The Guelph Spirit are approaching the new season with enthusiasm
running high. The offseason saw little change in the Spirit's roster,
with one major exception, but the management was very satisfied with
last year's performance and expects to be even better this year.
Gone is underachieving and expensive Alexei Yashin. The useful Sami
Kapanen was also let go to free agency. But the biggest moves made by
the team were in between the pipes. The Spirit have been struggling
for years to find a reliable goaltender and have been saddled with
Patrick Lalime for most of that time (there was the memorable 30 games
or so when he was traded for Martin Brodeur before both teams took
back the deal) and Mika Noronen as the backup. This year, Lalime was
let go in free agency and the team opened its wallet with only one
goal - finding a decent starting goaltender. Offers were put out to
several players and one accepted the challege. Thirty-seven year old
Tommy Salo inked a three year deal to join the club.
"I'm really thrilled to be here," said Salo. "I feel I can still
compete in this league and have a lot left to prove. I feel great and
can't wait to get going." Coach Kilrea has made it clear that Salo
will be the starter, but doesn't want to exhaust him. "He's a riper
player out there, probably needs a few days off now and then, but we
think he's our guy, so long as he stays healthy."
To address that concern, GM Goodlet swung a deal with the Misconducts,
dealing last year's free agent pickup, Richard Matvichuk, along with
aging prospect Vladimir Orszagh and backup goalie Mika Noronen in
exchange for tough as nails defenceman Aaron Rome, goaltender Marty
Turco and a prospect. "I was very happy to pull of this deal,"
explained Goodlet. "With Salo's age and the uncertainty we've had in
nets these last few years, it feels really good to have Marty here to
help out when needed. Plus, we feel he can really push Tommy to play
better. These two should help us out until David (Leneveu) has
developed enough to run the team."
With the addition of Rome, the Spirit now have some pretty nasty
players, including Dion Phaneuf, Thomas Vanek and Boyd Gordon.
Youngsters Valterri Filpulla and Bryan Little will also be given time
to show they can contribute.
The preseason, if any indication of the regular season, means other
teams should look out. The Spirit walloped the Young Guns 5-0 with
goals from five different players and a shutout earned by Salo. The
excitement in Guelph continues to build!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
League News (from Commissioner)
I also clicked on the option (which I never understood before) for seed division leaders (i.e. so like you know from the NHL, the top team in the division would automatically get either 1st or 2nd depending the higher of the two division champs). Thanks, this should better emphasise the division rivalries and the reward for winning the best of those 6 games against your division rivals - and all those great defensemen, goalies and young forwards you've traded to them :)
Hey guys. I made the schedule using the FHL option this time and a few things changed that I found helpful - I bumped up the number of games per "day" to better reflect the actual day set that I play - which is basically 11 games a day (than each team plays almost every day). This means you won't have that nasty problem of playing twice when the days are short like in the past so your lines will be used daily!
A couple changes to note, instead of 88 games in the regular season, the season is 78 games long and the matchups work as follows:
6 division games against same division teams
4 inter-division games against the team in the other division in your conference
2 inter-conference games against the team in the other conference
= 78 Games total
Secondly, I clicked the option for OVERTIME LOSS point - like the NHL. I don't think this will have a lot of impact but thought it should be interesting to try - because I'm sure I'm not the only one who's pissed at losing in overtime and getting 0 pts.
And finally, regarding TC points, we'll still have them but instead of the numbering of 60 and 40 for non-playoff teams and playoff team respectively, it will be 36 and 24 respectively. These next offseason than would be applied in blocks of 3 rather than 5, therefore as you can image, the max would be 12 for any one player and minimum 3 on any one player. Also, for winning the All-Star game you won't be rewarded with TCs, although of course we are still having the allstar break as usual and the games. The three awards that get tcs will still get them but will get 3 for each award instead of 5.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
PR - Pain
Painful Poem
P is for Pain
P is for Pronger
P is for Plague of Punishment
P is for PANIC
P is for Phobia of Pain
P is for Pride
P is for Previous Prizes
P is for Present Power
P is for Psychic Pulse
P is for Prospective Prize
P is for Parade
P is for Present Paranoia
P is for PAIN
P is for Pain
P is for Pronger
P is for Plague of Punishment
P is for PANIC
P is for Phobia of Pain
P is for Pride
P is for Previous Prizes
P is for Present Power
P is for Psychic Pulse
P is for Prospective Prize
P is for Parade
P is for Present Paranoia
P is for PAIN
Western Conference Preview (Tyler Young)
WESTERN CONFERENCE
From 1 through 11, the West may even be tighter this year than in previous seasons. In general the teams fall into one of four categories depending primarily on the likelihood they have of securing a playoff spot. As always though, when it comes to the Wild West, all bets are off.
The Elite: Pain and Flames
These guys stand above the rest of the conference, and making room for the annual Fluke-of-the-Year Team, they should sit on top by seasons end.
The Better: Renegades, Sioux, Achaeans, Wheat Kings
These four teams are slightly better than subsequent group and by that virtue all are better bets for a playoff position. However, unlike the Pain and Flames these guys are fallible and it would not be remarkable to see one or even two of them eliminated.
The Good: Ice, Raiders, Apocalypse, Blades, Blackhawks
As is usual, the annual Fluke will likely come from this group. Most of these teams are good verging on excellent in some positions, but on paper just don't quite match the above squads. Expect all these teams to be quite close together at seasons end, with as many as four qualifying.
The Rebuilding: Resevoir Dogs
In the West, even with Jagr, they just don't have much of a shot. Will compete with the Owls and Rednex for the 1st overall selection.
(1) PAIN
Key Additions: Chris Pronger (trade), Ivan Koltsov (trade), Brock Radunske (trade), Ryan Flinn (trade)
Key Subtractions: Ed Jovanovski (trade), Daniel Paille (trade), Kristian Kudroc (trade), Vladimir Zharkov (trade)
Offense: B+
Defence: B+
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
A lot. Monkey see, monkey do: Flames pick-up Hamrlik, Pain get Pronger... or is it anything you can do, I can do better?
Weaknesses:
Consistency - the Pain have had a hard time over the couple seasons playing consistantly up to their abilities. The clock is running on the Pain, they are one of the older teams in the league.
Bottom Line:
Finances have forced the Pain to erode somewhat over the past few seasons, but Pronger instantly puts this team back among the elite and the best candidate to take the West. With scant future picks and only one quality player under 23 (Wirtanen) in the system, the Pain have mortgaged everything to win and have about two years to do it.
(2) FLAMES
Key Additions: Barry Brust (trade), Ivan Huml (trade), Roman Hamrlik (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Marian Gaborik (trade), Erik Johnson (trade), Marc Denis (trade)
Offense: B+
Defence: A-
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
The Flames had one of the better defence cores in the league, then they signed the best UFA d-man on the market in several years, Roman Hamrlik.
Weaknesses:
Is Brust a Bust? After a bad season last year, Brust might be a critical liability.
Bottom Line:
There's a lot riding on Brust. The Flames were a scoring powerhouse last year, but in losing Gaborik they gave up 30 sure goals - something most teams don't shrug off. If all things gel, especially with that incredible defense, the Flames could top the Conference. But don't be surprised if they tumble to the middle of the playoff pack.
(3) RENEGADES
Key Additions: Peter Bondra (free agency), Ladislav Nagy (trade), Kyle Mclaren (trade), Carlo Colaiacovo (trade)
Key Subtractions: Riku Hahl (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: A-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
Shock and awe... and shock and shock and... that was more-or-less the universal reaction to the Renegades season last year. Who could have thought they would top the West? (glad I didn't do one of these last season)
Weaknesses:
The Renegades-spectacular last season was the result of the phenomenal play of Peter Forsberg and Pascal Leclaire, both of whom were perenniel disasppointments. If one or the other goes back to their old selves, then the 'Gades can fall hard and fast (see Blades - TFHL16 to 17).
Bottom Line:
Even if Leclaire and Forsberg step back a bit, there's still enough talent here to keep the Renegades in the middle pack of the West; if those two repeat last season this team will compete with the Flames and Pain again.
(4) SIOUX
Key Additions: Alexei Kovalev (trade), Nikolai Zherdev (trade), Sheldon Keefe (trade), Eric Lindros (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Jaromir Jagr (free agency), Eric Staal (trade), Ivan Huml (trade), Scott Gomez (trade), Ivan Vishevsky (trade), Daniel Alfredsson (free agency), Ivan Huml (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B+
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
A strong defence will be necessary for all the penalty killing the Sioux will need to do.
Weaknesses:
Kovelev and Zherdev might not pack the punch as Jagr and Staal did.
Bottom Line:
The Sioux have long been a tenacious team, consistenly holding onto a playoff spot. But in the slippery West it doesn't take much for a good team to fall down. Granted a typical season, the Sioux could push their way to the top of the Conference middle boys.
(5) ACHAEANS
Key Additions: none
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
The Magic Man, Gregarious G, the Dapper Gent himself: Gregory Campbell.
Weaknesses:
Hnilicka was a bit of a surprise last season, but he held his own playing behind a defensive Achaean squad. His ability to repeat last year's performance makes the Achaeans something of a risk. There's not a lot coming up through the system.
Bottom Line:
It would be shocking for the Achaeans to miss the playoffs, but they may end up having to fight it out down the stretch. They managed to retain Keith Tkachuk, which was absolutely critical
(6) WHEAT KINGS
Key Additions: Mike Modano (free agency), Zigmund Palffy (free agency), Roberto Luongo (trade), Rostislav Olesz (trade), Cam Barker (trade), Patrick Dwyer (trade)
Key Subtractions: Craig Conroy (free agency), Glenn Murray (free agency), Matt Ellison (trade), Sandis Ozolinsh (trade), Dan Snyder (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
You can do worse than having a Conn Smythe winner in net as the #1 and a former Vezina winner as his back-up.
Weaknesses:
Offence from defence could be a problem.
Bottom Line:
The Wheaties barely snuck into the playoffs last year, but then went on to win the league championship. Their off-season moves generally improved the supporting cast around their core. Modano, Palffy join Hennessy, Bernier, Bergfors and Kazionov to give the Kings their best offensive squad since the President Trophy winners in TFHL14. A repeat may be a long shot, but you never know?
(7) ICE
Key Additions: none
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: C+
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
The Ice always make the playoffs.
Weaknesses:
Won't score... nada. And some Ice players make the Hanson Brothers look like huevitos.
Bottom Line:
The Ice are the best defensive team in the league, meaning they could put a pilon in net most nights. The old saying 'the best defence is a good offence' evidently has no bearing here.
(8) APOCALYPSE
Key Additions: none
Key Subtractions: Peter Bondra (free agency)
Offense: B-
Defence: B
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Deceptively deep in scoring and a good defence core.
Weaknesses:
No real elite players other than Sundin.
Bottom Line:
The Apocalypse nearly managed to make the playoffs last season and should be in a similar situation again. Of the group of the Ice, Hawks, Blades, and Apocalypse, they are likely the hardest to figure out: one can easily see them either on top of that group or on the bottom.
(9) RAIDERS
Key Additions: Patrick Lalime (free agency), Chad Denny (trade)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B-
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Nabakov remains one of the most bankable goalies in the league.
Weaknesses:
In a sort of limbo between rebuilding and trying to remain competitive, the Raiders can only really ice two respectable lines.
Bottom Line:
Will the Raiders continue their rebuilding? As it is they have a good enough roster to make a push towards the playoffs, although the Apocalypse, Blackhawks, and Blades are capable of out-staging them. The addition of Lalime and the fact that they didn't dump any of their aging veterans seems to show that they do not intend to go silently into the good night.
(10) BLACKHAWKS
Key Additions: Jeremy Roenick (free agency), Jason Smith (free agency)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B
Defence: C+
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Colby Armstrong single handedly carried the team last season.
Weaknesses:
Can Colby Armstrong single handedly carry the team this season?
Bottom Line:
If Colby Armstrong single handedly carries the team, they could force their way into the playoffs. Khabibulin also played quite well last year despite a porous defence, he'll need to be similarly solid in net.
(11) BLADES
Key Additions: Alex Kangas (draft)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B
Defence: C+
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Spezza, when healthy, and Hartnell are among the league elite. Then there is the magical spell whereby a Blade forward who would be useless on any other team somehow manages to score a point a game (and gets a correspondingly impossible rerate).
Weaknesses:
Their defence would put most Pee-wee teams to shame.
Bottom Line:
Oh the Blades... aka the streakiest team in the TFHL. On paper alone they are are good team, with solid forward depth and a couple elite players in Spezza and Hartnell, a relatively weak defence, and a rookie in net as their #1. But in real life the Blades, as has been the case for the last few seasons, will be entirely dependent on which way the wind is blowing and when. Two years ago they shot up to among the league's best; last year not so much. So just hold you breath, wait and see.
(12) RESEVOIR DOGS
Key Additions: Jaromir Jagr (free agency), Craig Conroy (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Jonas Johansson (trade), Kyle Mclaren (trade)
Offense: C+
Defence: C
Goaltending: C+
OVERALL: C+
Strengths:
Overall well-rounded squad with some quality prospects.
Weaknesses:
Not enough scoring, rather just not enough everywhere to force themselves up the Western pecking order.
Bottom Line:
The Dogs would have a good shot at making the playoffs in the East, even with the improvements there this year. But in the West, unless they have a helluva hot streak, the playoffs are likely a long shot. Trading Johansson was a bit time risk which likely won't pay off for a few years, but it may prove smart in the long run.
From 1 through 11, the West may even be tighter this year than in previous seasons. In general the teams fall into one of four categories depending primarily on the likelihood they have of securing a playoff spot. As always though, when it comes to the Wild West, all bets are off.
The Elite: Pain and Flames
These guys stand above the rest of the conference, and making room for the annual Fluke-of-the-Year Team, they should sit on top by seasons end.
The Better: Renegades, Sioux, Achaeans, Wheat Kings
These four teams are slightly better than subsequent group and by that virtue all are better bets for a playoff position. However, unlike the Pain and Flames these guys are fallible and it would not be remarkable to see one or even two of them eliminated.
The Good: Ice, Raiders, Apocalypse, Blades, Blackhawks
As is usual, the annual Fluke will likely come from this group. Most of these teams are good verging on excellent in some positions, but on paper just don't quite match the above squads. Expect all these teams to be quite close together at seasons end, with as many as four qualifying.
The Rebuilding: Resevoir Dogs
In the West, even with Jagr, they just don't have much of a shot. Will compete with the Owls and Rednex for the 1st overall selection.
(1) PAIN
Key Additions: Chris Pronger (trade), Ivan Koltsov (trade), Brock Radunske (trade), Ryan Flinn (trade)
Key Subtractions: Ed Jovanovski (trade), Daniel Paille (trade), Kristian Kudroc (trade), Vladimir Zharkov (trade)
Offense: B+
Defence: B+
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
A lot. Monkey see, monkey do: Flames pick-up Hamrlik, Pain get Pronger... or is it anything you can do, I can do better?
Weaknesses:
Consistency - the Pain have had a hard time over the couple seasons playing consistantly up to their abilities. The clock is running on the Pain, they are one of the older teams in the league.
Bottom Line:
Finances have forced the Pain to erode somewhat over the past few seasons, but Pronger instantly puts this team back among the elite and the best candidate to take the West. With scant future picks and only one quality player under 23 (Wirtanen) in the system, the Pain have mortgaged everything to win and have about two years to do it.
(2) FLAMES
Key Additions: Barry Brust (trade), Ivan Huml (trade), Roman Hamrlik (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Marian Gaborik (trade), Erik Johnson (trade), Marc Denis (trade)
Offense: B+
Defence: A-
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
The Flames had one of the better defence cores in the league, then they signed the best UFA d-man on the market in several years, Roman Hamrlik.
Weaknesses:
Is Brust a Bust? After a bad season last year, Brust might be a critical liability.
Bottom Line:
There's a lot riding on Brust. The Flames were a scoring powerhouse last year, but in losing Gaborik they gave up 30 sure goals - something most teams don't shrug off. If all things gel, especially with that incredible defense, the Flames could top the Conference. But don't be surprised if they tumble to the middle of the playoff pack.
(3) RENEGADES
Key Additions: Peter Bondra (free agency), Ladislav Nagy (trade), Kyle Mclaren (trade), Carlo Colaiacovo (trade)
Key Subtractions: Riku Hahl (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: A-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
Shock and awe... and shock and shock and... that was more-or-less the universal reaction to the Renegades season last year. Who could have thought they would top the West? (glad I didn't do one of these last season)
Weaknesses:
The Renegades-spectacular last season was the result of the phenomenal play of Peter Forsberg and Pascal Leclaire, both of whom were perenniel disasppointments. If one or the other goes back to their old selves, then the 'Gades can fall hard and fast (see Blades - TFHL16 to 17).
Bottom Line:
Even if Leclaire and Forsberg step back a bit, there's still enough talent here to keep the Renegades in the middle pack of the West; if those two repeat last season this team will compete with the Flames and Pain again.
(4) SIOUX
Key Additions: Alexei Kovalev (trade), Nikolai Zherdev (trade), Sheldon Keefe (trade), Eric Lindros (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Jaromir Jagr (free agency), Eric Staal (trade), Ivan Huml (trade), Scott Gomez (trade), Ivan Vishevsky (trade), Daniel Alfredsson (free agency), Ivan Huml (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B+
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
A strong defence will be necessary for all the penalty killing the Sioux will need to do.
Weaknesses:
Kovelev and Zherdev might not pack the punch as Jagr and Staal did.
Bottom Line:
The Sioux have long been a tenacious team, consistenly holding onto a playoff spot. But in the slippery West it doesn't take much for a good team to fall down. Granted a typical season, the Sioux could push their way to the top of the Conference middle boys.
(5) ACHAEANS
Key Additions: none
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
The Magic Man, Gregarious G, the Dapper Gent himself: Gregory Campbell.
Weaknesses:
Hnilicka was a bit of a surprise last season, but he held his own playing behind a defensive Achaean squad. His ability to repeat last year's performance makes the Achaeans something of a risk. There's not a lot coming up through the system.
Bottom Line:
It would be shocking for the Achaeans to miss the playoffs, but they may end up having to fight it out down the stretch. They managed to retain Keith Tkachuk, which was absolutely critical
(6) WHEAT KINGS
Key Additions: Mike Modano (free agency), Zigmund Palffy (free agency), Roberto Luongo (trade), Rostislav Olesz (trade), Cam Barker (trade), Patrick Dwyer (trade)
Key Subtractions: Craig Conroy (free agency), Glenn Murray (free agency), Matt Ellison (trade), Sandis Ozolinsh (trade), Dan Snyder (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
You can do worse than having a Conn Smythe winner in net as the #1 and a former Vezina winner as his back-up.
Weaknesses:
Offence from defence could be a problem.
Bottom Line:
The Wheaties barely snuck into the playoffs last year, but then went on to win the league championship. Their off-season moves generally improved the supporting cast around their core. Modano, Palffy join Hennessy, Bernier, Bergfors and Kazionov to give the Kings their best offensive squad since the President Trophy winners in TFHL14. A repeat may be a long shot, but you never know?
(7) ICE
Key Additions: none
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: C+
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
The Ice always make the playoffs.
Weaknesses:
Won't score... nada. And some Ice players make the Hanson Brothers look like huevitos.
Bottom Line:
The Ice are the best defensive team in the league, meaning they could put a pilon in net most nights. The old saying 'the best defence is a good offence' evidently has no bearing here.
(8) APOCALYPSE
Key Additions: none
Key Subtractions: Peter Bondra (free agency)
Offense: B-
Defence: B
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Deceptively deep in scoring and a good defence core.
Weaknesses:
No real elite players other than Sundin.
Bottom Line:
The Apocalypse nearly managed to make the playoffs last season and should be in a similar situation again. Of the group of the Ice, Hawks, Blades, and Apocalypse, they are likely the hardest to figure out: one can easily see them either on top of that group or on the bottom.
(9) RAIDERS
Key Additions: Patrick Lalime (free agency), Chad Denny (trade)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B-
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Nabakov remains one of the most bankable goalies in the league.
Weaknesses:
In a sort of limbo between rebuilding and trying to remain competitive, the Raiders can only really ice two respectable lines.
Bottom Line:
Will the Raiders continue their rebuilding? As it is they have a good enough roster to make a push towards the playoffs, although the Apocalypse, Blackhawks, and Blades are capable of out-staging them. The addition of Lalime and the fact that they didn't dump any of their aging veterans seems to show that they do not intend to go silently into the good night.
(10) BLACKHAWKS
Key Additions: Jeremy Roenick (free agency), Jason Smith (free agency)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B
Defence: C+
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Colby Armstrong single handedly carried the team last season.
Weaknesses:
Can Colby Armstrong single handedly carry the team this season?
Bottom Line:
If Colby Armstrong single handedly carries the team, they could force their way into the playoffs. Khabibulin also played quite well last year despite a porous defence, he'll need to be similarly solid in net.
(11) BLADES
Key Additions: Alex Kangas (draft)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B
Defence: C+
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Spezza, when healthy, and Hartnell are among the league elite. Then there is the magical spell whereby a Blade forward who would be useless on any other team somehow manages to score a point a game (and gets a correspondingly impossible rerate).
Weaknesses:
Their defence would put most Pee-wee teams to shame.
Bottom Line:
Oh the Blades... aka the streakiest team in the TFHL. On paper alone they are are good team, with solid forward depth and a couple elite players in Spezza and Hartnell, a relatively weak defence, and a rookie in net as their #1. But in real life the Blades, as has been the case for the last few seasons, will be entirely dependent on which way the wind is blowing and when. Two years ago they shot up to among the league's best; last year not so much. So just hold you breath, wait and see.
(12) RESEVOIR DOGS
Key Additions: Jaromir Jagr (free agency), Craig Conroy (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Jonas Johansson (trade), Kyle Mclaren (trade)
Offense: C+
Defence: C
Goaltending: C+
OVERALL: C+
Strengths:
Overall well-rounded squad with some quality prospects.
Weaknesses:
Not enough scoring, rather just not enough everywhere to force themselves up the Western pecking order.
Bottom Line:
The Dogs would have a good shot at making the playoffs in the East, even with the improvements there this year. But in the West, unless they have a helluva hot streak, the playoffs are likely a long shot. Trading Johansson was a bit time risk which likely won't pay off for a few years, but it may prove smart in the long run.
Eastern Conference Preview (Tyler Young)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
The East has improved noticeably for this season, which means that for once two or three non-playoff teams from the West don't need to sigh and think to themselves, 'if I were in the East I'd probably have home ice.' Rather this year the TFHL's Saskatchewan (to the Western Conference Alberta) is actually showing a little gleam. The Eastern teams were very active this summer with many big names changing places.
The Conference can be grouped into 3 groups: at the top are the Bobcats, Saints, Young Guns, Spirit, Aces, Pontiacs, and Hurricanes, all of which have a decent shot at finishing at the top of the conference (depending on streaks and injuries and the like) and all of which are pretty much assured a post-season slot. In the middle are a group of three teams - the Ignite, Misconduct, and Maruaders - who will duke it out for the final playoff spot. The Owls and Rednex likely don't have the talent to make the post season and will tough it out for the 1st overall selection.
The Western Conference Preview will follow in a day or two.
(1) BOBCATS
Key Additions: Sergei Gonchar (trade)
Key Subtractions: Michael Peca (trade), Teemu Laakso (trade), Zigmund Palffy (free agency)
Offense: B+
Defence: B+
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
The Bobcats remain one of the deepest teams in the league.
Weaknesses:
In a conference with Chris Higgins, Joe Thornton, Petr Dvorak, Joakim Lindstrom and Jason Allison, the Bobcats lack of a true #1 center is somewhat noticeable. The team also lacks leadership and experience.
Bottom Line:
The Eastern Conference is the Bobcats to lose. The team is built on a depth game, with four solid lines. Biron can be beaten if flustered, but he has a very good D core in front of him.
(2) SAINTS
Key Additions: Markus Naslund (trade), Ilya Kovalchuk (trade), Patrice Bergeron (trade), Matthew Lombardi (trade), Teemu Laakso (trade)
Key Subtractions: Ryan Getzlaf (trade), Ilya Bryzgalov (trade), Sergei Gonchar (trade), Chuck Kobasew (trade), Rob Blake (free agency), Kamil Kreps (trade), Tuomo Ruutu (trade)
Offense: A-
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
Pulling off arguably the jaw-dropper of the off-season, the Saints acquired Markus Naslund from their arch-rivals the Calgary Hurricanes. The added addition of Kovalchuk gives the Saints probably the best group of sniping wingers in the league.
Weaknesses:
In handing over the #1 spot to Tuukka Rask the Saints better have their fingers crossed. Rask had a good winning percentage last year, but his stats were very poor. The Saint's defence was down-right horrible at times and with departures of Rob Blake and Sergei Gonchar one might wonder how it can get better.
Bottom Line:
This is a team designed to score... a lot. The star additions are an attempt to seat the Saints on top of the East and perhaps even among the league elite. They no doubt face added competition with their cross-town rivals, the Wheat Kings, being the reigning champions.
(3) YOUNG GUNS
Key Additions: Eric Staal (trade), Ed Jovanovski (trade)
Key Subtractions: Nikolai Zherdev (trade), Ivan Koltsov (trade), Anton Babchuk (trade)
Offense: B+
Defence: B
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
Jose Theodore was a saving grace for the Guns last season. The team also lives up to its name - it's a very young squad just entering it prime right now.
Weaknesses:
There might be a problem with having too much.
Bottom Line:
The Young Guns/Patriots/Red Army/Whalers are in solid shape for the first time in more seasons that anyone would care to recall. The team is just entering its prime and will have have a few seasons among the elite of the league. This year expect them to push the 'Cats and Saints for top spot in the East.
(4) SPIRIT
Key Additions: Tommy Salo (free agency), Aaron Rome (trade), Marty Turco (trade)
Key Subtractions: Patrick Lalime (free agency), Sami Kapenen (free agency), Alexei Yashin (free agency), Vladimir Orszagh (trade), Richard Matvichuk (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
Finally played up to potential last year, galvanized by the addition of Daymond Langkow. A well rounded team.
Weaknesses:
The Spirit are aging and likely won't repeat last year's showing. Could rack-up a lot of time in the penalty box.
Bottom Line:
The Spirit had a great showing after years of inexplicable failure. If they simply play up to their potential they should be in the middle of the pack in the East.
(5) ACES
Key Additions: Marian Gaborik (trade), Todd Bertuzzi (trade), Erik Johnson (trade), Marc Denis (trade), Kamil Kreps (trade), Tuomo Ruutu (trade), Sami Kapanen (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Barry Brust (trade), Ilya Kovalchuk (trade), Tim Brent (trade), Paul Kariya (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
GM Dave Walter made perhaps the gutsiest move of the summer by trading Brust to the Flames, choosing instead to go with the proven but unspectacular duo of Thomas Vokoun and Marc Denis. The trade brought him an elite scoring forward and a future #1 d-man. He then managed to acquire another elite forward in Bertuzzi for a midling Tim Brent who has yet to play up to his potential.
Weaknesses:
The loss of Kovalchuk, especially to a conference rival, may end up hurting.
Bottom Line:
The Aces keep getting better and keep acruing good, young players. What was once a relatively old team is rebuilding while at the same to improving its team overall, which is pretty impressive.
(6) PONTIACS
Key Additions: Jonas Johansson (trade), Dan Paille (trade), Chuck Kobasew (trade), Gilbert Brule (trade), Rob Blake (free agency), Danny Markov (trade), Andrei Markov (trade), Dan Snyder (trade), Teemu Hovinen (draft)
Key Subtractions: Patrice Bergeron (trade), Brock Radunske (trade), Robyn Regehr (trade), Jeff May (trade), Marty Turco (trade), Benoit Pouliot (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B
Goaltending: C
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Ivan Baranka is one of the best and most underrated defensemen in the league. Jonas Johansson has all the tools to be one of the elite players in the league and in a new environment may realize the potential he gave glimpses of a few seasons ago. Dan Paille will also have a chance to prove himself after years of being buried on a deep Pain squad.
Weaknesses:
A lot has been invested in acquiring Johansson and Paille, both are flyers and if they don't work out the Pontiacs are worse off than they were a year ago, especially having dumped their own-time Face of the Franchise, Patrice Bergeron. Going with an untested rookie, Teemu Hovinen, as the #1 may also prove fatal.
Bottom Line:
There's a lot of new and interesting additions. If all the new parts come together the Pontiacs should shoot to the upper rung of the East and compete for a home ice.
(7) HURRICANES
Key Additions: Ryan Getzlaf (trade), Ilya Bryzgalov (trade)
Key Subtractions: Markus Naslund (trade)
Offense: B-
Defence: B
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Won the Conference Final last year, proving again that they are a fierce squad to face in the playoffs. Well-rounded and attempting to rebuild while remaining competive.
Weaknesses:
The pieces of the past have slowly been chisled away: Sean Burke, Chris Pronger, Bill Guerin, now Markus Naslund. It remains to be seen whether the new core of Alexander Svitov, Jason King, Getzlaf and Co. can keep the Canes at the top of the league.
Bottom Line:
The Canes should make the playoffs as usual and perhaps even do some damage. But some of the lustre from this long time dominant team is certainly gone.
(8) MARAUDERS
Key Additions: Paul Kariya (trade), Robyn Regehr (trade), Scott Gomez (trade), Daniel Alfredsson (free agency), Glenn Murray (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Andrei Markov (trade), Gilbert Brule (trade), Sheldon Keefe (trade), Eric Lindros (free agency)
Offense: C+
Defence: B-
Goaltending: C+
OVERALL: C+
Strengths:
Their defence got better with acquisition of Regehr and the development of Dimitri Kosmachev.
Weaknesses:
The lack of game breakers.
Bottom Line:
The Marauders were barely eliminated from the playoffs last season, but this year they may have a tougher fight on their hands in the improved East. As usual they made a several smart but decidedly unsexy moves over the offseason, which improved their roster slightly.
(9) IGNITE
Key Additions: Filip Kuba (trade)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B-
Defence: C+
Goaltending: C
OVERALL: C+
Strengths:
Jason Allison and Jarome Iginla
Weaknesses:
Not a lot of depth, at any position.
Bottom Line:
Last year the Ignite managed to finish in the top 4. If the Allison-Iginla alchemy continues to turn iron into gold, then the Ignite should be in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, in the revamped East they'll need sorcery to get home ice again.
(10) MISCONDUCT
Key Additions: Alexei Yashin (trade), Matt Ellison (trade), Andy Sackrison (draft), Michael Peca (trade), Jeff May (trade), Marty Turco (trade), Vladimir Zharkov (trade), Benoit Pouliot (trade), Riku Hahl (trade) Sandis Ozolinsh (trade), Ben Ulmer (trade), Vladimir Orszagh (trade), Richard Matvichuk (trade), Anton Babchuk (trade)
Key Subtractions: Sergei Anshakov (trade), Roberto Luongo (trade), Shawn Belle (free agency), Ladislav Nagy (trade), Cam Barker (trade), Dan Bertram (trade), Chad Denny (trade), Rostislav Olesz (trade), Aaron Rome (trade), Marty Turco (trade), Jason Smith (free agency)
Offense: C+
Defence: C
Goaltending: C+
OVERALL: C
Strengths:
The Misconduct have some good prospects in the system, including 2nd overall pick Sackrison, and a team that is quite young overall.
Weaknesses:
They denuded themselves of their future first rounders to bring in Jonas Johansson and then were forced to give him up to a conference rival, leaving the team off pretty well the same as before the off-season minus the picks.
Bottom Line:
The Misconduct were so close, picking-up Ellison and Sackrison and then pulling off a wonder deal to get Johansson. With their young defence and goaltending, that group could have been something special.
(11) REDNEX
Key Additions: Tim Brent (trade)
Key Subtractions: Todd Bertuzzi (trade), Alexei Kovalev (trade)
Offense: C
Defence: C
Goaltending: C
OVERALL: C
Strengths:
This is Joakim Lindstrom's team now.
Weaknesses:
It's hard to imagine the Rednex without the Gorilla himself, Big Bert, and Alexei Kovalev.
Bottom Line:
The team can only cross their fingers and pray they got enough for their soul. Tim Brent certainly has skills, but his conditioning might prevent him from ever being a top end player. A few years of rebuilding are likely forthcoming.
(12) OWLS
Key Additions: David McIntyre (draft), Sergei Anshakov (trade), Kristian Kudroc (trade)
Key Subtractions: Chris Pronger (trade), Ryan Flinn (trade)
Offense: C
Defence: C-
Goaltending: C-
OVERALL: C-
Strengths:
Joe Thornton
Weaknesses:
Depth and Defence. One might also take umbridge with Auld, he's certainly hasn't ever performed like a #1.
Bottom Line:
Did they get enough for Pronger? The deal announced before exhibition games started was something a stunner. Anshakov will have to step-up his play to warrant being the key cog in that deal. With Joe Thornton and a supporting forward cast that is respectible, the Owls might get lucky and make a push for the playoffs (but that's a big might).
The East has improved noticeably for this season, which means that for once two or three non-playoff teams from the West don't need to sigh and think to themselves, 'if I were in the East I'd probably have home ice.' Rather this year the TFHL's Saskatchewan (to the Western Conference Alberta) is actually showing a little gleam. The Eastern teams were very active this summer with many big names changing places.
The Conference can be grouped into 3 groups: at the top are the Bobcats, Saints, Young Guns, Spirit, Aces, Pontiacs, and Hurricanes, all of which have a decent shot at finishing at the top of the conference (depending on streaks and injuries and the like) and all of which are pretty much assured a post-season slot. In the middle are a group of three teams - the Ignite, Misconduct, and Maruaders - who will duke it out for the final playoff spot. The Owls and Rednex likely don't have the talent to make the post season and will tough it out for the 1st overall selection.
The Western Conference Preview will follow in a day or two.
(1) BOBCATS
Key Additions: Sergei Gonchar (trade)
Key Subtractions: Michael Peca (trade), Teemu Laakso (trade), Zigmund Palffy (free agency)
Offense: B+
Defence: B+
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
The Bobcats remain one of the deepest teams in the league.
Weaknesses:
In a conference with Chris Higgins, Joe Thornton, Petr Dvorak, Joakim Lindstrom and Jason Allison, the Bobcats lack of a true #1 center is somewhat noticeable. The team also lacks leadership and experience.
Bottom Line:
The Eastern Conference is the Bobcats to lose. The team is built on a depth game, with four solid lines. Biron can be beaten if flustered, but he has a very good D core in front of him.
(2) SAINTS
Key Additions: Markus Naslund (trade), Ilya Kovalchuk (trade), Patrice Bergeron (trade), Matthew Lombardi (trade), Teemu Laakso (trade)
Key Subtractions: Ryan Getzlaf (trade), Ilya Bryzgalov (trade), Sergei Gonchar (trade), Chuck Kobasew (trade), Rob Blake (free agency), Kamil Kreps (trade), Tuomo Ruutu (trade)
Offense: A-
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
Pulling off arguably the jaw-dropper of the off-season, the Saints acquired Markus Naslund from their arch-rivals the Calgary Hurricanes. The added addition of Kovalchuk gives the Saints probably the best group of sniping wingers in the league.
Weaknesses:
In handing over the #1 spot to Tuukka Rask the Saints better have their fingers crossed. Rask had a good winning percentage last year, but his stats were very poor. The Saint's defence was down-right horrible at times and with departures of Rob Blake and Sergei Gonchar one might wonder how it can get better.
Bottom Line:
This is a team designed to score... a lot. The star additions are an attempt to seat the Saints on top of the East and perhaps even among the league elite. They no doubt face added competition with their cross-town rivals, the Wheat Kings, being the reigning champions.
(3) YOUNG GUNS
Key Additions: Eric Staal (trade), Ed Jovanovski (trade)
Key Subtractions: Nikolai Zherdev (trade), Ivan Koltsov (trade), Anton Babchuk (trade)
Offense: B+
Defence: B
Goaltending: B+
OVERALL: B+
Strengths:
Jose Theodore was a saving grace for the Guns last season. The team also lives up to its name - it's a very young squad just entering it prime right now.
Weaknesses:
There might be a problem with having too much.
Bottom Line:
The Young Guns/Patriots/Red Army/Whalers are in solid shape for the first time in more seasons that anyone would care to recall. The team is just entering its prime and will have have a few seasons among the elite of the league. This year expect them to push the 'Cats and Saints for top spot in the East.
(4) SPIRIT
Key Additions: Tommy Salo (free agency), Aaron Rome (trade), Marty Turco (trade)
Key Subtractions: Patrick Lalime (free agency), Sami Kapenen (free agency), Alexei Yashin (free agency), Vladimir Orszagh (trade), Richard Matvichuk (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
Finally played up to potential last year, galvanized by the addition of Daymond Langkow. A well rounded team.
Weaknesses:
The Spirit are aging and likely won't repeat last year's showing. Could rack-up a lot of time in the penalty box.
Bottom Line:
The Spirit had a great showing after years of inexplicable failure. If they simply play up to their potential they should be in the middle of the pack in the East.
(5) ACES
Key Additions: Marian Gaborik (trade), Todd Bertuzzi (trade), Erik Johnson (trade), Marc Denis (trade), Kamil Kreps (trade), Tuomo Ruutu (trade), Sami Kapanen (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Barry Brust (trade), Ilya Kovalchuk (trade), Tim Brent (trade), Paul Kariya (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B-
Goaltending: B
OVERALL: B
Strengths:
GM Dave Walter made perhaps the gutsiest move of the summer by trading Brust to the Flames, choosing instead to go with the proven but unspectacular duo of Thomas Vokoun and Marc Denis. The trade brought him an elite scoring forward and a future #1 d-man. He then managed to acquire another elite forward in Bertuzzi for a midling Tim Brent who has yet to play up to his potential.
Weaknesses:
The loss of Kovalchuk, especially to a conference rival, may end up hurting.
Bottom Line:
The Aces keep getting better and keep acruing good, young players. What was once a relatively old team is rebuilding while at the same to improving its team overall, which is pretty impressive.
(6) PONTIACS
Key Additions: Jonas Johansson (trade), Dan Paille (trade), Chuck Kobasew (trade), Gilbert Brule (trade), Rob Blake (free agency), Danny Markov (trade), Andrei Markov (trade), Dan Snyder (trade), Teemu Hovinen (draft)
Key Subtractions: Patrice Bergeron (trade), Brock Radunske (trade), Robyn Regehr (trade), Jeff May (trade), Marty Turco (trade), Benoit Pouliot (trade)
Offense: B
Defence: B
Goaltending: C
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Ivan Baranka is one of the best and most underrated defensemen in the league. Jonas Johansson has all the tools to be one of the elite players in the league and in a new environment may realize the potential he gave glimpses of a few seasons ago. Dan Paille will also have a chance to prove himself after years of being buried on a deep Pain squad.
Weaknesses:
A lot has been invested in acquiring Johansson and Paille, both are flyers and if they don't work out the Pontiacs are worse off than they were a year ago, especially having dumped their own-time Face of the Franchise, Patrice Bergeron. Going with an untested rookie, Teemu Hovinen, as the #1 may also prove fatal.
Bottom Line:
There's a lot of new and interesting additions. If all the new parts come together the Pontiacs should shoot to the upper rung of the East and compete for a home ice.
(7) HURRICANES
Key Additions: Ryan Getzlaf (trade), Ilya Bryzgalov (trade)
Key Subtractions: Markus Naslund (trade)
Offense: B-
Defence: B
Goaltending: B-
OVERALL: B-
Strengths:
Won the Conference Final last year, proving again that they are a fierce squad to face in the playoffs. Well-rounded and attempting to rebuild while remaining competive.
Weaknesses:
The pieces of the past have slowly been chisled away: Sean Burke, Chris Pronger, Bill Guerin, now Markus Naslund. It remains to be seen whether the new core of Alexander Svitov, Jason King, Getzlaf and Co. can keep the Canes at the top of the league.
Bottom Line:
The Canes should make the playoffs as usual and perhaps even do some damage. But some of the lustre from this long time dominant team is certainly gone.
(8) MARAUDERS
Key Additions: Paul Kariya (trade), Robyn Regehr (trade), Scott Gomez (trade), Daniel Alfredsson (free agency), Glenn Murray (free agency)
Key Subtractions: Andrei Markov (trade), Gilbert Brule (trade), Sheldon Keefe (trade), Eric Lindros (free agency)
Offense: C+
Defence: B-
Goaltending: C+
OVERALL: C+
Strengths:
Their defence got better with acquisition of Regehr and the development of Dimitri Kosmachev.
Weaknesses:
The lack of game breakers.
Bottom Line:
The Marauders were barely eliminated from the playoffs last season, but this year they may have a tougher fight on their hands in the improved East. As usual they made a several smart but decidedly unsexy moves over the offseason, which improved their roster slightly.
(9) IGNITE
Key Additions: Filip Kuba (trade)
Key Subtractions: none
Offense: B-
Defence: C+
Goaltending: C
OVERALL: C+
Strengths:
Jason Allison and Jarome Iginla
Weaknesses:
Not a lot of depth, at any position.
Bottom Line:
Last year the Ignite managed to finish in the top 4. If the Allison-Iginla alchemy continues to turn iron into gold, then the Ignite should be in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, in the revamped East they'll need sorcery to get home ice again.
(10) MISCONDUCT
Key Additions: Alexei Yashin (trade), Matt Ellison (trade), Andy Sackrison (draft), Michael Peca (trade), Jeff May (trade), Marty Turco (trade), Vladimir Zharkov (trade), Benoit Pouliot (trade), Riku Hahl (trade) Sandis Ozolinsh (trade), Ben Ulmer (trade), Vladimir Orszagh (trade), Richard Matvichuk (trade), Anton Babchuk (trade)
Key Subtractions: Sergei Anshakov (trade), Roberto Luongo (trade), Shawn Belle (free agency), Ladislav Nagy (trade), Cam Barker (trade), Dan Bertram (trade), Chad Denny (trade), Rostislav Olesz (trade), Aaron Rome (trade), Marty Turco (trade), Jason Smith (free agency)
Offense: C+
Defence: C
Goaltending: C+
OVERALL: C
Strengths:
The Misconduct have some good prospects in the system, including 2nd overall pick Sackrison, and a team that is quite young overall.
Weaknesses:
They denuded themselves of their future first rounders to bring in Jonas Johansson and then were forced to give him up to a conference rival, leaving the team off pretty well the same as before the off-season minus the picks.
Bottom Line:
The Misconduct were so close, picking-up Ellison and Sackrison and then pulling off a wonder deal to get Johansson. With their young defence and goaltending, that group could have been something special.
(11) REDNEX
Key Additions: Tim Brent (trade)
Key Subtractions: Todd Bertuzzi (trade), Alexei Kovalev (trade)
Offense: C
Defence: C
Goaltending: C
OVERALL: C
Strengths:
This is Joakim Lindstrom's team now.
Weaknesses:
It's hard to imagine the Rednex without the Gorilla himself, Big Bert, and Alexei Kovalev.
Bottom Line:
The team can only cross their fingers and pray they got enough for their soul. Tim Brent certainly has skills, but his conditioning might prevent him from ever being a top end player. A few years of rebuilding are likely forthcoming.
(12) OWLS
Key Additions: David McIntyre (draft), Sergei Anshakov (trade), Kristian Kudroc (trade)
Key Subtractions: Chris Pronger (trade), Ryan Flinn (trade)
Offense: C
Defence: C-
Goaltending: C-
OVERALL: C-
Strengths:
Joe Thornton
Weaknesses:
Depth and Defence. One might also take umbridge with Auld, he's certainly hasn't ever performed like a #1.
Bottom Line:
Did they get enough for Pronger? The deal announced before exhibition games started was something a stunner. Anshakov will have to step-up his play to warrant being the key cog in that deal. With Joe Thornton and a supporting forward cast that is respectible, the Owls might get lucky and make a push for the playoffs (but that's a big might).
PR - Bobcats
BOBCATS LOOK TO KEEP CONFERENCE TITLE....
Now with their disappointing lose in last years playoffs to the Aces behind them, the Brantford Bobcats are looking to come out firing from the gates this year with one of the most well rounded teams ever to hit the ice in the TFHL!!!!
Upfront boasts a very potent attack that includes 30 goal scorers on the top 3 lines for the Bobcats. With the likes of Samsonov, Gagne, Legwand and Cole, meshed together with youngsters such as Artemenkov, Jones and Marjamaki, the Bobcats boast a very explosive but responsible group of forwards that GM Glenn Merkir is looking to to lead the team back to the cup.
On defence is even more impressive if that is possible. With the aquisition of Gonchar from division rival Saints, the Bobcats powerplay should be even more explosive than last year. Paired together with youngsters such as Klepis, Jones and Shultz, the Bobcats D should keep other teams forwards at check for years to come.
And in goal is none other but TFHL 16 Conn Smythe winner Marty Biron who has been nothing less than one of the most solid goaltenders in the TFHL for the past few years. But waiting in the wings was the Bobcats 2nd round pick Chad Johnson who GM Glenn Merkir has high hopes for taking over the reigns from Marty when the time is right but for now, its Marty's team!!!!
With everything said and done the Brantford Bobcats again look to challenge for the conference title and get back to the cup final. With only experience lacking on such a young team, the team makes up for with a tight checking, discipline style of hockey that we hope fans will enjoy....GO CATS GO!!!!!
PR - Saints
Saskatoon Saints Focus on Offence in TFHL 18
The Saints have made the playoffs every year since GM Young took over the bottom-dwelling Mirkava Mutants and relocating it to Saskatoon - the Venice of the Prairies and the home of the world's best: Gordie Howe, Joni Mitchell, wheat, drinking by a slough, drinking not by a slough, and drinking a slough mistakenly thinking it was not a slough and something entirely of a different substance than sloughiness.
Although having great Regular Season success throughought these 10 seasons; including a few divisian titles, an East Conference Title, and various awards for players and management - the Saints have failed to ever make an impact in the Playoffs. Throughout these 10 off-seasons the Saints have failed to make it past the second round.
A few seasons ago, the Saints began to focus on offence - one season having 4 of the top 8 scorers on their roster (Forsberg, Sakic, Gaborik, Spezza). The last couple seasons their offence has been one of the best in the league but GM Young sought this offseason to elevate the talent by adding superstars Markus Naslund, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Patrice Bergron - each of whom were typically the top scorers on the Hurricanes, Aces and Pontiacs respectively. It is no secret either that GM Young specifically targeted these teams' top scorers as well taking in account the fact that they are conference rivals.
The Saints now boast likely the best 'group of 9' scoring forwards in the league but will have to prove this in the subsequent season. Another key change for the long-term form of the team is the elevation of Rask to the starting goaltending position. At 21, he will be the indisputed starter for the next few seasons with little chance of change. "We'll be patient with this one, considering the past history of goaltenders who have come through Toon Town only to be traded and to become subsequent champs and award winners." This sad list includes the likes of Giguere, Biron, Lalime, Salo, Cloutier, Turco, Leclaire, among many others. Bryzgalov joined that long list recently but Young is happy with the acquisition of Naslund and Lombardi. The former will likely play out his career in a Saints jersey and Lombardi boasts some great scoring potential at quite a young age.
The long-running Saskup begins tonight and Young plans to experiment with the explosive offense against the Pontiacs - the pretenders to the prairie principe.
PR - Flames
The Atlanta Flames are ready for the new season. There have been a few changes to the roster. The Flames decided to let go of Gaborik, Johnson and Denis in return for superstar goalie Barry Brust. The Flames felt they needed a top end goalie, and Brust is jsut that in their eyes. The Flames have a very solid top 6 group and a crazy defense squad. They manage to land Roman Hamrlik form free agency, who was probably the best defenseman available. The Flames also boast a pletora of yougn talent in the farm system. They have managed to build a very strong PRO system without sacraficing the future. The team is excited for the preseason!
PS - On local news, there has been many reports that the GM of the Misconduct has been seen in several bars, stumbling away drunk. This makes sense because his moves this offseason makes no sense and his team is hurting even more. Dont make trades drunk!
PS - On local news, there has been many reports that the GM of the Misconduct has been seen in several bars, stumbling away drunk. This makes sense because his moves this offseason makes no sense and his team is hurting even more. Dont make trades drunk!
PR - Pontiacs
Pontiacs Restructuring
There have been many changes to the Pontiac lineup
since the end of last season. When asked who was the
most difficult player to let go, GM Andrew
Schoenberger said, "It was definitely Patrice
Bergeron, after just signing him to a four year
contract, we were sure that he would be with the team
for many more years to come. However, the right deal
happened to come our way, in which, we were able to
acquire Chuck Kobasew, who will hopefully be able to
help fill the void left by Bergeron, as well as
several picks for the future of our franchise."
When he was asked about the many key additions to the
team, he was quoted as saying, "As my esteemed
collegue has already said, 'If all the new parts come
together the Pontiacs should shoot to the upper rung
of the East and compete for a home ice.' It is tough
to say who is going to shine for our team. We have
high hopes for our first round draft pick, Teemu
Hovinen, it was difficult to let Marty go, especially
since he played hard to keep us in contention for a
playoff spot last year, up to the final week, but we
hope that Teemu can do the same job.
Only time will tell whether or not the Pontiacs have
what it takes to clinch a playoff spot this year.
Tonight's exhibition game versus the offensive
powerhouse of the Saskatoon Saints may be an
indication of what Pontiac fans have to look forward
to this season.
There have been many changes to the Pontiac lineup
since the end of last season. When asked who was the
most difficult player to let go, GM Andrew
Schoenberger said, "It was definitely Patrice
Bergeron, after just signing him to a four year
contract, we were sure that he would be with the team
for many more years to come. However, the right deal
happened to come our way, in which, we were able to
acquire Chuck Kobasew, who will hopefully be able to
help fill the void left by Bergeron, as well as
several picks for the future of our franchise."
When he was asked about the many key additions to the
team, he was quoted as saying, "As my esteemed
collegue has already said, 'If all the new parts come
together the Pontiacs should shoot to the upper rung
of the East and compete for a home ice.' It is tough
to say who is going to shine for our team. We have
high hopes for our first round draft pick, Teemu
Hovinen, it was difficult to let Marty go, especially
since he played hard to keep us in contention for a
playoff spot last year, up to the final week, but we
hope that Teemu can do the same job.
Only time will tell whether or not the Pontiacs have
what it takes to clinch a playoff spot this year.
Tonight's exhibition game versus the offensive
powerhouse of the Saskatoon Saints may be an
indication of what Pontiac fans have to look forward
to this season.
PR - Misconducts
Misconducts Have Wild Offseason
To say this offseason has been wild for the Miami Misconducts just might be an understatement. The offseason began with trades for forwards Matt Ellison and Mike Peca before the draft. They went into the draft with two first round picks and ended up trading back into the first round. All three of those players , forwards Andy Sackrison and Brent Gwidt and defenseman Cody Wiild, all are expected to play key roles for the team this season. But those moves all seem normal as to what has taken place in south Florida the past 3 weeks. The team seemed to mortage the future of the organization when it traded three future first round picks to land star forward Jonas Johansson. The trade left the Misconducts without a first round pick for the next four years. However, everything changed once free agency got into full swing. Johansson , a restricted free agent, landed a 10 million dollar offer thus forcing the team to look for a trading partner. They found one in the Pontiacs and quietly shipped Johansson to them before the ink was even dry on his 10 million dollar offer. In return they picked up D Jeff May, D Sandis Ozolinsh, LW Benoit Pouliot, and former Misconducts goalie Marty Turco. Turco was with the team when the reached the finals a few years ago. The move to pick up Turco seemed odd as Carey Price has the number one goalie spot locked up for the foreseeable future. The Misconducts also sent a few minor leaguers and a pick to Pontiacs and also received a future 1st and 2nd round pick.
With the money freed up for moving Johansson, the Misconducts turned to the free agency market with a little more than 20 million dollars to spend. They through out multimillion dollar deals to numerous high priced free agents such as Alexei Yashin, Peter Bondra, Eric Lindros, Mike Modano, Roman Hamrlik, and were even thought to be interested in players such as Rob Blake, Jeremy Roenick, Jaromir Jagr, and Ziggy Palffy. However when the dust was clear, the Misconducts were only able to sign a backup goalie for their farm team, the Phoenix Felony. This left the Misconducts with quit a few holes to fill, so once again they turned to the trade market dealing away Turco, Ladislav Nagy, Carlo Colaiacovo, Shawn Belle, Aaron Rome, Chad Denny, and Sergei Anshakov. Joining the Misconducts were a slew of picks and prospects as well as C Vladimir Zharkov, D Richard Matvichuk, LW Vladimir Orszagh, LW Riku Hahl, and previous free agent target Alexei Yashin. All five of those players are expected to be key players for the team this season. By the time the Misconducts were done wheeling and dealing they have set themselves up nicely for the future with what should be a very solid minor league team this season as well as 23 total draft picks in the next three years.
Season Preview : Goalies
We'll begin our look at the Misconducts with where the franchise starts here in Miami. And that is between the pipes. Since the Misconducts used their top selection a year ago on Carey Price, they have made him the face of the franchise. He will be their number on assest this year and the team will only go as far as he can take them . He will ge the majority of the playing time with only an occassional appearance by backup goalie Mika Noronen. The farm team will be lead by underacheiving Daren Machesney , who was once a top prospect in this organization but looks like nothing more than a career minor leaguer. Also playing for the Felony will be the Misconducts only free agent signing Michael Garnett.
Pro Grade : B-
Farm Grade: D
Overall Grade: B
Season Preview : Defense
What was once the strongest position on the team, maybe now be the weakest position on the team. Gone are several defenders who were expect to play big roles for the team this season in Belle,Denny, Rome, and Colaiacovo. However Belle and Rome did combine for over 400 penalty minutes last season. Which was the main reason for the departure of the pair, Denny and Colaiacovo were both moved because the team need to address their lack of quality forwards for the pro team. The defense this season will consist of Boris Valabik, Ben Ulmer, Richard Matvichuk, Jeff May, Sandis Ozolinsh , and first round pick Cody Wild. All the defensemen are solid in their own end. Ozolinsh and Matvichuk are the veteran leaders of this group and will be a positive enfluence on the younger -players like Wild and May. The best way to describe this defense is adaquet. They don't do anything spectacular, but the do many of the same things right. The farm defense could end being one of the best in the minors this season. They will be lead Robby Blaze and Chris Frank. Also featured on the blueline for the Felony will be Joe Ryan, Anton Babchuk, and Kyle Henegan.
Pro Grade : C+
Farm Grade: B+
Overall : C
Season Preview : Offense
The main reason the Misconducts were one of the worst teams in the league last season had to do with their lack of goal scoring. They hope this year that won't be the case. Andy Sackrison selected 2nd OV in the draft is slated to start on the first line alongside Eric Nystrom and Alexei Yashin. Nystrom is happy about the talent level with which is playing to start the year. He says he will miss playing alongside his good friend Sergei Anshakov but believes that this line has the potential to put up a lot of points. Like the first line, the second will also feature a rookie, C Brent Gwidt. Gwidt was one of the top 5 players on the Misconducts draft board and they were just thrilled to be able to trade back into the first round to land him. He will be flanked by two offseason acquistions in Matt Ellison and Vladimir Orszagh. The other lines for the season look like this C Mike Peca, LW Riku Hahl, RW Niklas Hagman and C Vladimir Zharkov, LW Benoit Pouliot, and RW Devin Setoguchi. While the team has no one line that stands out they do have four solid lines that can score. Will that be enough to get the job done ? The orginazition is split about 50 50 on this one. The one thing everyone in the orginazition can agree upon is that this might just be the best group of forwards to ever play for the Felony. Headlined by guys like Ben Maxwell, Vladamir Ulianov, Patrick O'Sullivan, and Rob Globke who all saw consider time in the pros last year. None of them had any real success last year but that was due to the fact that they were rushed in playing. Joining them will be draftees Tony Romano, Devin Didiomete, and Lukas Zeliska. As well as recent pick up Evgeni Malkin.
Pro Grade : B+
Farm Grade : A-
Overall Grade : B-
Predictions
This season will basically come down to how Carey Price and the three rookies perform. The defense is average at best, the offense could be good, the goaltending . . .. well that comes down to Price. The team is betting that a lot on him improving greatly upon his numbers of 17-29-9 3.38 GAA with a .881 save percentage. Can Price improve on those numbers ? More than likely yes for several reasons. The first reason being the team in front of him has improve a lot in this past year. Guys who were playing on the 2nd and 3rd lines last year for the team are now starting out in the minors. Guys who were first liners are now fourth liners and as a whole the team has gotten better controlling the puck and defensively in the offense season. Also don't forget the fact that the Misconducts have traded some of their more penalized players from last year. Last year alone Anshankov, Belle, Rome, and free agent departure Jason Smith combined for a total of 733 penalty minutes. Some fear the team has lost a lot of toughness this offseason but Wild and Valabik should more than make up for it. This team could be on the verge of something big in a few seasons considering most of their core players are under the age of 23 and the fact that they have an astonishing 23 draft picks over the next 3 seasons, including 8 2nd round picks. But this season could another tough one in Miami. However the east is wide open and pretty much any of 5 or 6 teams could be fighting for the last few spots. With a little bit of luck and good seasons from the rookies this team could finish as high as 5 or 6 in the conference. However I foresee the Misconducts hitting some rough streches where the young guys can't seem to hit the net . . and heaven forebids if they loss Price at some point of the season. So I am going to go on the conservative side and say that Misconducts will finish in the 9th spot in the conference and miss out on the playoffs once again.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
PR - Hurricanes
CALGARY HURRICANES RE-TOOL FOR UPCOMING SEASON
As season's go by, so do many heroes from the Hurricanes years of great
hockey. Last season's unbelievable run that took them to their 3rd TFHL
Cup Championship and Game 7 was remarkable and exciting for the entire
city of Calgary. "People love hockey in this city and it showed
throughout the playoffs. They want winners here." said GM Derek Major.
In a big move at the draft day tables GM Derek Major traded Markus
Naslund to the divisional rivals the Saints. "I think moving Markus was
such a big move and I am sure it will go down as one of the riskiest.
But the fact is that it is hard to have a guy carrying 10% of the salary
cap on any team and we didn't want to do that. We have a lot of great
players coming up through the ranks and we wanted to keep building on
our youth movement."
The Hurricanes are doing just that. The new first line on the
Hurricanes are all former draft picks of the team including Alexander
Sundstrom, Alexander Svitov, and Jason King. Both Alex's were drafted
in the first round while King was a sleeper pick out of the late 2nd
round. "We've drafted well and we are starting to see the results up
front."
TRAINING CAMP: NEW FACES
As the GM mentioned players coming up the ranks, it is no coincidence
that there will be 3 rookies playing for the Hurricanes. Kim Johansson,
the Hurricanes first round pick this season, will make his debut.
Michael Grabner who spent time between the Baracuda's and Hurricane's
looks to secure a full time spot. Finally, Kenneth McArdle will look to
improve on his outstanding first season with the Baracuda's by carrying
it over to the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes also added forward Ryan Getzlaf to the fold as part of
the top 6 edition. He is expected to play alongside Martin Cibak and
Maxim Afinogenov.
AGED LINE WINE: DEFENSE
One thing is for sure, the Hurricanes defense is not getting any
younger. The average age of the backend is 33 years. "This is really
all part of the evolution plan of this team. We have 4 good young
defensemen on the farm who should be ready to go in the next few seasons
as our older guys retire. We're well set up for this." said GM Derek Major.
The defense will not change from last season but the 4 youngsters may
get a chance to grab a few games. Ryan Parent, Andy Rogers, Badass
Jack, and Frank Redliker are all primed to joined the big club in the
near future.
GOALTENDING DUEL
It's official. Ilya Bryzgalov versus Brian Boucher. Two great
goaltenders will square off for the top job with the Hurricanes. Coach
Crawford believes the team will rotate until one or the other gets hot
enough to go on long stretches. "We've got two pretty good goaltenders
this season. Brian is a class act and realizes he needs to improve over
last season. His GAA was always upwards of 3 goals, and we need better
than that. We expect Ilya to be just as competitive and come in here to
challenge for the top spot as well.
In the wings Cory Schneider continues to harness his skills on the farm
as he waits to one day become the face of the goaltending world in Calgary.
Calgary Sun 2007
As season's go by, so do many heroes from the Hurricanes years of great
hockey. Last season's unbelievable run that took them to their 3rd TFHL
Cup Championship and Game 7 was remarkable and exciting for the entire
city of Calgary. "People love hockey in this city and it showed
throughout the playoffs. They want winners here." said GM Derek Major.
In a big move at the draft day tables GM Derek Major traded Markus
Naslund to the divisional rivals the Saints. "I think moving Markus was
such a big move and I am sure it will go down as one of the riskiest.
But the fact is that it is hard to have a guy carrying 10% of the salary
cap on any team and we didn't want to do that. We have a lot of great
players coming up through the ranks and we wanted to keep building on
our youth movement."
The Hurricanes are doing just that. The new first line on the
Hurricanes are all former draft picks of the team including Alexander
Sundstrom, Alexander Svitov, and Jason King. Both Alex's were drafted
in the first round while King was a sleeper pick out of the late 2nd
round. "We've drafted well and we are starting to see the results up
front."
TRAINING CAMP: NEW FACES
As the GM mentioned players coming up the ranks, it is no coincidence
that there will be 3 rookies playing for the Hurricanes. Kim Johansson,
the Hurricanes first round pick this season, will make his debut.
Michael Grabner who spent time between the Baracuda's and Hurricane's
looks to secure a full time spot. Finally, Kenneth McArdle will look to
improve on his outstanding first season with the Baracuda's by carrying
it over to the Hurricanes.
The Hurricanes also added forward Ryan Getzlaf to the fold as part of
the top 6 edition. He is expected to play alongside Martin Cibak and
Maxim Afinogenov.
AGED LINE WINE: DEFENSE
One thing is for sure, the Hurricanes defense is not getting any
younger. The average age of the backend is 33 years. "This is really
all part of the evolution plan of this team. We have 4 good young
defensemen on the farm who should be ready to go in the next few seasons
as our older guys retire. We're well set up for this." said GM Derek Major.
The defense will not change from last season but the 4 youngsters may
get a chance to grab a few games. Ryan Parent, Andy Rogers, Badass
Jack, and Frank Redliker are all primed to joined the big club in the
near future.
GOALTENDING DUEL
It's official. Ilya Bryzgalov versus Brian Boucher. Two great
goaltenders will square off for the top job with the Hurricanes. Coach
Crawford believes the team will rotate until one or the other gets hot
enough to go on long stretches. "We've got two pretty good goaltenders
this season. Brian is a class act and realizes he needs to improve over
last season. His GAA was always upwards of 3 goals, and we need better
than that. We expect Ilya to be just as competitive and come in here to
challenge for the top spot as well.
In the wings Cory Schneider continues to harness his skills on the farm
as he waits to one day become the face of the goaltending world in Calgary.
Calgary Sun 2007
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
PR - Misconducts
DRAFT REVIEW
The top two players under consideration for the second overall pick in the draft last Sunday, where C David McIntyre and D Andrew Bodnarchuk. So with McIntyre going first overall to the Owls, it appear certain that Bodnarchuk was going to be select by the Misconducts. However, when the card was turned it, the name was not Bodnarchuk. Instead the player chosen by the Misconducts was LW Andy Sackrison. When reached for comment as to why Sackrison was the selection over Bodnarchuk, GM Robby Blaze stated the following
" Andy Sackrison was always the focus of the team. In fact we had rated first on our board by a wide margain. We believe he is an eventual star in this league and we really like his scoring potential. He is going to look nice on our second line There were some pretty goalies available this year as well, but with Carey Price already on board there was no need to select a goalie high in the draft. Don't get me wrong we liked Andrew Bodnarchuk a lot and believe he will end up being one of the best dmen out this years group. However, we also had two other dmen ranked right up there with him . . and believed . . and were right . . . that could get one of those dmen at number 14. " That defenseman he illued to was Cody Wild. A big strong dman who will be a force for years to come with the Misconducts. He is a little prone to taking penalties but that doesn't seem to bother the GM or coach Jacques Lemaire. Coach Lemaire had this to say about the draft. " Our GM did a great job in this draft class . . . Sackrison should be a valueable addition to our team . . we had a lot of trouble putting the puck in the net last year . . . He'll step right in and help us in that department. Wild on the other . . will be one of our top four dmen right out of the bat . . .last year we traded away a lot of our toughness on defense it showed a lot. We needed that big nasty dmen to clear the front of the net and make sure no one takes advantage of Price. We pick up some other decent prospects too . . .that maybe in a year or two will really help this origanization move forward. "
" Andy Sackrison was always the focus of the team. In fact we had rated first on our board by a wide margain. We believe he is an eventual star in this league and we really like his scoring potential. He is going to look nice on our second line There were some pretty goalies available this year as well, but with Carey Price already on board there was no need to select a goalie high in the draft. Don't get me wrong we liked Andrew Bodnarchuk a lot and believe he will end up being one of the best dmen out this years group. However, we also had two other dmen ranked right up there with him . . and believed . . and were right . . . that could get one of those dmen at number 14. " That defenseman he illued to was Cody Wild. A big strong dman who will be a force for years to come with the Misconducts. He is a little prone to taking penalties but that doesn't seem to bother the GM or coach Jacques Lemaire. Coach Lemaire had this to say about the draft. " Our GM did a great job in this draft class . . . Sackrison should be a valueable addition to our team . . we had a lot of trouble putting the puck in the net last year . . . He'll step right in and help us in that department. Wild on the other . . will be one of our top four dmen right out of the bat . . .last year we traded away a lot of our toughness on defense it showed a lot. We needed that big nasty dmen to clear the front of the net and make sure no one takes advantage of Price. We pick up some other decent prospects too . . .that maybe in a year or two will really help this origanization move forward. "
As predicted the day before the draft, the Misconducts did make a move in the draft with all of there picks. In fact they made two trades on draft day. One saw them move a 2nd round pick and two 3rd round picks to jump back into the late first round. With that selection they select C Brent Gwidt. He is a year or two away from making the pro team. They believe he will eventually develop into a 1st or 2nd line center. In fact rumors have it that Gwidt was the number one ranked C on their draft board even ahead of McIntyre who went 1st OV. They believe they could have landed one of the steals of the draft when they grabbed him at 22. Their other trade saw they ship out D Filip Kuba for a 3rd pick. Other selections included C Tony Romano , LW Devin Didiomete , RW Lukas Zeliska , D Kyle Henegan , D Joe Charlebois , and D Myles Stoesz . All are expect to at least start the year out in Phoenix for the Felony, with Didiomete, Gwidt, and Romano the most likely to get called up if someone goes down for a long period of time.
FA PREVIEW
Up until a few hours ago, The Misconducts Cap Strategiest as told to work on constructing a contract for a RFA that could not be matched by the other team. The documents were thought to be drawn up a few days ago and upper management was trying to decide between six RFA. The feeling was that it made more sense for the present and future to bring in a young superstar who is in the same age range of Sackrison, Wild, Price, Eric Nystrom, and Matt Ellison. However, upper management has now decide to focus on securring a few UFA to round out there roster. The reason being floated around for this change in strategy is that the Misconducts have struck a deal with an unnamed team for a young budding superstar. GM Blaze would not comment on trade rumors as he said league rules prohibit him for discussing players on other teams. He did say however that the team is looking for a veteran to play left wing on the third line, a backup goalie, and a fourth line center. He did however say that if they don't get the left wing or center that they can fill the positions within. Also, when questioned about defensemen he stated that you can never have too much, but that he is pretty much content to go into the season playing the guys he has here. With plenty of cap room to spend and with lots of good young prospects , don't be surprised to see the Misconducts go after a few players before the preseason starts. And with the way that the Eastern Conference was last season one or two good additions could put the Misconducts right back in the playoff hunt.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
PR - Hurricanes
MARKUS NASLUND TRADED TO DIVISION RIVALS; 'CANES ACQUIRE #1 GOALIE AND
SCORING FORWARD
The Hurricanes GM was expected to make an announcement regarding Markus
Naslund's future with the team and today it was unveilled that Naslund
was no longer a Hurricane. Today Markus Naslund and Matthew Lombardi
were dealt to the Saints in exchange for Ryan Getzlaf, Ilya Bryzgalof,
and 2 draft picks (4th and 5th round) for next year's draft.
This was a sign and trade deal as Markus Naslund signed a 4-year
contract extension worth $9,610,000. "I figured the management team
would either move me or let me go to free agency. It was a tough call
since I could of taken up 1\4 of their payroll. This team has a lot of
young pieces and I think they are looking to move ahead. Our entire
forward lineup had changed since we won the championship, all of those
guys are younger now. Guess it was time to move us old farts out." said
Naslund.
Markus' buddy Bill Guerin, who played alongside each other for 2 seasons
in Calgary, retired in the last few years. The only player remaining
from the three wisemen of the Hurricanes is Shawn Bates who continues to
centre the second line for the Calgary Hurricanes. "Definitely a lot of
change in the room. We have a lot of young guys on the farm who I am
sure will start to help us in the near future. We also have guys coming
into their prime like Alexandre Svitov and Robert Schnabel. This team
will keep growing and get stronger."
As training camp approaches in a few weeks time the Hurricanes will be
looking towards key guys like Jason King, Alexander Sundstrom, Alexander
Svitov, Martin Cibak, Shawn Bates, Ryan Getzlaf, and a solid core of
defenseman. The team has changed dramatically since the TFHL Cup win,
but the team is only getting younger and better.
Calgary Sun
SCORING FORWARD
The Hurricanes GM was expected to make an announcement regarding Markus
Naslund's future with the team and today it was unveilled that Naslund
was no longer a Hurricane. Today Markus Naslund and Matthew Lombardi
were dealt to the Saints in exchange for Ryan Getzlaf, Ilya Bryzgalof,
and 2 draft picks (4th and 5th round) for next year's draft.
This was a sign and trade deal as Markus Naslund signed a 4-year
contract extension worth $9,610,000. "I figured the management team
would either move me or let me go to free agency. It was a tough call
since I could of taken up 1\4 of their payroll. This team has a lot of
young pieces and I think they are looking to move ahead. Our entire
forward lineup had changed since we won the championship, all of those
guys are younger now. Guess it was time to move us old farts out." said
Naslund.
Markus' buddy Bill Guerin, who played alongside each other for 2 seasons
in Calgary, retired in the last few years. The only player remaining
from the three wisemen of the Hurricanes is Shawn Bates who continues to
centre the second line for the Calgary Hurricanes. "Definitely a lot of
change in the room. We have a lot of young guys on the farm who I am
sure will start to help us in the near future. We also have guys coming
into their prime like Alexandre Svitov and Robert Schnabel. This team
will keep growing and get stronger."
As training camp approaches in a few weeks time the Hurricanes will be
looking towards key guys like Jason King, Alexander Sundstrom, Alexander
Svitov, Martin Cibak, Shawn Bates, Ryan Getzlaf, and a solid core of
defenseman. The team has changed dramatically since the TFHL Cup win,
but the team is only getting younger and better.
Calgary Sun
PR - Misconducts
With tomorrow's draft quickly approaching the Miami Misconducts have been very busy the past few weeks. While most of there work was put into scouting players for the draft, they did manage to pull off two trades in past few days. The first trade saw the Misconducts require a player from their glory years . . .well at least a player who was on the team the last time they did serious damage in the league. That player is former rookie of the year Matt Ellison. Ellison will come in and immediately upgrade the teams offense which was downright awful last year. He is expect to play along side Sergei Anshakov on the first line. The center for the first line is unknown at this point, but one guy who could step in fill that role could be the other significant player they brought in this week Mike Peca. Peca doesn't bring the scoring capability of Ellison but what he does bring is a strong defensive presence and he is a great addition to their locker room. Besides the two trades, the Misconducts also released several players in the past week include in the group were Brian Rolston, Maxim Talbot, and Nathan Saunders. None of the players were expect to contribute much to the team this year or in the future and all were moved to make room for the incoming prospects.
The Misconducts will be among the busiest teams tomorrow with 8 picks in the first three rounds and 10 picks in all. Several draft prospects have been seen around town in the last few days meeting with GM Robby Blaze, coach Jacques Lemaire and several other members of the Misconducts management team. Among the prospects to be seen were C David McIntyre, D Andrew Bodnarchuk, RW Robert Nyholm, D Chris Frank, and LW Nick Sucharski. The Misconducts hold 2nd and 14th picks in the first tomorrow and as recently as a couple of hours where still holding predraft meetings. GM Blaze is believed to be enamored with Bodnarchuk and is trying to convince coaches that this is the defense-man that the teams needs. He believes Bodnarchuk can step in right now and play on the first or second defensive pairing. If the GM gets his way both of the first round picks would be defense as he believes the best plan to move forward is to build around last years draft pick and future star Carey Price. In fact he claims the reason he brought in Peca and Ellison was so that their would be no need to reach for a forward in the first round and to take two cornerstone defense-men to anchor the team for years. Coach Lemaire thinks otherwise he believes the best way to reduce the number of shots Price faces is to eliminate the amount of penalties the team takes and to produce more shots. Lemaire and Blaze were seen to have a heat argument early this week concerning draft prospects D Cody Wild and LW Max Warn. Blaze believes both players could be outstanding assets to this organization. However, coach Lemaire has taken both players off of his draft board and has advised management to steer clear of these players as well. Lemaire stated that these players would hurt the team more than would help. He has been lobbying all week for the team to address playmakers up front namely at the center position. He has even gone so far as to say if they pick McIntyre at number 2 and he is a bust that he will coach next year for free.
Whether the Misconducts pick McIntyre or Bodnarchuk remains to be seen, but what we know for sure is that Misconducts will make at least one trade on draft day. Every year it seems like they pull off a trade or two. Whether it's moving up to grab someone they like, trading down to get more picks, acquiring a player for a pick or two, or moving someone from their roster . . .something big or small will happen with the club. Rumored names on the block include D Chad Denny, D Boris Valabik, and D Aaron Rome. If these names indeed are on the Misconducts trading block, it could be a signaling that they will make Bodnarchuk there first round pick and quit possibly will be looking at defense-man like Frank at 14th. Which way the Misconducts go will be settled shortly before 10 AM tomorrow when the team plans to pack things up at their hotel and head down to draft quarters. And around 4 PM Miami time, we will know for sure who calls the shots in this organization GM Blaze . . or Coach Lemaire.
Friday, March 02, 2007
PR - Wheat Kings
OFF-SEASON BEGINS FOR CHAMPS WITH TWO DEALS
Following their cinderella run to the cup, Trade Ty went at it again, pulling off two significant deals.
In the first, the Kings sent the Bobcats 1st rounder (22nd overall), a 5th in TFHL20, Sandis Ozolinsh, Dan Snyder, and Mark Bell to the Pontiacs in return for Patrick Dwyer, Ben Ulmer and a 3rd. The Wheaties then swapped Ulmer, the 3rd along with Brian Willsie and Matt Ellison to the Misconduct for Rostislav Olesz, Dan Bertram, Cam Barker and Roberto Luongo.
"These deals, I think, help significantly to round-out our team for both the near and long-term future" GM Tyler Young said. "We get a collection of good young supporting players in Dwyer, Olesz, Bertram and Barker, all of whom are in the general range of our core."
Some might criticize the moves for disrupting a group of players which gelled on their way to the Cup.
"I don't really think it will hurt team chemistry," Mr. Young responded. "Matt and Sandis were certainly key components of our run. But although Sandis was playing phenomenal, you could see he was losing a step. I didn't think he would continue to be so effective over the course of another full season. Matt played well for us at times, but he was never entirely reliable. He's got top 6 skills, but by the end of the playoffs he was unseated by Steve Weiss and Mike Frolik and religated to the 3rd line. For his salary, 3rd line wasn't good enough - and with Dwyer we didn't even need Matt there. It will probably do him good to go to the Misconduct, we wish him well."
The deals also serve to fill out the team, which is expected to lose unrestricted free agents Craig Conroy, Glenn Murray, and Scott Niedermayer.
The Kings have over $20 million dollars in cap space and when asked what he plans to use the money on, the GM was tentative:
"With these deals we really don't need anything, so we'll see. We do have a lot of RFAs, and that space gives us the luxury not to be held by the balls at any point - so that's good. We'll see, we might try adding one player if the price is right, but we're good either way."
The deal with the Misconduct brought back three one-time Wheaties in Dan Bertram, Cam Barker, and a former great, Roberto Luongo. This is the fourth time the Kings have acquired Luongo, though this time he comes to Saskatoon as back-up to Jimmy Howard.
"Jimmy is the man," Young declared, "there is no doubt about that. However, Roberto gives us a good back up in net, which is important. It's also good for the team to have Luggie back. He's got three years more on his contract and it might be nice for him to play out his career here."
Following their cinderella run to the cup, Trade Ty went at it again, pulling off two significant deals.
In the first, the Kings sent the Bobcats 1st rounder (22nd overall), a 5th in TFHL20, Sandis Ozolinsh, Dan Snyder, and Mark Bell to the Pontiacs in return for Patrick Dwyer, Ben Ulmer and a 3rd. The Wheaties then swapped Ulmer, the 3rd along with Brian Willsie and Matt Ellison to the Misconduct for Rostislav Olesz, Dan Bertram, Cam Barker and Roberto Luongo.
"These deals, I think, help significantly to round-out our team for both the near and long-term future" GM Tyler Young said. "We get a collection of good young supporting players in Dwyer, Olesz, Bertram and Barker, all of whom are in the general range of our core."
Some might criticize the moves for disrupting a group of players which gelled on their way to the Cup.
"I don't really think it will hurt team chemistry," Mr. Young responded. "Matt and Sandis were certainly key components of our run. But although Sandis was playing phenomenal, you could see he was losing a step. I didn't think he would continue to be so effective over the course of another full season. Matt played well for us at times, but he was never entirely reliable. He's got top 6 skills, but by the end of the playoffs he was unseated by Steve Weiss and Mike Frolik and religated to the 3rd line. For his salary, 3rd line wasn't good enough - and with Dwyer we didn't even need Matt there. It will probably do him good to go to the Misconduct, we wish him well."
The deals also serve to fill out the team, which is expected to lose unrestricted free agents Craig Conroy, Glenn Murray, and Scott Niedermayer.
The Kings have over $20 million dollars in cap space and when asked what he plans to use the money on, the GM was tentative:
"With these deals we really don't need anything, so we'll see. We do have a lot of RFAs, and that space gives us the luxury not to be held by the balls at any point - so that's good. We'll see, we might try adding one player if the price is right, but we're good either way."
The deal with the Misconduct brought back three one-time Wheaties in Dan Bertram, Cam Barker, and a former great, Roberto Luongo. This is the fourth time the Kings have acquired Luongo, though this time he comes to Saskatoon as back-up to Jimmy Howard.
"Jimmy is the man," Young declared, "there is no doubt about that. However, Roberto gives us a good back up in net, which is important. It's also good for the team to have Luggie back. He's got three years more on his contract and it might be nice for him to play out his career here."
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