So after starting BaGM previously with Columbus, Phoenix and the Canadiens I have know started managing the Islanders since I wanted to try the latest roster update. First, I was a bit disturbed that the likes of Yakupov and Baertschi were missing but I guess I'll start a new BaGM once the NHL has begun and EA (hopefully) does another roster update.
The season went generally well for the Isles. At the start of the season I signed Frolov and Brunnstrom since I needed some depth guys. Especially Frolov proved to be quite a good deal for under 1 M since he put up 30 points in the regular season while playing on the 3rd line and had a solid post season run as well. Brunnstrom was pretty meh.
Islanders finished the season with 100 points exactly, beating Penguins for the division title because of more ROW's. Boston won the president's trophy, Canucks were second and won the Western conference honors. Bottom three were Winnipeg, Calgary and Dallas. Flyers missed post season play by the virtue of ROW's (to the Rangers).
Evgeni Malkin won the league scoring and Ovechkin won the Richard award. My player, Grabner, scored 45 goals, finishing a distant second the Ovechkin's 56 goals. Quick won the Vezina.
In the playoffs Isles first defeated the Senators 4-0 and then in the second round the Hurricanes 4-1 before losing to the Sabres 1-4 (that damn Miller guy). Sabres eventually won the Stanley Cup by beating Kings in the finals (4-2). The Kings had defeated Wild in the conference finals in six games. Anze Kopitar won the playoff scoring race and Miller was named MVP. On their way to the cup the Sabres beat Penguins 4-0 (a series where Crosby and Malkin combined for 1 frickin point
), Bruins 4-2, Islanders 4-1 and Kings 4-2.
On our roster John Tavares went PPG and lead the team. The most improved player in the post season was Swede David Ullstrom who posted 7 points in the 13 games he laced his skates for. Another good young player for the season was backup goalie Kevin Poulin who performed more then well while DiPietro was injured at certain points in the season. Nabokov played absolutely horrid at the beginning of the season and he soon found himself being claimed by Phoenix of the waivers and then placed in their AHL affiliate in Portland
Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins won the Calder Cup.
It will be an interesting off season for my team because both Visnovsky and Streit's contracts are up (the #3 and #4 D's on my team after Hamonic and MacDonald).. I think I'll renew Streit's contract since he has the C but I'll let Visnovsky walk. Poulin has become 80 Ovr to challenge DiPietro (81) for #1 status.
In the draft I will try to get a deal done with Phoenix for their no. 1 pick (they're drafting 9th) and one of their top 5 dman (Yandle, OEL, Summers, Rundblad, Michalek). I want to ship out Nelson and Niederreiter.