the 2nd wild card spot".
There is plenty of time for this team to turnaround, but insiders say Salerno is growing impatient and if the Mounties don't start to play better in the next 4-5 weeks, they may wave the white flag and start trading some of their pending UFA's. Names rumored to be available if said flag is waived are Toews, Karlsson, Kane, Voracek, Watson, Glendening, Niskanen, perhaps more. If those players do indeed become available word is the Mounties would be looking for high draft picks, quality prospects and/or young talent that can step in this season or next and contribute.
This sounds like giving up pretty early and long suffering Orlando fans hope Salerno can right the SS Mounties. After the latest drubbing at the hand of the Hellcats the iceberg that is closer than some may think.