Post by GoVoysGo on Jan 7, 2015 18:59:14 GMT -5
These boards will be used for the weekly power rankings. I thought it would be nice to suggest how this league appears to shape up ahead of this upcoming season. I will be posting the weekly power rankings in one part each week. There will be no bottom half first part, also known as the glass half full half, nor the MC Hammer second portion (Too Legit too Quit). If you get offended that is OK we weren't going to spend Christmas together anyways.
The grammar will be bad and if you feel the need to point that out please be prepared to make a fist with your right hand and shake it back and forth so you can visualize my response to those complaints.
The Power Rankings are composed based on performance, record, and a glance at the team rosters...........
I have given the number rank a colour based on how the team is trending: green (trending up), red (trending down, like my math marks over the years), and gray (consistent... or you simply can't become more extreme, either first or worst). THE RANK ITSELF IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF THIS.
Along with the weekly Most Valuable Player, there will be a Least Valuable Player included for each team as well, from now on. Like the MVP, the LVP isn't simply the most/least fantasy points achieved on the week. If a depth player performs near the top of the team, then they may be awarded the MVP; likewise, if a superstar has an off week, they may end up being the team donkey. It is almost entirely subjective, but within reason. I may target a player for being clutch (or not being clutch) in a close matchup towards the end of the week (you will see me do this twice in this very edition of the PR, for the same team). If your favourite player isn't picked, go tell Ron Wilson, and he'll tell you about how inconsistent they are. I don't want to hear it.
And finally, please have fun with these as I intend to, and try to ignore the fact that I copied the beginning of Clint J. Gritt's weekly power rankings from the Triple Play Dynasty baseball league.
#1 HAMILTON HUSKIES (1) 11-2
Ahhh. The curse of the first. The luck of the Blackhawk. I’ve heard this story before.
Before you go pointing fingers at the Sharvit squad’s record, or even any statistic, let’s take a look back at the previous two seasons.
Team A finishes first, loaded with Chicago players. Team B finishes second, starring several Capitals. Team B ends up winning the championship.
Team A finishes first, loaded with Chicago players. Team B makes the playoffs (I can’t remember where they placed, and I’m too lazy), stuffed with depth. Team B ends up winning the championship.
This year, we have the exact same scenario. That’s it. I’m calling choke on this one.
Still, you can’t help but admire an 11-2 record, in which the Hamilton Huskies have won nine games in a row.
Adam Sharvit attended the NHL’s Winter Classic this year. Not only did he exceed 60 points because of it, but he was in such high spirits (get it?) that he drank eight bottles of Grey Goose vodka and three bottles of Bicardi rum. He was arrested later that evening, after running around the streets naked, torching police cruisers, and excessively text messaging Barack Obama, “ROMNEY’S DICK IS BIGGER!” The police found Sharvit out cold on the sidewalk, lying there for possibly three hours, with “Hands up, don’t shoot” written on a piece of paper taped to his back. When he woke, he asked the police if they had any beer.
MVP: Kari Lehtonen: 3 GS • 3 W • 1.00 GAA • .964 SV% • 1 SHUTOUT • 53.2 FPTS
LVP: Jonathan Toews: 3 GP • 0 G • 2 A • 5 SOG • 6.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: Despite all the curses making perfect sense, you are not Stier. Only Stier is allowed to choke.
#2 GRAND RAPIDS GOATS (2) 9-4
Didn’t the cops give a whole speech on why bullying is wrong?
And yet, here you are, facing off against Seattle, again. Shame.
The Grand Rapids Goats sit pretty with a 9-4 record and a pretty comfortable lead over the next best team, although “pretty” is a slight understatement.
Last week’s matchup was anything but pretty; the Goats trailed for much of it. What we shall now call the “Stier’s Saturday Special” featured yet another late-matchup comeback for the group.
There’s not too much to say about them. I will point a finger at GM Sean Combardi for doing jack-fucking-shit to fix the positional problems Grand Rapids is having. You’re almost as useless as the real NHL GMs. Come on.
Grand Rapids will host the Red Deer Blades, who are just about ready to hear an earful from me. Stick to the gameplan, and this shouldn’t be too hard. Oh, and don’t underestimate them this time.
MVP: Ryan McDonagh: 3 GP • 1 PPG • 3 A (2 PPA) • 1 GWG • 35.5 FPTS
LVP: Patrick Marleau: 3 GP • 0 PTS • -3 PLUS/MINUS • 1.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: Be thankful that your hockey team is not composed of the hockey trading cards you buy.
#3 DALLAS DIAMONDS (5) 5-8
YES! YES! YES!
I can hear Bryan Danielson from his hospital bed cheering for a team he probably has no relationship with. I couldn’t care less. It makes for a good story.
Dallas. Milwaukee. If that doesn’t spell snoozefest, I don’t know what does (try Seattle vs. Dallas). Surprisingly, it was anything but.
It looked like Dallas would finally claim their first ever Art Ross trophy. A win was just about in the books. Out of nowhere, the Blizz began piling on points, and took a late lead. In the dying moments of the third, the epic comeback was made, giving Dallas a much-needed victory.
The days of 1-6 Dallas and 3-8 Dallas are distant memories. This is a rejuvenated team, looking to make the playoffs.
Right now, they are looking a-okay.
Don’t look now, but Dallas actually qualifies for a postseason spot. Holy crap!
Next week is all about distancing themselves from Seattle and Milwaukee, when they host the former at the American Airlines Center.
MVP: Johnny Boychuk • 4 GP • 2 G (2 PPG) • 2 A (2 PPA) • 11 SOG • 12 BLOCKED SHOTS • 45.4 FPTS
LVP: Frans Nielson: 2 GP • 0 PTS • -2 PLUS/MINUS • 0 SOG • 1 HIT • 3 BLOCKED SHOTS • -0.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: As long as Rick Nash and Johnny Boychuk keep coming up huge in clutch moments, Dallas should be fine.
#4 RED DEER BLADES (3) 6-7
New year, new story.
That’s the case for the small Albertan town, the one where the local team has slipped below .500 win percentage. Yes. The Red Deer Blades are officially a losing team. They join three others in this respect.
Red Deer’s players are painfully inconsistent. Luckily (until now), the players alternate between hot and cold with each other, meaning there is always someone doing well, but never everyone doing well.
So what changed?
Well, nowadays half the players are streaky, and the other half are just flat out cold. Fourteen of his players have averaged 4.5 fpts or fewer over the last half-month. A different group (although not entirely different) of fourteen also averaged 4.5 fpts or fewer this past week.
To celebrate his holiday gift (St. Louis Blues baseball cap), owner Mark Korodetz vacationed on the sunny beaches of St. Louis, Missouri, where he stayed at an old folks’ home with resident Martin Brodeur (who taught the young entrepreneur how to surf).
And what did the Blades give to their fans for the holiday? Absolutely nothing (except for a handful of losses, while ranking in the dregs of the league in scoring).
Mabcock has his work cut out for him if he wishes to put the team back on track, starting with a very difficult matchup against the Grand Rapids Goats.
MVP: John Tavares: 4 GP • 2 G (1 PPG) • 3 A (2 PPA) (1 SHA) • 1 GWG • 12 SOG • 39.6 FPTS
LVP: Jeff Skinner: 3 GP • 0 PTS • -4 PLUS/MINUS • 7 SOG • -0.7 FPTS
Reason for hope: You’re still in playoff position, aren’t you?
#5 MILWAUKEE BLIZZARDS (4) 5-8
It’s cold in Milwaukee.
And I’m not talking about actual Blizzards and snow storms. Indeed; the Milwaukee Blizzards are frigid, colder than the ice the late great Nelson Mandela once skated upon.
Here are some numbers for you.
Last 9: 2-7
Current streak: 2 Losses
Weekly Art Ross trophies: 0
Points For rank: 5th (4421)
Average position-rank: 22.33
Current position in standings: T4 (5th with tiebreaker)
Yikes.
The Blizz have conceded the sole position of the last playoff spot this week, losing to the team that they now share it with — the Dallas Diamonds. I have to say, it was a great game; not only was it a thriller, but it was a high-paced, action packed game. These two teams have formed an underrated rivalry, putting both teams on the map, and this matchup was no exception. The Diamonds currently lead the season series 2-1, with one match remaining, this time in Dallas.
On a more sour note, this marks the second week in a row in which Milwaukee has lost to a team with a losing record. I was able to briefly catch up with owner Shmuel Kantor, who admitted the two-week winter break has been “not as good as it could’ve been,” declining further comment at this point in time.
What’s the best way to get a team out of a funk? I’m not sure (or my team would be in the playoffs by now), but it definitely isn’t facing the first ranked, 11-2 team. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, that’s exactly what the schedule creators of the YGFHL have in store for them. They head over to the FirstOntario Centre where they look to spoil the nine game winning streak of the Hamilton Huskies.
MVP: Victor Hedman: 4 GP • 2 G • 4 A (1 PPA) • 9 BLOCKED SHOTS • 30.4 FPTS
LVP: Matt Duchene: 4 GP • 0 G • -1 PLUS/MINUS • 5 SOG • 2 HITS • 2 BLOCKED SHOTS • 5.7 FPTS
Reason for hope: After Seattle, I visit the Milwaukee Blizzards’ team page more than any other, just to see that fucking amazing logo. Seriously, we need those on actual jerseys. I’d pay, like, ten whole dollars for one.
#6 SEATTLE BLAZERS (6) 3-10
355.7 points in a week is nothing to laugh about.
27.8 points on a Saturday is, though.
As the Seattle Blazers slump to a 3-10 record, the 2nd place preseason prediction seems to be a far cry. Yet somehow, they are only two games back from a playoff spot.
Somehow, this season is far from over.
It almost seems inane, but it is true. Seattle is two games away from earning a ticket to the spring fling. And believe me when I tell you, the spring fling is fucking awesome. I couldn’t go last year, due to my team being even shittier than it is now, but trust me. It’s great.
As we all know, with good news comes bad news too. So far, the B’s have the lowest points-for total, as well as the lowest points-against total. This means they have had the easiest matchups, while being the easiest matchup. Yikes.
Up until the weekend, Seattle stood neck in neck with their opponent, the Grand Rapids Goats. They worked the cycle well, as they usually do, but errant passes and unforced giveaways continue to tell the woeful tale. This is no longer the tale of the Edmonton Oilers, but rather the Toronto Maple Leafs. What I mean by that is they can lead 5-0 at the first intermission, finish the second period up 10-6, and end up choking 134-10.
In fact, longtime Blazers fan David Grohl has reportedly “given up on these fuckers”, and has announced he is moving to San Jose, where the local hockey team never chokes (never).
All’s well that ends well, I suppose. I mean, sure. The team is spiralling down the standings (well, they would if they had anywhere to fall), there are often empty sections at the KeyArena, and owner Daniel Ronel is losing money this year. But look on the bright side; there are (at least) two good teams in this league.
Next week, Seattle isn’t facing either of those teams, but that shouldn’t relieve the squad; they face the red-hot Dallas Diamonds, who led the league in scoring for most of last week in their win.
MVP: Rockstar Ovechkin: 3 GP • 3 G (1 PPG) • 3 A (1 PPA) • 13 SOG • 12 HITS • 36.8 FPTS
LVP: Antti Niemi: 1 GS • 1 L • 6.00 GAA • .778 SV% • -6.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: The balance in this league is so astronomically out of whack that Seattle is still within striking distance of the postseason, with lots of time before we can comfortably count them out.
The grammar will be bad and if you feel the need to point that out please be prepared to make a fist with your right hand and shake it back and forth so you can visualize my response to those complaints.
The Power Rankings are composed based on performance, record, and a glance at the team rosters...........
I have given the number rank a colour based on how the team is trending: green (trending up), red (trending down, like my math marks over the years), and gray (consistent... or you simply can't become more extreme, either first or worst). THE RANK ITSELF IS NOT REFLECTIVE OF THIS.
Along with the weekly Most Valuable Player, there will be a Least Valuable Player included for each team as well, from now on. Like the MVP, the LVP isn't simply the most/least fantasy points achieved on the week. If a depth player performs near the top of the team, then they may be awarded the MVP; likewise, if a superstar has an off week, they may end up being the team donkey. It is almost entirely subjective, but within reason. I may target a player for being clutch (or not being clutch) in a close matchup towards the end of the week (you will see me do this twice in this very edition of the PR, for the same team). If your favourite player isn't picked, go tell Ron Wilson, and he'll tell you about how inconsistent they are. I don't want to hear it.
And finally, please have fun with these as I intend to, and try to ignore the fact that I copied the beginning of Clint J. Gritt's weekly power rankings from the Triple Play Dynasty baseball league.
Ahhh. The curse of the first. The luck of the Blackhawk. I’ve heard this story before.
Before you go pointing fingers at the Sharvit squad’s record, or even any statistic, let’s take a look back at the previous two seasons.
Team A finishes first, loaded with Chicago players. Team B finishes second, starring several Capitals. Team B ends up winning the championship.
Team A finishes first, loaded with Chicago players. Team B makes the playoffs (I can’t remember where they placed, and I’m too lazy), stuffed with depth. Team B ends up winning the championship.
This year, we have the exact same scenario. That’s it. I’m calling choke on this one.
Still, you can’t help but admire an 11-2 record, in which the Hamilton Huskies have won nine games in a row.
Adam Sharvit attended the NHL’s Winter Classic this year. Not only did he exceed 60 points because of it, but he was in such high spirits (get it?) that he drank eight bottles of Grey Goose vodka and three bottles of Bicardi rum. He was arrested later that evening, after running around the streets naked, torching police cruisers, and excessively text messaging Barack Obama, “ROMNEY’S DICK IS BIGGER!” The police found Sharvit out cold on the sidewalk, lying there for possibly three hours, with “Hands up, don’t shoot” written on a piece of paper taped to his back. When he woke, he asked the police if they had any beer.
MVP: Kari Lehtonen: 3 GS • 3 W • 1.00 GAA • .964 SV% • 1 SHUTOUT • 53.2 FPTS
LVP: Jonathan Toews: 3 GP • 0 G • 2 A • 5 SOG • 6.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: Despite all the curses making perfect sense, you are not Stier. Only Stier is allowed to choke.
#2 GRAND RAPIDS GOATS (2) 9-4
Didn’t the cops give a whole speech on why bullying is wrong?
And yet, here you are, facing off against Seattle, again. Shame.
The Grand Rapids Goats sit pretty with a 9-4 record and a pretty comfortable lead over the next best team, although “pretty” is a slight understatement.
Last week’s matchup was anything but pretty; the Goats trailed for much of it. What we shall now call the “Stier’s Saturday Special” featured yet another late-matchup comeback for the group.
There’s not too much to say about them. I will point a finger at GM Sean Combardi for doing jack-fucking-shit to fix the positional problems Grand Rapids is having. You’re almost as useless as the real NHL GMs. Come on.
Grand Rapids will host the Red Deer Blades, who are just about ready to hear an earful from me. Stick to the gameplan, and this shouldn’t be too hard. Oh, and don’t underestimate them this time.
MVP: Ryan McDonagh: 3 GP • 1 PPG • 3 A (2 PPA) • 1 GWG • 35.5 FPTS
LVP: Patrick Marleau: 3 GP • 0 PTS • -3 PLUS/MINUS • 1.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: Be thankful that your hockey team is not composed of the hockey trading cards you buy.
#3 DALLAS DIAMONDS (5) 5-8
YES! YES! YES!
I can hear Bryan Danielson from his hospital bed cheering for a team he probably has no relationship with. I couldn’t care less. It makes for a good story.
Dallas. Milwaukee. If that doesn’t spell snoozefest, I don’t know what does (try Seattle vs. Dallas). Surprisingly, it was anything but.
It looked like Dallas would finally claim their first ever Art Ross trophy. A win was just about in the books. Out of nowhere, the Blizz began piling on points, and took a late lead. In the dying moments of the third, the epic comeback was made, giving Dallas a much-needed victory.
The days of 1-6 Dallas and 3-8 Dallas are distant memories. This is a rejuvenated team, looking to make the playoffs.
Right now, they are looking a-okay.
Don’t look now, but Dallas actually qualifies for a postseason spot. Holy crap!
Next week is all about distancing themselves from Seattle and Milwaukee, when they host the former at the American Airlines Center.
MVP: Johnny Boychuk • 4 GP • 2 G (2 PPG) • 2 A (2 PPA) • 11 SOG • 12 BLOCKED SHOTS • 45.4 FPTS
LVP: Frans Nielson: 2 GP • 0 PTS • -2 PLUS/MINUS • 0 SOG • 1 HIT • 3 BLOCKED SHOTS • -0.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: As long as Rick Nash and Johnny Boychuk keep coming up huge in clutch moments, Dallas should be fine.
#4 RED DEER BLADES (3) 6-7
New year, new story.
That’s the case for the small Albertan town, the one where the local team has slipped below .500 win percentage. Yes. The Red Deer Blades are officially a losing team. They join three others in this respect.
Red Deer’s players are painfully inconsistent. Luckily (until now), the players alternate between hot and cold with each other, meaning there is always someone doing well, but never everyone doing well.
So what changed?
Well, nowadays half the players are streaky, and the other half are just flat out cold. Fourteen of his players have averaged 4.5 fpts or fewer over the last half-month. A different group (although not entirely different) of fourteen also averaged 4.5 fpts or fewer this past week.
To celebrate his holiday gift (St. Louis Blues baseball cap), owner Mark Korodetz vacationed on the sunny beaches of St. Louis, Missouri, where he stayed at an old folks’ home with resident Martin Brodeur (who taught the young entrepreneur how to surf).
And what did the Blades give to their fans for the holiday? Absolutely nothing (except for a handful of losses, while ranking in the dregs of the league in scoring).
Mabcock has his work cut out for him if he wishes to put the team back on track, starting with a very difficult matchup against the Grand Rapids Goats.
MVP: John Tavares: 4 GP • 2 G (1 PPG) • 3 A (2 PPA) (1 SHA) • 1 GWG • 12 SOG • 39.6 FPTS
LVP: Jeff Skinner: 3 GP • 0 PTS • -4 PLUS/MINUS • 7 SOG • -0.7 FPTS
Reason for hope: You’re still in playoff position, aren’t you?
#5 MILWAUKEE BLIZZARDS (4) 5-8
It’s cold in Milwaukee.
And I’m not talking about actual Blizzards and snow storms. Indeed; the Milwaukee Blizzards are frigid, colder than the ice the late great Nelson Mandela once skated upon.
Here are some numbers for you.
Last 9: 2-7
Current streak: 2 Losses
Weekly Art Ross trophies: 0
Points For rank: 5th (4421)
Average position-rank: 22.33
Current position in standings: T4 (5th with tiebreaker)
Yikes.
The Blizz have conceded the sole position of the last playoff spot this week, losing to the team that they now share it with — the Dallas Diamonds. I have to say, it was a great game; not only was it a thriller, but it was a high-paced, action packed game. These two teams have formed an underrated rivalry, putting both teams on the map, and this matchup was no exception. The Diamonds currently lead the season series 2-1, with one match remaining, this time in Dallas.
On a more sour note, this marks the second week in a row in which Milwaukee has lost to a team with a losing record. I was able to briefly catch up with owner Shmuel Kantor, who admitted the two-week winter break has been “not as good as it could’ve been,” declining further comment at this point in time.
What’s the best way to get a team out of a funk? I’m not sure (or my team would be in the playoffs by now), but it definitely isn’t facing the first ranked, 11-2 team. Unfortunately for Milwaukee, that’s exactly what the schedule creators of the YGFHL have in store for them. They head over to the FirstOntario Centre where they look to spoil the nine game winning streak of the Hamilton Huskies.
MVP: Victor Hedman: 4 GP • 2 G • 4 A (1 PPA) • 9 BLOCKED SHOTS • 30.4 FPTS
LVP: Matt Duchene: 4 GP • 0 G • -1 PLUS/MINUS • 5 SOG • 2 HITS • 2 BLOCKED SHOTS • 5.7 FPTS
Reason for hope: After Seattle, I visit the Milwaukee Blizzards’ team page more than any other, just to see that fucking amazing logo. Seriously, we need those on actual jerseys. I’d pay, like, ten whole dollars for one.
#6 SEATTLE BLAZERS (6) 3-10
355.7 points in a week is nothing to laugh about.
27.8 points on a Saturday is, though.
As the Seattle Blazers slump to a 3-10 record, the 2nd place preseason prediction seems to be a far cry. Yet somehow, they are only two games back from a playoff spot.
Somehow, this season is far from over.
It almost seems inane, but it is true. Seattle is two games away from earning a ticket to the spring fling. And believe me when I tell you, the spring fling is fucking awesome. I couldn’t go last year, due to my team being even shittier than it is now, but trust me. It’s great.
As we all know, with good news comes bad news too. So far, the B’s have the lowest points-for total, as well as the lowest points-against total. This means they have had the easiest matchups, while being the easiest matchup. Yikes.
Up until the weekend, Seattle stood neck in neck with their opponent, the Grand Rapids Goats. They worked the cycle well, as they usually do, but errant passes and unforced giveaways continue to tell the woeful tale. This is no longer the tale of the Edmonton Oilers, but rather the Toronto Maple Leafs. What I mean by that is they can lead 5-0 at the first intermission, finish the second period up 10-6, and end up choking 134-10.
In fact, longtime Blazers fan David Grohl has reportedly “given up on these fuckers”, and has announced he is moving to San Jose, where the local hockey team never chokes (never).
All’s well that ends well, I suppose. I mean, sure. The team is spiralling down the standings (well, they would if they had anywhere to fall), there are often empty sections at the KeyArena, and owner Daniel Ronel is losing money this year. But look on the bright side; there are (at least) two good teams in this league.
Next week, Seattle isn’t facing either of those teams, but that shouldn’t relieve the squad; they face the red-hot Dallas Diamonds, who led the league in scoring for most of last week in their win.
MVP: Rockstar Ovechkin: 3 GP • 3 G (1 PPG) • 3 A (1 PPA) • 13 SOG • 12 HITS • 36.8 FPTS
LVP: Antti Niemi: 1 GS • 1 L • 6.00 GAA • .778 SV% • -6.8 FPTS
Reason for hope: The balance in this league is so astronomically out of whack that Seattle is still within striking distance of the postseason, with lots of time before we can comfortably count them out.