Fantasy Hockey '08-'09

[Azaroth]

No, the event should be put to death unless it can be good.

For that reason, you announce that, during each team's skills competition (they all hold one a while before the allstar weekend), the best of each team will be considered for the main event at the real AS weekend.

For example: Cogliano won the fastest skater - but Eric Cole beat him at the Oilers skills competition.

This way, if there's a slew of amazing moves at the team events, you put very best on show.

If there aren't, you quietly snuff the trick shot event and don't say anything about it before or after.

[naum]

In theory, the skills competition would seem to be interesting. That's why I watch it.

In practice, it never really is.

It would be, if it was an actual "skills competition", instead of a fscking beauty pageant, as it has become…

And, yes, NHL should pony up and have the best at each skill compete, not just all-stars… …like Azaroth proposes and how, unless I am just recalling this in error, or have AHL on the brain, the NHL did it when they started this "skills competition" stuff…

And Good Gates, can ESPN or another network rescue these games from Vs. (for us unfortunate U.S. viewers)… …their coverage, in what is now, 3 years? is hopelessly atrocious. No excuse whatsoever for the amateur hijinks… …had no interest in the actual all-star game itself, but watching the youngsters game, got incensed over Vs. switching off of action (like when there was a 2 on 1) to an interview they could run anytime before/between/after the action…

Speaking of AHL, Planet USA beat Team Canada (or whatever they were calling themselves) 14-11 in the AHL all-star game tonight. 12 goals came in the 3rd period, 9 for the U.S., which was like a goal every 1:40… …former Coyote prospect and Pens farmhand Jeff Taffe had a hattrick as well as Corey Locke, but MVP went to Jared Ross (of Philadelphia Phantoms) who had 7 points (1 goal)…

…not that anyone cares about AHL. I actually thought farmhands would play a little harder (I think I had Senior Bowl on the mind) but it looked looser than open hockey night at the local rink, with skaters striding at half-speed…

[cmlancas]

Bolts are only 7 points out of the playoff hunt and 6 of their last 8!   

[Azaroth]

So, Vancouver.

[Fordel]

So Sundin IS too old?

[Azaroth]

"If it's broke, don't try to fix it with overpriced, worn out parts".

Before the season, everyone expected Vancouver to be fairly bad. People don't really remember that because expectations changed when they got relatively hot early in the season.

Their saving grace was always said to be their defense. Vancouver fans figured that their awful offense would be supported by their strong defense. Everyone else strongly doubted that possibility.

Problem is that they added two Maple Leafs as upgrades to their offense, their defense is failing, and Luongo is playing like shit.

[WayAbvPar]

They have been better the past couple of games, but they are still a total psychological wreck. Anything bad that can happen, will, which is why their penalty kill is so bad. Luongo hasn't been terrible, but he can definitely play better. In fact, I think that is what will snap this losing streak- he will play out of his mind one night, the Canucks will win 1-0, and everyone will take a deep breath and unclench their balloon knots just a bit.

Sundin is a fucking joke. He looks like he has cement around his skates, and his lazy penalties are KILLING the Canucks. The Sedins are also guilty of horrible penalties in the offensive end, but at least they started shooting the goddamned puck Saturday night. Like to see a lot more of that. Burrows and Kesler played their balls off, but you can't depend on them for scoring every night, and they are the only ones bringing it right now.

[Fordel]

That's a shame. I was really hoping he would still have some of his old magic left in him. He really did do incredible things in Toronto, I swear!

[naum]

At least they don't look as bad as the Penguins…

They have been better the past couple of games, but they are still a total psychological wreck. Anything bad that can happen, will, which is why their penalty kill is so bad. Luongo hasn't been terrible, but he can definitely play better. In fact, I think that is what will snap this losing streak- he will play out of his mind one night, the Canucks will win 1-0, and everyone will take a deep breath and unclench their balloon knots just a bit.

Sundin is a fucking joke. He looks like he has cement around his skates, and his lazy penalties are KILLING the Canucks. The Sedins are also guilty of horrible penalties in the offensive end, but at least they started shooting the goddamned puck Saturday night. Like to see a lot more of that. Burrows and Kesler played their balls off, but you can't depend on them for scoring every night, and they are the only ones bringing it right now.

[Azaroth]

The Penguins are the worst team in the NHL.

Yet somehow have the two top scorers in the league.

If their organization was a robot, it'd explode.

[WayAbvPar]

Sundin had a good game the other night. He still looks like he is skating underwater most of the time, but his hands are coming back- 1g 1a, 16/19 faceoffs. Considering how the Canucks have been in the faceoff circle for the past few years, that is really valuable. Not 10m/season, but valuable.

Luongo was still hot and cold. Made some great saves, and then let a TERRIBLE goal get through his 5 hole. Good news is they won, and then get 3 full days to practice/get healthy/regain confidence, so there is still a glimmer of hope. I don't why I let myself believe- I am starting to feel like Charlie Brown.

[Special J]

Woohoo! Sens lose 1-0 to the Kings.  Lottery, here we come!  While we're at it, fire Hartsburg!

Surprised Therien hasn't been sent on his way from the Pens yet.

[HaemishM]

Hey, look at that. From bottom to #2 in the fantasy league. I must be doing something right, though I'll be damned if I know what.

[Azaroth]

I need to dedicate the time to sit down and actually put guys in playing positions for the next month or so. It's just tedious and I can never find the time.

Now, if there were money on the pool....

[Azaroth]

For Vancouver fans:

Sedins are demanding between 6-7 each for long term. (Protip: DON'T sign the Sedins for 6-7 each long term...)

Ohlund is flat out leaving and his agent has done everything but say it. He also won't waive his no-trade.

Here's hoping you fuckers get hot and make a good playoff run, because I smell a rebuild. Or, with bad management, a lot of medicore Leafs style seasons.

[Fordel]

Maybe Sundin brought the Leaf virus to Vancouver. 

[WayAbvPar]

Ohlund is flat out leaving and his agent has done everything but say it.

 

I like Ohlund. However, he is on the wrong side of 30, so it is better to miss a year of production than be stuck with him during a long contract of decaying skill. I don't think anyone is paying the Sedins $14m/year for the pair of them, although GMs always manage to surprise me.

[naum]

Time for Thirrien to get the boot…

…and take Fleury with him. I know, he's heralded as a great talent, I just don't see it… …he makes some outstanding saves but lets way too many soft goals in, gives up rebounds galore and is terrible at handling the puck.

Letang out on PK? WTF? Um, save his legs for after PK, especially when there is only like 5 min left in the game…

How does Whitney get 25 minutes of ice time a game. -12 and probably headed for -37 Dave Manson range soon enough. And a promising young D man (Goligoski, who scores at same rate, at +5, with 1/3 less ice time) sent down…

Talbot (who I've loved in past seasons) and Dupuis are killing the team too… …Orpik, valuable as one of the few hitters on the team has been subpar and definitely not worthy of a big contract… …Satan scoring at the rate of a journeyman discount forward, not a prized sniper like Hossa who eagerly departed…

No toughness whatsoever, sorry Godard is a joke, can't justify carrying someone like him in 2009…

Only plusses have been Mark Eaton has surprised me with some decent D play, Gill has been steady (though he's best relegated to PK duty or matched up with nimbler partner) and Scuderi has surprised me. Whitney and Orpik have been atrocious and team's nosedive has coincided with Whitney's return. Boucher does not belong on an NHL roster. I don't know that return of Gonchar going to right the ship…

Sure they will be looking at trades but they gave up so much last season to get Hossa (and that deal got them to the finals, no doubt), but now, the conclusion of which has cost them 5 skaters…

And to the knuckleheads that waft on bemoaning Jordan Staal, I have to ask, are you watching the games? Do you see the immense gifted, skilled, talented all-around 2-way forward he is? Numbers are low (he set a high bar with a 29 goal mark in rookie season) but he's usually not skating on top line, draws D duty and especially this seasons…

----

Re: Canucks, they put a pasting on Blackhawks for HNIC broadcast (and Make-Beliefs obliterated Habs in 1st part which surprised since Canadians have looked pretty good when  I have tuned in to their games…)… …Sedins are softer than Charmin, but they can bury the puck, I think Hawks were more interested in the Vancouver night life… …watching Don Cherry is a hoot, like talking to my crazy uncle…

Other NHL observations culled from my DirecTV subscription:

* …am puzzled by success of Boston, still don't believe they're cup worthy… …big game v. San Jose on Tuesday night on Vs. for you non-DirecTV fans…
* …Flyers seemed unfairly stacked with scoring hands and gritty toughness, but goaltending is questionable but hey, I can cast doubt on Biron but Niitymaki sure has seemed to catch lightning in a bottle this season… …until he nabs #1 and then slumps ;)
* …still looks like Wings to lose, but who knows, one hot goalie could derail their cup procession…
* …coyotes go from 5 to 13 in what seemed like a couple of days… …after all, they only 6 points out of 5th place, good gates, last place St. Louis is only 6 points out of a playoff spot… …what a scramble it will be, though it hard to jump that many teams especially with all the OL/SL that still garner a losing team a point…

[Azaroth]

A lot of things clearly need to be done, and those things should be obvious to the GM.

But apparently they aren't.

Problem is that if they aren't, he should go find out what's going on. Has he done that? Seems to me like he hasn't.

Unless Crosby is one of the big problems and half the team hates him for some fairly valid reasons. That'd put you in a bind.

But if it's anything else... get off your ass.

Therrien should have gone in the offseason. He was so very clearly and extraordinarily outcoached in that final that they really should have went and found an upgrade.

Fleury... heh. Yeah. Pretty awful most of the time.

Whitey... heh. Yeah. God damn down right awful ALL of the time.

But what's any of it matter? Crosby has Dupuis and Tyler Kennedy as wingers. I mean, at least Malkin has Sykora on his regular line... he can kinda put the puck in the net by times, even though he completely lacks NHL speed of any kind.

You have the two best centers in the game. HOW ABOUT SOME WINGERS, FUCKER.

29 teams would go out and get some fucking wingers IMMEDIATELY if Crosby and Malkin offered to sign there as long as they got them some wingers. How come the Penguins keep trying to stick them with fourth liners?

Ovechkin gets to play with Backstrom and Semin... I mean, come on.

Stop forcing us to be a one line team by putting Crosby and Malkin together and get at least one motherfucking quality winger. Like, ideally two or three. You've got more than enough overvalued shit to trade.

[naum]

One thing that really bothered me watching game and reading Pens player comments on Hossa (how they love him and bear no grudge) — I realize NHL is a business and players got to do what is right for them and all but consider — Pens trade 4 players for Hossa (and I not criticizing the deal, it did power them, especially  in playoffs to Cup finals). In off-season, after Pens structure other deals in chance to keep him, he jumps for less money to go to Detroit. Now, if it's my squad, I take that as a personal affront to our guys. Especially if wear the 'C' (or 'A' even)… …now I don't know what goes on inside the locker room, relationally between players, but I certainly wouldn't let him waltz all over the O zone and a backhand a goal in (which Fleury should have had, contrary to announcers, he was not screened…)… …they should have been lining him up all game and smearing him across the ice and/or boards no matter the score… …maybe that the big bruising D that I played that is speaking but I find Penguin behavior unconscionable and would have been loudly booing had I been in attendance…

On the forward composition, you nailed it, too many centers and not enough winger power… …but that could be mitigated… …on the NBC broadcast, Pierre ? mentioned that Pens should be stacking Crosby, Malkin, Staal. Reasoning being that both Crosby and Malkin are going to be marked and without quality linemates, it just it makes it so much easier for defenders…

But I would set the lines differently — and would move Crosby down to 2nd line…

Sykora Malkin Satan/Fedotenko
Crosby Staal Kennedy/Cooke/Dupuis

On D, #1 pairing of Whitney + Orpik as currently construed is a travesty. Don't know when and how soon it will take Gonchar to get back into groove, but Gonchar + Eaton (I shudder to say this, but he been best Pen D-man of recent games) would be a small upgrade… …on 2nd thought, it sure looks like a lost season, which is mind bending, considering you have the top 2 scorers in the league…

Apologies for Pens focus to fans of the other 29 teams…

Flyers, how about giving us Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell for Theo^H^H^H^HMA Fleury…?

[HaemishM]

Whatever they gave up for Dupuis, it was too much. He had one really good season, when Gaborik was at his best during the Wild's playoff run that almost made the Cup. After that, the unibrow just didn't have anything left.

[naum]

Whatever they gave up for Dupuis, it was too much. He had one really good season, when Gaborik was at his best during the Wild's playoff run that almost made the Cup. After that, the unibrow just didn't have anything left.

Actually, he was part of the Hossa trade last season…

…Pens gave up Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, 2007 1st round pick Angelo Esposito and another 1st round pick (which Thrashers used to pick this guy) for Hossa + Dupuis…

Esposito still playing in juinors, Armstrong was Syd's friend and a good role player w/toughness… …Christensen has sniper skills but performed best actually as shootout specialist (may not mean much for playoffs but those extra points can come in handy…)…

Dupuis signed for 1.4M, which to me seems extravagant, but hey, Orpik and Whitney are pulling 4M…

[Azaroth]

In all seriousness, Whitney must go.

[naum]

Interesting analysis here:

Tampa couldn’t do it, Ottawa is failing at it, and Pittsburgh is on the verge of missing the playoffs because of it.  I am talking about spending a boat load of money on two or three mostly offensive oriented forwards.  Tampa spent a lot of money on Lecavalier, Richards and St. Louis and failed to obtain much success.  Ottawa has seen their defense decimated and goaltending faulter because they have spent too much on Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson (and to a lesser extent Fisher).  In Pittsburgh they have spent some money on defense and goaltending in addition to their big two of Crosby and Malking, but that meant that Crosby and Malkin are pretty much playing on their own.

Still this made me /chuckle…

It is hard to be optimistic about the New York Islanders future when their leading point producers up front are Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, Trent Hunter, Richard Park and Mike Comrie.  That is not a group of players to build a future around.

[cmlancas]

Interesting analysis here:

Tampa couldn’t do it, Ottawa is failing at it, and Pittsburgh is on the verge of missing the playoffs because of it.  I am talking about spending a boat load of money on two or three mostly offensive oriented forwards.  Tampa spent a lot of money on Lecavalier, Richards and St. Louis and failed to obtain much success.  Ottawa has seen their defense decimated and goaltending faulter because they have spent too much on Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson (and to a lesser extent Fisher).  In Pittsburgh they have spent some money on defense and goaltending in addition to their big two of Crosby and Malking, but that meant that Crosby and Malkin are pretty much playing on their own.

Still this made me /chuckle…

It is hard to be optimistic about the New York Islanders future when their leading point producers up front are Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, Trent Hunter, Richard Park and Mike Comrie.  That is not a group of players to build a future around.

I don't buy the whole "big paycheck men can't win a cup."  Pittsburgh won two cups (two big name players -- you better fucking know who they are), went to the finals recently, and Tampa won a cup.  I have a hard time buying it. 

The big problem for Tampa has been injuries this year, especially on defense where we've been pretty weak for a few years.  Also, when the guy says "mostly offensive oriented forwards," St. Louis is great on D, and Lecavalier is above average.  I agree with him about Richards though, because I really thought Richards was overrated, and was glad when we traded him.

[naum]

Not that I buy into that analysis 100% but Pittsburgh cup captures in early 90's was pre-salary cap and also broke the owner to the point where the team almost collapsed (that was the 2nd of 3 occasions where it looked like it might be curtains for hockey in Pittsburgh, 1st was when the DeBartolos had the team, after Baldwin, then most recently during Lemieux's "ownership")…

And correct me if I am mistaken, but Lightning faced some tough cap decisions post-Cup and it cost them their cup winning goalie as well as a few other skaters…

Ottawa, on the surface, looks like they fit the author's argument, but they've had a nice run the last few years, but it unfortunately, it didn't translate into any cups taken… …their window now has seemingly shut, but their goaltending is a mess, your forward depth is worse than the Pens and when your top D-man is Filip Kuba, you're charting a course into Islander country…

In other NHL happenings, Rangers look worse than the Pens and I wonder how long before Renney gets the axe. Although Vs. reporting that Avery might be coming back to NY…

Interesting analysis here:

Tampa couldn’t do it, Ottawa is failing at it, and Pittsburgh is on the verge of missing the playoffs because of it.  I am talking about spending a boat load of money on two or three mostly offensive oriented forwards.  Tampa spent a lot of money on Lecavalier, Richards and St. Louis and failed to obtain much success.  Ottawa has seen their defense decimated and goaltending faulter because they have spent too much on Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson (and to a lesser extent Fisher).  In Pittsburgh they have spent some money on defense and goaltending in addition to their big two of Crosby and Malking, but that meant that Crosby and Malkin are pretty much playing on their own.

Still this made me /chuckle…

It is hard to be optimistic about the New York Islanders future when their leading point producers up front are Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, Trent Hunter, Richard Park and Mike Comrie.  That is not a group of players to build a future around.

I don't buy the whole "big paycheck men can't win a cup."  Pittsburgh won two cups (two big name players -- you better fucking know who they are), went to the finals recently, and Tampa won a cup.  I have a hard time buying it. 

The big problem for Tampa has been injuries this year, especially on defense where we've been pretty weak for a few years.  Also, when the guy says "mostly offensive oriented forwards," St. Louis is great on D, and Lecavalier is above average.  I agree with him about Richards though, because I really thought Richards was overrated, and was glad when we traded him.

[Strazos]

Flyers, how about giving us Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell for Theo^H^H^H^HMA Fleury…?

lulz, no.  I'm sure Holmgren is laughing all the way to the bank for not trading Carter away for fucking Sundin, and for holding onto Hartnell when he looked somewhat questionable.

I still say they need to trade Jones away if/when Briere comes off the IR, and recall Sbisa from the WHL. Sure, Jones will put up points...right before a weakass clear along the boards, or a dumbfuck clear attempt straight up the middle, or a lazy cross ice pass in his own zone with forecheckers pressing him.

[cmlancas]

My whole thing is that it really hasn't been a cap issue with the Lightning.  They've paid people to come in and try to play goal, such as Marc Denis (lulz, man was he bad) in the past few years and they just haven't panned out.  Mike Smith this year has been a godsend, and one of the reasons they're even close to the playoff hunt.  The true problem for TB has been defense -- they were copetitive when they had Kubina, Sarich, (Sarich's partner, I forget his name), and Sydor.  All of those players are gone, and they're still feeling the pains.

All that being said, I think TB has some good prospects in Downie, Stamkos, and Smaby.

[Bunk]

Amazing what a line juggle will do for a player. Canucks put Sundin, Demetra, Kessler together 3 games ago, and the team's scored 17 goals in three games.

We beat the fucking Blues! I don't think the Canucks have beat the Blues since Mike Liut was in goal...

[Fordel]

So Sundin is NOT too old?

[naum]

So Sundin is NOT too old?

He's younger than Claude Lemieux!

[Special J]

The true problem for TB has been defense -- they were copetitive when they had Kubina, Sarich, (Sarich's partner, I forget his name), and Sydor.  All of those players are gone, and they're still feeling the pains.

That's a cap issue.  There's nothing left to pay your blueline after the big forwards collected after the Cup win.

It irrelevant really because this team is going nowhere with the current ownership and GM.

[WayAbvPar]

We beat the fucking Blues! I don't think the Canucks have beat the Blues since Mike Liut was in goal...

Seriously! The Blues have owned the Canucks the past few years. Hopefully they can get by Wayne's boys tonight.

[Azaroth]

Hey, anyone want to trade for Carey Price?

I hear the Canadiens are really going places this year and people are holding up signs with "Jesus" Price on them etc. He's supposed to be the next Patrick Roy?

Anyone?

[Strazos]

lol, his glove hand is suspect.