CFHF Fantasy League Part XX: Count-down to Season 4
- Thread starter Anglesmith
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Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
Then trades half of the winners by November.
Haha I gotta bow down to you on that one.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Since Black Knights captured their second championship in three seasons back in April, much has changed in the CFHF Fantasy League. This year’s offseason included the addition of three new managers. Fleury14 (renamed Pingu HC) was taken over by Monabae. The league also expanded by two teams, welcoming in 100 Third Graders and Taranis as our newest members. The prospect draft was yet another highlight of the offseason, with Connor McDavid going 1st overall to Crosby’s Chiclets, who paid a king’s ransom for the pick. In the main draft, Sean Couturier went 1st overall to the Halifax Lions. The 2015-2016 CFHF season should be another exciting year, with lots of thrills, disappointments, upsets, and surprises. In three posts, we will preview all four divisions in the CFHF Fantasy Hockey League. First off, we have the McDonald Division.
Part 1: McDonald Division
With the Black Knights leaving the McDonald Division, it seems things may be a little easier for teams such as the Horseheads and Intangibles. However, these two teams have been extremely competitive for the entire history of the CFHFFL, and will provide plenty of competition for each other this season. Meanwhile, with the other teams in the division on the ascent, things will surely be just as competitive, even without the Black Knights.
SmokeScreen looks to be on the way up with the acquisitions of Thomas Vanek, Jake Vorachek, and Pavel Datsyuk. While the Army of the 12 Monkeys are in a rebuilding stage, we still expect them to fool a few teams this upcoming season. As for the Wheeling Dusters…………………….who?
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Intangibles, Wheeling Dusters, Flaming Horseheads
Most Improved Team: SmokeScreen
Worst Team: Army of the 12 Monkeys
Army of the 12 Monkeys
Last year's results: 6th in McDonald, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Halak, Myers, Kadri. Lost Maatta.
Offensive superstars: Monahan
Defensive superstars: Myers, Faulk
Elite goaltenders: Halak
Dark horse players: Yakupov, R. Murray
X factor: After a bit of a rebuilding summer, Army of the 12 Monkeys will look to rebound this season with a roster chock full of youth and upside. The team is a bit of a boom/bust scenario; if all of the young players and veteran reclamations breakout together, they could be a handful. If not, expect the Army to finish near the bottom again. Army are built solidly in the peripheral categories, however, with the likes of Clarkson, Downie, Simmonds and Prust poised to drive high hit-counts and PIMs.
Most influential NHL team:
The Army’s players are spread pretty well around the league, but with Yakupov, Justin Schultz and Sekera, they will be hoping the Oilers can finally break-out, and if so they should be key contributors.
Flaming Horseheads
Last year's results: 4th in McDonald, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Justin Williams.
Offensive superstars: Kopitar, Seguin, MacKinnon
Defensive superstars: Doughty
Elite goaltenders: Bishop
Dark horse players: Galchenyuk, Ennis
X factor: The Horseheads are sticking with essentially the same core this season after missing the playoffs last year. The key here is bounce-back years from some players who struggled last season. Bumps in production should be seen from MacKinnon, Galchenyuk, Sharp and Ennis, and it’s likely that this will be enough to get the Horseheads back into the playoffs.
Most influential NHL team:
The Horseheads only have Seguin and Sharp from the Stars, but that represents the largest contribution from any team.
Intangibles
Last year's results: 1st in McDonald, lost in semifinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Lost Green, Filppula, Stralman.
Offensive superstars: Stamkos, Backstrom
Defensive superstars: Yandle, Markov
Elite goaltenders: Dubnyk
Dark horse players: Dupuis, Severson
X factor: Intangibles didn’t do a lot of adding over the off-season, but hopes that strong drafting will yield results across all categories this season. Goaltending is boom or bust for them, however, with Dubnyk and Allen. Dubnyk put up ridiculous numbers last season, and expecting next season to go that well is equally ridiculous. However, on a strong Wild team, he should be able to be an above-average fantasy contributor. Allen could breakout, or be disappointing once again.
Most influential NHL team:
Henrique, Severson and Palmieri all will play for the Devils next season. The Devils likely won’t be very good, but these three could potentially find individual success in spite of that.
SmokeScreen
Last year's results: 5th in McDonald, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Varlamov, P. Kane, Voracek, Burns, Datsyuk. Lost Bjugstad, Kessel, Schwartz.
Offensive superstars: Steen, Datsyuk, Voracek, P. Kane
Defensive superstars: Burns
Elite goaltenders: Varlamov
Dark horse players: Read
X factor: After several seasons of unabashed tanking, SmokeScreen have made several aggressive moves over the last few months, and now find themselves with a roster full of big names. The huge, glaring question going into next season is whether Patrick Kane will be playing NHL hockey next season, or indeed ever again. If not, SmokeScreen may be out of a playoff spot once again. Even if he is, the depth in peripheral categories for the team will probably sink them anyway.
Most influential NHL team:
Burns and Marleau make up two big contributors from the Sharks. SmokeScreen’s roster is pretty well spread around the NHL, though.
Wheeling Dusters
Last year's results: 3rd in McDonald, lost in finals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Bjugstad, Callahan. Lost Burns, E. Staal, Datsyuk, Luongo,
Offensive superstars: Ja. Benn, Wheeler
Defensive superstars: Giordano, Karlsson, Ekblad
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Burmistrov, Wilson, Bennett (P)
X factor: After heading into the off-season with a fairly stacked roster, the Dusters lost a fair bit of talent during the off-season. Offensive numbers shouldn’t be a problem, though, especially with the contribution of the blueliners. The forward ranks are built with many all-round category-fillers. The centre-ice position looks quite weak, and how well Sam Bennett’s rookie season goes could make a big difference with this roster.
Most influential NHL team:
Giordano, Brodie and Bennett is a very influential trio of players. If Calgary performs well this season, it should help the Dusters.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Part 2: Loob Division
The Loob Division features one elite team and a few on the upswing. Crosby’s Chiclets will return this season with an emphasis on offence- business as usual for the organization that has become renowned for wheeling and dealing at every opportunity.
The Chiclets should be heavy favourites to win this division, but three teams a tier below also have a good shot at the playoffs if things go their way this season. The Terrors and Off the Post AINEC made some solid moves in the off-season to improve their squad, while Pressbox Millionaires should improve with players bouncing back from down seasons. It should be a dogfight for these teams right around the last few playoff spots.
Pingu HC is unquestionably going to improve this season, but are likely still a year or two away from seriously competing after the scorched-earth, hole in the ground demolition job performed by the previous management regime.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Crosby’s Chiclets, Off the Post AINEC, The Terrors
Most Improved Team: The Terrors
Worst Team: Pingu HC
Crosby’s Chiclets
Last year's results: 1st in Loob, lost in semifinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added McDavid, Kessel, Burakovsky, Saad. Lost Halak, B. Schenn, van Riemsdyk, Letang, Tavares, Myers, Voracek, Okposo, Toffoli.
Offensive superstars: Crosby, Kessel, McDavid, Bergeron
Defensive superstars: Pietrangelo
Elite goaltenders: Bobrovski
Dark horse players: Connolly, Gardiner
X factor: The Chiclets ended up with a pretty stacked roster at the end of last season, and thus lost a lot of talent through the keeper and expansion process. They also rolled the dice on McDavid, trading away a hefty price to do so. Outside of a couple of players like Jenner and Gudas, the Chiclets’ roster is mostly full of offensive-specialists, and that is always a boom-or-bust proposition. We’ll see if the peripheral categories (aside from faceoffs) will be a problem this coming season. On a healthy Columbus squad, Bobrovski’s goaltending contribution should be very good.
Most influential NHL team:
/ 
Crosby, Kessel and possibly D. Pouliot will represent the Penguins, while Bobrovski, Saad and Jenner hail from Columbus.
Off the Post AINEC
Last year's results: 4th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Okposo, Barrie, D. Strome, Hammond. Lost Saad, Kreider.
Offensive superstars: D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Iginla, Cammalleri
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Fleury
Dark horse players: Beleskey, Barrie, D. Strome
X factor: After finishing relatively middle-of-the-pack last season and just missing out on the playoffs, the changes were few and far between for OTPAINEC over the off-season. The team appears to be relying on shrewd drafting to make a difference this season and push them over the hump. Historically, the team has always gone as the Sedins go, but there are some nice complementary pieces to round out all categories this season.
Most influential NHL team:
OTPAINEC has the Canucks’ entire top line (most of the time) in the Sedins and Burrows, and those three will drive their offence as usual this season.
Pingu HC
Last year's results: 6th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Hossa, Filppula, Stralman, Trouba. Lost Wisniewski.
Offensive superstars: Nash, Hossa
Defensive superstars: Keith
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Horvat, Pearson
X factor: Pingu could not possibly get any worse than last season, you would think, so by that standard, there is cause for optimism. However, goaltending appears to be a severe weakness going into next season. Niemi will be a 1B goalie for a Dallas team that gives up a lot of goals, and Vancouver looks poised to decline hard in front of Miller. There are some decent youngsters in the pipeline that will look to strengthen an already-improved crop of skaters.
Most influential NHL team:
/ 
Zuccarello and Nash are two very influential representatives of the Rangers. In terms of sheer numbers, Dano, Kruger and Keith will make up the largest contingent from any one team.
Pressbox Millionaires
Last year's results: 5th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Mason, Lucic, Killorn. Lost Nichushkin, Hoffman.
Offensive superstars: Nyquist, Hudler
Defensive superstars: Suter
Elite goaltenders: Mason
Dark horse players: Teravainen, Despres
X factor: The Millionaires’ roster is all about depth, and also features quite a number of players, such as Brown, Lucic, Hamhuis, Sutter and Hagelin, who had slightly disappointing seasons a year ago. No question the Millionaires hope to catch some of these guys on the upswing. Other younger guys are poised to breakout, so it will be interesting to see how high this team can climb up the standings this season.
Most influential NHL team:
With Ryan, Stone and Lazar all playing for the Sens, the Millionaires will hope that the team picks up where they left off last season, and with these guys leading the charge.
The Terrors
Last year's results: 3rd in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Backlund, Nichushkin, Hoffman, Schwartz, Muzzin. Lost P. Kane, Wideman.
Offensive superstars: Spezza, Schwartz
Defensive superstars: Weber, Josi, Muzzin
Elite goaltenders: Quick
Dark horse players: Nichushkin, Spooner
X factor: The Terrors come into this season with a very impressive set of defencemen, who should each be able to contribute in a lot of categories. In swapping P. Kane for Schwartz, they got rid of a major question mark. It will be interesting to see how much offense they can generate by committee, as they lack true first-line talents.
Most influential NHL team:
The Terrors lineup is sprinkled around the NHL, but Weber and Josi is a great top D pairing to have.
The Loob Division features one elite team and a few on the upswing. Crosby’s Chiclets will return this season with an emphasis on offence- business as usual for the organization that has become renowned for wheeling and dealing at every opportunity.
The Chiclets should be heavy favourites to win this division, but three teams a tier below also have a good shot at the playoffs if things go their way this season. The Terrors and Off the Post AINEC made some solid moves in the off-season to improve their squad, while Pressbox Millionaires should improve with players bouncing back from down seasons. It should be a dogfight for these teams right around the last few playoff spots.
Pingu HC is unquestionably going to improve this season, but are likely still a year or two away from seriously competing after the scorched-earth, hole in the ground demolition job performed by the previous management regime.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Crosby’s Chiclets, Off the Post AINEC, The Terrors
Most Improved Team: The Terrors
Worst Team: Pingu HC
Crosby’s Chiclets
Last year's results: 1st in Loob, lost in semifinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added McDavid, Kessel, Burakovsky, Saad. Lost Halak, B. Schenn, van Riemsdyk, Letang, Tavares, Myers, Voracek, Okposo, Toffoli.
Offensive superstars: Crosby, Kessel, McDavid, Bergeron
Defensive superstars: Pietrangelo
Elite goaltenders: Bobrovski
Dark horse players: Connolly, Gardiner
X factor: The Chiclets ended up with a pretty stacked roster at the end of last season, and thus lost a lot of talent through the keeper and expansion process. They also rolled the dice on McDavid, trading away a hefty price to do so. Outside of a couple of players like Jenner and Gudas, the Chiclets’ roster is mostly full of offensive-specialists, and that is always a boom-or-bust proposition. We’ll see if the peripheral categories (aside from faceoffs) will be a problem this coming season. On a healthy Columbus squad, Bobrovski’s goaltending contribution should be very good.
Most influential NHL team:
/ Crosby, Kessel and possibly D. Pouliot will represent the Penguins, while Bobrovski, Saad and Jenner hail from Columbus.
Off the Post AINEC
Last year's results: 4th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Okposo, Barrie, D. Strome, Hammond. Lost Saad, Kreider.
Offensive superstars: D. Sedin, H. Sedin, Iginla, Cammalleri
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Fleury
Dark horse players: Beleskey, Barrie, D. Strome
X factor: After finishing relatively middle-of-the-pack last season and just missing out on the playoffs, the changes were few and far between for OTPAINEC over the off-season. The team appears to be relying on shrewd drafting to make a difference this season and push them over the hump. Historically, the team has always gone as the Sedins go, but there are some nice complementary pieces to round out all categories this season.
Most influential NHL team:
OTPAINEC has the Canucks’ entire top line (most of the time) in the Sedins and Burrows, and those three will drive their offence as usual this season.
Pingu HC
Last year's results: 6th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Hossa, Filppula, Stralman, Trouba. Lost Wisniewski.
Offensive superstars: Nash, Hossa
Defensive superstars: Keith
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Horvat, Pearson
X factor: Pingu could not possibly get any worse than last season, you would think, so by that standard, there is cause for optimism. However, goaltending appears to be a severe weakness going into next season. Niemi will be a 1B goalie for a Dallas team that gives up a lot of goals, and Vancouver looks poised to decline hard in front of Miller. There are some decent youngsters in the pipeline that will look to strengthen an already-improved crop of skaters.
Most influential NHL team:
/ Zuccarello and Nash are two very influential representatives of the Rangers. In terms of sheer numbers, Dano, Kruger and Keith will make up the largest contingent from any one team.
Pressbox Millionaires
Last year's results: 5th in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Mason, Lucic, Killorn. Lost Nichushkin, Hoffman.
Offensive superstars: Nyquist, Hudler
Defensive superstars: Suter
Elite goaltenders: Mason
Dark horse players: Teravainen, Despres
X factor: The Millionaires’ roster is all about depth, and also features quite a number of players, such as Brown, Lucic, Hamhuis, Sutter and Hagelin, who had slightly disappointing seasons a year ago. No question the Millionaires hope to catch some of these guys on the upswing. Other younger guys are poised to breakout, so it will be interesting to see how high this team can climb up the standings this season.
Most influential NHL team:
With Ryan, Stone and Lazar all playing for the Sens, the Millionaires will hope that the team picks up where they left off last season, and with these guys leading the charge.
The Terrors
Last year's results: 3rd in Loob, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Backlund, Nichushkin, Hoffman, Schwartz, Muzzin. Lost P. Kane, Wideman.
Offensive superstars: Spezza, Schwartz
Defensive superstars: Weber, Josi, Muzzin
Elite goaltenders: Quick
Dark horse players: Nichushkin, Spooner
X factor: The Terrors come into this season with a very impressive set of defencemen, who should each be able to contribute in a lot of categories. In swapping P. Kane for Schwartz, they got rid of a major question mark. It will be interesting to see how much offense they can generate by committee, as they lack true first-line talents.
Most influential NHL team:
The Terrors lineup is sprinkled around the NHL, but Weber and Josi is a great top D pairing to have.
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Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Part 3: Vernon Division
The Vernon Division seems to be completely wide open, with all teams possibly making a run for the 2015-2016 CFHFFL Playoffs. Hamilton Slackberry seems to be the strongest, as they have added the likes of Kris Letang and Leon Draisaitl to their opening night roster; do not be surprised to see the Slackberry take over the division this season. 2014 CFHF Finalist Girouxsalem seems to be taking the same approach as in 2012 and 2013, selecting players who aren't afraid to hit and block. The Flaming Wings’ multidimensional offense should propel them into the playoffs, but their goaltending is a huge question mark.
The expansion team, Halifax Lions, made no delay to right the ship by trading their prospect pick for John Tavares. On top of that, they also added goaltender Roberto Luongo and David Krejci. Most likely to bottom out this season, the Ponies finish out the Vernon Division; they've taken the rebuilding route and who knows how long they'll be on the bottom.
All in all, this is a wildcard division. Up to three teams could potentially battle for the division, with four teams possibly making the playoffs.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Flaming Wings, Girouxsalem, Hamilton Slackberry
Most Improved Team: Hamilton Slackberry
Worst Team: Fluffy Pink Ponies
Flaming Wings
Last year's results: 1st in Vernon, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Eichel, Panarin. Lost Carter, Brassard.
Offensive superstars: Getzlaf, Ovechkin, Perry, Kucherov
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Klingberg, Panarin
X factor: With minimal changes in the off-season, Flaming Wings will once again come into the season with a high-flying offence and low-flying peripherals. And, as usual, they swung for the fences in the draft, trying to steal guys before their value explodes. We’ll see if, this season, it leads to any playoff success.
Most influential NHL team:
With Getzlaf, Perry, Bieksa and both Duck goaltenders part of the team, there’s no question that the Ducks’ fortunes will play a big role in the Flaming Wings’ fortunes.
Fluffy Pink Ponies
Last year's results: 5th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Vatanen. Lost Krejci.
Offensive superstars: Hall
Defensive superstars: Ekman-Larsson, S. Jones
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Drouin, Hanifin
X factor: Just like last year, Fluffy Pink Ponies will boast one of the best defences in the league. There are some good young forwards up front who should have bounce back years, such as Hall, Eberle and Drouin, but some glaring holes in the bottom six forwards could hurt going into next season. The goaltending contributions of Jones and Schneider, each on less-than-stellar teams, could be a let-down as well.
Most influential NHL team:
With Hall and Eberle on the team, the Ponies will be hoping that the Oilers’ offence comes to life under McLellan.
Girouxsalem
Last year's results: 4th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Green, Lehtonen. Lost Elliott.
Offensive superstars: Giroux, Stepan, Pavelski
Defensive superstars: Hedman, Green
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: J. Miller, Vasilevskiy
X factor: Girouxsalem had a very quiet off-season all-around, but after several players had down years or injuries last season, that was probably the right call. The biggest improvements for the club this year should be from within. Goaltending is a bit of a question mark, as their only current starting goalie was a sieve last season, but the team looks very dangerous in just about every other category.
Most influential NHL team:
With Palat and Hedman in the fold, Girouxsalem should benefit greatly from Tampa’s impressive team, and Vasilevskiy taking Bishop’s job would be icing on the cake.
Halifax Lions
Last year's results: Did not exist.
Biggest additions in the off-season: Tavares, Krejci, Luongo.
Offensive superstars: Tavares, Krejci
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Luongo
Dark horse players: Savard, Couturier
X factor: Perhaps the biggest, and most important move in the off-season league-wide was Halifax Lion’s decision not to draft Connor McDavid with their first overall prospect selection, but instead to parlay the pick into a package including John Tavares. Tavares leads a pretty impressive array of forwards for the expansion Lions, and the team is as solid as anyone between the pipes. The defence is a little bit suspect, but if Tavares is an Art Ross finalist once again, this could be a dark-horse playoff team when the dust settles.
Most influential NHL team:
The Lions boast almost no pairs of players from the same team, but they do have Tavares and Kulemin from the Isles. Tavares will obviously be relied upon, and Kulemin could also bounce back and add depth.
Hamilton Slackberry
Last year's results: 2nd in Loob, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Letang, Draisaitl. Lost Varlamov, Ristolainen.
Offensive superstars: Toews, Tarasenko
Defensive superstars: Fowler, Letang
Elite goaltenders: Rask
Dark horse players: Huberdeau, Paquette
X factor: After a slight re-tool last off-season led to a playoff appearance anyway, Slackberry appear to have made their team even stronger this off-season through the draft and the acquisition of Letang. The team is well-balanced across the board, and it’s hard to spot any glaring weaknesses. Look for this team to contend once again.
Most influential NHL team:
With Toews, Bickell and Hjalmarsson, Slackberry will hope for contribution from Chicago’s championship-calibre team.
The Vernon Division seems to be completely wide open, with all teams possibly making a run for the 2015-2016 CFHFFL Playoffs. Hamilton Slackberry seems to be the strongest, as they have added the likes of Kris Letang and Leon Draisaitl to their opening night roster; do not be surprised to see the Slackberry take over the division this season. 2014 CFHF Finalist Girouxsalem seems to be taking the same approach as in 2012 and 2013, selecting players who aren't afraid to hit and block. The Flaming Wings’ multidimensional offense should propel them into the playoffs, but their goaltending is a huge question mark.
The expansion team, Halifax Lions, made no delay to right the ship by trading their prospect pick for John Tavares. On top of that, they also added goaltender Roberto Luongo and David Krejci. Most likely to bottom out this season, the Ponies finish out the Vernon Division; they've taken the rebuilding route and who knows how long they'll be on the bottom.
All in all, this is a wildcard division. Up to three teams could potentially battle for the division, with four teams possibly making the playoffs.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Flaming Wings, Girouxsalem, Hamilton Slackberry
Most Improved Team: Hamilton Slackberry
Worst Team: Fluffy Pink Ponies
Flaming Wings
Last year's results: 1st in Vernon, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Eichel, Panarin. Lost Carter, Brassard.
Offensive superstars: Getzlaf, Ovechkin, Perry, Kucherov
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Klingberg, Panarin
X factor: With minimal changes in the off-season, Flaming Wings will once again come into the season with a high-flying offence and low-flying peripherals. And, as usual, they swung for the fences in the draft, trying to steal guys before their value explodes. We’ll see if, this season, it leads to any playoff success.
Most influential NHL team:
With Getzlaf, Perry, Bieksa and both Duck goaltenders part of the team, there’s no question that the Ducks’ fortunes will play a big role in the Flaming Wings’ fortunes.
Fluffy Pink Ponies
Last year's results: 5th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Vatanen. Lost Krejci.
Offensive superstars: Hall
Defensive superstars: Ekman-Larsson, S. Jones
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Drouin, Hanifin
X factor: Just like last year, Fluffy Pink Ponies will boast one of the best defences in the league. There are some good young forwards up front who should have bounce back years, such as Hall, Eberle and Drouin, but some glaring holes in the bottom six forwards could hurt going into next season. The goaltending contributions of Jones and Schneider, each on less-than-stellar teams, could be a let-down as well.
Most influential NHL team:
With Hall and Eberle on the team, the Ponies will be hoping that the Oilers’ offence comes to life under McLellan.
Girouxsalem
Last year's results: 4th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Green, Lehtonen. Lost Elliott.
Offensive superstars: Giroux, Stepan, Pavelski
Defensive superstars: Hedman, Green
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: J. Miller, Vasilevskiy
X factor: Girouxsalem had a very quiet off-season all-around, but after several players had down years or injuries last season, that was probably the right call. The biggest improvements for the club this year should be from within. Goaltending is a bit of a question mark, as their only current starting goalie was a sieve last season, but the team looks very dangerous in just about every other category.
Most influential NHL team:
With Palat and Hedman in the fold, Girouxsalem should benefit greatly from Tampa’s impressive team, and Vasilevskiy taking Bishop’s job would be icing on the cake.
Halifax Lions
Last year's results: Did not exist.
Biggest additions in the off-season: Tavares, Krejci, Luongo.
Offensive superstars: Tavares, Krejci
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: Luongo
Dark horse players: Savard, Couturier
X factor: Perhaps the biggest, and most important move in the off-season league-wide was Halifax Lion’s decision not to draft Connor McDavid with their first overall prospect selection, but instead to parlay the pick into a package including John Tavares. Tavares leads a pretty impressive array of forwards for the expansion Lions, and the team is as solid as anyone between the pipes. The defence is a little bit suspect, but if Tavares is an Art Ross finalist once again, this could be a dark-horse playoff team when the dust settles.
Most influential NHL team:
The Lions boast almost no pairs of players from the same team, but they do have Tavares and Kulemin from the Isles. Tavares will obviously be relied upon, and Kulemin could also bounce back and add depth.
Hamilton Slackberry
Last year's results: 2nd in Loob, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Letang, Draisaitl. Lost Varlamov, Ristolainen.
Offensive superstars: Toews, Tarasenko
Defensive superstars: Fowler, Letang
Elite goaltenders: Rask
Dark horse players: Huberdeau, Paquette
X factor: After a slight re-tool last off-season led to a playoff appearance anyway, Slackberry appear to have made their team even stronger this off-season through the draft and the acquisition of Letang. The team is well-balanced across the board, and it’s hard to spot any glaring weaknesses. Look for this team to contend once again.
Most influential NHL team:
With Toews, Bickell and Hjalmarsson, Slackberry will hope for contribution from Chicago’s championship-calibre team.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Part 4: MacInnis Division
As reigning champions, the Black Knights reap the rewards this season by being parachuted into a rather light division. With two championship rings in three years, you can’t bet against this team to take another serious run at a title, and they are the heavy favourites for the MacInnis Division crown.
Two other teams appear to be contenders for the playoffs. Generic Team Name has every right to be optimistic this season, with many star players leading the way. A playoff team last year, they hope to do it again this year. The Techno Onion also hope to make a run for the playoffs this season, and a healthy Malkin could be the difference required to do just that. We’ll call this team a bit of a wild-card, but they do have the horses to run with the playoff teams, and Rinne in net will pose a challenge to anyone in the goaltending department.
Not expected to be contenders are Good Decisions and The Scorch. The Scorch got the short end of the stick in the expansion draft, and in addition, their main draft choices leave some question marks. It may take a few years of high picks before this team can work their way up the standings. Good Decisions is a few years ahead on that path, but with some way to go yet.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Black Knights, Generic Team Name, The Techno Onion
Most Improved Team: Good Decisions
Worst Team: The Scorch
Black Knights
Last year's results: 2nd in McDonald, won championship.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained B. Schenn, Soderberg. Lost Mason, Stastny.
Offensive superstars: Thornton, Duchene, Johansen
Defensive superstars: Byfuglien, Subban
Elite goaltenders: Price
Dark horse players: Duclair, Soderberg
X factor: The Black Knights’ strategy hasn’t changed from the first year of the league: dominate the more easily-predictable peripheral categories, and go from there. This year’s edition of the team is no different in terms of its composition; on the surface, it may look non-flashy, but everyone will produce in some capacity. There are some question marks, however, beyond the top two, of how much of a contribution the defensive corps will make to the Knights this season. Still, Price will be spectacular in goal and the top forwards should provide enough offence to get by. Look for this team to contend as usual.
Most influential NHL team:
No question that Subban, Price and Smith-Pelly will play a big role in the Knights’ season.
Generic Team Name
Last year's results: 2nd in Vernon, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Carter, Lehtera. Lost Leddy.
Offensive superstars: Carter, T. Johnson, Zetterberg
Defensive superstars: Shattenkirk
Elite goaltenders: Holtby
Dark horse players: Kuznetsov, R. Smith
X factor: GTN have some great players at the top of the lineup, but seem to lack depth in both their winger and defensive ranks. They may need to rely on some overachieving in order to make the playoffs once again this year.
Most influential NHL team:
/
With their roster spread around the league, Shattenkirk and Lehtera or Holtby and Kuznetsov probably tie for the most influential group from any one team.
Good Decisions
Last year's results: 6th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Oshie, van Riemsdyk, Ribeiro. Lost Savard.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: McDonagh
Elite goaltenders: Lundqvist
Dark horse players: Rielly, S. Reinhart
X factor: With no true superstars, Good Decisions will be looking to score by committee, and will likely have a tough time keeping up with opponents on that front. No question, they are improved from last season, but it’s baby-steps until some true stars emerge.
Most influential NHL team:
Oshie, Johansson and Alzner will all hope to put their stats with the Capitals to good use with Good Decisions.
The Scorch
Last year's results: Did not exist.
Biggest additions during the off-season: E. Staal, Brassard.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Maatta, Kreider
X factor: On the outset, there’s really no other way to slice it. This roster looks like the odds-on favourite to win the Auston Matthews sweepstakes. With no real stars, let alone superstars, at any position, the Scorch would need some kind of divine intervention in order to finish outside of the bottom five this year. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the expansion outfit that got shafted in the lottery.
Most influential NHL team:
Kreider, Brassard and Klein should be bright spots on the Scorch this season, all playing in New York with the Rangers.
The Techno Onion
Last year's results: 3rd in Vernon, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Frolik. Lost Gaborik, Hossa, Oshie.
Offensive superstars: Malkin, Pacioretty
Defensive superstars: Carlson
Elite goaltenders: Rinne
Dark horse players: Ehrhoff, K. Hayes
X factor: The Onion lost a fair bit of talent over the off-season after stocking up last season. With a lack of forward depth, this team will be on the bubble for playoff contention, and whether they get in will likely depend on the health of their offensive leader, Malkin.
Most influential NHL team:
Pacioretty and Plekanec, when healthy, can be effective contributors from the Habs. We’ll see if they can provide consistent offense for the Onion this season.
As reigning champions, the Black Knights reap the rewards this season by being parachuted into a rather light division. With two championship rings in three years, you can’t bet against this team to take another serious run at a title, and they are the heavy favourites for the MacInnis Division crown.
Two other teams appear to be contenders for the playoffs. Generic Team Name has every right to be optimistic this season, with many star players leading the way. A playoff team last year, they hope to do it again this year. The Techno Onion also hope to make a run for the playoffs this season, and a healthy Malkin could be the difference required to do just that. We’ll call this team a bit of a wild-card, but they do have the horses to run with the playoff teams, and Rinne in net will pose a challenge to anyone in the goaltending department.
Not expected to be contenders are Good Decisions and The Scorch. The Scorch got the short end of the stick in the expansion draft, and in addition, their main draft choices leave some question marks. It may take a few years of high picks before this team can work their way up the standings. Good Decisions is a few years ahead on that path, but with some way to go yet.
Teams to Watch for Come Playoff Time : Black Knights, Generic Team Name, The Techno Onion
Most Improved Team: Good Decisions
Worst Team: The Scorch
Black Knights
Last year's results: 2nd in McDonald, won championship.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained B. Schenn, Soderberg. Lost Mason, Stastny.
Offensive superstars: Thornton, Duchene, Johansen
Defensive superstars: Byfuglien, Subban
Elite goaltenders: Price
Dark horse players: Duclair, Soderberg
X factor: The Black Knights’ strategy hasn’t changed from the first year of the league: dominate the more easily-predictable peripheral categories, and go from there. This year’s edition of the team is no different in terms of its composition; on the surface, it may look non-flashy, but everyone will produce in some capacity. There are some question marks, however, beyond the top two, of how much of a contribution the defensive corps will make to the Knights this season. Still, Price will be spectacular in goal and the top forwards should provide enough offence to get by. Look for this team to contend as usual.
Most influential NHL team:
No question that Subban, Price and Smith-Pelly will play a big role in the Knights’ season.
Generic Team Name
Last year's results: 2nd in Vernon, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Added Carter, Lehtera. Lost Leddy.
Offensive superstars: Carter, T. Johnson, Zetterberg
Defensive superstars: Shattenkirk
Elite goaltenders: Holtby
Dark horse players: Kuznetsov, R. Smith
X factor: GTN have some great players at the top of the lineup, but seem to lack depth in both their winger and defensive ranks. They may need to rely on some overachieving in order to make the playoffs once again this year.
Most influential NHL team:
/With their roster spread around the league, Shattenkirk and Lehtera or Holtby and Kuznetsov probably tie for the most influential group from any one team.
Good Decisions
Last year's results: 6th in Vernon, missed playoffs.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Oshie, van Riemsdyk, Ribeiro. Lost Savard.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: McDonagh
Elite goaltenders: Lundqvist
Dark horse players: Rielly, S. Reinhart
X factor: With no true superstars, Good Decisions will be looking to score by committee, and will likely have a tough time keeping up with opponents on that front. No question, they are improved from last season, but it’s baby-steps until some true stars emerge.
Most influential NHL team:
Oshie, Johansson and Alzner will all hope to put their stats with the Capitals to good use with Good Decisions.
The Scorch
Last year's results: Did not exist.
Biggest additions during the off-season: E. Staal, Brassard.
Offensive superstars: None
Defensive superstars: None
Elite goaltenders: None
Dark horse players: Maatta, Kreider
X factor: On the outset, there’s really no other way to slice it. This roster looks like the odds-on favourite to win the Auston Matthews sweepstakes. With no real stars, let alone superstars, at any position, the Scorch would need some kind of divine intervention in order to finish outside of the bottom five this year. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the expansion outfit that got shafted in the lottery.
Most influential NHL team:
Kreider, Brassard and Klein should be bright spots on the Scorch this season, all playing in New York with the Rangers.
The Techno Onion
Last year's results: 3rd in Vernon, lost in quarterfinals.
Biggest roster changes from last season: Gained Frolik. Lost Gaborik, Hossa, Oshie.
Offensive superstars: Malkin, Pacioretty
Defensive superstars: Carlson
Elite goaltenders: Rinne
Dark horse players: Ehrhoff, K. Hayes
X factor: The Onion lost a fair bit of talent over the off-season after stocking up last season. With a lack of forward depth, this team will be on the bubble for playoff contention, and whether they get in will likely depend on the health of their offensive leader, Malkin.
Most influential NHL team:
Pacioretty and Plekanec, when healthy, can be effective contributors from the Habs. We’ll see if they can provide consistent offense for the Onion this season.
Last edited:
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Yung Rotini
6 Summers
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
Guys, what a great job! I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single one. Fantastic job to both of you!
Pirate King Luffy
Ferkland
I guess John Carlson isn't a defensive superstar? None the less, great read.
I am slightly up north from the Horseheads.
I am slightly up north from the Horseheads.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
TBH, I had no idea where you were. Or Sean Monahan, for that matter.
He's a Giroux superfan, though, apparently, so I put him near enough to PA.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Unlimited Chequing
Christian Yellow
Nice write up! I enjoyed reading those and appreciate the effort put into them. Middle of the pack is better than my goal of "not being last" last season
Yung Rotini
6 Summers
Yung Rotini
6 Summers
Taranis
Registered User
Unlimited Chequing
Christian Yellow
Johnny Hoxville
The Return of a Legend
It's crazy all the guys I had to move out, it's like an allstar team. I like my roster more this year though.
Crosby and Kessel are going to be nasty.
Anglesmith
Setting up the play?
Is Ryan Suter no longer a defensive superstar?
Not in fantasy, IMO. Ranked 173rd on Yahoo.
I dunno. You're probably right.
Last edited:
1989
Registered User
- Aug 3, 2010
- 10,441
- 4,064
Not in fantasy, IMO. Ranked 173rd on Yahoo.
I dunno. You're probably right.
173 out of defencemen, or 173 out of overall players?
Offseason top 200 fantasy hockey rankings is the first Yahoo ranking I stumbled upon. He's placed #163, which is still a little low low IMO or rather I think he's tied with a lot of similar blueliners. He's also the 28th-ranked defenceman on that list which is still a top-30, #1 defenceman in the NHL (and our league, since we deploy 6 defenders per team.)
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