TFHL15: Season Preview - By Tyler Young

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Well, it's about time: the East is actually reaching the point where they have a respectable degree of talent on more than a couple teams. The Rednex won it last year handidly, this year they will have a hard time defending their title: the Spirit are again a threat, the Canes', Pats, Owls, Saints and Aces all have made solid improvement over the last year and now give the East a fair chance of besting the West. Watch especially the Pats: they could walk over everyone, or no one.


OF DF GT OV Comments
Rednexs A- B B+ A- Will be challenged this year for the trailor park crown
Spirit B+ B+ B+ A- The Spirit is upon us: proved themselves amoung the top last season
Hurricanes A- A- B A- Not done yet: betting on some youngsters to keep team wreaking havoc
Patriots A- B+ B B+ THE team to watch: Pats could revolutionize the league
Owls B B+ A- B+ Preseason mega-deal gives them the best goalie in the conference, hoot?
Saints B+ A- B+ B+ Spezza is no longer a martyr; team is improved from last season
Aces A- B- B+ B+ Dealt some pretty good cards, but they need to prove themselves... now?
Bobcats B B B- B Cats no longer purring, not yet roaring; Sundin an interesting addition
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Clubbers B B B B Fleury: is he the next Biron? If so the Clubbers will break into playoffs
Colt 45s B- B- B B- Shouldn't fall out of the saddle: improved from last year over offseason
Marauders B- B- B- B- Marauders will be lurking on the frontier - could sneak into the playoffs
Misconduct C+ C+ C+ C+ Will need everyone thrown out of the game in order to make the playoffs

WESTERN CONFERENCE

The Paint should hold this conference this season, although they may face a challenge from the Flames, if the Flames can figure out why with all their talent they fell on their faces last year, and the Kings, if the departure of Roberto Luongo does not make them into this year's Flames. The Achaeans and Ice will be themselves, as they always are. The Raiders, Hawks, and Blades represent a group of teams of which any could push their way into the top four, or fall to the bottom four.


OF DF GT OV Comments
Pain A A A A The Pain will continue to torment the league; third cup in a row possible
Achaeans A- A- B+ A- Like the Canes' withering, but core still there and some youth add hope
Flames A- A- B A- Like the Pats the Flames need to prove themselves; but on paper... wow!
Ice B A- A A- The Ice will do what they do: not score, not let you score.
Wheat Kings A B+ B- B+ Strange deal in preseason shows still rebuilding: how far will they fall?
Raiders B B+ B+ B+ Collapse last year defies reason: maybe these pirates lack heart?
Blades C+ B+ A B Gonchar and Theodore. Period.
Blackhawks B B A- B The Hawks are wiley and should manage to hold on to their totems.
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Canucks B+ C+ B- B- Johansson likely the most talented player in league, just only plays 50
Sioux B- B- B- B- Sioux look like they're rebuilding, but they still have a chance at p-offs
Apocalypse B- B- B- B- There may be some Sion in their future, but it's going to be a wait
Renegades B- C+ B- B- Have an outside chance of avoiding fate and making the play-offs