Dallas Clinches Playoff Birth!!!!
In the CPHL season preview......
"The playoffs don't seem likely at all; another Top 5 draft
pick is a definite possibility. 12th-15th
in the Howe Conference."
Amazing that I have a playoff team. I pretty much agreed with that assessment at the start of the season. Then the guys start the season and start winning some games, mainly on the back of Souray's cannon shot. Things were going great up to the CPHL Christmas break.
Then the Hiller rumors got out in the media and the team promptly lost 5 in a row after the break. The Hiller deal was a trade that I had to make to get a #1 goaltender. Oshie will be missed, as will Josefson and Blum when they become NHLers.
After getting Hiller the team was really treading water. At that point I figured it was time to deal Sheldon Souray and I sent him and Cullen to FLA for Brad Richards and Joe Corvo.
Richards' first games here in Dallas were a disaster. I believe he went pointless in his first 6 games. The vulture GMs were circling around him big time. I had a big meeting with Coach John Stevens and we agreed that a more offensive style of play was needed. Richards is maybe the best forward I've had since I've been in the league, and he shouldn't be playing tight defensive hockey.
After the change in style, the offense came together and the team went on a nice 12-5 run before the 2 most recent losses. Richards now has 19 points in 24 games and Joe Corvo has 27 points in 24 games.
Team Awards
Best Defenseman- Kimmo Timonen
Timonen has been a horse on the Stars blueline. He was the first player acquired when I took over this team. With 2 games remaining he has 70 points on the year and 13 powerplay goals. Could repeat as a Western Conference All-Star, but probably will fall short of the Norris Trophy.
Best Forward- Brandon Dubinsky
Brandon has been a great offensive forward ever since being acquired from Tampa Bay. He is tied for the team scoring lead with Timonen.
Unsung Hero- THE WHOLE ****ING TEAM!
They all deserve it! Richard Park has been amazing this season, 66 points. He should be an easy Priakin Award winner. Matt Cooke and Jim Slater are good defensive forwards and they both have chipped in with 45 points. Yandle was a pleasant surprise with 36 points in 62 games. I remember Bob & Darren thinking Legace was washed up in the summer, he has a 22-12-5 record in goal.
Best Goaltender: Manny Legace & Jonas Hiller
They've both done well, Legace is 22-12-5 and Hiller is a respectable 13-9-4 since coming from Montreal.
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