TFHL14: Season Preview - By Tyler Young

EASTERN CONFERENCE: CHANGING OF THE GUARD

The Eastern Conference, as always, is weak compared to the Western. Who knows why this disparity has perputuated itself, indeed it seems to be becoming more marked. It is strange that perhaps the two stongest offensive teams, the Hurricanes and Rednex, both have goaltending squads most would be uneasy with on the farm - but the point simply highlights the absurdity of this conference.

The 'Canes are definately diminishing and are now no longer locks to win this conference, as last year's playoffs demonstrated, although they may have one more shot left. The teams that once upon a time looked to replace the 'Canes atop the East, the Ignite (now Oilers) and the Saints (nee Senators), both seem to have fallen back down into the group of the mediocre. The Spirit are probably the most improved team - or at least they look that way: last season I had them slated fourth and they finished last - but if they can leave behind whatever jinxed them last year, watch out! Keep an eye on the Misconduct and the Owls as darkhorses.

OF DF GT OV Comments
Hurricanes A- A- C- B+ The hurricane has become a storm - what once was, is no more
Spirit B B- B B Last season they looked good on paper too: perhaps they lack spirit?
Clubbers B B B- B Another one that looks good on paper; but in this conference, who knows?
Senators B+ B B- B The best 1-2 punch at center in the league: but a lot of questions
Owls B+ B- C+ B- A definate sleeper: Thornton is probably #1 & is getting some help now
Misconduct B- C+ B B- Rename as 'Phoenix': everyday team dissolves into ash & is reborn
Rednexs B+ C+ C B- Wunderkind Lindstrom with Bertuzzi and Kovalev, tha' ain't na white trash
Marauders C C B C+ Not alot to be ashamed of; Turco could take them into playoffs
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Oilers C+ B C+ C+ D may provide the lubricant they need to get into the post-season
Rockets B- C+ C C+ Wings are solid and the system is strong - right now in Tomorrowland
Bobcats C B- C C Are in dire straights - not a lot of talent, youth. Rebuild?
Whalers C+ C- C+ C Call them fish sticks without a GM (that's a Moby Dick reference)



WESTERN CONFERENCE: WHERE THE ACTION IS

The problem in being in the Western conference is that you have two or three teams miss the playoffs that probably would have made it in the East - this is the tradition of the TFHL, going back for years, even into the old TFHL. But this is problem that every league faces. The benefit is that it forces Western Conference teams to be more aggresive and active on the trade market. Last year's champion, the Pain, traded their way to victory with a series of astute deals. Probably the most improved teams over the last couple years, the Flames and Sioux, have been very active in making deals.

Two interesting points about this conference. First, the monstrous products of the surreal TFHL 13 draft abound in this conference and are ready to make their presence felt: Erik Christenson, Rick Nash, Scottie Upshall, Matt Ellison, Cam Janssen, Rob Kovar, Jonas Johansson, Dan Paille, and Dimitri Kazionov. Second, this conference is home to all of the league's top goalies: Jose Theodore, Matheiu Biron, J-S Giguere, Nikolai Khabibulin, and Roberto Luongo.

The Pain are solid; there are some questions with the Ice, but they should be a safe bet. The Achaeans are loosing ground to their younger competitors and are no longer the dominant force they once were. The Raiders are a dark-horse; but the teams to really watch are the Flames and Sioux. There is an outside chance that one of the Blackhawks, Apocalypse, or Blades could surpass expectations - this is a deep conference and those teams are by no means chumps.


OF DF GT OV Comments
Pain A- B+ B+ B+ Defending champ: best 12f-6d-1g in the league, i.e. no holes. Ouch!
Ice B+ B+ B+ B+ Last years anti-Spirit: on paper not great, on ice yes
Flames B B+ B B Built like the Pain w/o the xtra depth - surely a team to watch this year.
Achaeans B+ B B B This was once their house: but youngstud Paris has come & stolen the girl.
Wheat Kings B B- A- B Biggest improvement is simply having Tkachuk & Luongo for the full season.
Sioux B+ C+ B- B- Last years biggest surprise: now they will only surprise if they fail.
Raiders B- A- C B- A fine D with Captain Black Rob at the helm - but no booty there be, arrr.
Blackhawks B C- B+ B- Hope w/o Blake? Bulin is one of the best & Christensen could be real deal.
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Apocalypse C+ B C+ B- Playoffs possible at the end; but don't expect a rapture.
Blades C C- A- C+ Betters dilemma: best goalie in league behind a farm team. Odds?
Renegades B C C C+ A solid offense, but with that D and G, in this conference, they're here.
Canucks C C B- C+ Lucky in a way - to be rebuilding with Johansson, Staal & Heatley around.