HOLTY’S BLOG: And Away We Go

I use the term “off and running” to start every period. It’s mostly a nod to my favorite sport to see live, horse racing.

The 2021 season has felt like “off and galloping.”

We’ll get there. I think. If we don’t, I’ll still write a blog thanks to Grapvevine MSP. We’re moving so fast they had to install a backup server for all of the work being done. Any other tech questions, ask them, don’t ask me. And as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want, but I don’t do tech questions.

Now for the blog…

– The schedule is out and the Condors will host a preseason game on Sunday at 4 p.m. against San Diego (Irvine). We’ll have you covered on Fox Sports 970 AM & the iHeartRadio App. Then we’ll head to Irvine next weekend to open the season with a back-to-back against the Gulls.

– I don’t do rumors, but there seems to be one with the team from up the 99 moving further up the 99 and into a different country this season. For now nothing is official, but it brings me to my motto for the season: “tell me where and when and I’ll be there.” I think the biggest strength moving forward is the ability to be flexible. Things will change, not everything will go according to plan, and you just have to roll with the punches.

– Usually during the offseason, I like to “play GM.” Basically, look at what the team could potentially have coming back, which draft picks will graduate to the AHL, and then see who would be available based off the team’s needs. This offseason was different just given all of the circumstances, but I think for the last 3-4 years I’ve had the name Seth Griffith in the “addition” category. An AHL All-Star, he’s led multiple organizations in scoring and has been one of the best offensive players over the past decade in the league. He was originally drafted by Condors GM Keith Gretzky when he was in Boston, so that was a great get to add him up front this season.

– One player who I think is prime for a big season is Ryan McLeod. The second year pro can fly and having the opportunity to play in Switzerland already for most of the year has him in great shape heading into the shortened season.

– The blue line has the biggest turnover from a year ago, but it’s not necessarily unfamiliar faces. Ryan Stanton returns from a year away in Ontario and Kevin Gravel comes back to the organization after a year in Toronto. I asked Gretzky about Theodor Lennstrom the other day and he described him as “steady.” The 26-year old spent the past five years in Sweden’s top league. So, while the names might not be household yet, I think there is plenty back there to get the job done.