Now put your hands on the SHL rulebook. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Say I do!

Todd Answer : I always tell the truth…. Even if you might not want to hear it.
SL : I’m a big boy! Rather that then someone who talk behind my back. Good approach!

Please tell us your real first name and where do you live right now?
Todd Answer: My real first name is Todd and I live just north of Toronto.

Here Rich question : I’d love to hear from Todd and what took you so long to make a move for the playoffs?
Todd Answer: LOL… I had a feeling this question was coming. The intention was never to contend for this season. With a number of high end young prospects expected to hit the NHL this season the plan was originally to rebuild for another season and take some time to see what some of these guys did at the NHL level. That plan shifted a bit when I saw the number of teams in the East rebuilding and realized with the Sorokin deal that I could probably make the playoffs without giving up much in the way of futures and my picks probably wouldn’t be great anyway. Once the season started there were a few teams that had a rough start and began making good contention pieces available. Combine that with Dawson Mercer starting the season red hot and I saw an opportunity to really compete. Luckily Vancouver had the pieces to put together the kind of deal I was looking for. In that deal I gave up a couple of late 1sts and a real good prospect that is performing in the NHL but got a defensively responsible 1C with 2 years of control, a top pairing D that I needed, a middle pairing D and a solid backup goalie that should have starter ratings next season. That move along with the Sorokin deal and bringing in Malkin are what really allowed me to contend. I know a lot of people are going to criticize why I am not willing to give up more futures and really make a push for a cup this year and that’s fine. I just don’t see this being the season that I need to go all-in. If the deal is there that makes sense I will pull the trigger. If not I am content to wait. I have done this a number of times before and one thing I notice is that rebuilders always seem to be in a rush to go from tanking to contending in one season and it typically results in contending for a season or two and then having to go back into a retool or rebuild again. That won’t be the Rangers. A number of my young guys are poised to re-rate really well and I think next season my team is in shape to be better than this season’s. Those young guys in the NHL will also only grow in value over the offseason.
SL : Looks like the Rangers are in good hands! And that great Minni GM who gave you Sorokin for cheap!
Todd: To be fair to you… with how bad the NHL Islanders have been this year that deal could have easily gone the other way that Sorokin gets lit up every night and K’Andre Miller has a break out season.
SL: Never expected the Islanders to be that bad! Very weird season I found! I got Anders Lee last year thinking he would do great…

There are no real flaws on your team. Top centerman, scoring wingers, good goalie tandem but one of the worst GA teams amongst the playoffs teams right now. Any plan?
Todd Answer: The Rangers will be working the phones for sure and already have a number of conversations in the works to improve the D. Ideally would like to bring in a top pair or middle pair upgrade. I will make a move for a guy that is young with lots of control if the price makes sense but the more likely scenario might be a pending UFA rental. Open to both ideas just the price tag on a young top pairing guy is a little higher than I might be willing to stomach at the moment if it means giving up Boldy, Lundell or Newhook along with multiple other high end futures.

How can we arrange a Matt Boldy trade? You have a bucket load of prospects. I have Xavier Ouellet who is plus 10 on my very weak overall team! Imagine him on your team! Please?
Todd Answer: LOL. Just add Chabot and Drysdale to that and we just need to fill out the paperwork.
SL : Shouldn’t it says Chabot or Drysdale? I think there is a typo there!
Todd: Boldy one of the hottest commototies there is right now…. That being said if Chabot is on the table we could talk.
SL : Interesting!

When and how did you first find out about the SHL?
Todd Answer: SHL was actually the first league I joined. I think I just googled it and reached out to Chris. A legend named Mears took me under his wing and got me into the DHL and CDNHL from there.
SL : A legend named Mears?!? The only legend around here is Rod from Fall River NS. Unless…
Todd Answer: Hot Rod is a legend for sure! Ask some of the older guys here and they will have plenty of Mearsy stories to tell. If I told you them now we would have like 4 more follow-up interviews to get through them all. LOL
SL : I get it! Its already a great interview! Thank you!

Who is your favorite NHL team?
Todd Answer: Philadelphia Flyers. Did you know that Pete, St.Louis GM, has Gritty has coach? Any collusions to try to bring him to the Big Apple?
Todd: Does adding him to the app that calls you at 2AM in the morning with daily facts about cats until he surrenders count?
SL : I think so! But not illegal!

Who is your favorite player of all time?
Todd Answer: Eric Lindros.

Who is the person you would like to meet (dead or alive)? Feel free to explain!
Todd Answer: Kurt Cobain….. Gotta know if he actually committed suicide or if Courtney had him killed. LOL.
SL. We all know the answer to that! The Yoko Ono of Nirvana.

Question : If you could catch a GM asleep and steal one of his players, who would that be? Not that you really need anything right now!
Todd Answer: If we are talking about which GM probably Luc or Bernie. If we are talking which player I’d have to go with McJesus or Austin Matthews just so I could flip him for an astronomical Leafs tax.
SL : Very true!

You get first overall to start a league, which player would you choose? And why?
Todd Answer: Again McJesus or Matthews for the same reasons above.

What’s the best way to approach you about a trade request?
Todd Answer: Just be upfront and put your best offer forward. I love discussing trades just not when the conversation starts with “what’s the price on your best player/top prospect that you clearly aren’t looking to move right now.”

What annoys you when a GM approaches you ?
Todd Answer: See above… If you are interested in someone put some thought into it.

I know the SHL rulebook is a near perfect work but if they was one rule that you would change or add, what would it be?
Todd Answer: Probably trade committee. Would be good to see a bit of visibility into having a questionable trade reviewed and why the committee came to the decision they did. Perhaps they could put out a brief statement of the decision and why they made that decision.
SL : I feel confortable with you so I’ll add my 2 cents. I have been in many leagues for the last 20 years I would say, when you have a fair commissioner that knows the value of the players, there is no problem. Trade committee would slow down process and create doubts between GMs. Having the way we have now, it forces GMs to go on the Forum and see whats going on. You can’t complain if you don’t vote(participate). At worst, you can always email the commissioner.
Todd Answer: Thats fair. I am more of a.. “we have a rule and process” kind of guy so if I have an issue I will follow that process and if its deemed I am the minority in my belief then so be it. Do agree that its much easier to take that approach when you have a good Commish that is on top of things like Ransom.

If there was no stupid virus around, and you have an unlimited amount of cash, where would be the first destination you travel into? Could be space!
Todd Answer: Used to be Australia but then I realized everything there is actively hunting you! Maybe some sort of remote island.
SL: What do you mean by hunting you? I swam with sharks in Down Under, just need to be the nicer ones! 🙂 Compare to where I live, Australia is quiet a big remote island!

Todd Answer: Yeah I don’t do well with poisonous things trying to bite or eat me while I sleep.
SL: I understand 100%. I slept under the stars in the desert at Alice Springs. I asked the tour guide about snakes bites or anything like that, he said it’s too cold mate! :). We were in the desert at +25C+ at night…

What gets you these days! Sports event, TV Series, your cat, anything?
Todd Answer: Sports and Book of Boba Fett.
SL : I love the Star Wars universe. I have to start watching the Book of Boba Fett.

Any questions, queries, comments or dark secrets you want to add before we leave?
Todd Answer: LOL… Can’t be giving away my secrets just like I can’t be giving away my young studs.
SL: Thats not true! You are a nice, charming and sweet man…Plus it’s only Boldy. You can keep the other ones!

Thanks a lot for answering all my questions! Now! Who would you like to hear about next and what should be the first question?
Todd Answer: Lets do Tyler…. Would love to hear what he plans to do with the 16 defenseman he has on roster and why he doesn’t return my calls. LOL