CFHF Fantasy League Part XXXIII - Keeper Deadline June 7 at Midnight
- Thread starter Anglesmith
- Start date
- Status
InfinityIggy
Zagidulin's Dad
**TRADE ALERT***
TO The Grim Reapers
Mathieu Perreault
To The Raging Monsoons
Chris Thierney
Carl Soderberg
TO The Grim Reapers
Mathieu Perreault
To The Raging Monsoons
Chris Thierney
Carl Soderberg
GAMO1992
#ThankYouIggy
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,246
- 8,380
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,246
- 8,380
40 point players are irrelevant..... more like you just don't pay attention unless it's a sexy name
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Let's just put it this way. He got beaten by a team with Kyle Brodziak and Greg Pateryn last year. That makes them very relevant, I would think.
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Intangibles acquire:
Derick Brassard
Wu-Tang Killa Beez acquire:
Derek Ryan
Michael McLeod (P)
Derek Ryan's jersey retirement ceremony will take place on March 3rd. Mark it in your calendars.
Derick Brassard
Wu-Tang Killa Beez acquire:
Derek Ryan
Michael McLeod (P)
Derek Ryan's jersey retirement ceremony will take place on March 3rd. Mark it in your calendars.
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,246
- 8,380
King In The North
Sean Bennett
Damn. Good deal for both sides, although for Intangibles I like it...deep at the Center position now.
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,246
- 8,380
King In The North
Sean Bennett
Lunatik
Registered User
- Oct 12, 2012
- 56,246
- 8,380
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
CHAMPIONS:
In a season eerily similar to the one prior, the Flaming Horseheads finished in seventh place in the regular season, defeated The Terrors in the first round of the playoffs, and retained their crown as champion of the CFHF Fantasy League in 2018, good for their third championship in franchise history, and establishing a new record for championships by one franchise. The Golden Ramp Trophy was taken home by Wheeling Dusters after a tremendous season, and their GM Kanye was awarded the H. Jay Feaster Award for his efforts building the team.
In the upcoming seventh season of the league, a slight tweak has taken place in goalie categories, with Saves replacing Losses as a category. Several teams attempt to mount a charge from the bottom of the standings to displace the league’s upper class, while others shamelessly attempt to net a lottery pick in the upcoming 2019 draft. This 2018-19 season seems wide-open, and will surely go down as one of the most intriguing years yet.
Part 1: McDonald Division
Last season, the McDonald Division proved to be one of the weaker divisions in the league, but featured the league’s best team during the regular season in the Wheeling Dusters, who broke Intangibles’ streak of three consecutive Magic Moustache trophies, and also the league champion in Flaming Horseheads, who collected their second consecutive CFHF Cup. Intangibles, Black Aces and Gunslingers all had very poor seasons, which in Intangibles’ case proved fruitful, thanks to a favourable result in the draft lottery.
Flaming Horseheads and Wheeling Dusters will be back for another go at the playoffs this year, though the Dusters roster isn’t quite what it was a year ago. Intangibles and Gunslingers have attempted to field stronger squads for this season, and should close the gap considerably even if displacing a division rival isn’t in the cards. Black Aces, however, appear destined for another rebuilding year.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Wheeling Dusters, Flaming Horseheads
Most Improved Team: Intangibles
Worst Team: Black Aces
Black Aces
Last year's results: 3rd in McDonald, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Gallagher, Pastrnak. Lost E. Kane, Hanifin.
Offensive superstars: Pastrnak, Arvidsson
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Andersen
Dark horse players: Hudon, Cirelli
Projection: Black Aces have done their fare share of losing, but their roster for the 2018-19 season does not inspire hope that that is about to change. What the Aces have done well is to put together a high number of prospects that will look to break into the league this year and turn into impact players next year as free keepers. Pastrnak, Gallagher and Arvidsson highlight a very strong right wing for the club, and Andersen will be a stud in net, but no other position is talented or deep enough to win with regularity in this league.
Most influential NHL team:
It’s difficult to find any teammates on the Aces’ spread-out roster, but three Montreal Canadiens are sprinkled through the lineup in Brendan Gallagher, Tomas Plekanec and Charles Hudon. This is, perhaps, not the best team to look to for help in this campaign.
Flaming Horseheads
Last year's results: 2nd in McDonald, won CFHF Cup.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Toews, Marchand, Bergeron, Barkov. Lost Eichel, E. Karlsson, Kuznetsov, Ja. Benn.
Offensive superstars: Marchand, Bergeron, Barkov, Voracek, Trocheck.
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Zacha, Skjei
Projection: The Horseheads have celebrated a second consecutive championship in unique fashion, by shuffling the deck and swapping stars for stars with other clubs around the league. Not much has changed overall in the complexion of the team that has found the winning formulat two years in a row. The Horseheads have elite talent up front with mediocre defence and goaltending. Until TooGoodreau proves that he is capable of losing, however, it’s tough to criticize this team.
Most influential NHL team:
The Horseheads have pairs of players sprinkled all around the league, but the trio of Barkov, Trocheck and Hoffman are the most influential on any one team. If the Panthers can gel this year and have a strong season, these three will put up a ton of points for the Horseheads.
Gunslingers
Last year's results: 5th in McDonald, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Kucherov, Lundqvist, Huberdeau, J. Miller. Lost Toews.
Offensive superstars: Kucherov, J. Miller
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Lundqvist
Dark horse players: Buchnevich, Johnsson
Projection: Gunslingers have made big moves in the offseason in order to not repeat what happened a year ago. The turnaround in the forward core is most apparent, with Kucherov added to the ranks. On defence, the team is still quite weak, with no upper-tier talents. Henrik Lundqvist still puts up good stats in net, though wins are going to be hard to come by for both goaltenders on the roster. All in all, this team looks improved, but still has a way to go to contend.
Most influential NHL team:
If the Gunslingers are going to go anywhere, they’ll need to take home some goaltending categories each week. That will be heavily reliant on Lundqvist being solid and backstopping what would be surprising success for the Rangers. Zuccarello and Buchnevich look to contribute offensively for the Rangers and the Gunslingers.
Intangibles
Last year's results: 3rd in McDonald, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Byfuglien, Johnson, M. Smith, Brassard.
Offensive superstars: Scheifele, Radulov
Defensive superstars: Byfuglien, Shattenkirk
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Pionk, A. Svechnikov
Projection: By taking a step backwards last year, Intangibles were able to fill their cupboards with prospects, and also establish great position in the main draft. This led to a roster filled with depth, where every player seems set to fill categories, though the top-end talent is a step below powerhouse teams around the league. If Intangibles wants to mount a push for the playoffs, they’ll rely on their depth and goaltending beating that of the top teams around the league, because it’s unlikely that this roster will outscore the offensive juggernauts.
Most influential NHL team:
Intangibles is fairly-well spread around the league, but the Rangers’ fate this season could affect Intangibles significantly with Pionk and Spooner attempting to establish themselves as impact players in the NHL, while Shattenkirk looks to bounce back after injury.
Wheeling Dusters
Last year's results: 1st in McDonald, lost in semi-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Kessel, Pavelski, Marchessault, Kovalchuk, Quick. Lost Marchand, Stamkos, Landeskog, Toews.
Offensive superstars: Malkin, Ovechkin, Kessel, Marchessault, W. Karlsson, E. Staal
Defensive superstars: Giordano
Elite goaltenders: Quick
Dark horse players: Steel, Kovalchuk
Projection: Wheeling Dusters have achieved the difficult feat of fielding a stacked roster two years in a row. With strength in every single position, it’s hard to find weakness in the roster, and it’s hard not to see this team back at the top of the standings this season.
Most influential NHL team:
It will be interesting to see how the Kings fare in year one of Kovalchuk’s return to the NHL, and a good season for the Kings could be reflected in the statistics of both Kovy and Quick.
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Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Part 2: Loob Division
Last year, the Loob Division was the weakest division in the league in terms of points, sending two teams to the post season in The Terrors and GoodFellas, but also containing the two weakest teams in the entire league by regular-season standings in Pingu HC and Raging Monsoons. Peppering Angus followed up a strong season with a poor one.
This division was one of the busiest in the league during the off-season, with every team except for Peppering Angus making a large number of changes in personnel. Raging Monsoons moves seem aimed at the future, while Pingu attempts to gain ground on the Terrors and the GoodFellas. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in what appears as a three-horse race for the division crown.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : The Terrors, GoodFellas, Pingu HC
Most Improved Team: Pingu HC
Worst Team: Raging Monsoons
GoodFellas
Last year's results: 2nd in Loob, lost in semi-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added McDavid, Eichel, Boeser, B. Schenn. Lost Simmonds, Byfuglien, Barkov, Konecny.
Offensive superstars: McDavid, Eichel, Laine, E. Kane, B. Schenn
Defensive superstars: Provorov
Elite goaltenders: Rask
Dark horse players: Tuch, Hayton
Projection: GoodFellas spent another offseason wheeling and dealing, managing to acquire some of the best young talent in the game in McDavid and Eichel to play down the middle. The top-end talent is definitely in place in every position to contend, but the team may need to bolster their depth to truly challenge for a title, with several roster spots occupied by weaker players.
Most influential NHL team:
GoodFellas will attempt to capitalize on what should be a good season for the Maple Leafs, with Nylander, Zaitsev and Rielly all in the fold.
Peppering Angus
Last year's results: 3rd in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added B. Tkachuk, Hornqvist.
Offensive superstars: Forsberg
Defensive superstars: Hedman
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: B. Tkachuk, Faksa
Projection: As usual, Peppering Angus had a relatively quiet offseason, for a team that requires big changes in play to make it back to the post-season. It’s hard to see a playoff run coming from a team with no real offensive dynamo, a significant number of players who don’t contribute peripheral statistics, and two back-up goalies in net.
Most influential NHL team: :preds
There is no question that with Forsberg, Ellis, Ekholm and Sissons all on the roster, the Predators are the most influential NHL team on Peppering Angus’ success.
Pingu HC
Last year's results: 5th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Tavares, Ja. Benn, O’Reilly, E. Karlsson. Lost Rantanen.
Offensive superstars: Tavares, Ja. Benn
Defensive superstars: E. Karlsson
Elite goaltenders: Bobrovsky
Dark horse players: N. Ritchie, Labanc
Projection: Pingu dipped into their prospect pool in a large way and swung a number of deals in the off-season to take their team from outhouse to penthouse, or at least so they hope. No question the top-end talent at each position has been bolstered for years to come, but whether or not the depth is there to make it into the top eight remains to be seen. Pingu won’t be near the bottom of the standings this year barring a disaster.
Most influential NHL team:
With no team having more than a pair of players on Pingu’s roster, the Blue Jackets will be very influential through the fates of goalie Bobrovsky and defenceman Werenski, who will look to have good seasons in a tough division.
Raging Monsoons
Last year's results: 4th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Neal, Bishop.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Bishop
Dark horse players: E. Svechnikov, Armia
Projection: More draft lottery misery for the Monsoons in the off-season meant that no top pick was added to the youth-heavy organization. The Monsoons acquired a solid goaltender, and have several good young pieces in place. The depth and category coverage is sorely lacking, however, and the upcoming season appears to be another painful year of rebuild.
Most influential NHL team:
The Monsoons draw the most players from the Florida Panthers, with Bjustad, Dadanov and Yandle. All three are interesting from a fantasy perspective and have the potential to be impactful or to be duds, just like the Panthers themselves.
The Terrors
Last year's results: 1st in Loob, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Stamkos, Kuznetsov, Landeskog, Dahlin. Lost Crosby, Bergeron, Giordano, Zucker.
Offensive superstars: Seguin, Stamkos, Kuznetsov, Gaudreau.
Defensive superstars: Doughty
Elite goaltenders: Fleury
Dark horse players: Dahlin, Galchenyuk
Projection: The Terrors shuffled the deck significantly over the off-season, and may have emerged with a better team than the one that finished second the last two seasons. With elite talent at every position and very decent depth players (aided largely by high-end prospects joining the team), the only issue with the roster is whether they will lose too much in the peripheral categories due to a team focus on offence. If enough offence and goaltending is present on the roster, however, that shouldn’t stand in the way of the Terrors making it back to the post-season.
Most influential NHL team:
The Terrors have just two players at most from any NHL team, and the two from the Stars, Seguin and Nichushkin, will have the most influence over the team’s fortunes.
Last year, the Loob Division was the weakest division in the league in terms of points, sending two teams to the post season in The Terrors and GoodFellas, but also containing the two weakest teams in the entire league by regular-season standings in Pingu HC and Raging Monsoons. Peppering Angus followed up a strong season with a poor one.
This division was one of the busiest in the league during the off-season, with every team except for Peppering Angus making a large number of changes in personnel. Raging Monsoons moves seem aimed at the future, while Pingu attempts to gain ground on the Terrors and the GoodFellas. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in what appears as a three-horse race for the division crown.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : The Terrors, GoodFellas, Pingu HC
Most Improved Team: Pingu HC
Worst Team: Raging Monsoons
GoodFellas
Last year's results: 2nd in Loob, lost in semi-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added McDavid, Eichel, Boeser, B. Schenn. Lost Simmonds, Byfuglien, Barkov, Konecny.
Offensive superstars: McDavid, Eichel, Laine, E. Kane, B. Schenn
Defensive superstars: Provorov
Elite goaltenders: Rask
Dark horse players: Tuch, Hayton
Projection: GoodFellas spent another offseason wheeling and dealing, managing to acquire some of the best young talent in the game in McDavid and Eichel to play down the middle. The top-end talent is definitely in place in every position to contend, but the team may need to bolster their depth to truly challenge for a title, with several roster spots occupied by weaker players.
Most influential NHL team:
GoodFellas will attempt to capitalize on what should be a good season for the Maple Leafs, with Nylander, Zaitsev and Rielly all in the fold.
Peppering Angus
Last year's results: 3rd in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added B. Tkachuk, Hornqvist.
Offensive superstars: Forsberg
Defensive superstars: Hedman
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: B. Tkachuk, Faksa
Projection: As usual, Peppering Angus had a relatively quiet offseason, for a team that requires big changes in play to make it back to the post-season. It’s hard to see a playoff run coming from a team with no real offensive dynamo, a significant number of players who don’t contribute peripheral statistics, and two back-up goalies in net.
Most influential NHL team: :preds
There is no question that with Forsberg, Ellis, Ekholm and Sissons all on the roster, the Predators are the most influential NHL team on Peppering Angus’ success.
Pingu HC
Last year's results: 5th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Tavares, Ja. Benn, O’Reilly, E. Karlsson. Lost Rantanen.
Offensive superstars: Tavares, Ja. Benn
Defensive superstars: E. Karlsson
Elite goaltenders: Bobrovsky
Dark horse players: N. Ritchie, Labanc
Projection: Pingu dipped into their prospect pool in a large way and swung a number of deals in the off-season to take their team from outhouse to penthouse, or at least so they hope. No question the top-end talent at each position has been bolstered for years to come, but whether or not the depth is there to make it into the top eight remains to be seen. Pingu won’t be near the bottom of the standings this year barring a disaster.
Most influential NHL team:
With no team having more than a pair of players on Pingu’s roster, the Blue Jackets will be very influential through the fates of goalie Bobrovsky and defenceman Werenski, who will look to have good seasons in a tough division.
Raging Monsoons
Last year's results: 4th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Neal, Bishop.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Bishop
Dark horse players: E. Svechnikov, Armia
Projection: More draft lottery misery for the Monsoons in the off-season meant that no top pick was added to the youth-heavy organization. The Monsoons acquired a solid goaltender, and have several good young pieces in place. The depth and category coverage is sorely lacking, however, and the upcoming season appears to be another painful year of rebuild.
Most influential NHL team:
The Monsoons draw the most players from the Florida Panthers, with Bjustad, Dadanov and Yandle. All three are interesting from a fantasy perspective and have the potential to be impactful or to be duds, just like the Panthers themselves.
The Terrors
Last year's results: 1st in Loob, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Stamkos, Kuznetsov, Landeskog, Dahlin. Lost Crosby, Bergeron, Giordano, Zucker.
Offensive superstars: Seguin, Stamkos, Kuznetsov, Gaudreau.
Defensive superstars: Doughty
Elite goaltenders: Fleury
Dark horse players: Dahlin, Galchenyuk
Projection: The Terrors shuffled the deck significantly over the off-season, and may have emerged with a better team than the one that finished second the last two seasons. With elite talent at every position and very decent depth players (aided largely by high-end prospects joining the team), the only issue with the roster is whether they will lose too much in the peripheral categories due to a team focus on offence. If enough offence and goaltending is present on the roster, however, that shouldn’t stand in the way of the Terrors making it back to the post-season.
Most influential NHL team:
The Terrors have just two players at most from any NHL team, and the two from the Stars, Seguin and Nichushkin, will have the most influence over the team’s fortunes.
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Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Part 3: Vernon Division
Like every division last season, the Vernon Division sent two representatives to the 2018 playoffs in Flaming Wings and Halifax Lions. Girouxsalem, who have since become North Kariya, went from the division’s sole playoff team to fifth place in one season, while Hamilton Slackberry and Mighty Pigs made a good bid for the post-season, but ultimately fell short.
This year, the Vernon Division is the most wide-open division in the league. Last year’s division champion Flaming Wings are not bringing as strong a squad into this season as last, and the other four teams put forth strong outfits with some question marks of their own. It appears as though all five teams could win the division, so expect a very fascinating season in the Vernon.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Flaming Wings, Halifax Lions, Mighty Pigs
Most Improved Team: No clear answer
Worst Team: North Kariya
Flaming Wings
Last year's results: 1st in Vernon, lost in quarter-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Crosby, Rantanen, Oshie. Lost W. Karlsson, Kucherov, Tavares.
Offensive superstars: Crosby, MacKinnon, Backstrom, Rantanen
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Vasilevskiy, Gibson
Dark horse players: DeBrusk, Zadina
Projection: The Flaming Wings were back on top in their division last season, but again come into this season with a thin-looking roster on paper. With fewer first-liners than many of the other contenders in the league, and several very one-dimensional players on the team, the Wings will need to rely on young players breaking out in a big way this season. The team can look forward to having a great foundation in net as long as the Ducks don’t pick this season to step down from their current status as perennial contenders, as Vasilevskiy and Gibson should be work horses on good teams.
Most influential NHL team:
One of the big keys for the Flaming Wings will be MacKinnon and Rantanen once again being a dominant force offensively.
Halifax Lions
Last year's results: 2nd in Vernon, lost in quarter-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Lee, Toffoli.
Offensive superstars: Barzal, Draisaitl, Monahan
Defensive superstars: Dumba, Ristolainen
Elite goaltenders: Murray
Dark horse players: Dermott, Scherbak
Projection: The Lions finally made their first playoffs last season in the same year as their expansion cousins. With offence spread throughout their lineup and decent coverage of peripheral categories on a young roster with room for growth, there is definite reason for optimism that they can get back there again this season. One key to watch out for is the performance of their goaltenders, as Allen has had shaky moments in just about every season he’s played in the NHL, while Matt Murray has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full year. This squad has just as good a chance as any at the division crown.
Most influential NHL team:
The Islanders’ trio of Barzal, Beauvillier and Leddy will need to be leaders on a team that just lost their leader. If they can take advantage of increased opportunity, the Lions will benefit.
Hamilton Slackberry
Last year's results: 4th in Vernon. Missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Getzlaf, Holtby, Couturier, Tarasenko, Patrick. Lost Lundqvist, McDavid, W. Nylander.
Offensive superstars: Tarasenko, Getzlaf, Couturier
Defensive superstars: Barrie
Elite goaltenders: Holtby
Dark horse players: E. Pettersson, Roslovic
Projection: Last season’s promising roster was not able to bring Slackberry back to the post-season, but having traded McDavid and with several promising prospects ready to join the squad, the depth on this year’s addition should be much better than last season. Slackberry’s roster, especially on defence, is dominated by specialists who are good at either offence or peripherals, rather than all-round players, and it will be interesting to see if this results in decent category coverage. Goaltending should not be a concern with Holtby between the pipes, and this lays a good foundation for what is a bit of a wild-card team in the Vernon Division.
Most influential NHL team:
Slackberry features several pairs of players from teams around the league, but the Flyers’ duo of Couturier and Patrick is the most influential in the fate of the team.
Mighty Pigs
Last year's results: 3rd in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Krejci.
Offensive superstars: Hall, Carter, Marner, Mi. Granlund, Aho
Defensive superstars: Ekman-Larsson, S. Jones
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Puljujarvi, Milano
Projection: The skaters for the Pigs have really developed well, and now form a very deep and well-balanced lineup. Having just missed the playoffs last year, the big, obvious question mark is what kind of production the team will get from their goalies in Schneider and Halak. While offensively quite talented through the lineup, the team does not have the peripheral stats to cover for another injury-plagued or ineffective season from Schneider. If he returns to his best, however, this could be a difficult team to match up against.
Most influential NHL team:
The reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall will be relied upon to lead the offence, while so much of the Pigs’ success will rely on Schneider returning to form.
North Kariya
Last year's results: 5th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Schwartz, Talbot, Pietrangelo, Guentzel. Lost Giroux, Pavelski, Quick.
Offensive superstars: P. Kane, Panarin
Defensive superstars: Burns
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Pulock, Kyrou
Projection: Formerly Girouxsalem, North Kariya is under new management this season, but have retained the old philosophy of de-emphasizing the goaltender position. The off-season was spent with an apparent focus on getting younger after a last-place finish in the division a season ago, but the team still has plenty of talented stars, plenty of depth and good category coverage. In net, Talbot will be under pressure to perform like he did two seasons ago, which could very well determine whether this is a playoff team or not.
Most influential NHL team:
The Blues are the best-represented team on North Kariya’s roster, with the pair of Schwartz and Pietrangelo key players for the team’s success.
Like every division last season, the Vernon Division sent two representatives to the 2018 playoffs in Flaming Wings and Halifax Lions. Girouxsalem, who have since become North Kariya, went from the division’s sole playoff team to fifth place in one season, while Hamilton Slackberry and Mighty Pigs made a good bid for the post-season, but ultimately fell short.
This year, the Vernon Division is the most wide-open division in the league. Last year’s division champion Flaming Wings are not bringing as strong a squad into this season as last, and the other four teams put forth strong outfits with some question marks of their own. It appears as though all five teams could win the division, so expect a very fascinating season in the Vernon.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Flaming Wings, Halifax Lions, Mighty Pigs
Most Improved Team: No clear answer
Worst Team: North Kariya
Flaming Wings
Last year's results: 1st in Vernon, lost in quarter-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Crosby, Rantanen, Oshie. Lost W. Karlsson, Kucherov, Tavares.
Offensive superstars: Crosby, MacKinnon, Backstrom, Rantanen
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Vasilevskiy, Gibson
Dark horse players: DeBrusk, Zadina
Projection: The Flaming Wings were back on top in their division last season, but again come into this season with a thin-looking roster on paper. With fewer first-liners than many of the other contenders in the league, and several very one-dimensional players on the team, the Wings will need to rely on young players breaking out in a big way this season. The team can look forward to having a great foundation in net as long as the Ducks don’t pick this season to step down from their current status as perennial contenders, as Vasilevskiy and Gibson should be work horses on good teams.
Most influential NHL team:
One of the big keys for the Flaming Wings will be MacKinnon and Rantanen once again being a dominant force offensively.
Halifax Lions
Last year's results: 2nd in Vernon, lost in quarter-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Lee, Toffoli.
Offensive superstars: Barzal, Draisaitl, Monahan
Defensive superstars: Dumba, Ristolainen
Elite goaltenders: Murray
Dark horse players: Dermott, Scherbak
Projection: The Lions finally made their first playoffs last season in the same year as their expansion cousins. With offence spread throughout their lineup and decent coverage of peripheral categories on a young roster with room for growth, there is definite reason for optimism that they can get back there again this season. One key to watch out for is the performance of their goaltenders, as Allen has had shaky moments in just about every season he’s played in the NHL, while Matt Murray has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full year. This squad has just as good a chance as any at the division crown.
Most influential NHL team:
The Islanders’ trio of Barzal, Beauvillier and Leddy will need to be leaders on a team that just lost their leader. If they can take advantage of increased opportunity, the Lions will benefit.
Hamilton Slackberry
Last year's results: 4th in Vernon. Missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Getzlaf, Holtby, Couturier, Tarasenko, Patrick. Lost Lundqvist, McDavid, W. Nylander.
Offensive superstars: Tarasenko, Getzlaf, Couturier
Defensive superstars: Barrie
Elite goaltenders: Holtby
Dark horse players: E. Pettersson, Roslovic
Projection: Last season’s promising roster was not able to bring Slackberry back to the post-season, but having traded McDavid and with several promising prospects ready to join the squad, the depth on this year’s addition should be much better than last season. Slackberry’s roster, especially on defence, is dominated by specialists who are good at either offence or peripherals, rather than all-round players, and it will be interesting to see if this results in decent category coverage. Goaltending should not be a concern with Holtby between the pipes, and this lays a good foundation for what is a bit of a wild-card team in the Vernon Division.
Most influential NHL team:
Slackberry features several pairs of players from teams around the league, but the Flyers’ duo of Couturier and Patrick is the most influential in the fate of the team.
Mighty Pigs
Last year's results: 3rd in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Krejci.
Offensive superstars: Hall, Carter, Marner, Mi. Granlund, Aho
Defensive superstars: Ekman-Larsson, S. Jones
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Puljujarvi, Milano
Projection: The skaters for the Pigs have really developed well, and now form a very deep and well-balanced lineup. Having just missed the playoffs last year, the big, obvious question mark is what kind of production the team will get from their goalies in Schneider and Halak. While offensively quite talented through the lineup, the team does not have the peripheral stats to cover for another injury-plagued or ineffective season from Schneider. If he returns to his best, however, this could be a difficult team to match up against.
Most influential NHL team:
The reigning Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall will be relied upon to lead the offence, while so much of the Pigs’ success will rely on Schneider returning to form.
North Kariya
Last year's results: 5th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Schwartz, Talbot, Pietrangelo, Guentzel. Lost Giroux, Pavelski, Quick.
Offensive superstars: P. Kane, Panarin
Defensive superstars: Burns
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Pulock, Kyrou
Projection: Formerly Girouxsalem, North Kariya is under new management this season, but have retained the old philosophy of de-emphasizing the goaltender position. The off-season was spent with an apparent focus on getting younger after a last-place finish in the division a season ago, but the team still has plenty of talented stars, plenty of depth and good category coverage. In net, Talbot will be under pressure to perform like he did two seasons ago, which could very well determine whether this is a playoff team or not.
Most influential NHL team:
The Blues are the best-represented team on North Kariya’s roster, with the pair of Schwartz and Pietrangelo key players for the team’s success.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Part 4: MacInnis Division
The Wu-Tang Killa Beez made it to their first ever playoffs last season in fine fashion, winning the MacInnis Division championship over reigning champion The Techno Onion (now Techno Onion). Hypnotoad’s All Blacks and Grim Reapers missed the playoffs, but only just, and Good Decisions brought up the rear a year after their first playoff appearance. For the second straight year, the MacInnis Division was the strongest in the league.
This year, the reigning champion has gone full-on rebuild, and most of the division is heavy with question marks. Techno Onion must be considered the favourites to claim the division crown this year, with a few bubble teams hoping everything goes their way. After two years of being a strong division, don’t be surprised if the MacInnis returns to being the weakest division in the league in 2018-19.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : The Techno Onion, Grim Reapers
Most Improved Team: Good Decisions
Worst Team: Wu-Tang Killa Beez
Good Decisions
Last year's results: 5th in MacInnis, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Ehlers, E. Lindholm.
Offensive superstars: Matthews, Ehlers
Defensive superstars: D. Hamilton
Elite goaltenders: Jones
Dark horse players: Sanheim, Namestnikov
Projection: Good Decisions may have shown last year that the prior year’s playoff appearance was little more than a mirage back-stopped by a career year from Sergei Bobrovsky. The roster constructed for this year leaves a lot to be desired in terms of offence, but covers other categories reasonably well. For Good Decisions to have a good season in the standings, they’ll need to start by winning the goalie categories, and take skater categories where they can. Jones and Kinkaid, who has a chance at being the starting goalie in New Jersey, are a strong tandem in net. If all goes right, they could find themselves in the thick of it by the end of the season, but odds are this is a team that will be right in the middle of the standings.
Most influential NHL team: :Edmonton
The Oilers badly need Klefbom and Nugent-Hopkins to get back to being stars, and so do the Good Decisions.
Grim Reapers
Last year's results: 4th in MacInnis, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Kadri, Konecny, Simmonds. Lost B. Schenn, Coyle.
Offensive superstars: Duchene, Johansen, Simmonds
Defensive superstars: Josi, Subban
Elite goaltenders: Price
Dark horse players: Jost, Dvorak
Projection: In the end, this is a team that lives and dies with Carey Price. When Carey Price was a winning goalie, the Grim Reapers were a good team, and won championships. Carey Price has now endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. A full, healthy season from Price could see a return to the playoffs for the Reapers, who have put together a strong roster in every category except pure offence. And that puts the pressure firmly between the pipes.
Most influential NHL team:
Subban, Josi and Johansen are three key offensive players for the President’s Trophy champs, and they provide a little bit of everything for the Reapers.
Hypnotoad's All Blacks
Last year's results: 3rd in MacInnis, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Weber, Suter, Raanta. Lost Ekblad, Kesler, Neal.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: Letang, Gostisbehere, Suter
Elite goaltenders: Raanta, Hellebuyck
Dark horse players: Heskainen, Chytil
Projection: Hypnotoad’s All Blacks have always relied on a strong foundation between the pipes, and both Hellebuyck and Raanta showed last year that they can be as good as anyone in the league. This is a very solid base for the team to be built around, but there is a severe lack of star-power amongst the skaters to compliment them. The roster is filled with reclamation projects and gambles, but very few sure bets. This team has a lottery ticket to the playoffs, and needs to hit the jackpot if they’re going to make it.
Most influential NHL team:
The All Blacks feature three Minnesota Wild players in the aging triumvirate of Suter, Parise and Koivu. If the team puts it together for another run to the playoffs, the All Blacks should benefit along the way.
Techno Onion
Last year's results: 2nd in MacInnis. Lost in finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Giroux. Lost Schwartz, Pietrangelo.
Offensive superstars: Wheeler, Giroux, Kopitar, Rakell
Defensive superstars: Klingberg, Karlsson
Elite goaltenders: Rinne
Dark horse players: Lehner, Jarry
Projection: Techno Onion (no longer The Techno Onion) were pipped for the division crown last year, but return this year as favourites to be the best in the MacInnis. Two starting goaltenders, the best talent up front, and enviable coverage of peripheral categories make them an intimidating matchup for anyone in the league. The team does not have the best depth, with several weak players on the roster and no prospects apparently coming to replace them, but the top end talent should be there to get this team to the playoffs, and perhaps beyond.
Most influential NHL team:
Lehner, Boychuk, Cizikas and Komarov might not be an impressive crop of players to draw from one team, but the Isles are in the middle of a big shake-up after the departure of Tavares, and all of these players will be vying for the opportunities that presents. A good year for them will be beneficial for the Onion.
Wu-Tang Killa Beez
Last year's results: 1st in MacInnis, lost in quarter-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Lost everyone.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Czarnik, T. Thompson
Projection: In the words of Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder, “I’m talking scorched earth, motherf***er!” An offseason removed from a division crown and the franchise’s first playoff appearance, the Beez have gone full-on rebuild, converting every player worth any value into future assets. This is, without a doubt, the most grotesque roster that has ever been previewed in the history of the league. With no significant contributors at any position, this is a team that will be ill-favoured in every category of every matchup all season long. There is a good prospect base, and a lottery pick this year will hopefully help turn the franchise around for next year.
Most influential NHL team:
The Killa Beez feature four Calgary Flames, with S. Bennett the most notable. D. Ryan, Foo and Czarnik will look to establish roles on the team and become contributors for the Flames.
The Wu-Tang Killa Beez made it to their first ever playoffs last season in fine fashion, winning the MacInnis Division championship over reigning champion The Techno Onion (now Techno Onion). Hypnotoad’s All Blacks and Grim Reapers missed the playoffs, but only just, and Good Decisions brought up the rear a year after their first playoff appearance. For the second straight year, the MacInnis Division was the strongest in the league.
This year, the reigning champion has gone full-on rebuild, and most of the division is heavy with question marks. Techno Onion must be considered the favourites to claim the division crown this year, with a few bubble teams hoping everything goes their way. After two years of being a strong division, don’t be surprised if the MacInnis returns to being the weakest division in the league in 2018-19.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : The Techno Onion, Grim Reapers
Most Improved Team: Good Decisions
Worst Team: Wu-Tang Killa Beez
Good Decisions
Last year's results: 5th in MacInnis, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Ehlers, E. Lindholm.
Offensive superstars: Matthews, Ehlers
Defensive superstars: D. Hamilton
Elite goaltenders: Jones
Dark horse players: Sanheim, Namestnikov
Projection: Good Decisions may have shown last year that the prior year’s playoff appearance was little more than a mirage back-stopped by a career year from Sergei Bobrovsky. The roster constructed for this year leaves a lot to be desired in terms of offence, but covers other categories reasonably well. For Good Decisions to have a good season in the standings, they’ll need to start by winning the goalie categories, and take skater categories where they can. Jones and Kinkaid, who has a chance at being the starting goalie in New Jersey, are a strong tandem in net. If all goes right, they could find themselves in the thick of it by the end of the season, but odds are this is a team that will be right in the middle of the standings.
Most influential NHL team: :Edmonton
The Oilers badly need Klefbom and Nugent-Hopkins to get back to being stars, and so do the Good Decisions.
Grim Reapers
Last year's results: 4th in MacInnis, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Kadri, Konecny, Simmonds. Lost B. Schenn, Coyle.
Offensive superstars: Duchene, Johansen, Simmonds
Defensive superstars: Josi, Subban
Elite goaltenders: Price
Dark horse players: Jost, Dvorak
Projection: In the end, this is a team that lives and dies with Carey Price. When Carey Price was a winning goalie, the Grim Reapers were a good team, and won championships. Carey Price has now endured back-to-back injury-plagued seasons. A full, healthy season from Price could see a return to the playoffs for the Reapers, who have put together a strong roster in every category except pure offence. And that puts the pressure firmly between the pipes.
Most influential NHL team:
Subban, Josi and Johansen are three key offensive players for the President’s Trophy champs, and they provide a little bit of everything for the Reapers.
Hypnotoad's All Blacks
Last year's results: 3rd in MacInnis, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Weber, Suter, Raanta. Lost Ekblad, Kesler, Neal.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: Letang, Gostisbehere, Suter
Elite goaltenders: Raanta, Hellebuyck
Dark horse players: Heskainen, Chytil
Projection: Hypnotoad’s All Blacks have always relied on a strong foundation between the pipes, and both Hellebuyck and Raanta showed last year that they can be as good as anyone in the league. This is a very solid base for the team to be built around, but there is a severe lack of star-power amongst the skaters to compliment them. The roster is filled with reclamation projects and gambles, but very few sure bets. This team has a lottery ticket to the playoffs, and needs to hit the jackpot if they’re going to make it.
Most influential NHL team:
The All Blacks feature three Minnesota Wild players in the aging triumvirate of Suter, Parise and Koivu. If the team puts it together for another run to the playoffs, the All Blacks should benefit along the way.
Techno Onion
Last year's results: 2nd in MacInnis. Lost in finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Giroux. Lost Schwartz, Pietrangelo.
Offensive superstars: Wheeler, Giroux, Kopitar, Rakell
Defensive superstars: Klingberg, Karlsson
Elite goaltenders: Rinne
Dark horse players: Lehner, Jarry
Projection: Techno Onion (no longer The Techno Onion) were pipped for the division crown last year, but return this year as favourites to be the best in the MacInnis. Two starting goaltenders, the best talent up front, and enviable coverage of peripheral categories make them an intimidating matchup for anyone in the league. The team does not have the best depth, with several weak players on the roster and no prospects apparently coming to replace them, but the top end talent should be there to get this team to the playoffs, and perhaps beyond.
Most influential NHL team:
Lehner, Boychuk, Cizikas and Komarov might not be an impressive crop of players to draw from one team, but the Isles are in the middle of a big shake-up after the departure of Tavares, and all of these players will be vying for the opportunities that presents. A good year for them will be beneficial for the Onion.
Wu-Tang Killa Beez
Last year's results: 1st in MacInnis, lost in quarter-finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Lost everyone.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Czarnik, T. Thompson
Projection: In the words of Les Grossman from Tropic Thunder, “I’m talking scorched earth, motherf***er!” An offseason removed from a division crown and the franchise’s first playoff appearance, the Beez have gone full-on rebuild, converting every player worth any value into future assets. This is, without a doubt, the most grotesque roster that has ever been previewed in the history of the league. With no significant contributors at any position, this is a team that will be ill-favoured in every category of every matchup all season long. There is a good prospect base, and a lottery pick this year will hopefully help turn the franchise around for next year.
Most influential NHL team:
The Killa Beez feature four Calgary Flames, with S. Bennett the most notable. D. Ryan, Foo and Czarnik will look to establish roles on the team and become contributors for the Flames.
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Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
Awesome write-ups as usual AS! I enjoyed reading all of them.
Love it. I will argue I have a better team this year than last however I love the write ups
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