4/25/2011

Chicago - Vancouver





















Who wins game 7 and why? If Vancouver loses is this a bigger shock than Boston shitting the bed last year?

4/13/2011

Playoff Pool Revised...

This is a very simple playoff pool I'm setting up for those who are interested. Let's say, $20 entry fee, and you can submit as many teams as you wish. Depending on # of Entries, either Winner takes All or Winner takes Most and second gets entry fee back...

Points are as follows: 1G=1Pt; 1A=1Pt; Goalie Win =2Pt; Goalie Shutout = 3Pt; Goalie OTL=1PT; Goalie Loss(REG)=0Pt

Deadline for entry has been moved back to Friday, April 15th, at 6:00 PM MST.

Rules: Pick 16 Forwards, 8 defense men, and 2 goalies. NO Limitations on number of players (including defense and goalies) per playoff team. You can pick From any Conference, Western or Eastern -- it's up to you. If you want only WSH and VAN players - your choice. The match-ups, so that everyone knows for round one, is as follows:

In the East, it's WSH v NYR, PHI v BUF, BST v MTL, and PIT v TBL
In the West, it's VAN v CHI, SJS v LAK, DET v PHX, and ANA v NSH

Choose your teams. You can post them on the blog but please also send them to my email at b0bc@yahoo.com

Thanks. Take care and I hope many of you take part.

4/11/2011

Central Scouting

...has released an update to their prospect rankings

The big news is for Severed Heads fans as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (the 'Nuge') has climbed into the top spot.

'Heads mgt sees the kid as a faster Adam Oates. We should be so lucky.

On the downside is Sean Couturier slipping down to #6 in NA, and likely near the bottom of the top 10 overall. Somewhere in England, a GM is screaming.

Final Rankings, N. American Skaters:

1 NUGENT-HOPKINS, RYAN 04/12/93 6' 0.5" 164 C
2 LANDESKOG, GABRIEL 11/23/92 6' 0.5" 207 LW
3 HUBERDEAU, JONATHAN 06/04/93 6' 1.25" 170 C
4 HAMILTON, DOUGIE 06/17/93 6' 4.25" 187 D
5 BEAULIEU, NATHAN 12/05/92 6' 1.75" 174 D
6 COUTURIER, SEAN 12/07/92 6' 4" 197 C
7 BAERTSCHI, SVEN 10/05/92 5' 10" 181 LW
8 STROME, RYAN 07/11/93 6' 0" 175 C
9 MURPHY, RYAN 03/31/93 5' 10.5" 166 D
10 SIEMENS, DUNCAN 09/07/93 6' 2.5" 192 D

European Rankings:

1 LARSSON, ADAM SWEDEN 11/12/92 6' 3" 200 D
2 ZIBANEJAD, MIKA SWEDEN 04/18/93 6' 1.5" 191 C
3 BRODIN, JONAS SWEDEN 07/12/93 6' 1" 169 D
4 ARMIA, JOEL FINLAND 05/31/93 6' 3" 191 RW
5 JASKIN, DMITRI CZREP 03/23/93 6' 1" 196 RW
6 KLEFBOM, OSCAR SWEDEN 07/20/93 6' 3.5" 200 D
7 SALOMAKI, MIIKKA FINLAND 03/09/93 5' 11" 198 RW
8 NERMARK, JOACHIM SWE-JR. 05/12/93 6' 1" 187 C
9 GRANLUND, MARKUS FIN-JR. 04/16/93 5' 10" 169 C
10 BENGTSSON, RASMUS SWE-2 05/14/93 6' 2.5" 189 D

FUNHL Blog

First off congratulations to Chris on his Triple Crown!

I was in conversation with Bob the other day, and I believe Chris is the first new GM to win the Cup since I got my first in 1999-2000.

I am also saddened by the news that Richard will not be looking to renew his relationship with the Lost Boys moving forward - but that sadness is softened by the knowledge that we are regaining Mike B for his 2nd tour of duty.

So a fond farewell to the Lost Boys, and a hearty welcome back to the Barbarians!

As you can probably tell, I have made some adjustments to the blog;

- Gone are the links to 'FUNHL Documents'. The truth is that I can't update them with any regularity, and I have deep suspicions that they are hardly ever accessed - if ever. My recommendation is that our resident FUNHL Historians (Brian, Doug) send out an annual update of the FUNHL history and revised Covenant. Brian would then continue to e-mail updated Master lists to us as they are completed. All of which would make having them on the blog both redundant and time consuming.

- I have also removed the 'NHL Action' video links. They make load times for the blog longer, and as far as I can tell nobody was using them to actually watch video highlights - so rather than waste the space, I just got rid of them.

- Most likely to be noticed is the cleanup/adjustments to our blog roll. Gone are 'Hockey Buzz', a truly worthless site run by rumour monger 'Eklund'. It was heavy on video links and advertising which made it excruciating to load, and what actual content it provided was such thin gruel they quickly became my least favourite linked site - so buh-bye. Also gone is the link to Mike Chen's blog. Once upon a time James Myrtle ran it and it was excellent, and when Mike took over it remained 'ok', but lost most of its appeal for me. In the last month the blog was moved to become part of the SB Nations sports blogs, and frankly lost all its charm. I still like Mike Chen, but not enough to wade through the crap I need to to find him. Also gone is 'Melt your Face-off', a comedy blog that had run out of anything funny to say.

If anyone is missing these blogs, and wants them back, just let me know and I'll re-add them.

- Added to the list are;

James Mirtle - Leaf's Beat. He's an awesome hockey writer trapped covering the Leafs.

The Dreger Report - Darren Dreger's TSN blog is a topical and smart overview of everything NHL, and as an added bonus, its updated daily.

Elliotte Friedman - he was added a while back at Doug's request (thanks Doug!), and while he only posts once or twice a week, his Monday column of '30 Thoughts' is simply a must read.

Down Goes Brown - hockey humour is a tough gig, but this guy was the person behind the 'fake' Brian Burke twitter feed (which was screamingly funny). He now runs his own DGB site which is good for a chuckle whenever you need one.

THN's 'Hot List' - Each week The Hockey News does thumbnail reviews of top prospects that have caught their eye, very useful when putting together your prospect lists.

Last but not least, you should notice that our banner has changed to reflect the Scourge victory. If you don't like it all you have to do is win next years pool to get it changed.

Playoff Pool

This is a very simple playoff pool I'm setting up for those who are interested. Let's say, $20 entry fee, and you can submit as many teams as you wish.

Deadline for entry is Wednesday, April 13th, at 6:00 PM MST.

Rules: Pick 16 Forwards, 8 defense men, and 2 goalies. NO Limitations on number of players (including defense and goalies) per playoff team. You can pick From any Conference, Western or Eastern -- it's up to you. The match-ups, so that everyone knows for round one, is as follows:

In the East, it's WSH v NYR, PHI v BUF, BST v MTL, and PIT v TBL
In the West, it's VAN v CHI, SJS v LAK, DET v PHX, and ANA v NSH

Choose your teams. You can post them on the blog but please also send them to my email at b0bc@yahoo.com Thanks. Take care and I hope many of you take part.

Scourge Triumphant, Win Triple Crown; Barbarians Fall To Catch Wolves





Congratulations to Chris on his first Predator Cup, first Challenge Cup and first (though the francishe's, formerly the Dogs, second) Omnivore Award.


Mike Breakenridge's return to the FunHL was not as successful as he might have hoped with a Herbivore "victory" however Rob, Collin and myself are all pleased that he only made it really, really (like no margin for comfort) close.


Mike Getta was wondering about his Omnivore Score and certainly some of his Omnivore score was due to trades but also do to tardy promotions of some of his high octane prospects. I hope to put up a analysis of the Knight's Omnivore nightmare at some point not that I am picking on Mike (drafting better than anyone and some 200 points better than yours truly is hardly a criticism) but that Mike's situation is so dramatic that it makes for a great study of what the Omnivore is measuring - as there seems to be some confusion.


Great season everyone, enjoy the playoffs and hopefully we can gather for the NHL Entry Draft/FunHL Trophy Presentation and Slot Selection Extravaganza in a couple of months.

4/09/2011

Announcements from the DC

Well another year is ending and a Brand new Force is Emergent as the Scourge will SWEEP the major Awards - The Predator Cup, The Challenge Cup and the Omnivore for what has become known as The Triple Crown. Congratulations Chris!

The Herbivore (Last) with 2 days to go undetermined but 5 teams are vulnerable (within about 10 points) sadly.

Its official - Richard, GM of the LOST BOYS, after his year off with a promotion and marriage in Toronto is leaving the FUNHL. It is my understanding that Mike Breakenridge who managed the BARBARIANS, this year will be taking his Team back FULL time in September for the Entry Draft in 2011. He is, at least, certainly talking the talk of a GM getting another shot FULLTIME. Congratulations to Mike.

Goalie Stats WILL NOT be changing in their calculations from this year...i.e. they will stay at (3.75-GAA) X minutes played

Once the Regular Season ends, trades for next year can re-commence.

With the Playoffs starting on Wednesday, several playoffs pool are starting.

Rob is holding a draft Sunday evening around 4pm MST - pick 120 players, wrap-around

Others will be announced soon.

That's your update from the DC...

Thanks,

Moriarty (dug up by the Grave-Digger), for the Shadow

PS

HART: D.Sedin, Perry, St.Louis
NORRIS: Chara, Lidstrom, Visnovsky
CALDER: Skinner, Couture, Grabner
SELKE: Kesler
VEZINA: Thomas
ADAMS Blysma

Thought, Comments?

Friday Night And Edge Back In 11th



possible 5 way tie for 4th

Yes in the west...5 Teams could end up with 99 Points.

Chicago has to win over Detroit.
Anahiem beats LA in OT or shoot out.
Phoenix and Nashville loose.

Would love to see it happen.

4/05/2011

The Fat Goalie Fallacy

Some of you may know that I am a huge fan of the political blogger Andrew Sullivan. I've been reading him for more than ten years now, and have on occasion written to him on a variety of topics (Canada's military, the difference between invading Afghanistan vs Iraq, etc.). Till now the only occasion I've ever recieved a response was on a note I wrote to him about his obsession with Sarah Palin - which was a bit like getting a reply from your favourite rock star to a fan letter.

I say till now because on Friday he posted (anonymously) my response to a post he had discussing the insane proposition that an obese goaltender could change hockey.

The link to my comments he published is here.

I'm the 2nd commenter who calls it the 'fat goalie fallacy'.

Sullivan gets a million plus hits a day, so this single comment just became the most widely read thing I've ever written - by a wide margin.