Kings @ the halfway point

[dsavillian]

(not looking to make a brag post here, just wanted to do my usual twice a year state of the union post)


So, uh. How about that first half?

It seems every year there's a team that is, for reasons unexplained, miles ahead of the rest. This year, my team seems to have been gifted an insane level of SIM luck.

Truth be told, however, this run goes back to about the 4th week of last season.


Where we came from

I came into last season pretty pleased with my team. I had been working toward a plan based on some data I had been tracking in the CPHL - basically looking at top teams, advanced stats and picking out patterns of ratings to develop a model to base my team around. Part of it was having a top goaltender, which I lucked into with Holtby. The rest was picking and choosing players that fit my plan and holding on to them until the team came together.


Disaster struck early last season though. The team was basically dead last after the first few weeks. I was teetering on blowing it up and giving up, but after digging into some stats (GF/GA excluding blowouts, SF/SA, PK/PP, etc) I decided that my team was looking good and might just be getting unlucky results. I wanted to stick with it for a few more weeks knowing that I could easily blow the team up by finding one or two GMs to deal with. Basically, I had time on my side.

The team turned it around in an insane fashion. I can’t recall exactly, but I think at one point the team won 13 games in a row and rolled into the playoffs on an insane run. I think the team was playing > 700 hockey for the last 3/4ths of the season and continued that run all the way to the CPHL finals.


After a run to the cup finals, the offseason posed some interesting challenges for my team. A few players needed larger than expected raises and we were stuck having to let a couple of players go to UFA while trading some players and calling up some AHLers to get under the cap.

Where we are

The numbers speak for themselves.
35-5-1 for 79 points.
13 points in front of the 2nd place Hawks
30 points ahead of the Sharks for 9th place
1st in GF+GA (second in GF, first in GA)
20th in PK+PP (barf)
2nd in SF+SA
20th in PIM (barf)

All quiet on the Western front

Like it or not, the Kings really aren't in a position to make any deals. I've seen a few comments about the lack of trade activity (a few passive aggressive). I've never really been one to make more than a few deals a season, instead focusing on offseason trades to avoid UFA bidding.

Truth be told, I've been working on this plan since my second season. I targeted specific players early on, always working towards a plan based around a top goaltender.

I'd be foolish to trade now.

Going forward


The playoffs are all but locked up so I have my eyes on the CPHL points record. 130 points is enough to break the record, which requires a .719 winning percentage for the second half of the season. While attainable, it would mean that the team has to continue to play better than all other teams in the league. .719 is significantly less than our record to date but will still be incredibly challenging.


Really, the only tweak I’d like to make to the team is to improve the PP and PK as this is the biggest downward trend from last year. This will likely involve shuffling units around and trying to reduce the number of penalties against.


In summary


The SIM is a fickle beast. Almost blew it up last year, glad I didn’t. Hot goaltender is hot. Trying to not mess with the SIM chemistry. Have a shot at breaking the points record. Team will likely suffer a few season ending injuries and miss the playoffs by 2 points (is this post the CPHL equivalent of saying “shutout”?)

[Knut]

I predict a first round sweep out of the playoffs

[SportsJunky]

Congratulations on putting a great team together. Solid top to bottom. I've looked at your team more than once to try and figure out a decent trade proposal but in truth, why would you trade right now? Things are looking good in La La Land. Good luck.

[dsavillian]

Originally Posted by Hes

I predict a first round sweep out of the playoffs

Didn't that happen to Boston last year and Dallas a few seasons ago?

At this point, I'm expecting that as well.

[TurdFerguson]

Originally Posted by dsavillian

Didn't that happen to Boston last year and Dallas a few seasons ago?

At this point, I'm expecting that as well.

No, as I recall, Dallas won 16 straight to take down the championship.



also, is this the start of the "ongoing congratulations to the LA Kinds" thread?

[dsavillian]

Originally Posted by TurdFerguson

No, as I recall, Dallas won 16 straight to take down the championship.



also, is this the start of the "ongoing congratulations to the LA Kinds" thread?

Where's my keychain?

[TheScorpion]

If I win my 10th in a row tomorrow, do I get to start a thread?

Also, holy man I was bad before this streak. 11-19-2.

[dsavillian]

I don't see why not

[TurdFerguson]

Originally Posted by dsavillian

Where's my keychain?

[SportsJunky]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

If I win my 10th in a row tomorrow, do I get to start a thread?

Nope.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Nope.

Yeah, I guess beating Pittsburgh isn't that much of an accomplishment