JiriHrdina
04-01-2013, 11:47 AM
Similar to Elliott Friedman's column, I'm going to try and put together this semi-regularly. It is surprisingly hard to put together 30 thoughts but hope you enjoy.
1. Lots of outcry over what’s happening in the SE this year where 88 points right now is good for first place. Currently that would mean the Panthers would host the Sens in the first round, even though Ottawa has 11 more points. One must keep in mind though, that it is the first time under current alignment this type of thing has happened. With realignment expected to happen in the off-season it will be interesting to see how things play out.
2. Lots of credit should be paid to Caged Great in Florida, who’s approach over the years with the Panthers has been questioned, but getting them back into the post-season would be a big moment.
3. The kitties have also been making some moves of late to pick up some good vets. That combined with home ice could make them a scary opponent in the first round.
4. As there is every season, there is a ton of debate over trade activity. Interesting to note that the teams in the playoffs are a mix of those that trade often, and those that stick with a core longer. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, or win a CPHL cup.
5. It is always interesting to watch players out of the post-season race this time of year to see who is fading and what teams are showing some pride heading into next season. Good on the Bruins (7-2-1 in their last 10), Blues (7-1-2) and Jackets (6-3-1) for showing some passion down the stretch during otherwise disappointing years.
6. On the other side, which contending teams are hitting their stride? NYI (8-1-1), Montreal (8-1-1), Anaheim (6-1-3), Detroit (7-3), Flames (7-1-2), and Phoenix (7-2-1) all look good.
7. Avs are fading badly and coughed up the division. Pitt also has to be wondering what’s going on.
8. If the Wild can catch the Hawks, a first round Wings/Wild battle looks great.
9. One of the “hard to get your head wrapped around” stats this year is the Wild’s 25.72 shots for each game. They have increased it over the year but they will still finish almost 5 shots on goal per game below any other team in the CPHL. Makes no sense.
10. The Wild also rank last in hits. Coincidence or part of the sim secret sauce?
11. Another statistical oddity. The Sharks are already eliminated from the playoff chase yet their goal differential for the year is -6. Teams surrounding them in the standings are -25, -39, -30, -52. It suggests that bad luck has as much to do with the Sharks’ failure this year as anything
12. The MVP race looks to be tight but right now it is Toews’ award to lose. JT has put together an amazing campaign in Carolina but the team is out of it. Toews leads the scoring race and has the Ducks on top of the west. Clutch.
13. Honorable mention to Jason Pominville. Without him the Sabres are nowhere near the playoffs. He also leads the league in Points per 20 minutes.
14. Joe Thronton is 3rd in scoring on the Ducks, but is -13 during his time on the Pond. On a team as good as Anaheim that reeks.
15. Worst plus/minus in the league? Devin Seoguchi in Vancouver at -38, one worse than OEL in Dallas.
16. The top Dman race is not close at all. 94 points from a rearguard is obscene. Karlsson wins it walking away.
17. No one can figure out how the Islanders are doing it, but it is a long season and their ability to sustain their strong play can’t be under-valued. Coach of the year for Trotz? 30 thoughts thinks so.
18. One possible problem though for the playoffs – the PK ranks last in the league. Stay out of the box boys!
19. There’s lots of work to do in Chicago – but Tilley appears to be up for the job taking a careful but sensible approach – focused initially on building some depth for the playoffs. The Marc Savard deal was an under-rated move that could pay off dividends in the post-season
20. Miserable year in NYR but Brooks Laich is having a career season. Can the GM in the big apple parlay that sim magic into a nice return on the trade front?
21. Has anyone done the math to see how many picks are owed on conditions this year? Feels like a lot and one wonders how some teams are going to fulfill their obligations.
22. Speaking of the draft, some GMs are already changing their approach to try and take advantage of the lottery system that will be implemented next season.
23. This year’s draft should be very interesting with plenty of big names at the top. At this point though we see the Stars passing on Seth Jones in favor of Mackinnon. With Drouin displaying mouth watering skills and dmen always have questionable fantasy value, how far will Popeye’s kid drop?
24. The Wild have had two guys sitting on their roster the entire year with unplayable ratings in Viktor Fasth and Damien Brunner. It will be interesting to see if they submit for re-rates before the deadline to open up the possibility of trading a guy like Marty Biron.
25. Along the same line of thinking, the value of backup goals in the CPHL is virtually nil. Will the league address this in the off-season?
26. What’s wrong with Patty Kane – 25 goals/50 points is fine but not good enough for a guy like him.
27. Another under-rated move – the Ducks picking up Shawn Matthias for a 2014 2nd. Matthias is starting to fulfil his potential.
28. Washington turned around and made another nice move themselves – adding two quality prospects in Frankie Corrado and Stephen Johns – for a declining vet. Of course neither will be in DC very long.
29. The CPHL looks to finish the season well ahead of the NHL and ahead of last year’s end date. More time to re-tool and re-shape!
30. A final note – the league hasn’t seen as much as Hanna Sniper in Carolina this year as we are used to and he is badly missed. Officials have been in contact with him and wish him all the best while looking forward to a full time return to the league soon.
1. Lots of outcry over what’s happening in the SE this year where 88 points right now is good for first place. Currently that would mean the Panthers would host the Sens in the first round, even though Ottawa has 11 more points. One must keep in mind though, that it is the first time under current alignment this type of thing has happened. With realignment expected to happen in the off-season it will be interesting to see how things play out.
2. Lots of credit should be paid to Caged Great in Florida, who’s approach over the years with the Panthers has been questioned, but getting them back into the post-season would be a big moment.
3. The kitties have also been making some moves of late to pick up some good vets. That combined with home ice could make them a scary opponent in the first round.
4. As there is every season, there is a ton of debate over trade activity. Interesting to note that the teams in the playoffs are a mix of those that trade often, and those that stick with a core longer. There’s more than one way to skin a cat, or win a CPHL cup.
5. It is always interesting to watch players out of the post-season race this time of year to see who is fading and what teams are showing some pride heading into next season. Good on the Bruins (7-2-1 in their last 10), Blues (7-1-2) and Jackets (6-3-1) for showing some passion down the stretch during otherwise disappointing years.
6. On the other side, which contending teams are hitting their stride? NYI (8-1-1), Montreal (8-1-1), Anaheim (6-1-3), Detroit (7-3), Flames (7-1-2), and Phoenix (7-2-1) all look good.
7. Avs are fading badly and coughed up the division. Pitt also has to be wondering what’s going on.
8. If the Wild can catch the Hawks, a first round Wings/Wild battle looks great.
9. One of the “hard to get your head wrapped around” stats this year is the Wild’s 25.72 shots for each game. They have increased it over the year but they will still finish almost 5 shots on goal per game below any other team in the CPHL. Makes no sense.
10. The Wild also rank last in hits. Coincidence or part of the sim secret sauce?
11. Another statistical oddity. The Sharks are already eliminated from the playoff chase yet their goal differential for the year is -6. Teams surrounding them in the standings are -25, -39, -30, -52. It suggests that bad luck has as much to do with the Sharks’ failure this year as anything
12. The MVP race looks to be tight but right now it is Toews’ award to lose. JT has put together an amazing campaign in Carolina but the team is out of it. Toews leads the scoring race and has the Ducks on top of the west. Clutch.
13. Honorable mention to Jason Pominville. Without him the Sabres are nowhere near the playoffs. He also leads the league in Points per 20 minutes.
14. Joe Thronton is 3rd in scoring on the Ducks, but is -13 during his time on the Pond. On a team as good as Anaheim that reeks.
15. Worst plus/minus in the league? Devin Seoguchi in Vancouver at -38, one worse than OEL in Dallas.
16. The top Dman race is not close at all. 94 points from a rearguard is obscene. Karlsson wins it walking away.
17. No one can figure out how the Islanders are doing it, but it is a long season and their ability to sustain their strong play can’t be under-valued. Coach of the year for Trotz? 30 thoughts thinks so.
18. One possible problem though for the playoffs – the PK ranks last in the league. Stay out of the box boys!
19. There’s lots of work to do in Chicago – but Tilley appears to be up for the job taking a careful but sensible approach – focused initially on building some depth for the playoffs. The Marc Savard deal was an under-rated move that could pay off dividends in the post-season
20. Miserable year in NYR but Brooks Laich is having a career season. Can the GM in the big apple parlay that sim magic into a nice return on the trade front?
21. Has anyone done the math to see how many picks are owed on conditions this year? Feels like a lot and one wonders how some teams are going to fulfill their obligations.
22. Speaking of the draft, some GMs are already changing their approach to try and take advantage of the lottery system that will be implemented next season.
23. This year’s draft should be very interesting with plenty of big names at the top. At this point though we see the Stars passing on Seth Jones in favor of Mackinnon. With Drouin displaying mouth watering skills and dmen always have questionable fantasy value, how far will Popeye’s kid drop?
24. The Wild have had two guys sitting on their roster the entire year with unplayable ratings in Viktor Fasth and Damien Brunner. It will be interesting to see if they submit for re-rates before the deadline to open up the possibility of trading a guy like Marty Biron.
25. Along the same line of thinking, the value of backup goals in the CPHL is virtually nil. Will the league address this in the off-season?
26. What’s wrong with Patty Kane – 25 goals/50 points is fine but not good enough for a guy like him.
27. Another under-rated move – the Ducks picking up Shawn Matthias for a 2014 2nd. Matthias is starting to fulfil his potential.
28. Washington turned around and made another nice move themselves – adding two quality prospects in Frankie Corrado and Stephen Johns – for a declining vet. Of course neither will be in DC very long.
29. The CPHL looks to finish the season well ahead of the NHL and ahead of last year’s end date. More time to re-tool and re-shape!
30. A final note – the league hasn’t seen as much as Hanna Sniper in Carolina this year as we are used to and he is badly missed. Officials have been in contact with him and wish him all the best while looking forward to a full time return to the league soon.