The Scourge
The Wolves
The Edge
Personal Vendetta
The Shadowmen
The Highlanders
The Knights Templar
The Ramapithecines
The Great Whites
The Lost Boys
The Bladerunners
12/15/2006
Alternate Logo suggestions
The Scourge
The Wolves
The Edge
Personal Vendetta
The Shadowmen
The Highlanders
The Knights Templar
The Ramapithecines
The Great Whites
The Lost Boys
The Bladerunners
Magnetic fields lead sharks off track
Great Whites ownership has been in an uproar lately, and suspicions are that management heads may be about to be bitten off. Though the team remains competitive in the hunt for both the Predator and Challenge Cups, the reality is things could be better. Based on original baselines from draft day, the Great Whites could have remained with a single, unchanging line-up from the start of the season and have the best record (vs any other teams draft day baseline), and what's more, be in second place overall in the current actual standings in the shadows of the Shadows. Clearly a combination of poor trades, line-up choices and prospect promotion suggest alterations in the Earth's magnetic fields have disrupted the sharks sense of direction.
Most painful is the rampant offensive display from former FP Chris Pronger, who has shattered all previous performances with an ongoing bid to be the highest pointing D-man in the league. Clearly prior coaching kept him on a more defensive track, much to the detriment of the team. The result, however, is indecisiveness, with an urge to trade to better the team on the one hand, and a fear of further damaging the team in the process...
Stay tuned for more developments...
Most painful is the rampant offensive display from former FP Chris Pronger, who has shattered all previous performances with an ongoing bid to be the highest pointing D-man in the league. Clearly prior coaching kept him on a more defensive track, much to the detriment of the team. The result, however, is indecisiveness, with an urge to trade to better the team on the one hand, and a fear of further damaging the team in the process...
Stay tuned for more developments...
FunHL Stats, Unofficial, as of December 15, 2006
Yes, Richard, I'm posting another update and its good news for you and your Lost Boys as they continue to rack up the pts on the Scourge in the "Rookie Cup". This game isn't over but the fat lady is warming up in the wings.
One game that you may want to keep an eye on is the Original Franchise tilt between historical rivals the Severed Heads and the Great Whites. In their only meeting of the year (remember ties in the standings are broken first by head to head meetings) the Great Whites are up by less than two points going into the weekend. A Great White win, coupled with a Highlander win over the Personal Vendetta (at the moment the Highlanders have the game well in hand) would put the Great Whites back into the playoffs (they beat the Ramapithicines in week 4 should they come back against the Knights in their game and the Great Whites also beat the Wolves in week 1). So there is a lot riding on this contest - keep posted.
In the Predator Cup race the Shadowmen and the Highlanders look to continue pulling away from the lead group while the Personal Vendetta continue their free fall as the Knights Templar have placed them into the rear view window.
There are a swack of games this weekend which will change the look of many of these games and races but it is fun to watch.
One game that you may want to keep an eye on is the Original Franchise tilt between historical rivals the Severed Heads and the Great Whites. In their only meeting of the year (remember ties in the standings are broken first by head to head meetings) the Great Whites are up by less than two points going into the weekend. A Great White win, coupled with a Highlander win over the Personal Vendetta (at the moment the Highlanders have the game well in hand) would put the Great Whites back into the playoffs (they beat the Ramapithicines in week 4 should they come back against the Knights in their game and the Great Whites also beat the Wolves in week 1). So there is a lot riding on this contest - keep posted.
In the Predator Cup race the Shadowmen and the Highlanders look to continue pulling away from the lead group while the Personal Vendetta continue their free fall as the Knights Templar have placed them into the rear view window.
There are a swack of games this weekend which will change the look of many of these games and races but it is fun to watch.
You want Trash talk? I'll give you trash talk.
Well, I don't know what to say. The Scourge have certainly laid down the gauntlet now. They're going to hand my ass to me with their planned 30 points in 3 days.
"Kovalev to Koivu... Score!" "Koivu in front of the net... Score! And Montreal has sealed their victory" And... oh... I got a three point game out of Montreal. Kudos to your Detroit boys for netting my goalie a win. I gotta remember to congratulate Datsyuk for getting an assist with... OMFG Z-Berg scored? That's umpossible! Well, what are the odds it'll last?
And then of course there's my 4 points from my defense in... well... Phoenix. Damn... that's as off-puttting as Z-Berg scoring. Michalek and Jovanovski walking away from the same game with 2 points apiece.
Yeah guys, I gotta say, this sudden surge in activity from the Scourge has me trembling. Yup, just about the only thing that'll save me now is if say Colorado was going to play a team like Edmonton or Chicago and... oh... sweet! Well, tell you what, you ever get out of the Basement Chris, you can tell me what it was like.
Try not to put down roots.
Richard.
"Kovalev to Koivu... Score!" "Koivu in front of the net... Score! And Montreal has sealed their victory" And... oh... I got a three point game out of Montreal. Kudos to your Detroit boys for netting my goalie a win. I gotta remember to congratulate Datsyuk for getting an assist with... OMFG Z-Berg scored? That's umpossible! Well, what are the odds it'll last?
And then of course there's my 4 points from my defense in... well... Phoenix. Damn... that's as off-puttting as Z-Berg scoring. Michalek and Jovanovski walking away from the same game with 2 points apiece.
Yeah guys, I gotta say, this sudden surge in activity from the Scourge has me trembling. Yup, just about the only thing that'll save me now is if say Colorado was going to play a team like Edmonton or Chicago and... oh... sweet! Well, tell you what, you ever get out of the Basement Chris, you can tell me what it was like.
Try not to put down roots.
Richard.
12/14/2006
Bizarro World?
Its seems like a strange twist that the crafty Personal Vendetta are in a free fall threatening to unthrone the harmless Scourge for the much coveted place of last. What has happened to Darrell this year? Was his coke spiked at the draft? Did he look at the Scourge picklist? (well technically scourge picked without a list).
FunHL Stats, Unofficial, as of December 14, 2006
Yes, I'm shamelessly posting these stats today because my Highlanders had a monster night last night and I've pulled ahead of Brian into second place in the Predator Cup race. However it wasn't only Sid's 6pt night (pulling ahead of former Highlander FP J.Jagr for the scoring title lead) that made the difference, Sergei Gonchar had a 5pt night as well which helped (through the majic alchemy of the Omnivore) pull the Highlanders into a net positive position and with the corresponding hit to the Lost Boys, the Knights Templar rise out of the basement in the Omnivore standings.
The Knights actually helped their own cause with 4pts (+2) for Ken Klee and, coupled with Hejduk's 2pts this week, not only pull out of the Omnivore basement but pass the diving Personal Vendetta in the Predator Cup race.
In the game of the week, the Lost Boys widen their lead on the Scourge in the "Rookie Cup". Through it all though the Shadowmen continue to lead.
The Knights actually helped their own cause with 4pts (+2) for Ken Klee and, coupled with Hejduk's 2pts this week, not only pull out of the Omnivore basement but pass the diving Personal Vendetta in the Predator Cup race.
In the game of the week, the Lost Boys widen their lead on the Scourge in the "Rookie Cup". Through it all though the Shadowmen continue to lead.
Revised FunHL League Logos
Hi Dan,
Looks like the one I sent you was too big, hopefully this will work better. I will e-mail it to you regardless but here it is. Chris, your's is the only one that isn't finalized because I don't know if you are ok with it. Personally I wanted to use a different/heavy-metal band type font for the team name but it is your logo so you need to let me know what you want. It can always be tweaked or radically redone - this is a pool that once had the Rubber Duckies so anyone who comes in with a team name as cool as Scourge has the right to be a little critical about their logo.
12/13/2006
The 'Vote for Rory' Campaign goes negative!
The 'Vote Rory' campaign to get journeyman defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick voted in as an All-Star, is by far the most hilarious thing hockey related I have ever seen.
These campaign ads going negative all over Niedermayer and Lidstrom like a Southern US primary are simply a riot (my favourite though is Lidstrom's)
I for one have weighed the evidence presented by the ads and am convinced - I am heading right now to vote for Rory!
Remember to vote well and VOTE OFTEN!
These campaign ads going negative all over Niedermayer and Lidstrom like a Southern US primary are simply a riot (my favourite though is Lidstrom's)
I for one have weighed the evidence presented by the ads and am convinced - I am heading right now to vote for Rory!
Remember to vote well and VOTE OFTEN!
Brind'Amour & Injuries
Hey,
Is Sportsline (the CBS site) the most reliable site for injury info before putting together a line up? I've been using it, but every now and then Bob mentions that someone is injured and they aren't there... yet.
Also, Brind'Amours injury seems to be extended game to game, all I know is that it's a lower body injury, and he's not playing. (Fortunately, O'Neill got a point last night.) Does anyone know what's up?
Also, I'd like to offer my reconsidered congratulations to Mike (I think it was Mike, anyway) for drafting Sedin second over all. After I got a ridiculous 8 point game out of Colorado for having three players on it--would have been higher if I still had Sakic--I can see a good logic to aiming to corner the market on a specific team, especially if it means surprising the rest of us.
On the other hand, there is the rather unfortunate fact that, Toronto being the suckitude water test, well, Vancouver plain sucks. Not St. Louis bad, but it ain't good. (Wow, that'd be a strategy that would leave Cam stagerred... draft the Blues starting line up.) My psychic powers being what they are, unfortunately I have to chalk my Colorado line-up to coincidence, not strategy, and stick with using the spreadsheet. But hey, it delivers.
Richard.
Is Sportsline (the CBS site) the most reliable site for injury info before putting together a line up? I've been using it, but every now and then Bob mentions that someone is injured and they aren't there... yet.
Also, Brind'Amours injury seems to be extended game to game, all I know is that it's a lower body injury, and he's not playing. (Fortunately, O'Neill got a point last night.) Does anyone know what's up?
Also, I'd like to offer my reconsidered congratulations to Mike (I think it was Mike, anyway) for drafting Sedin second over all. After I got a ridiculous 8 point game out of Colorado for having three players on it--would have been higher if I still had Sakic--I can see a good logic to aiming to corner the market on a specific team, especially if it means surprising the rest of us.
On the other hand, there is the rather unfortunate fact that, Toronto being the suckitude water test, well, Vancouver plain sucks. Not St. Louis bad, but it ain't good. (Wow, that'd be a strategy that would leave Cam stagerred... draft the Blues starting line up.) My psychic powers being what they are, unfortunately I have to chalk my Colorado line-up to coincidence, not strategy, and stick with using the spreadsheet. But hey, it delivers.
Richard.
12/12/2006
Ch-ch-ch-Changes
Ok, at Richard's request I have deleted his Lost Boys blog link on the account of it is dead.
I have also added a bunch more links to hockey-blog links in the hopes that the FUNHL blog will be ever more addictive/useful to everyone.
I have also added a bunch more links to hockey-blog links in the hopes that the FUNHL blog will be ever more addictive/useful to everyone.
Kessel
Channel 4 led its 11 p.m. newscast last night with a report that rookie Phil Kessel had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. Rumors circulated all day that Kessel had been hospitalized for any number of reasons, including testicular cancer or depression.
-- Boston Globe
I had speculated to Bob that the reason for his 'personal' absence from the team was related to an STD treament (or else, why not reveal what the personal medical thing is?).
Turns it out it could be much worse. Much, much worse. Here's a situation where I am actually hoping it is depression (which is miserable enough) or a minor STD (which is winning the lottery compared to the other options). Effectively makes the possibility Kessel will dress for the Highlanders this year a big fat zero.
In any case, I just hope Kessel ends up well.
-- Boston Globe
I had speculated to Bob that the reason for his 'personal' absence from the team was related to an STD treament (or else, why not reveal what the personal medical thing is?).
Turns it out it could be much worse. Much, much worse. Here's a situation where I am actually hoping it is depression (which is miserable enough) or a minor STD (which is winning the lottery compared to the other options). Effectively makes the possibility Kessel will dress for the Highlanders this year a big fat zero.
In any case, I just hope Kessel ends up well.
Omnivore
Well, in all respects, my team is doing quite well... other than that omnivore cup, where I'm pulling up 12th. Now, I know we discussed previously that you could expect to lose points just due to not being psychic... but this is ridiculous!
I'm missing a full 10% of my potential points! I feel like a sure sucker for the "For-the-love-of-God-stop-trading" award. Are all my now traded Ds really that good? I can't imagine where else I'm losing points... but I'm happily bleeding them away.
Is the WD going to clean this up. As Cam and I have mentioned, it threatens to be devastating to whoever it was who nailed ZBerg at the ED. (Provided 4 points in a night is the start of a trend.)
Well, I can take consolation that there's only one team who's beating me on the combination of omnivore, and pred races, and I'm not that far behind (That is, the Personal Vendetta start at a lower baseline, but have a higher over all point value). Still, I can't help but be nagged by the issue of what does it mean if I finish 6th, and still get last on the omnivore?
Richard.
PS- Cam, I've elminated the Lost Boys Blog, so you may want to remove it as a link
I'm missing a full 10% of my potential points! I feel like a sure sucker for the "For-the-love-of-God-stop-trading" award. Are all my now traded Ds really that good? I can't imagine where else I'm losing points... but I'm happily bleeding them away.
Is the WD going to clean this up. As Cam and I have mentioned, it threatens to be devastating to whoever it was who nailed ZBerg at the ED. (Provided 4 points in a night is the start of a trend.)
Well, I can take consolation that there's only one team who's beating me on the combination of omnivore, and pred races, and I'm not that far behind (That is, the Personal Vendetta start at a lower baseline, but have a higher over all point value). Still, I can't help but be nagged by the issue of what does it mean if I finish 6th, and still get last on the omnivore?
Richard.
PS- Cam, I've elminated the Lost Boys Blog, so you may want to remove it as a link
12/11/2006
FUNHL News and Notes: Post WD1
Vincent Lecavalier expresses his gratitude at joining the Severed Heads by blowing up for 3 goals and 2 assists. Newly returned from injury, linemate Martin Havlat also expressed his enjoyment at playing for the team as he 5 points in his first two games. Welcome aboard fellas.
Interestingly, Zetterberg's arrival on the Scourge was greeted with similar enthusiasm, as he erupted for a four point evening. Which I believe brings his total on the season to...something close to four.
*****
Speaking of the Scourge, their FUNHL logo absolutely freakin' RULES.
"Dude, I totally scored Scourge tickets for tonight, but first, I'm gonna kill me some Dwarves."
And while I'm on the topic of FUNHL logos, ponder this, the Great Whites logo features a shark, which is neither White nor Great.
"See, look at me. Not Teal. Not a Tiger Shark. I'm just saying."
*****
Todd Bertuzzi's announcement that he'll miss another 4-8 weeks recovering from his back injury came a mere 12 hours too late to help the Ramapithicines GM decide whether to protect him or not. He should be back just about the time we need to make our cuts for WD2. Nice.
Daniel Alfredsson has entered 'day to day hell' with a hip injury. I don't reccomend viewing the replay - ankles aren't supposed to turn in that direction.
Ovechkin's hit on Briere was clearly from behind and deliberately intended to injure - in all it was the definition of a cheap shot. He should sit between two-five games for it.
I notice that the Sabres have gone back to their 'guess which line will score big tonight' team concept. Good. It was getting tough to see Drury, Briere and Afinogenov score like real 1st line players. Now that the offense is back to a committee (Paul Gaustad!), with more or less 4 even lines being rolled and two discrete pp units, the edge to Sabre holding GMs should blunt moving forward.
I say this as someone who thinks the Canucks are heading in the right direction, but Luongo is going to meltdown and cost the team games soon. He's been left helpless out there many nights, and there is no firepower in front of him to win games when he isn't perfect. The strain is starting to show (see: Calgary's recent 4 goal blitz on him).
Speaking of 'Couver, Naz could be gone as the attempted to solution to their problems. He's got immense talent, a reasonable contract for a star, and he'll bring several pieces in return. Few other Canucks (outside the WonderTwins) can have that about them.
So I no sooner call out the Bluejackets for hiring Hitchock and how it will wreck Rick Nash's offense, and they immediately go on a tear, with one of the bigger guns in their sudden barrage being no other than Rick Nash. It might be too soon to capitulate but it sure looks like I may have to eat my words on that prediction.
Sundin's back, but the Leafs still suck. Anyone left cheering for that huge deal signed by Hal Gill? Anyone? How are those Raycroft jersey sales coming along? Peachy.
Big winners at the WD1? Not many. Chris definitely improved his team, as did several teams, but on the whole I think the draft favoured those who made deep defense cuts rather than wing or pivot cuts. The forwards were gone early (and by teams that didn't ostensibly need them - Zetterberg, Arnott and Boyes for example all went to teams that weren't looking for that position by virtue of their cuts), leaving the d-men to be taken in later rounds.
The big loser was everyone who sat through the mind numbingly long rounds 5-6. They were interminable.
BTW - Richard's prep analysis of the WD was both original and interesting. Kudos.
Last but not least, I LOVE the mega-logo thing that features all the FUNHL teams. Can we petition Dan to make that part of the FUNHL websites logo? Who's with me?
Interestingly, Zetterberg's arrival on the Scourge was greeted with similar enthusiasm, as he erupted for a four point evening. Which I believe brings his total on the season to...something close to four.
*****
Speaking of the Scourge, their FUNHL logo absolutely freakin' RULES.
"Dude, I totally scored Scourge tickets for tonight, but first, I'm gonna kill me some Dwarves."
And while I'm on the topic of FUNHL logos, ponder this, the Great Whites logo features a shark, which is neither White nor Great.
"See, look at me. Not Teal. Not a Tiger Shark. I'm just saying."
*****
Todd Bertuzzi's announcement that he'll miss another 4-8 weeks recovering from his back injury came a mere 12 hours too late to help the Ramapithicines GM decide whether to protect him or not. He should be back just about the time we need to make our cuts for WD2. Nice.
Daniel Alfredsson has entered 'day to day hell' with a hip injury. I don't reccomend viewing the replay - ankles aren't supposed to turn in that direction.
Ovechkin's hit on Briere was clearly from behind and deliberately intended to injure - in all it was the definition of a cheap shot. He should sit between two-five games for it.
I notice that the Sabres have gone back to their 'guess which line will score big tonight' team concept. Good. It was getting tough to see Drury, Briere and Afinogenov score like real 1st line players. Now that the offense is back to a committee (Paul Gaustad!), with more or less 4 even lines being rolled and two discrete pp units, the edge to Sabre holding GMs should blunt moving forward.
I say this as someone who thinks the Canucks are heading in the right direction, but Luongo is going to meltdown and cost the team games soon. He's been left helpless out there many nights, and there is no firepower in front of him to win games when he isn't perfect. The strain is starting to show (see: Calgary's recent 4 goal blitz on him).
Speaking of 'Couver, Naz could be gone as the attempted to solution to their problems. He's got immense talent, a reasonable contract for a star, and he'll bring several pieces in return. Few other Canucks (outside the WonderTwins) can have that about them.
So I no sooner call out the Bluejackets for hiring Hitchock and how it will wreck Rick Nash's offense, and they immediately go on a tear, with one of the bigger guns in their sudden barrage being no other than Rick Nash. It might be too soon to capitulate but it sure looks like I may have to eat my words on that prediction.
Sundin's back, but the Leafs still suck. Anyone left cheering for that huge deal signed by Hal Gill? Anyone? How are those Raycroft jersey sales coming along? Peachy.
Big winners at the WD1? Not many. Chris definitely improved his team, as did several teams, but on the whole I think the draft favoured those who made deep defense cuts rather than wing or pivot cuts. The forwards were gone early (and by teams that didn't ostensibly need them - Zetterberg, Arnott and Boyes for example all went to teams that weren't looking for that position by virtue of their cuts), leaving the d-men to be taken in later rounds.
The big loser was everyone who sat through the mind numbingly long rounds 5-6. They were interminable.
BTW - Richard's prep analysis of the WD was both original and interesting. Kudos.
Last but not least, I LOVE the mega-logo thing that features all the FUNHL teams. Can we petition Dan to make that part of the FUNHL websites logo? Who's with me?
Unofficial FunHL Stats as of December 11, 2006
Hi Gang, here's hoping that the post is readable this time. Congrats to the Bladerunners who remain in first but the gap is closing...
Best WD moments
Being unable to give authoritative punditry on how well the WD went, here's my recollection--two days later--of moments that had me laughing:
Me: "So, Kozlov, is he an RW, 21 points?"
Doug: "No he's a centre"
Cameron: "Yes: draft Kozlov; I encourage you to draft lots and lots of Islanders"
Me: "But he's got 21 points"
Brian/Bob: "That's because Yashin's not playing right now"
Me: "Still, 21 points"
Doug: "So, you're drafting Kozlov C NYI"
Me: "Wait, no, I need an R"
Cameron: "AAAAAAAAH"
+++
Also: "Friends don't let friends draft Marchant"
+++
And a three page debate about just who had been drafted in round 4 to wrap the draft.
+++
Mike (I think): "The NHL has a spreadsheet?"
+++
Me: "Bieska D Van"
Doug: "Damn, I was hoping he'd be missed"
Me: "Well, it's kind of hard to miss people when you're drafting off a spreadsheet"
Cameron: "The rook speaks truth"
+++
Me: "I recommend the Prucha model of centre, all the quality, and half the vowels"
Cameron: "It's true, fewer vowels is a sign of quality. I was upset when Vlk wasn't drafted: he would have been a God"
+++
Also: Parrish gets a hat-trick Saturday night. Prucha and Armstrong finally score. And ZBerg lives up to potential with a 4 point game. Maybe I was wrong to mock him as 1st pick overall. (No... no, I wasn't.)
Go Wolski, Klesla and Bieska!
Lost Boys
(More punditry I say; more punditry!)
Me: "So, Kozlov, is he an RW, 21 points?"
Doug: "No he's a centre"
Cameron: "Yes: draft Kozlov; I encourage you to draft lots and lots of Islanders"
Me: "But he's got 21 points"
Brian/Bob: "That's because Yashin's not playing right now"
Me: "Still, 21 points"
Doug: "So, you're drafting Kozlov C NYI"
Me: "Wait, no, I need an R"
Cameron: "AAAAAAAAH"
+++
Also: "Friends don't let friends draft Marchant"
+++
And a three page debate about just who had been drafted in round 4 to wrap the draft.
+++
Mike (I think): "The NHL has a spreadsheet?"
+++
Me: "Bieska D Van"
Doug: "Damn, I was hoping he'd be missed"
Me: "Well, it's kind of hard to miss people when you're drafting off a spreadsheet"
Cameron: "The rook speaks truth"
+++
Me: "I recommend the Prucha model of centre, all the quality, and half the vowels"
Cameron: "It's true, fewer vowels is a sign of quality. I was upset when Vlk wasn't drafted: he would have been a God"
+++
Also: Parrish gets a hat-trick Saturday night. Prucha and Armstrong finally score. And ZBerg lives up to potential with a 4 point game. Maybe I was wrong to mock him as 1st pick overall. (No... no, I wasn't.)
Go Wolski, Klesla and Bieska!
Lost Boys
(More punditry I say; more punditry!)
12/09/2006
Most recent stats
Here, fuzzy little pictures are driving me nuts. And I can't read yahoo at work. Uh, be cool if someone could upload the Bladerunner's image for posterity, but I don't know if humble Brian can take all the ego stroking.
Surplus editorial:
- "Holy Puck, Batman" award to: Bladerunners (48.43 points)
- "Pray Harder!" ceritificate to: Wolves (0.73 point difference)
- "White ribbon of Participation" to: Personal Vendetta (23.43 points)
1. Bladerunners
+48.43 (371.47)
2. Shadowmen
+36.03 (355.93)
3. Great Whites
+28.17 (342.53)
4. Highlanders
+26.80 (332.58)
5. Severed Heads
+36.50 (322.28)
6. Ramapithicines
+28.90 (304.25)
7. Wolves (+1)
+40.00 (303.52)
8. Personal Vendetta (-1)
+23.43 (292.48)
9. Lost Boys
+32.00 (284.10)
10. Edge (+1)
+41.70 (277.53)
11. Knights Templar (-1)
+28.00 (276.18)
12. Scourge
+34.60 (256.40)
12/08/2006
Thoughts on the WD, and the Severed Heads (with reply)
RB: Hello,
Yes Cameron, you did manage to pick a theme-song older than me for my team. Nice. Kudos for getting a song I've heard of, but haven't heard. Kind of like my name-recognition problem with most of hockey.
- CH: I defend my choice on the grounds that 'Bela Lugosi is Dead' is empirically speaking the best all-time vampire song. Period (though I welcome any other contenders be submitted for consideration). I could have considered the Peter Pan angle I guess, but you might have ended up with Puff the Magic Dragon (a song that still tears my heart out). Ulitmately, I just hope you like it.
RB: Second, I think I gotta disagree with you on the whole "retire a number symbolically, win or no win." Here's why: This is professional sports, winning is everything. (Or, maybe Jagr should just be content with the fact that he's statistically the superior athlete, hardware to show it or not.)
CH: Point taken, hockey is about winning, but when you are retiring a jersey it isn't about winning, it's about the player who wore it. It's the team saying 'we love you so much for what you did, nobody else will ever wear your number'. Heady stuff. When a team has decided to honour a player this way, why not go the extra step and do so in front of any other team he might have played for? If anything, I think Hradek is an idiot for presuming that the dynamic goes like this;
"Pick an opponent you can beat, so the fans get the ceremony and a win"
vs
"Honour the player in the classiest manner possible, and then kick the crap out of whoever that opponent is in his name."
The ceremony should lead you to the win, not the possibility of a win to the ceremony.
RB: When you retire a number, you honour your teams past legacy, connecting it forward to the present legacy or lack-there-of. The military-sports metaphor being a natural, you are honouring your veterans. "Today we are great because of you" is what you are saying. Subsequently losing a game to a team that is equally important to a player in their career, is just bad... so very very bad, because it means that the legacy of greatness they left you: non-existent; your honouring them: meaningless. Soldiers are not great; armies are great, nations are great. We expect the same rhetoric from one as to the other, therefore, you don't hand out medals on the eve of battles you expect to lose.
On the other hand, if you think I'm wrong, I encourage you to draft historically and symbolically important players to you this coming WD, as opposed to those whose stats actually justify their being on your team.
CH: Agreed. You can have all the Leafs you want.
RB: Finally, my thoughts on the WD.
Assuming no great change in what Brian dispatched last night, I'm having to start deciding who and how I stack in my excel sheet. Basic figures:
Total number of Forwards playing in the FUNHL: 48 apiece.
Total number to be drafted: ~3.5 per team
Minimum stat ceiling:
- LW: Oleg Saprykin 13 pts.
- RW: Ruslan Fedotenko 14 pts.
- C: Bryan Smolinski 16 pts.
Total number of Ds playing in the FUNHL: 96.Minimum stat ceiling: Chris Chelios 7 pts.
Total number to be drafted: ~3.5 per team
What do I make of this:
- There are still three draft strategies: Crazy forwards, or Crazy Ds, and the Complete Crazy.
- I don’t believe the third is a feasible option unless you believe you sincerely could run an actual hockey team. This rules it out completely as an option for the Lost Boys. But let us give credit where it is due: at least 3 FUNHL teams will use that strategy.
How to draft Crazy forwards:
- Draft an LW first, the talent spread is thinner.
- Be aware that some players in the “top 48” are not available because they’re prospects, so the spread is greater. Be aware that people who favour lots and lots of trading are probably matching you on this strategy. For example, Bob or myself might well draft a C in the first 2 rounds, because we have Vermette and Koivu in our pockets. Now someone’s drafting Chelios for a centre, and the Shadows start to circle.
- Don’t consider penalty minutes on forwards. Every minute spent in the box is one where your player isn’t getting an assist, and is seeing a ¼ point for his efforts. Waste of time. (okay, if you’re drafting someone placed lower than 40th, look at penalty minutes)
Why to draft Crazy forwards: fundamentally, it’s where the points are. Pronger is the exception that proves the rule, there just aren’t enough high-pointing Ds to take you to the Pred without decent forwards.
How to draft Crazy Ds
- Well, how is easy, though once you’re looking at less than 11 points, consider penalties. Good Ds are few and far between and a minute spent in the penalty box is actually the most points you’re likely to see in the game from a D.
- Why to draft Crazy Ds: there is more competition for the Ds than for the forwards. Consider: 42 to 96 (number of Ds that have to be drafted) compared to 42 to 164 for Forwards. The last player to be drafted is likely going to be a 7-point-23-minute-St Louiesque-“miracle”, because the average Ds are just that bad.
- And while good defense isn’t everything, it makes the difference between the top 3 teams and the next 3. Big teams trade their 3rd line forwards for solid Ds. Little teams with solid Ds have trade options… good trade options (Hello Brindamour).
- But: if you’re drafting Ds, have the balls to stick with it. Don’t draft 1 D, and then go for an L, and then another D, go for quality, or go for thugs. There’s no profit in the middle ground (That’s called complete crazy).
Prediction: Any team going in to draft 5 forwards is going to have the best WD. Again, it’s a numbers game. There’s better quality and less competition for the forwards. (But, keep in mind, no A-grade forwards aren’t available. Except Zetterberg)
As for goalies… tough call, here’s why:
- Wins don’t matter for goalies, but it’s the easiest way to measure them
- Stat bottom on W: Theodore COL (8).
- The most valid measure for the FUNHL is GAA.
- Stat bottom on GAA: Raycroft TOR (2.93)
- Another important stat: How much ice time are they seeing?
- Stat bottom on TOI: Cloutier LAK (1004)
CH: Crazy man, crazy.
It’s hard to play with the formula to come up with satisfying results. One that doesn’t let one game wonders float to the top. I think name recognition basis will go a long way in getting a goalie.
Chat to you all on Saturday
CH: I'm looking forward to it as well!
Richard.
Yes Cameron, you did manage to pick a theme-song older than me for my team. Nice. Kudos for getting a song I've heard of, but haven't heard. Kind of like my name-recognition problem with most of hockey.
- CH: I defend my choice on the grounds that 'Bela Lugosi is Dead' is empirically speaking the best all-time vampire song. Period (though I welcome any other contenders be submitted for consideration). I could have considered the Peter Pan angle I guess, but you might have ended up with Puff the Magic Dragon (a song that still tears my heart out). Ulitmately, I just hope you like it.
RB: Second, I think I gotta disagree with you on the whole "retire a number symbolically, win or no win." Here's why: This is professional sports, winning is everything. (Or, maybe Jagr should just be content with the fact that he's statistically the superior athlete, hardware to show it or not.)
CH: Point taken, hockey is about winning, but when you are retiring a jersey it isn't about winning, it's about the player who wore it. It's the team saying 'we love you so much for what you did, nobody else will ever wear your number'. Heady stuff. When a team has decided to honour a player this way, why not go the extra step and do so in front of any other team he might have played for? If anything, I think Hradek is an idiot for presuming that the dynamic goes like this;
"Pick an opponent you can beat, so the fans get the ceremony and a win"
vs
"Honour the player in the classiest manner possible, and then kick the crap out of whoever that opponent is in his name."
The ceremony should lead you to the win, not the possibility of a win to the ceremony.
RB: When you retire a number, you honour your teams past legacy, connecting it forward to the present legacy or lack-there-of. The military-sports metaphor being a natural, you are honouring your veterans. "Today we are great because of you" is what you are saying. Subsequently losing a game to a team that is equally important to a player in their career, is just bad... so very very bad, because it means that the legacy of greatness they left you: non-existent; your honouring them: meaningless. Soldiers are not great; armies are great, nations are great. We expect the same rhetoric from one as to the other, therefore, you don't hand out medals on the eve of battles you expect to lose.
On the other hand, if you think I'm wrong, I encourage you to draft historically and symbolically important players to you this coming WD, as opposed to those whose stats actually justify their being on your team.
CH: Agreed. You can have all the Leafs you want.
RB: Finally, my thoughts on the WD.
Assuming no great change in what Brian dispatched last night, I'm having to start deciding who and how I stack in my excel sheet. Basic figures:
Total number of Forwards playing in the FUNHL: 48 apiece.
Total number to be drafted: ~3.5 per team
Minimum stat ceiling:
- LW: Oleg Saprykin 13 pts.
- RW: Ruslan Fedotenko 14 pts.
- C: Bryan Smolinski 16 pts.
Total number of Ds playing in the FUNHL: 96.Minimum stat ceiling: Chris Chelios 7 pts.
Total number to be drafted: ~3.5 per team
What do I make of this:
- There are still three draft strategies: Crazy forwards, or Crazy Ds, and the Complete Crazy.
- I don’t believe the third is a feasible option unless you believe you sincerely could run an actual hockey team. This rules it out completely as an option for the Lost Boys. But let us give credit where it is due: at least 3 FUNHL teams will use that strategy.
How to draft Crazy forwards:
- Draft an LW first, the talent spread is thinner.
- Be aware that some players in the “top 48” are not available because they’re prospects, so the spread is greater. Be aware that people who favour lots and lots of trading are probably matching you on this strategy. For example, Bob or myself might well draft a C in the first 2 rounds, because we have Vermette and Koivu in our pockets. Now someone’s drafting Chelios for a centre, and the Shadows start to circle.
- Don’t consider penalty minutes on forwards. Every minute spent in the box is one where your player isn’t getting an assist, and is seeing a ¼ point for his efforts. Waste of time. (okay, if you’re drafting someone placed lower than 40th, look at penalty minutes)
Why to draft Crazy forwards: fundamentally, it’s where the points are. Pronger is the exception that proves the rule, there just aren’t enough high-pointing Ds to take you to the Pred without decent forwards.
How to draft Crazy Ds
- Well, how is easy, though once you’re looking at less than 11 points, consider penalties. Good Ds are few and far between and a minute spent in the penalty box is actually the most points you’re likely to see in the game from a D.
- Why to draft Crazy Ds: there is more competition for the Ds than for the forwards. Consider: 42 to 96 (number of Ds that have to be drafted) compared to 42 to 164 for Forwards. The last player to be drafted is likely going to be a 7-point-23-minute-St Louiesque-“miracle”, because the average Ds are just that bad.
- And while good defense isn’t everything, it makes the difference between the top 3 teams and the next 3. Big teams trade their 3rd line forwards for solid Ds. Little teams with solid Ds have trade options… good trade options (Hello Brindamour).
- But: if you’re drafting Ds, have the balls to stick with it. Don’t draft 1 D, and then go for an L, and then another D, go for quality, or go for thugs. There’s no profit in the middle ground (That’s called complete crazy).
Prediction: Any team going in to draft 5 forwards is going to have the best WD. Again, it’s a numbers game. There’s better quality and less competition for the forwards. (But, keep in mind, no A-grade forwards aren’t available. Except Zetterberg)
As for goalies… tough call, here’s why:
- Wins don’t matter for goalies, but it’s the easiest way to measure them
- Stat bottom on W: Theodore COL (8).
- The most valid measure for the FUNHL is GAA.
- Stat bottom on GAA: Raycroft TOR (2.93)
- Another important stat: How much ice time are they seeing?
- Stat bottom on TOI: Cloutier LAK (1004)
CH: Crazy man, crazy.
It’s hard to play with the formula to come up with satisfying results. One that doesn’t let one game wonders float to the top. I think name recognition basis will go a long way in getting a goalie.
Chat to you all on Saturday
CH: I'm looking forward to it as well!
Richard.
Skeptics
I stubbed my toe on this during my sporadic wading in the shallow end of the internet;
"We took turns taking shots at each other with a tennis ball, using an editorial writer’s glass wall as a goal. We enlisted our colleagues in a fantasy hockey league. We did everything we could to make them want to switch the channel on the office TV set from the U.C.L.A. Bruins, or the U.S.C. Trojans, or “Caddyshack,” to the big game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Hartford Whalers.
The rest is good, but 'The Antipuck' totally rules.
"We took turns taking shots at each other with a tennis ball, using an editorial writer’s glass wall as a goal. We enlisted our colleagues in a fantasy hockey league. We did everything we could to make them want to switch the channel on the office TV set from the U.C.L.A. Bruins, or the U.S.C. Trojans, or “Caddyshack,” to the big game between the Winnipeg Jets and the Hartford Whalers.
We had some modest success. But there were a few skeptics. Like Steve, who loudly declared to the office that he was the Antipuck. But even he began to crack. He started quoting lines from the movie “Slap Shot,” talking about “feeling shame” and “putting on the foil.” Once he even announced a Luc Robitaille goal to the newsroom by placing his hands around his mouth to recreate the voice of Darth Vader: “LUUUUUC,” he intoned. “Come to the dark side, LUUUUUUUUC.” There was hope for the Antipuck."
The rest is good, but 'The Antipuck' totally rules.
12/07/2006
Cameron's FUNHL iTunes Playlist
Ok, so here's the thing, burning 12 CDs of music likely to be obscure and inconsequential to most tastes wasn't working for me - so instead I've compiled a list of tracks available on iTunes for download. You can then download them or not as your choice, and at a buck a track, the artists get their share as well. If you don't already have/use iTunes, mea culpa.
I've presented the tracks in the order I reccomend you load them. Mix them too much and the album could be severely jarring. The list starts off with fast metal, goes old school metal, classic rock, movie pastiche, mega-hit, left field pop, ancient alternative, modern alternative, space rock, classic goth, disco techno, techno - a potent mix and can be made worse by mixing in the wrong way....
Anyway, here goes;
The Shadowmen - 'Jesus Built My Hotrod' by Ministry
Reason: Because when it comes to trades, Bob knows how to 'ding a ding dang' his 'dang a long ling long' better than anyone else.
The Personal Vendetta - 'Ace of Spades' - Motorhead
Reasons: "You know the hunt is better than the kill".
The Wolves - 'Werewolves of London' by Warren Zevon
Reasons: Timeless classic, it was almost disqualified because Zevon also wrote the utterly wretched 'Hit Somebody (the Hockey Song)'.
The Bladerunners - 'Bladerunner' by Pete Archer
Reason: Obvious. (as for the movie, go with the Dir. Cut - natch). If you don't like this version (too...cowboy-ie), try Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks' surftastic take on the theme also called 'Bladerunner'. Actually try them both.
The Edge - 'Beautiful Day' - U2
Reasons: U2 has some guy who plays lead guitar for them....uh....his name will come to me in a minute....hold on...nope, just not happening. To paraphrase Bob Johnson "It's a beautiful day for hockey".
The Knights Templar - 'River of Daughters' - The Old Soul
Reason: I have no idea what is going on with the lyrics, or even what genre (psychedelic pop?) this song is aiming for, but it has an unexpectedly monster hook and takes big risks - some of which pay off. Draw your own analogies to the KT from there.
The Great Whites - 'Hammerheads' - Shriekback
Reasons:
"Our time has come
Age of the Hammerheads
This is our mission
To be the darlings of God"
The Scourge - 'Dirge' by Death in Vegas
Reason: A sad beautiful downer of a song for a sad beautiful downer of a season. On a side note, the best album this year is 'Satan's Circus' by DiV, followed by the K-Os latest offering.
The Ramapithicines - 'Auto Rock' and/or 'We're no here' - Mogwai
Reason: Nobody writes decent songs about or for the Ramapithicines anymore, but Mogwai does have an entire album called 'Mr Beast'. These are the two best tracks that go in completely different directions. Double the pleasure and get both.
The Lost Boys - 'Bela Lugosi is Dead' - Bauhaus
Still the best vampire song ever. Might have been written before Richard was born. I bet it still packs the floor at the Warehouse. One drawback is that the pace and style of the song don't naturally match any other songs in the list making it hard to place.
The Highlanders - 'Rez' by Underworld
Reasons: I know Doug loves it, and for good reason. The big fat techno loops pointillistically rise and collapse in a fugue that can be utterly hypnotic. DJ say 'I dare you not to dance'.
The Severed Heads - 'Lonestar' - by The Severed Heads
Reason: I almost avoided the obvious problem of which Severed Heads song to pick by going off the reservation and selecting another band entirely ('the Hypothesist' by Novilero - call it my album's bonus track). Then I checked my iPod's 'most played' file and noticed that this one was still hanging in at numero uno a full year after I loaded it up. Sometimes, these things pick themselves.
Let me know what you think...
I've presented the tracks in the order I reccomend you load them. Mix them too much and the album could be severely jarring. The list starts off with fast metal, goes old school metal, classic rock, movie pastiche, mega-hit, left field pop, ancient alternative, modern alternative, space rock, classic goth, disco techno, techno - a potent mix and can be made worse by mixing in the wrong way....
Anyway, here goes;
The Shadowmen - 'Jesus Built My Hotrod' by Ministry
Reason: Because when it comes to trades, Bob knows how to 'ding a ding dang' his 'dang a long ling long' better than anyone else.
The Personal Vendetta - 'Ace of Spades' - Motorhead
Reasons: "You know the hunt is better than the kill".
The Wolves - 'Werewolves of London' by Warren Zevon
Reasons: Timeless classic, it was almost disqualified because Zevon also wrote the utterly wretched 'Hit Somebody (the Hockey Song)'.
The Bladerunners - 'Bladerunner' by Pete Archer
Reason: Obvious. (as for the movie, go with the Dir. Cut - natch). If you don't like this version (too...cowboy-ie), try Robert Johnson and Punchdrunks' surftastic take on the theme also called 'Bladerunner'. Actually try them both.
The Edge - 'Beautiful Day' - U2
Reasons: U2 has some guy who plays lead guitar for them....uh....his name will come to me in a minute....hold on...nope, just not happening. To paraphrase Bob Johnson "It's a beautiful day for hockey".
The Knights Templar - 'River of Daughters' - The Old Soul
Reason: I have no idea what is going on with the lyrics, or even what genre (psychedelic pop?) this song is aiming for, but it has an unexpectedly monster hook and takes big risks - some of which pay off. Draw your own analogies to the KT from there.
The Great Whites - 'Hammerheads' - Shriekback
Reasons:
"Our time has come
Age of the Hammerheads
This is our mission
To be the darlings of God"
The Scourge - 'Dirge' by Death in Vegas
Reason: A sad beautiful downer of a song for a sad beautiful downer of a season. On a side note, the best album this year is 'Satan's Circus' by DiV, followed by the K-Os latest offering.
The Ramapithicines - 'Auto Rock' and/or 'We're no here' - Mogwai
Reason: Nobody writes decent songs about or for the Ramapithicines anymore, but Mogwai does have an entire album called 'Mr Beast'. These are the two best tracks that go in completely different directions. Double the pleasure and get both.
The Lost Boys - 'Bela Lugosi is Dead' - Bauhaus
Still the best vampire song ever. Might have been written before Richard was born. I bet it still packs the floor at the Warehouse. One drawback is that the pace and style of the song don't naturally match any other songs in the list making it hard to place.
The Highlanders - 'Rez' by Underworld
Reasons: I know Doug loves it, and for good reason. The big fat techno loops pointillistically rise and collapse in a fugue that can be utterly hypnotic. DJ say 'I dare you not to dance'.
The Severed Heads - 'Lonestar' - by The Severed Heads
Reason: I almost avoided the obvious problem of which Severed Heads song to pick by going off the reservation and selecting another band entirely ('the Hypothesist' by Novilero - call it my album's bonus track). Then I checked my iPod's 'most played' file and noticed that this one was still hanging in at numero uno a full year after I loaded it up. Sometimes, these things pick themselves.
Let me know what you think...
The Glassman retires
After 20 seasons Joe Nieuwendyk finally retired before completely shattering his back...
3 Stanley cups - 1989 with Calgary, 1999, with Dallas and 2003 and with New Jersey - 3 differnt teams...the Conn Smythe in 1999 with Dallas, the Calder Trophy and over 500 goals and 500 assists for over 1100 points in about 1250 games.
Not Bad.
Sounds like Hall of Fame numbers
plus a goal medal in 2002.
Any debate?
3 Stanley cups - 1989 with Calgary, 1999, with Dallas and 2003 and with New Jersey - 3 differnt teams...the Conn Smythe in 1999 with Dallas, the Calder Trophy and over 500 goals and 500 assists for over 1100 points in about 1250 games.
Not Bad.
Sounds like Hall of Fame numbers
plus a goal medal in 2002.
Any debate?
FUNHL News and Notes
Class act retires:
Joe Nieuwendyk has hung up his spurs after recieving the news that his back injury not only wasn't improving, but could get much worse if he keeps playing. His career went under the radar in a lot of ways (playing in Calgary will do that), but his three cups with three teams (Cgy, Dal, NJ), Calder Trophy, 50+goal rookie season, 560 career goals and Conn Smythe trophy with Dallas will get him into the Hall - eventually. Before then, he should see his jersey number join that of Vernon and MacInnis decorating the Saddledown rafters.
Out on a limb:
Crosby and Malkin will not be enough to get the Pens into the playoffs.
Lots of talk, no action
Did anyone else notice that the meeting between the GMs didn't produce a change in the schedule despite massive bitching from all quarters, and an apparent willingness on the part of the league to reach an accomodation? The problem was that each GM had different and frequently contradictory thoughts on what should be done. Look for an adjustment next year that sees each team play every other at least once. That will assuage all the Western Conference teams who feel cheated at not getting Crosby, Ovechkin or Jagr at their rinks. Outside of that, all bets are off.
Going, going....
Dec 20 will be the drop dead deadline for the Penguins existence. If the casino deal with Capris is approved (where they agree to also build the new arena), the Pens will stay. If not, odds are very heavy they will leave. ESPN columnist EJ Hradek (see my 'EJ Hradek is an idiot' post below) thinks that the Penssylvania legislature will want to do a deal in the event the casino arrangement falls through. So far, he's the only pundit I can locate who thinks so. Worse (if you are a Pens fan), it looks like the casino/arena deal is the weakest of the three bids that the state is considering. Time to start mentally preparing for Crosby in a different uniform....(Go Go Kitchener Penguins!)
Off topic
I watched the Phoenix Suns dismantle the Sacremento Kings the other night. In the first quarter alone Nash had nine assists. Not the garbage assists that come from making a decent pass to a hot shooter, no, these were surgically precise strikes (coming from either hand) that all lead directly to easy dunks, layups and wide-open threes. The Suns had 41 pts in the opening quarter with Nash simply shredding the Kings D at will. He and the Suns would cruise easily to the finish line, and Stevie ended the game with a shocking 20 dimes. The only bad news is that Raja Bell failed to extend his streak of scoring 4 or more 3 pointers in a game from 5. The league record was six.
Ovechkin + Kovalchuk + Malkin
As John Buccigross suggests, this would be one of the most highly anticipated line combos at the upcoming All-Star game in Dallas. Two outrageouly talented gunners and a slick playmaker with the head and wheels to set them up. Wicked. Does anyone else think the Russians just need a goalie to re-make themselves as an international superpower in hockey?
Hockey Blogs!
First, there is this excellent Vancouver heavy site called Canucks Corner, by Tom Benjamin.
Then we have journalist James Myrtle's blog.
For a greater fantasy hockey perspective, I present to you Doctor Hockey.
Last but not least, my favourite hockey journalist Eric Duhatschek now has his own blog with the Globe and Mail.
Big Mouth Strikes Again
Brett Hull is apparently going to work with NBC as a hockey commentator and TV personality. Good call all around, though Hull will have to watch that he doesn't let his waistline balloon to the point he can't sit in the studio chairs provided. But hey, if Charles Barkley can find a chair to sit in, the newly girth enhanced Hull should have no problems.
A Pain in the....
Flyers D-man/pylon Mike Rathje has a career threatening nerve injury in his back that causes extreme pain in his 'lower right buttock'. Word is the glacial defender unsuited to the new NHL's emphasis on speed (and more especially the crackdown on hooking/holding etc that was previously his bread and butter) will likely retire and give the hapless Flyers some much needed cap room.
Tough Cuts
The Bladerunners are making Sean Avery available at the WD. Avery (as a goon) is well over a ppg - but he is behind Gagne, Straka and Sullivan on the Bladerunners depth chart. Gagne by points would be the best choice, Straka by history, but it will be Avery based on the fact that his toughness is more easily replaced than the offense of the other three.
The other interesting situation to watch is the Highlanders. Blessed with an abundance of D-men they have chosen to protect freakishly hot 'Ride Me Big Sheldon' Souray over 1st rnd pick Zetterberg. He also chose to protect his own 2nd rnd match Jay Bouwmeester despite the Panther's lack of substantive production. Unwilling to admit that the match was ill-advised and cut bait on big Jay via trade, the Highlanders are instead cutting two of each winger to make things work.
Death of a Sniper?
With Hitchcock's arrival in Columbus the early speculation is that he will wreak the same havok on Rick Nash's career stats line that he did to Mike Modano's - turn a precociously gifted 50 goal talent into a 30 goal two-way player. Whoopee-freaking-do. Sorry, but I just don't see Hitchcock being a positive for the Bluejackets. Hitch is an OLD school, grind it out, trap religiously, never-take-a-risk-offensively coach. He at least gave the nod to the Flyers brass that aquiring Derian Hatcher was a good thing despite the fact he is even slower and less agile than the injured Rathje. In other words, he is the anti-Christ as far as coaching styles for the new NHL, and his first victim will no doubt be the teams lone mega-talent. I weep for Nash.
Waive Goodbye
John LeClair, once one of the league's most fearsome powerforwards (especially when psychically linked to playmaker Lindros), is now a shell of his former self, and like the American born powerforward Kevin Stevens before him, his exit from the game is not going as might be hoped. Reduced to a 4th line role on a very young and shallow team, he has nowhere to go but down. When waived by the Pens a week ago, he easily cleared. If he is brought back up any team that claims him only has to do so at half his current contract (while the other half would be paid by the Pens) - but here's the thing - nobody will take him at even half the price - so realistically, it's over. Nice watching you play John.
Brett, Mike, Mess and Dave
Hull, Vernon, Andreychuk and Messier have all just had or are about to have their jersey's retired. Well done boys, well done. The bigger question is still; does Mike Vernon belong in the Hall of Fame or not? The other three will likely get there (Mess and Hull right away, Dave eventually), but Vernon isn't a mortal lock by any means, despite a Conn Smythe, two cups and a boatload of wins, Vernon's career simply lacks that certain something (mostly media exposure in large markets) to be similarily ratified.
Where is the Love?
What does Jagr have to do to get consideration for the Hart? He drags his team to the top of the heap despite a rookie goaltender last year, tortures goalies for the entire season by scoring 50+, and only loses the stats hardware (Art Ross, Richard) on the last week of the season due to a fluke offensive outburst from Thornton/Cheechoo - and for his efforts he loses the Hart to Thornton as well. Now, all the pundits gush about Hossa this, and Crosby that, while once again, Jagr has strapped the blue-shirts to his back and is carrying them through another season (notice that Thornton is nowhere in sight for trophy consideration this year?). Hossa has Kovalchuk to give him support, and Crosby has Malkin to spread the offense around. Jagr? He gets Martin Straka and the last dregs of Brendan Shanahan's almost empty tank. How does a guy win 5 scoring titles, miss out on a 6th by fluke, and have only one Hart trophy? Time to fix this.
Oilers Doomed.
Smyth is out. Hemsky is out. Horcoff has returned to his AHL calibre of play. Roloson is one year closer to 50. It's over. Calgary on the other hand has put their game together, and is challenging to be among the best teams in the league. Tanguay has found his niche on both the powerplay and top line. Iginla looks like an MVP candidate again (and should come close to 50 goals/100pts). Most of all though, Kiprusoff is proving himself to be the best goalie in the league.
Mike Modano getting hitched
To Willa Ford. Nice.
Last but not least...
You just gotta love goals like this.
Joe Nieuwendyk has hung up his spurs after recieving the news that his back injury not only wasn't improving, but could get much worse if he keeps playing. His career went under the radar in a lot of ways (playing in Calgary will do that), but his three cups with three teams (Cgy, Dal, NJ), Calder Trophy, 50+goal rookie season, 560 career goals and Conn Smythe trophy with Dallas will get him into the Hall - eventually. Before then, he should see his jersey number join that of Vernon and MacInnis decorating the Saddledown rafters.
Out on a limb:
Crosby and Malkin will not be enough to get the Pens into the playoffs.
Lots of talk, no action
Did anyone else notice that the meeting between the GMs didn't produce a change in the schedule despite massive bitching from all quarters, and an apparent willingness on the part of the league to reach an accomodation? The problem was that each GM had different and frequently contradictory thoughts on what should be done. Look for an adjustment next year that sees each team play every other at least once. That will assuage all the Western Conference teams who feel cheated at not getting Crosby, Ovechkin or Jagr at their rinks. Outside of that, all bets are off.
Going, going....
Dec 20 will be the drop dead deadline for the Penguins existence. If the casino deal with Capris is approved (where they agree to also build the new arena), the Pens will stay. If not, odds are very heavy they will leave. ESPN columnist EJ Hradek (see my 'EJ Hradek is an idiot' post below) thinks that the Penssylvania legislature will want to do a deal in the event the casino arrangement falls through. So far, he's the only pundit I can locate who thinks so. Worse (if you are a Pens fan), it looks like the casino/arena deal is the weakest of the three bids that the state is considering. Time to start mentally preparing for Crosby in a different uniform....(Go Go Kitchener Penguins!)
Off topic
I watched the Phoenix Suns dismantle the Sacremento Kings the other night. In the first quarter alone Nash had nine assists. Not the garbage assists that come from making a decent pass to a hot shooter, no, these were surgically precise strikes (coming from either hand) that all lead directly to easy dunks, layups and wide-open threes. The Suns had 41 pts in the opening quarter with Nash simply shredding the Kings D at will. He and the Suns would cruise easily to the finish line, and Stevie ended the game with a shocking 20 dimes. The only bad news is that Raja Bell failed to extend his streak of scoring 4 or more 3 pointers in a game from 5. The league record was six.
Ovechkin + Kovalchuk + Malkin
As John Buccigross suggests, this would be one of the most highly anticipated line combos at the upcoming All-Star game in Dallas. Two outrageouly talented gunners and a slick playmaker with the head and wheels to set them up. Wicked. Does anyone else think the Russians just need a goalie to re-make themselves as an international superpower in hockey?
Hockey Blogs!
First, there is this excellent Vancouver heavy site called Canucks Corner, by Tom Benjamin.
Then we have journalist James Myrtle's blog.
For a greater fantasy hockey perspective, I present to you Doctor Hockey.
Last but not least, my favourite hockey journalist Eric Duhatschek now has his own blog with the Globe and Mail.
Big Mouth Strikes Again
Brett Hull is apparently going to work with NBC as a hockey commentator and TV personality. Good call all around, though Hull will have to watch that he doesn't let his waistline balloon to the point he can't sit in the studio chairs provided. But hey, if Charles Barkley can find a chair to sit in, the newly girth enhanced Hull should have no problems.
A Pain in the....
Flyers D-man/pylon Mike Rathje has a career threatening nerve injury in his back that causes extreme pain in his 'lower right buttock'. Word is the glacial defender unsuited to the new NHL's emphasis on speed (and more especially the crackdown on hooking/holding etc that was previously his bread and butter) will likely retire and give the hapless Flyers some much needed cap room.
Tough Cuts
The Bladerunners are making Sean Avery available at the WD. Avery (as a goon) is well over a ppg - but he is behind Gagne, Straka and Sullivan on the Bladerunners depth chart. Gagne by points would be the best choice, Straka by history, but it will be Avery based on the fact that his toughness is more easily replaced than the offense of the other three.
The other interesting situation to watch is the Highlanders. Blessed with an abundance of D-men they have chosen to protect freakishly hot 'Ride Me Big Sheldon' Souray over 1st rnd pick Zetterberg. He also chose to protect his own 2nd rnd match Jay Bouwmeester despite the Panther's lack of substantive production. Unwilling to admit that the match was ill-advised and cut bait on big Jay via trade, the Highlanders are instead cutting two of each winger to make things work.
Death of a Sniper?
With Hitchcock's arrival in Columbus the early speculation is that he will wreak the same havok on Rick Nash's career stats line that he did to Mike Modano's - turn a precociously gifted 50 goal talent into a 30 goal two-way player. Whoopee-freaking-do. Sorry, but I just don't see Hitchcock being a positive for the Bluejackets. Hitch is an OLD school, grind it out, trap religiously, never-take-a-risk-offensively coach. He at least gave the nod to the Flyers brass that aquiring Derian Hatcher was a good thing despite the fact he is even slower and less agile than the injured Rathje. In other words, he is the anti-Christ as far as coaching styles for the new NHL, and his first victim will no doubt be the teams lone mega-talent. I weep for Nash.
Waive Goodbye
John LeClair, once one of the league's most fearsome powerforwards (especially when psychically linked to playmaker Lindros), is now a shell of his former self, and like the American born powerforward Kevin Stevens before him, his exit from the game is not going as might be hoped. Reduced to a 4th line role on a very young and shallow team, he has nowhere to go but down. When waived by the Pens a week ago, he easily cleared. If he is brought back up any team that claims him only has to do so at half his current contract (while the other half would be paid by the Pens) - but here's the thing - nobody will take him at even half the price - so realistically, it's over. Nice watching you play John.
Brett, Mike, Mess and Dave
Hull, Vernon, Andreychuk and Messier have all just had or are about to have their jersey's retired. Well done boys, well done. The bigger question is still; does Mike Vernon belong in the Hall of Fame or not? The other three will likely get there (Mess and Hull right away, Dave eventually), but Vernon isn't a mortal lock by any means, despite a Conn Smythe, two cups and a boatload of wins, Vernon's career simply lacks that certain something (mostly media exposure in large markets) to be similarily ratified.
Where is the Love?
What does Jagr have to do to get consideration for the Hart? He drags his team to the top of the heap despite a rookie goaltender last year, tortures goalies for the entire season by scoring 50+, and only loses the stats hardware (Art Ross, Richard) on the last week of the season due to a fluke offensive outburst from Thornton/Cheechoo - and for his efforts he loses the Hart to Thornton as well. Now, all the pundits gush about Hossa this, and Crosby that, while once again, Jagr has strapped the blue-shirts to his back and is carrying them through another season (notice that Thornton is nowhere in sight for trophy consideration this year?). Hossa has Kovalchuk to give him support, and Crosby has Malkin to spread the offense around. Jagr? He gets Martin Straka and the last dregs of Brendan Shanahan's almost empty tank. How does a guy win 5 scoring titles, miss out on a 6th by fluke, and have only one Hart trophy? Time to fix this.
Oilers Doomed.
Smyth is out. Hemsky is out. Horcoff has returned to his AHL calibre of play. Roloson is one year closer to 50. It's over. Calgary on the other hand has put their game together, and is challenging to be among the best teams in the league. Tanguay has found his niche on both the powerplay and top line. Iginla looks like an MVP candidate again (and should come close to 50 goals/100pts). Most of all though, Kiprusoff is proving himself to be the best goalie in the league.
Mike Modano getting hitched
To Willa Ford. Nice.
Last but not least...
You just gotta love goals like this.
12/06/2006
EJ Hradek is an idiot
"It was odd in another sense, too. Usually, when you honor a player, you'd like to have a good chance to win the subsequent game. It's kind of like a homecoming game in high school or college. You like to play against an opponent you can beat.
The Blues or Bolts didn't opt for such pushovers.
The sad-sack Blues chose a night when the powerful Red Wings were in town. The Lightning, meanwhile, were hosting the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres. Neither team fared well. The Blues were drubbed, 5-1, and the Lightning suffered a 4-1 defeat.
Next time, don't invite those top teams. They end up spoiling a good party." - Hradek
Brett Hull played three seasons and won a cup in Detroit - something hardly inconsequential to his career.
Dave Andreychuk played a 11 seasons with Buffalo - you know, the team that drafted him.
But in EJ's world getting a home win to dovetail with the ceremony is more important than honouring the players involved by holding the event with their previous team present.
Idiot.
12/04/2006
FUNHL News and Notes
And punditry though shalt have;
The Bladerunners:
Status: Contender
How are they doing it: Malkin and Staal are elite pivots down the middle, Hossa has been hotter than a Chernobyl sauna, and the goaltending from Luongo has mostly been well above average. An above average defense corps and some timely goonery by Avery round out a potent squad.
What's wrong: Lacks punch at RW beyond Hossa (something that may well be the moral of this entire post). Also has 4 LW who are in the mix for a starting role heading into the WD, and of those, Simon Gagne the Bladerunner's top pick in the ED, is normatively speaking the worst of the crew.
Prognosis: Will be in the hunt for a while barring injuries. Malkin and Staal also represent immense possible returns if mgt deems it necessary to load up for a dash. Look for the Bladerunners to search for a pivot, and or D man early in the WD to go with the inevitable search for a RW.
The Great Whites
Status: Contender
How are they doing it: Brodeur is being Brodeur, a deep trio of offensive pivots (Marleau, Savard, Jokinen), and an elite LW with only wunderkind Semin being of less than ideal #1 quality.
What's wrong: Gaborik's injury obliterated an already weak position. Nathan Horton has been putting in a yeoman's effort, but he isn't going to win anybody anything as the top starboard gunner and is best suited to the 3 spot. Depsite initial appearances, the Marleau for Pronger deal has hurt the team badly, and Pronger's presence on the blue-line has proved irreplaceable.
Prognosis: They have the horses to stay in the race, but the disaster that is the right wing is a serious issue and they no longer have an outrageously strong D to carry them through rough spots.
The Ramapithicines
Status: Contender
How are they doing it?: Turco has had his tough nights but he has also delivered above average goaltending. Chara took a week or two to heat up but is back being a bully in his own zone and a crisp passer at the offensive end. Yashin's aberrant offensive production that saw him sit with the scoring leaders until being sidelined by a knee injury didn't hurt either.
What's wrong?: The injury gods hate this team. High picks like Demitra, Yashin, Redden and Bertuzzi have all spent large amounts of time using a bedpan. Word is they have all-star calibre wheelchair basketball games.
Prognosis: Unable to trade the injured players for equal value, they are due to suffocate slowly from the choking stench wafting off the four rotting corpses. With them alive and healthy, the knuckledraggers can compete, barely. Without them, well, it could be a long year.
The Highlanders:
Status: Contender
How are they doing it?: For the first 25 games of the year, Jeff Blake had a dead-on Teemu Selanne impression going. The centre is crowded with all-stars Thornton, Richards (was Sakic) and Crosby. The D is deep and producing, and the goaltending albeit shakey at times has settled down with prospect Miller tabbed as the long term and short term solution.
What's wrong: Blake and his fluke production are now gone, leaving the wing to be run by Nagy (healthy scratch twice this year), and Minnesota's Brian Rolston. With the strength of many LW's in the league being good to excellent, having a weak crew at portside like this will be a concern. The right side isn't much better. Alfredsson has been underwhelming as a first round pick, not even reaching ppg stats, let alone threatening to bust the 100 point barrier. Selanne will help ease the pain, but he is 37 now and has a lot of hardmiles on the chassis. A breakdown could be fatal.
Prognonsis: The wings are bad, but the centre and D are good enough to compensate - definitely in the mix.
The Edge
Status: Survivor
What happened?: The Devil's Advocates Elias and Gionta has failed to explode with timely offense. The Boston Boyz Murray and Boyes at RW has also been less than advertised, but the biggest reasons would lie with Kari (Don't Call Me Fisher) Lehtonen's sporadic netminding (I'm an all-star! No, wait, maybe I'm an ECHLr...) and what is historically the Edge's worst collection of defenseman in at least a decade.
Prognosis: Unlike previous years, the Edge are now simply too good to compete for the Herbivore, but while Ovechkin is God, they are nevertheless out of site of the Predator Cup. Amassing assets is the name of the game now.
The Lost Boys
Status: Survivor
What happened?: Kovalchuk has been his routine amazing self, but the attempts to locate a serviceable second FP have been frought with difficulties. Hasek has been the Hasek of old (that said, he will still turn into a pumpkin by February) but the D is now thinned by trades, and the centre and rightwings are no better than average and most nights not even that.
Prognosis: Kovalchuk should keep them from sinking out of sight alltogether, but a scramble to avoid the Herbi is not out of the question.
The Personal Vendetta
Status: On the bubble
How are they doing it?: It would seem the mirrors have finally cracked along with Forsberg's ankle. Briere has lost the MVP stride he had early on, the goaltending has been inconsistent at best, and Lidstrom's Norris/MVP performance simply isn't enough. The LW is almost a complete write off, with only Milan Michalek (P2) and his injured wrist to bolster it moving forward. In contrast, the D is excellent, boasting both the aforementioned Lidstrom but also top pp qb's McCabe and Timmonen, and the right wing, which on paper should be much worse, has been bolstered by the unexpectedly high rate of production provided by Petr Sykora.
What's wrong: A lot of question marks now dog this team, like say, Forsberg's health, what team he will play on, and whether or not this is the year he decides to uproot and return to Sweden. Heavy existential stuff. More importantly, unlike previous years, PV draft wizardry didn't produce several top line performers from late in the draft, and Darrell's roulette wheel approach to selecting late round starting goaltenders has finally landed on double green.
Prognosis: There isn't much help on the farm except at RW which doesn't need any, and the team has some simply gaping holes to fill. Forsberg could go nuclear at the drop of a hat though, so for the moment, the PV are still in it. But the pack is pulling away....
The Knights Templar
Status: Survivor
What happened?: First an update on Daniel Sedin. Initially viewed as likely to be a legendary bust pick, he blew everyone's mind (except Mike's) by going off like Peter North geeked on Viagra, only to flame out just as opinions on our draft predictions were set to be pitched completely into the trash. Which is to say, all in all he's been Ok. Ditto brother Hank and FP Naslund. But this is creating a truly scarey situation - you own the top line in Vancouver, and suddenly, they are all just mediocre. Uh oh. Worse, FP Hejduk isn't carrying an FP game these days. He's still good. Good enough to play on a two line even. But not good enough to be an FP that is expected to carry a team forward. Defense is a mix bag of performers (Ohlund) and occasional performers (Berard), highlighted by the presence of rookie Shea Weber. It's not terrible, but it's not good enough. Cam Ward's sporadic goaltending let down the Highlanders, and is now letting down the Knights Templar.
Prognosis: Unlike some teams nearby the KT don't have any magic beans that might grow into a healthy and motivated Peter Forsberg proving everyone wrong in Detroit. A resurgence by Naslund to top dog status at LW would help, but won't be enough. Watch for a large player trade involving St Louis as he is one of the few RW of any decency that could be available when the KT's decide to pitch tent.
The Wolves
Status: Surprisingly, Survivor
What happened?: Prior to the draft, I had the Wolves as having some of the best weapons and even the Wolves GM took notice of the unusually (for me) high ranking of the team. See, here's the thing, those weapons that I noticed before; Iginla, Niedermayer, Kopitar, and Phaneuf, are all doing pretty well. Iginla dropped some weight to speed up and the change has been noticeable in his early totals which typically start off sluggish before picking up - so better than usual for Igster. Niedermayer has been everything the Wolves dreamed of, even a potential +/- threat, and Kopitar and Phaneuf as products of the farm have also held their own, with Kopitar anchoring the pivots as Phaneuf anchors the D.
So if the off-season core is still good, what gives?
To be blunt (sorry Rob) the results of the Wolves ED are a horror show. Zetterberg's dissapointing play can only be characterized as approaching full-blown catatonia. He's AWFUL. Forcing your hand to play him because of hist history for big games, and the cost of his investment (and lack of injury), so weekly you go with your list and dress him only to watch as he drifts aimlessly between the blue-lines a step behind the play Once thought a threat to snipe 50 goals, at this point he's a 50/50 bet to reach even 50 points.
Compounding the miserable play of Zetterberg, neither Giguere nor Lundqvist provided the team with steady goaltending, and yet they were almost back to back FA round picks. That move in particular is a throbbing draft day migraine that, like Adam Sandler movies, never seems to completely go away. Worse, by not having a clear starter, the team frequently missed good weeks from their backups, so now your coach looks like an idiot.
Prognosis: The earned promotion of Ryan Suter to the teams defense corps, and a general house cleaning excepting the core: Iggy, Nieds, The Koping Mechanism (do you like that? I just made it up. I also like; 'Koping Skills', and 'Good Kop/Bad Kop', as well as 'ANZE!' shouted/sneezed like 'BANZAI'. Like I said, I'm working on it) and Master-Blaster Dion. Outside of them, it should be a yard sale.
The Scourge
Status: Critical, approaching hopeless.
What went wrong?: Wrath of the injury gods for one (Sundin, Vokoun were both counted on to be high end producers). A brutally frigid start for FP Tanguay that was colder than Daniel Craig's smile in Casino Royale and didn't warm up till mid November and the release of the movie for two. Top pick Pavel Datsyuk vanishing from the face of the Earth for three. A lack of help from the farm for four. And perhaps worst of all, a group of unscrupulous vultures taking advantage of his kind nature, a nature previously unsoiled by such corrupt foul play and trickery that these parasites engage in, for five. Outside of those five things, it's been a pretty solid beginning.
Prognosis: With the loss of Selanne representing the departure of the last highly sought after Scourge player (including his FP's), he can try to keep the craft straight, but its essentially a free-fall from here on out.
The Shadowmen
Status: Surprisingly, Contender!
How are they doing it?: For the Shadowmen it's some sucess doing it his way - volume, volume, volume. So far, the Day-Trader trade flurry strategy has enjoyed some success as the Shadowmen have sifted towards the top using a blizzard of players (He's traded FP Brad Richards - twice), and his unorthodox any-day-any-time any-place any-where I got guys to trade operating style. It's the hall of mirrors folks, step right inside!
Thing is, he does this every year, and he's won twice doing it. Madness it may be, but however it works, right now it's working.
Prognosis: the Shadowmen are like McCoy in City on the Edge of Forever, crazy messed up, but yet also capable of operating an ancient dead alien civilzation's carved-rock time machine.
The Severed Heads
Status: Contender
How are they doing it?: Kirprusoff recoverd from his affliction (apparently it's called 'October') and has returned to posting superhuman numbers in a short time span. If he keeps up his Vezina pace of November, than the Heads are for real. The Heatley Spezza circus act is once again exciting and consistently so. The real world Jagr (as opposed to the mirror universe Jagr that inhabited our universe in the Washington years and his first Ranger season) is back. All in all, they have a deep group of elite forwards (Heatley, Spezza, Jagr, Lecavalier, and cound be adding Havlat) to fuel their drives and compliment Kipper. Once again the D is weak, but Blake is at least carrying the mail now as the top dog, with the overall weakness of the supporting cast being the greater concern.
Prognosis: October put them in a hole as two of the three top forwards struggled (Heatley and Spezza) as well as Kiprusoff. Since November the Heads have moved from 9th to 5th place and appear poised to continue in that upward trend.
In other words, all is going according to prophecy.
The Bladerunners:
Status: Contender
How are they doing it: Malkin and Staal are elite pivots down the middle, Hossa has been hotter than a Chernobyl sauna, and the goaltending from Luongo has mostly been well above average. An above average defense corps and some timely goonery by Avery round out a potent squad.
What's wrong: Lacks punch at RW beyond Hossa (something that may well be the moral of this entire post). Also has 4 LW who are in the mix for a starting role heading into the WD, and of those, Simon Gagne the Bladerunner's top pick in the ED, is normatively speaking the worst of the crew.
Prognosis: Will be in the hunt for a while barring injuries. Malkin and Staal also represent immense possible returns if mgt deems it necessary to load up for a dash. Look for the Bladerunners to search for a pivot, and or D man early in the WD to go with the inevitable search for a RW.
The Great Whites
Status: Contender
How are they doing it: Brodeur is being Brodeur, a deep trio of offensive pivots (Marleau, Savard, Jokinen), and an elite LW with only wunderkind Semin being of less than ideal #1 quality.
What's wrong: Gaborik's injury obliterated an already weak position. Nathan Horton has been putting in a yeoman's effort, but he isn't going to win anybody anything as the top starboard gunner and is best suited to the 3 spot. Depsite initial appearances, the Marleau for Pronger deal has hurt the team badly, and Pronger's presence on the blue-line has proved irreplaceable.
Prognosis: They have the horses to stay in the race, but the disaster that is the right wing is a serious issue and they no longer have an outrageously strong D to carry them through rough spots.
The Ramapithicines
Status: Contender
How are they doing it?: Turco has had his tough nights but he has also delivered above average goaltending. Chara took a week or two to heat up but is back being a bully in his own zone and a crisp passer at the offensive end. Yashin's aberrant offensive production that saw him sit with the scoring leaders until being sidelined by a knee injury didn't hurt either.
What's wrong?: The injury gods hate this team. High picks like Demitra, Yashin, Redden and Bertuzzi have all spent large amounts of time using a bedpan. Word is they have all-star calibre wheelchair basketball games.
Prognosis: Unable to trade the injured players for equal value, they are due to suffocate slowly from the choking stench wafting off the four rotting corpses. With them alive and healthy, the knuckledraggers can compete, barely. Without them, well, it could be a long year.
The Highlanders:
Status: Contender
How are they doing it?: For the first 25 games of the year, Jeff Blake had a dead-on Teemu Selanne impression going. The centre is crowded with all-stars Thornton, Richards (was Sakic) and Crosby. The D is deep and producing, and the goaltending albeit shakey at times has settled down with prospect Miller tabbed as the long term and short term solution.
What's wrong: Blake and his fluke production are now gone, leaving the wing to be run by Nagy (healthy scratch twice this year), and Minnesota's Brian Rolston. With the strength of many LW's in the league being good to excellent, having a weak crew at portside like this will be a concern. The right side isn't much better. Alfredsson has been underwhelming as a first round pick, not even reaching ppg stats, let alone threatening to bust the 100 point barrier. Selanne will help ease the pain, but he is 37 now and has a lot of hardmiles on the chassis. A breakdown could be fatal.
Prognonsis: The wings are bad, but the centre and D are good enough to compensate - definitely in the mix.
The Edge
Status: Survivor
What happened?: The Devil's Advocates Elias and Gionta has failed to explode with timely offense. The Boston Boyz Murray and Boyes at RW has also been less than advertised, but the biggest reasons would lie with Kari (Don't Call Me Fisher) Lehtonen's sporadic netminding (I'm an all-star! No, wait, maybe I'm an ECHLr...) and what is historically the Edge's worst collection of defenseman in at least a decade.
Prognosis: Unlike previous years, the Edge are now simply too good to compete for the Herbivore, but while Ovechkin is God, they are nevertheless out of site of the Predator Cup. Amassing assets is the name of the game now.
The Lost Boys
Status: Survivor
What happened?: Kovalchuk has been his routine amazing self, but the attempts to locate a serviceable second FP have been frought with difficulties. Hasek has been the Hasek of old (that said, he will still turn into a pumpkin by February) but the D is now thinned by trades, and the centre and rightwings are no better than average and most nights not even that.
Prognosis: Kovalchuk should keep them from sinking out of sight alltogether, but a scramble to avoid the Herbi is not out of the question.
The Personal Vendetta
Status: On the bubble
How are they doing it?: It would seem the mirrors have finally cracked along with Forsberg's ankle. Briere has lost the MVP stride he had early on, the goaltending has been inconsistent at best, and Lidstrom's Norris/MVP performance simply isn't enough. The LW is almost a complete write off, with only Milan Michalek (P2) and his injured wrist to bolster it moving forward. In contrast, the D is excellent, boasting both the aforementioned Lidstrom but also top pp qb's McCabe and Timmonen, and the right wing, which on paper should be much worse, has been bolstered by the unexpectedly high rate of production provided by Petr Sykora.
What's wrong: A lot of question marks now dog this team, like say, Forsberg's health, what team he will play on, and whether or not this is the year he decides to uproot and return to Sweden. Heavy existential stuff. More importantly, unlike previous years, PV draft wizardry didn't produce several top line performers from late in the draft, and Darrell's roulette wheel approach to selecting late round starting goaltenders has finally landed on double green.
Prognosis: There isn't much help on the farm except at RW which doesn't need any, and the team has some simply gaping holes to fill. Forsberg could go nuclear at the drop of a hat though, so for the moment, the PV are still in it. But the pack is pulling away....
The Knights Templar
Status: Survivor
What happened?: First an update on Daniel Sedin. Initially viewed as likely to be a legendary bust pick, he blew everyone's mind (except Mike's) by going off like Peter North geeked on Viagra, only to flame out just as opinions on our draft predictions were set to be pitched completely into the trash. Which is to say, all in all he's been Ok. Ditto brother Hank and FP Naslund. But this is creating a truly scarey situation - you own the top line in Vancouver, and suddenly, they are all just mediocre. Uh oh. Worse, FP Hejduk isn't carrying an FP game these days. He's still good. Good enough to play on a two line even. But not good enough to be an FP that is expected to carry a team forward. Defense is a mix bag of performers (Ohlund) and occasional performers (Berard), highlighted by the presence of rookie Shea Weber. It's not terrible, but it's not good enough. Cam Ward's sporadic goaltending let down the Highlanders, and is now letting down the Knights Templar.
Prognosis: Unlike some teams nearby the KT don't have any magic beans that might grow into a healthy and motivated Peter Forsberg proving everyone wrong in Detroit. A resurgence by Naslund to top dog status at LW would help, but won't be enough. Watch for a large player trade involving St Louis as he is one of the few RW of any decency that could be available when the KT's decide to pitch tent.
The Wolves
Status: Surprisingly, Survivor
What happened?: Prior to the draft, I had the Wolves as having some of the best weapons and even the Wolves GM took notice of the unusually (for me) high ranking of the team. See, here's the thing, those weapons that I noticed before; Iginla, Niedermayer, Kopitar, and Phaneuf, are all doing pretty well. Iginla dropped some weight to speed up and the change has been noticeable in his early totals which typically start off sluggish before picking up - so better than usual for Igster. Niedermayer has been everything the Wolves dreamed of, even a potential +/- threat, and Kopitar and Phaneuf as products of the farm have also held their own, with Kopitar anchoring the pivots as Phaneuf anchors the D.
So if the off-season core is still good, what gives?
To be blunt (sorry Rob) the results of the Wolves ED are a horror show. Zetterberg's dissapointing play can only be characterized as approaching full-blown catatonia. He's AWFUL. Forcing your hand to play him because of hist history for big games, and the cost of his investment (and lack of injury), so weekly you go with your list and dress him only to watch as he drifts aimlessly between the blue-lines a step behind the play Once thought a threat to snipe 50 goals, at this point he's a 50/50 bet to reach even 50 points.
Compounding the miserable play of Zetterberg, neither Giguere nor Lundqvist provided the team with steady goaltending, and yet they were almost back to back FA round picks. That move in particular is a throbbing draft day migraine that, like Adam Sandler movies, never seems to completely go away. Worse, by not having a clear starter, the team frequently missed good weeks from their backups, so now your coach looks like an idiot.
Prognosis: The earned promotion of Ryan Suter to the teams defense corps, and a general house cleaning excepting the core: Iggy, Nieds, The Koping Mechanism (do you like that? I just made it up. I also like; 'Koping Skills', and 'Good Kop/Bad Kop', as well as 'ANZE!' shouted/sneezed like 'BANZAI'. Like I said, I'm working on it) and Master-Blaster Dion. Outside of them, it should be a yard sale.
The Scourge
Status: Critical, approaching hopeless.
What went wrong?: Wrath of the injury gods for one (Sundin, Vokoun were both counted on to be high end producers). A brutally frigid start for FP Tanguay that was colder than Daniel Craig's smile in Casino Royale and didn't warm up till mid November and the release of the movie for two. Top pick Pavel Datsyuk vanishing from the face of the Earth for three. A lack of help from the farm for four. And perhaps worst of all, a group of unscrupulous vultures taking advantage of his kind nature, a nature previously unsoiled by such corrupt foul play and trickery that these parasites engage in, for five. Outside of those five things, it's been a pretty solid beginning.
Prognosis: With the loss of Selanne representing the departure of the last highly sought after Scourge player (including his FP's), he can try to keep the craft straight, but its essentially a free-fall from here on out.
The Shadowmen
Status: Surprisingly, Contender!
How are they doing it?: For the Shadowmen it's some sucess doing it his way - volume, volume, volume. So far, the Day-Trader trade flurry strategy has enjoyed some success as the Shadowmen have sifted towards the top using a blizzard of players (He's traded FP Brad Richards - twice), and his unorthodox any-day-any-time any-place any-where I got guys to trade operating style. It's the hall of mirrors folks, step right inside!
Thing is, he does this every year, and he's won twice doing it. Madness it may be, but however it works, right now it's working.
Prognosis: the Shadowmen are like McCoy in City on the Edge of Forever, crazy messed up, but yet also capable of operating an ancient dead alien civilzation's carved-rock time machine.
The Severed Heads
Status: Contender
How are they doing it?: Kirprusoff recoverd from his affliction (apparently it's called 'October') and has returned to posting superhuman numbers in a short time span. If he keeps up his Vezina pace of November, than the Heads are for real. The Heatley Spezza circus act is once again exciting and consistently so. The real world Jagr (as opposed to the mirror universe Jagr that inhabited our universe in the Washington years and his first Ranger season) is back. All in all, they have a deep group of elite forwards (Heatley, Spezza, Jagr, Lecavalier, and cound be adding Havlat) to fuel their drives and compliment Kipper. Once again the D is weak, but Blake is at least carrying the mail now as the top dog, with the overall weakness of the supporting cast being the greater concern.
Prognosis: October put them in a hole as two of the three top forwards struggled (Heatley and Spezza) as well as Kiprusoff. Since November the Heads have moved from 9th to 5th place and appear poised to continue in that upward trend.
In other words, all is going according to prophecy.
Press: Lost Boys demand punditry!
Seeing how we're now in the count-down to the Waiver Draft I have questions, and want opinions. While I'm happy to see just opinions on anything, specific topics to stimulate said opinions:
1) Best/Worst Trade so far.
2) Biggest player disappointment.
3) Predictions as to who had the best ED.
4) Best RFA.
5) Predictions on the WD.
6) Actual Hockey League thoughts
My opining:
1) I'm pretty bad and only pay attention to my own trades. I kick myself for not getting Barnaby in week 2, when he was cheap. The Prucha-Carter trade was horrific. And I think getting Brind'Amour was pretty sweet.
2) It starts with "Z" and ends with "etterberg" and has fewer points than the top 40 Ds. And was drafted in the 2nd round. (More justification for my "Draft Heavy on D in the first 4 rounds strategy. By the way, Schneider, Visnovsky, Gonchar... all top 20 Ds... though all traded away at this time. Next year I'm going to hang onto them longer.)
3) No comment at this time. Clearly it wasn't Bob, since he has a positive omnivore score.
4) No comment at this time.
5) No comment at this time.
6) I notice the Leafs do better when I'm not paying attention to Hockey. I can reliably tune in and watch them lose game after game after game. It seems to me, that if this is the case, I should start avidly following a team whose fortunes I want to see plummet. Thus practicing a reverse-psychology karma trick. Fear my gaze Pittsburgh...
Richard.
1) Best/Worst Trade so far.
2) Biggest player disappointment.
3) Predictions as to who had the best ED.
4) Best RFA.
5) Predictions on the WD.
6) Actual Hockey League thoughts
My opining:
1) I'm pretty bad and only pay attention to my own trades. I kick myself for not getting Barnaby in week 2, when he was cheap. The Prucha-Carter trade was horrific. And I think getting Brind'Amour was pretty sweet.
2) It starts with "Z" and ends with "etterberg" and has fewer points than the top 40 Ds. And was drafted in the 2nd round. (More justification for my "Draft Heavy on D in the first 4 rounds strategy. By the way, Schneider, Visnovsky, Gonchar... all top 20 Ds... though all traded away at this time. Next year I'm going to hang onto them longer.)
3) No comment at this time. Clearly it wasn't Bob, since he has a positive omnivore score.
4) No comment at this time.
5) No comment at this time.
6) I notice the Leafs do better when I'm not paying attention to Hockey. I can reliably tune in and watch them lose game after game after game. It seems to me, that if this is the case, I should start avidly following a team whose fortunes I want to see plummet. Thus practicing a reverse-psychology karma trick. Fear my gaze Pittsburgh...
Richard.
11/30/2006
CONGRATS MR. VERNON!
I thought this was FUNHL blog worthy - seeing as this man was a huge part of winning the Flames the Stanley Cup. His play vs Vancouver in game 7 of their series that year saved us and I think I had multiple heart attacks in that game.
Not a guy with the best reputation off the ice or even sometimes amongt his team-mates, but he was definitely a great goalie. For those who think he is/was kind of a jerk, well - put him next to Patrick Roy and he kind of pales by comparison in that department.
Not a guy with the best reputation off the ice or even sometimes amongt his team-mates, but he was definitely a great goalie. For those who think he is/was kind of a jerk, well - put him next to Patrick Roy and he kind of pales by comparison in that department.
11/27/2006
Press: Lost Boys GM admits to needing advice
Toronto--Stunning the pundits, Lost Boys GM Richard Birt announced he needed some advice before the upcoming waiver draft.
First: I have a center I want to promote in Koivu the younger. A centre doing much better than my two prospective waives, the equally impressive Richards and Conroy. So in the interest of having the best possible team, is this the best way to do the following:
1) Waive either Richards or Conroy for the WD;
2) Draft a nominal centre as my 8th Pick;
3) Promote Koivu immediately afterwards?
Now, this doesn't give me access to the points Koivu might rack up in the interim, but it does give me insight as to whether or not Richards will benefit from a purported Philly turn-around.
Is there a better way than to go ahead as planned?
(Please note, all this discussion is theoretical, I'm very open to a TRADE involving one, or both of these two centres for someone much better, in exchange FOR say Schneider or JOVANOVSKI. Someone like MATS SUNDIN, would fit the bill admirably.)
Second: Once again, members of this league are scuttling my plans to be an arch-conservative before I turn 30. I need to learn how to use Messenger before the 9th.
Could someone drop me some useful info, like their ID and when they're likely to be available so I can practice this whole "chatting" thing, and know I'm linking up with the right people before the WD, so we can avoid tech delays. In exchange I might even draft you in the 8th round.
Thanks,
Richard
GM Lost Boys.
First: I have a center I want to promote in Koivu the younger. A centre doing much better than my two prospective waives, the equally impressive Richards and Conroy. So in the interest of having the best possible team, is this the best way to do the following:
1) Waive either Richards or Conroy for the WD;
2) Draft a nominal centre as my 8th Pick;
3) Promote Koivu immediately afterwards?
Now, this doesn't give me access to the points Koivu might rack up in the interim, but it does give me insight as to whether or not Richards will benefit from a purported Philly turn-around.
Is there a better way than to go ahead as planned?
(Please note, all this discussion is theoretical, I'm very open to a TRADE involving one, or both of these two centres for someone much better, in exchange FOR say Schneider or JOVANOVSKI. Someone like MATS SUNDIN, would fit the bill admirably.)
Second: Once again, members of this league are scuttling my plans to be an arch-conservative before I turn 30. I need to learn how to use Messenger before the 9th.
Could someone drop me some useful info, like their ID and when they're likely to be available so I can practice this whole "chatting" thing, and know I'm linking up with the right people before the WD, so we can avoid tech delays. In exchange I might even draft you in the 8th round.
Thanks,
Richard
GM Lost Boys.
11/24/2006
Press: Lost Boys GM to participate in WD
Toronto--Shocking many observers, Lost Boys GM Richard Birt actually emerged from behind his giant computer/lawnmower 'Lazarus' with surgical mask and chainsaw in hand to offer waiting reporters a prognosis.
"Our best surgeons have decided that Lazarus had suffering from 3 stooges syndrome, which finally got out of hand. Though Lazarus can be saved, unfortunately it means we'll be unable to use the lawnmower or sound-effect-of-a-landing-jet capacity in the near future. This is a true loss for our team. But, the Lost Boys are considering use of Lazarus as our 3rd string goalie.
"I'd also like to use the press-conference announce our ambition to emerge from the wilderness and get a sixth place finish this year.
"At the prompting of the Severed Heads GM, I'm letting everyone know that my plans this Saturday and Sunday involve actually preparing for the WD next weekend, and I am open to any and all trade offers you might send me.
"Finally I'd like to offer my personal congratulations to the Severed Heads Management on their planned restaffing at head-office. We at the Lost Boys feel that toddlers are excellent talent scouts."
"Our best surgeons have decided that Lazarus had suffering from 3 stooges syndrome, which finally got out of hand. Though Lazarus can be saved, unfortunately it means we'll be unable to use the lawnmower or sound-effect-of-a-landing-jet capacity in the near future. This is a true loss for our team. But, the Lost Boys are considering use of Lazarus as our 3rd string goalie.
"I'd also like to use the press-conference announce our ambition to emerge from the wilderness and get a sixth place finish this year.
"At the prompting of the Severed Heads GM, I'm letting everyone know that my plans this Saturday and Sunday involve actually preparing for the WD next weekend, and I am open to any and all trade offers you might send me.
"Finally I'd like to offer my personal congratulations to the Severed Heads Management on their planned restaffing at head-office. We at the Lost Boys feel that toddlers are excellent talent scouts."
11/17/2006
The 600 Club
SI has a photo gallery of the NHL's 15 all time best lamp-lighters.
The name that sticks out like a sore thumb?
Mike Gartner
Dino Ciccarelli (also in the club) was once traded for Gartner (in a deal that paid dividends for both teams) and I've always considered them to be relatively equivalent talent wise. But Gartner has a full 100 more goals than Dino.
The biggest difference between them? Dino was a garbage man, while Gartner was a speed winger. Otherwise, both were excellent triggermen who while never elite, managed through longevity to put up ridiculous numbers.
Would they have been Franchise players?
The name that sticks out like a sore thumb?
Mike Gartner
Dino Ciccarelli (also in the club) was once traded for Gartner (in a deal that paid dividends for both teams) and I've always considered them to be relatively equivalent talent wise. But Gartner has a full 100 more goals than Dino.
The biggest difference between them? Dino was a garbage man, while Gartner was a speed winger. Otherwise, both were excellent triggermen who while never elite, managed through longevity to put up ridiculous numbers.
Would they have been Franchise players?
11/14/2006
Blood in the water, Great Whites Attack!
On the strength of a fantastic and league best 51+pt performance on the week, I have the Great Whites moving into first place in the Predator Cup race.
While Darrell still has to release the official stats, and last time I did this I was off a point here or there, I have the Great Whites vaulting two positions in the standings to take first place. Led by 7pts from newly acquired FP Patrick Marleau and 7.65 pts from long-time FP Martin Brodeur the rout was on. With Nylander and Sutton each chipping in 6pts and 6.25pts respectively the defeat of their Challenge Cup opponents for the week, alas - the Highlanders, was never in much doubt.
The worst week was a sub-19pt performance by the Edge who now are within striking distance of the Scourge who are dealing with some serious injury troubles and may not be able to capitalize on thier opportunity to get out of the cellar.
With Darrell still to confirm, I have the standings as follows:
1 - Great Whites 51.15pt week, 240.95pt total
2 - Bladerunners 38.13, 238.1
3 - Shadowmen 48.12, 237.92
4 - Personal Vendetta 32.76, 209.08
5 - Highlanders 33.25, 209.08
6 - Ramapithicines 36.98, 203.93
7 - Severed Heads 41.04, 197.77
8 - Wolves 37.44, 189.14
9 - Knights Templar 23.35, 178.25
10- Lost Boys 33.41, 176.04
11- Edge 18.20, 161.83
12- Scourge 29.87, 158.64
FUNHL News and Notes
* Evgeny Malkin
Malkin's arrival in the NHL has been everything advertised, including a jaw-dropping 'fear-my-wingspan' goal against of all people, Martin Brodeur, that has to be seen to be believed. The only drawback may be the lawsuit being filed in New York that could see a preliminary injunction against Malkin plying his trade until the suit over his status is settled. I for one am crossing my fingers that he will be sent back to Russia in leg irons.
* Daniel Sedin.
At the draft there was a moment of 'WTF?' that deserves to be looked at again. After Kiprusoff was taken (to nobodies surprise), Mike G rattled off a list of the top RFA's; Spezza, Zetterberg, Cheechoo, etc. forcing matches on all the top players he could. Then in what seemed like a total seizure of his frontal lobe, at second overall he picked Daniel Sedin. The pick was remarkable because Sedin was very likely to still be available at the end of the 2nd rnd, as there were at least a half dozen LW on most GM lists ahead of him. Nevertheless, the last laugh is Mike's - Sedin has been little short of awesome to start the season (despite just two points in his last 5, he still projects to 27-46-73), and has lived up to his early pick status, while other LW selections (including Zetterberg, Havlat and several others) have not fared nearly as well.
* The standings:
Well, we are now a full 6 weeks into the season, and we've had almost that many different teams sit atop the leader board. In short, it's been a wild first quarter to the season, with lots of volatility. Frankly, I much prefer this to a state of 'wire-to-wire' victory laps by ultra-dominant squads (unless of course it is the Severed Heads going wire to wire for a victory - we like blow-outs just fine so long as its us doing the blowing out).
* Hossa-Kovalchuk
Currently riding atop the scoring standings is this tandem from Atlanta. Says here, it won't last. Both players should end up in the top 10, with either one capable of being in the top 5. I just don't see them leading the league at the end of the year though.
*Joe Thornton
Jumbo-Joe, where have you gone? Sitting at just over a ppg, it's a tad perplexing that Thornton hasn't resumed his terrorizing of the stat sheet. He has all the elements he needs to win another Art Ross; a Richard calibre winger, depth behind him on the roster, elite powerplay linemates, etc. So why the dip in his totals? My guess, motivation. Last year he had something to prove when he landed in SJ, and his surge statistically is well noted. This year? It's all about the playoffs, and Thornton will probably try to save himself for the second season so he can get that playoff monkey off his back.
* The Senators
Something tells me they probably wish they hadn't ditched Hasek for Gerber, and Chara for Redden. Hasek has a sub 2.0 GAA for the RedWings, and Chara is a Mr. Everything for Boston's D. Gerber has been the Swiss Miss we all remember from his previous stops, and Redden has spent most of the season hurt or playing hurt. Can they recover? Sure, but a trade for a goaltender is probably in the cards.
* Back in the USSR
It seems Mr. Kaigodorov didn't much like the idea of playing in the AHL and has returned to Russia. Senators fans yet to notice as the overage rookie was all but invisible when on the ice, and lacked anything like the skillset he was supposed to have (speed, playmaking). Add the search for a 2nd line centre to the Senators wish lists .
* Reports of my death have been greatly exagerrated.
Last year the Flames got off to a horrible start until they reached November and suddenly rediscovered the defense that is a hall-mark of Sutter coached squads. They then rattled off 11 straight wins. Flash forward to this season and we see a similar pattern (with the notable exception that a trimmed down Iginla has been terrific from the word go this year), with the Flames winning their first three games of the 11th month, as they try to make up the lost ground that October represents. One reason for the slow starts may be that Kipper needs to play himself into a groove for the first month before he goes supernovae. If last year is any indication, he could still challenge for the Vezina and Hart. I can only hope so.
* The unbeatable Buffaslugs
Will Buffalo be a powerhouse all year long? Says here - 'No'. Briere will get hurt, he always does, and once the straw that stirs the offensive martini in Buffalo is snapped in half the rest will slowly degrade. Miller's loss for any serious length of time could be crippling too.
* Flyers circling the bowl
Forsberg is a $1.00 cab-ride from taking his own life, as his good ship Philly Flyer has its stern fully below the waterline (goaltending is atrocious) has its lower compartments filling with ice and water (the defense is old, slow, and ravaged by injuries), and relies on a decent first line and a pair of sophmores up front to hold the fort (for those counting, that was a full three mixed metaphors in one sentence - your welcome). With Forsberg sucking up a huge amount of cap-space, and so much needed to be done to right the ship and start the process of bilge pumping, he will be traded to a better playoff team. However, because of his age, and injuries (his right ankle is still not good, and he is struggling to find a skate that will fight properly), the return on a Forsberg trade will be more in the area of cap-space saved than in returning assets. Expect a young player and a high pick to be the asking price. If you are a Flames fan, you are praying daily for Sutter to pick up the phone and call Paul Holmgren (personally, I'd offer Lombardi and a 1st for Foppa, but that isn't likely in the ball-park).
* Simon Gagne
He has all but lost his status as a future FP. With Forsberg likely on the move, and without significant offensive support coming from either Richards or Carter (especially with Carter out with an injury) Gagne's ice-time could rise, but a decrease in stats is very likely. If the Flyers seek to blow it up and start over, Gagne could be packaged elsewhere.
* Alexei Yashin, Jason Blake and the Islanders offense
It's been great guns to start, but it is all a mirage. By early 2007 both of these players will have returned to below ppg stats, and the Islanders will be officially out of the playoffs. Nothing to see here, move along.
* Robert Nilsson
One of the decisions made by the new regime was to put Nilsson back in the AHL to hone his game. His lack of defensive acumen is profound and without a more two-way purpose to his game he could be a bubble player for a while. Still, it was the smart decision to make, as Nilsson will be a contributor someday, and has a high ceiling of talent. Reminds me a lot of Petr Nedved.
* Paul Statsny
Is there a better P1 in the league right now? He's seized the reigns of the 2nd line centre job from Tyler Arnason, and is drawing Wojtek Wolski and Milan Hejduk as his wingers. A strong ROY candidate, but only realistically a winner if Malkin is hurt or barred from playing.
* The Penguins
The bloom is starting to come off the rose in Pittsburgh as a weak defense corps is now getting exploited routinely, while the high octane offense is now only coming in spurts. They are still a pair of defensemen (one two-way, one stay-at-home) and a power-forward scoring winger from being a significant playoff threat.
* Nik Zherdev
Is the next Alexei Kovalev. All the talent in the world, but somehow still less than the sum of his parts. One day he'll put it all together and have a ppg+ season, but like Kovalev it could take him reaching his late 20's before that happens. Before then, Doug Maclean will be long gone (note: Gerard Gallant just got axed in Columbus)
* Alexander Ovechkin
Some nice totals so far, but he seems a step back from the one-man unstoppable force he was last year. Is he suffering from a groin injury?
* Craig Conroy
If I'm Calgary this is NOT the guy I would target for aquisition. Sure he had some great chemistry with Iginla a few years back, but that was when Conroy still had the wheels to be a front-line player. No more. The lost step makes him a decent #2, or a reliable #3 centre. No way he should be on any teams top-line now.
* Patrick Marleau, Brad Richards
Both of the Shadowmen FP selections have proven to be adept choices. This being the Shadowmen, both have been traded away already, with Richards having returned to the squad in a follow up trade. Next year Spezza and at least one other player will be made into FP's.
* Bertuzzi v Luongo
Bertuzzi's back surgery makes the deal between Vancouver and Florida way lopsided in Vancouver's favour. Out 6-8 weeks while he repairs his spine, Bertuzzi is a non-factor while Luongo has been everything advertised so far, with only one bad game to his name this season. Up to that point, Luongo hadn't let a bad goal in ALL SEASON, making every save that a goalie could possibly make, and several that were impossible. A trade by Vcr for another defenseman to help out the blue-line would be desirable, but more important than that would be a deal for some secondary scoring behind the 'Swedish Touch' line of Sedin2-Naslund.
* Dion Phaneuf
Your Norris trophy is on order. Despite Calgary's offensive woes to start the year, he is still projecting to score 15-36-51 and 159 PIM (or in FUNHL terms a healthy 90+ pts)- a modest increase on his scoring pace over the rest of the season (very, very likely) and Phaneuf will be the best all-round defenseman to win the award since Ray Bourque, and the hardest hitting D-man to win it since Rod Langway.
* Michael Nylander
Currently leads the league in scoring. Yeah, I thought that was pretty funny too.
* The Scourge + The Lost Boys
The former look to be in similar shape to the Philly Flyers. They aren't doing well at any position, their captain and best player (Sundin) is hurt, the defense corps has been a letdown, and they are struggling to stay out of the cellar. Expect FP changes over the course of the year (Tanguay hasn't been doing much till just this last week) or at the draft. A purge of higher value players for futures is probably also in the cards. The Lost Boys are doing better, in part because they have an elite winger in Kovalchuk they can count on as well as the rock-steady Chris Pronger to run their blue-line, but overall they are still not threatening to make a move on the leader board so much as they are trying to hold off the Scourge, Wolves and Edge.
So here's the question, are these teams cursed?
Here's my advice to them, for what it's worth;
- Don't trade your 1st rnd prd picks - they will be worth their weight in gold if you can land a stud (see: the Bladerunners with Malkin + Staal, and the Highlanders with Crosby).
- Take a good hard look at your FP situations. Other than Kovalchuk, none of them are elite players at their positions that you couldn't find better value from a replacement at the ED.
- Don't make the mistake of doing quantity for quality trades (sorry Chris, but I guess this advice comes too late to avoid the Hemsky deal). Waiver drafts will help you build depth, so it is much harder to come by talent than it is healthy bodies to pad out the roster. Hoard that talent as much as possible.
- Once it is clear that you can't win, start to build for next year. Collect prospect picks and high grade prospects - these are the building blocks of your franchise. '
- Try to avoid trading your best players until their is a market for them. Just prior to WD's and the trade-deadline are excellent times to put together large package deals.
- Don't draft Alexei Zhamnov. I can't say this enough.
11/08/2006
Back to Back?
The Bladerunners, who moved into first place last week, are continuing in their bid to repeat as Predator Cup Champions. Sparked by solid Week 5 performances Steve Sullivan (6pts) and Simon Gagne (4pts) on Left Wing, FP Right Winger Marion Hossa (4pts) and an impressive +3 (for 6pts) from Defenseman Jaroslav Modry the defending Champions made ground on eight of the teams chasing them.
Best week goes to the turnstile masters, the Shadowmen, with 41.02 pts on the week - vaulting them into second place. The Edge have the worst week with only 22.80pts, while the Wolves, on the strength of the week's second highest total, move up out of the bottom three.
The Bladerunners, in my unofficial calculation of stats, continue to lead in the Predator Cup race and, by defeating the Great Whites in their Challenge Cup match up, remain the only undefeated team with an impressive 5-0 record.
With Darrell still to confirm, I have the Week 5 stats as follows:
1 Bladerunners 37.25 for 199.98
2 Shadowmen 41.02 for 190.82
3 Great Whites 32.27 for 182.74
4 Per.Vendetta 31.08 for 176.91
5 Highlanders 29.70 for 175.77
6 Ramapithicines 38.52 for 166.47
7 Severed Heads 29.42 for 155.97
8 Knights Templar 32.45 for 154.85
9 Wolves 40.97 for 152.20
10 Lost Boys 30.53 for 142.66
11 Edge 22.80 for 142.60
12 Scourge 34.55 for 128.82
10/31/2006
LOST BOYS ROSTER (as of Mon, Oct 31, 2006)
Hopefully this will help Richard during his computer woes:
(he has made a bid for Huselius, dropping Schaefer if successful)
KOVALCHUK-ATL
Smyth-EDM
Wolski-COL
Schaefer-OTT
Brind'Amour-CAR
Conroy-LA
S.Koivu-MTL
M.Richards-PHI
Armstrong-PIT
Knuble-PHI
A.Carter-CBS
Kovalev-MTL
JOVANOVSKI-PHX
Schneider-DET
Klesla-CBS
Kubina-TOR
Rachunek-NYR
Z.Michalek-PHX
A.Ference-CGY
Nummelin-MIN
Hasek-DET
Osgood-DET
INJ RESERVE
Gerber-G OTT (P3)
M.Koivu-C MIN (P2)
Fehr-R WSH (P2)
Mikhnov-L EDM (P1)
Vermette-C OTT (P1)
Lee-D OTT (P1)
I.Vishnevski-D DAL (P1)
Rask-G BST (P1)
(he has made a bid for Huselius, dropping Schaefer if successful)
KOVALCHUK-ATL
Smyth-EDM
Wolski-COL
Schaefer-OTT
Brind'Amour-CAR
Conroy-LA
S.Koivu-MTL
M.Richards-PHI
Armstrong-PIT
Knuble-PHI
A.Carter-CBS
Kovalev-MTL
JOVANOVSKI-PHX
Schneider-DET
Klesla-CBS
Kubina-TOR
Rachunek-NYR
Z.Michalek-PHX
A.Ference-CGY
Nummelin-MIN
Hasek-DET
Osgood-DET
INJ RESERVE
Gerber-G OTT (P3)
M.Koivu-C MIN (P2)
Fehr-R WSH (P2)
Mikhnov-L EDM (P1)
Vermette-C OTT (P1)
Lee-D OTT (P1)
I.Vishnevski-D DAL (P1)
Rask-G BST (P1)
10/27/2006
Buffa-Slugs 'Record Start'
Let's not get too excited at Buffalo's 10 start - they have three Shoot Out wins which would otherwise have been ties in the previous era.
If we get a team that posts 10 straight regulation wins again, now THAT would be something.
As it is now though, we get to watch Buffalo set a new standard, a standard that includes Shoot-outs. Good for them. Let's see how high they can set the bar, but (unless they go on a truly historic run) we should also watch for that standard to be eclipsed in the near future.
If we get a team that posts 10 straight regulation wins again, now THAT would be something.
As it is now though, we get to watch Buffalo set a new standard, a standard that includes Shoot-outs. Good for them. Let's see how high they can set the bar, but (unless they go on a truly historic run) we should also watch for that standard to be eclipsed in the near future.
10/24/2006
Filthy McNasty retires
Lifted from 'Puck This':
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Calgary Herald lists his all-time favorite memories of the gap-toothed bully from the Flon:
1. Won the 1972 Super series for us by taking out Valeri Kharlamov with a two-handed slash to the ankle.
2. After making a ridiculous trade FOR Chris Gratton - including a massive signing bonus/contract, he eventually returned Gratton back to the Bolts, costing the team both cash and picks.
3. Traded a 1st, 2nd and 3rd rnd picks to the Capitals for a totally over-the-hill Adam Oates - in Mar - Oates would be out of Philly by the end of July. Three picks for one busted up player.
4. Signed Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje to ridiculous contracts. Cuz you simply can't overpay for good pylons in the new NHL.
5. Created the Revolving Goaltender Carousel From Hell. Victims notably include; Roman Cechmanek, Brian 'Waterboy' Boucher, a shot Hextall, Sean Burke, Robert Esche, and many others.
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Calgary Herald lists his all-time favorite memories of the gap-toothed bully from the Flon:
- Brought convicted felon and union crook Alan Eagleson into his team's dressing room AFTER Eagleson got out of jail.
- As NHLPA president, he depressed salaries for his union brothers by secretly taking benefits on the side, thereby reducing his contract number.
- Blamed Roger Neilson for getting cancer. Blamed Eric Lindros for having a collapsed lung.
- Named Lindros Olympic team captain in 1998 while he also had Wayne Gretzky, Steve Yzerman and Ray Bourque on the team.
- Thought Chris Gratton was the next Mark Messier and signed him to a five-year, $16.5-million deal.
1. Won the 1972 Super series for us by taking out Valeri Kharlamov with a two-handed slash to the ankle.
2. After making a ridiculous trade FOR Chris Gratton - including a massive signing bonus/contract, he eventually returned Gratton back to the Bolts, costing the team both cash and picks.
3. Traded a 1st, 2nd and 3rd rnd picks to the Capitals for a totally over-the-hill Adam Oates - in Mar - Oates would be out of Philly by the end of July. Three picks for one busted up player.
4. Signed Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje to ridiculous contracts. Cuz you simply can't overpay for good pylons in the new NHL.
5. Created the Revolving Goaltender Carousel From Hell. Victims notably include; Roman Cechmanek, Brian 'Waterboy' Boucher, a shot Hextall, Sean Burke, Robert Esche, and many others.
10/23/2006
Number 19 Going to the Rafters
The Highlanders have their home opener this week against their original 8 rivals, the Severed Heads, so it is only fitting that the birth of that rivalry is honoured as the Highlanders retire their first-ever player's number.
That number, 19, belongs to none other than Steve Yzerman (pictured above). Selected 5th overall in the 1990 FunHL Entry Draft, the slick center would go on to score 109 pts in his first FunHL season. His tenacity, skill and will to win laid the foundation for a franchise that went on to win back-to-back Predator Cups in 1992 and 1993. Steve Yzerman would finish his FunHL career, fittingly, with the Highlanders when he played his final game last season. Current Highlander Captain and reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, Joe Thornton, gave his jersey with the number 19 to Steve Yzerman at center ice at the end of a moving tribute before Yzerman's number was raised to the rafters along side the Highlanders' two Predator Cup banners. Joe Thornton will henceforth wear the number 91.
10/21/2006
Doing the right thing: John Michael Liles
The defenseman with two first names, officially gets my free pass into hockey heaven.
Worth noting, he responded to the honour by scoring in the game.
All is going according to prophecy.
Worth noting, he responded to the honour by scoring in the game.
All is going according to prophecy.
10/18/2006
Deja vu all over again.
Congrats to the Personal Vendetta as they rocket into first place. Overcoming a sub-par first week they garner over 47pts and jump 7 places in the standings! Sure its early but unfortunately Darrell's teams have a habit of getting out in front and staying there. With Buffalo's trouncing of the Flyers last night I suspect that the Briere-Spacek tandem will help keep the Vendetta up at the top for a while yet.
A note about the logos. One is Darrell's version and one is mine. Darrell's preferred version is the one on the right, my preferred version is the one on the left. I tend to prefer mine, not only because of my own, inflated sense of self-importance, but also because I think it would look wicked cool on an actual jersey. That said, it isn't my team and my sense of esthetics is readily open to being questioned but, feel free to let PV managment know which version you prefer - perhaps a "third jersey" option could emerge.
10/13/2006
Edge take early lead
Out of the gate and the Edge are in the lead, at least after week one. Congrats to Collin and his new assistant GM Tiana for their torrid start to the season.
All this and they are only now bringing up their clear number one goaltender in Lehtonen!
10/07/2006
10/06/2006
Petr Nedved on how to slow Jagr down
Reporter: "What frustrates Jagr?"
Petr Nedved: "Everything. Especially, when you sleep with his girlfriend. We got to go and find her tonight."
Petr Nedved: "Everything. Especially, when you sleep with his girlfriend. We got to go and find her tonight."
10/05/2006
The Plot Thickens
Well, 2 nights into the NHL season and already there are some interesting things to note:
- Darrell acquires would-be cast-off Kyle Wellwood, and plays him in lieu of the injured Fedorov, and is rewarded with a 4 point night - not bad for a 3rd round pick for a 4th
- Jaromir Jagr serves notice that he's ready for this season, scoring 29 seconds into game one
- Teammate Shanahan echoes the sentiment, scoring twice to hit the 600 goal plateau
- Roberto Luongo is solid in net as the Canucks beat the powerhouse Red Wings
- M-A Fleury records a shut-out to start the season, and Andrew Raycroft does the same (against Ottawa no less) in the Leafs second game
- Martin Havlat shows he doesn't need an allstar supporting cast to shine, racking up 4 pts in his Hawks debut
- And sadly, thus far tonight, Edmonton looks to prove last year was no fluke, leading the Flames 2-0
I love hockey...
- Darrell acquires would-be cast-off Kyle Wellwood, and plays him in lieu of the injured Fedorov, and is rewarded with a 4 point night - not bad for a 3rd round pick for a 4th
- Jaromir Jagr serves notice that he's ready for this season, scoring 29 seconds into game one
- Teammate Shanahan echoes the sentiment, scoring twice to hit the 600 goal plateau
- Roberto Luongo is solid in net as the Canucks beat the powerhouse Red Wings
- M-A Fleury records a shut-out to start the season, and Andrew Raycroft does the same (against Ottawa no less) in the Leafs second game
- Martin Havlat shows he doesn't need an allstar supporting cast to shine, racking up 4 pts in his Hawks debut
- And sadly, thus far tonight, Edmonton looks to prove last year was no fluke, leading the Flames 2-0
I love hockey...
Idle Speculation,,,,
So the Union dissidents have taken the ultimate step, they are suing Ted Saskin and the leadership of the Union.
Why?
"The dissidents charge that Saskin was "improperly elected, he misrepresented salary figures during negotiations, and he illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars in union funds for his own benefit."
Which, if true, is pretty serious stuff.
Here's my two cents worth;
I think that at some point in the CBA negotiations there developed two distinct camps, Saskin's and Goodenow's. In the Goodenow camp there was lots of fight the good fight - ie. no agreement on a salary cap. I think the Saskin camp started off that way, and gradually moderated to something akin the position of the current CBA - eventually leaving Goodenow out in the cold.
As negotiations progressed after the lost season and another lost year loomed, the players themselves began to moderate their position towards Saskin's, and when the deal was finally struck between the two sides (labour/mgt.) Saskin's group emerged as triumphant in the struggle for the PA's leadership.
Exit Goodenow. Enter Ted Saskin.
And it is here that the complaint seems to have taken hold amongst the dissidents. Not that Ted Saskin isn't the most likely choice, or best qualified or even the likely winner, but that when Goodenow exited, the procedures to install Saskin were not followed.
The fact that much of the Union's machinations regarding Saskin's 'election' have been targeted towards confirming his placement (the Union has held at least two votes to confirm him, i.e. no other candidates offered for consideration, just a 'Yes'/'No' on Saskin) without considering at all the claims that there wasn't any transparency or democracy in the process of how he came to power, gives bite to the dissidents argument.
So here's the thing. Saskin should resign - for the good of the Union. If he wants to keep his job, let him campaign for it in an open election from candidates selected by the Union itself. Whether he is guilty of the other charges or not, the lack of transparency regarding his rise to power will stain his leadership so long as he doesn't address it by doing the right thing.
Saskin has the worst kind of crisis to handle, a crisis of legitimacy. He can choose to try and ignore it, hoping it will go away, something that is as sure to lead to the staining of his career and than if he were discovered to have the extracuriculour activities of a GOP congressman.
Or, he can come clean, take a do-over on who the PA head should be, throw his hat in the ring, and let his Union decide the right way how to proceed. Such a gesture would definitely take him temporarily out of power.
But I think it is the only sure way he has to get the legitimacy needed to stay in power.
Why?
"The dissidents charge that Saskin was "improperly elected, he misrepresented salary figures during negotiations, and he illegally diverted tens of millions of dollars in union funds for his own benefit."
Which, if true, is pretty serious stuff.
Here's my two cents worth;
I think that at some point in the CBA negotiations there developed two distinct camps, Saskin's and Goodenow's. In the Goodenow camp there was lots of fight the good fight - ie. no agreement on a salary cap. I think the Saskin camp started off that way, and gradually moderated to something akin the position of the current CBA - eventually leaving Goodenow out in the cold.
As negotiations progressed after the lost season and another lost year loomed, the players themselves began to moderate their position towards Saskin's, and when the deal was finally struck between the two sides (labour/mgt.) Saskin's group emerged as triumphant in the struggle for the PA's leadership.
Exit Goodenow. Enter Ted Saskin.
And it is here that the complaint seems to have taken hold amongst the dissidents. Not that Ted Saskin isn't the most likely choice, or best qualified or even the likely winner, but that when Goodenow exited, the procedures to install Saskin were not followed.
The fact that much of the Union's machinations regarding Saskin's 'election' have been targeted towards confirming his placement (the Union has held at least two votes to confirm him, i.e. no other candidates offered for consideration, just a 'Yes'/'No' on Saskin) without considering at all the claims that there wasn't any transparency or democracy in the process of how he came to power, gives bite to the dissidents argument.
So here's the thing. Saskin should resign - for the good of the Union. If he wants to keep his job, let him campaign for it in an open election from candidates selected by the Union itself. Whether he is guilty of the other charges or not, the lack of transparency regarding his rise to power will stain his leadership so long as he doesn't address it by doing the right thing.
Saskin has the worst kind of crisis to handle, a crisis of legitimacy. He can choose to try and ignore it, hoping it will go away, something that is as sure to lead to the staining of his career and than if he were discovered to have the extracuriculour activities of a GOP congressman.
Or, he can come clean, take a do-over on who the PA head should be, throw his hat in the ring, and let his Union decide the right way how to proceed. Such a gesture would definitely take him temporarily out of power.
But I think it is the only sure way he has to get the legitimacy needed to stay in power.
The Highlanders and Drunk Driving
What is it exactly about the Highlanders and getting behind the wheel of a fast vehicle while soused?
I'm speaking not about the GM, of course, but rather the players on his team?
If this were the first example, I probably wouldn't have noticed.
So the trend is clear - but is it something about the team?
Or is it just something about Edmonton?
I'm speaking not about the GM, of course, but rather the players on his team?
If this were the first example, I probably wouldn't have noticed.
So the trend is clear - but is it something about the team?
Or is it just something about Edmonton?
10/04/2006
Because 'SportsMatters'
The visuals accompanying the post may be disturbing to younger sensitive readers.
That said, it was so damn funny milk and bourbon shot out of my nose.
And I don't drink milk.
That said, it was so damn funny milk and bourbon shot out of my nose.
And I don't drink milk.
COUNT DOWN....
Only a few more hours - tears of joy! Tne Bladerunners and the Carolina Hurricanes will both valiantly try to defend their titles but it looks like both are in for a tough battle. looking forward to the season and (friendly) battle with you all.
Brian
Brian
10/02/2006
SPREADSHEETS
Hi gang - the spreadsheets have been emailed out and I will soon send out an updated master with trades made after the prospect draft. Ok - time to go assess things!
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