Hockey season really is like a gift in a block of ice.
With preseason games this week….the Ice Cooler is back finally. The long long offseason (well not quite) gives way to the sound of open ice hits, injury news and even more rumors. Teams are still skirting the salary cap and roster decisions will need to be made but it does mean the season is really on its way at long last. Amazingly it has been over three months since the Pittsburgh Penguins were awarded the Stanley Cup.
Of course there was going to be Heatley fallout from Ottawa and I would say with how the trade went…Ottawa has to be very happy. They get depth and now their first line is set without distractions. It might even cause some of us “pundits” to change our predictions about Ottawa for this season…perhaps. The big thing is Coach Clouston will now have this team ready as he sees fit. Clouston, to me, is an excellent coach on the cusp of doing really good things in Ottawa. It may not be this year but surely better times are ahead.
Then there is Phoenix….where maybe this week Judge Redford T. Baum will make a decision and then the avalanche of appeals will come. Whichever side does lose will not be happy and bring on the mountain of paperwork. However, at least the Phoenix Coyotes are on the ice practicing and that probably is the biggest panicea for them right now. As Captain Doan saw it…guys have a chip on their shoulder now and can at least play. That is the biggest thing.
Alas there were players drafted from Phoenix on our BTR Draft Show Spectacular last night. Our 22 round, 16 team exercise in sheer demolition of people’s picks along with the oohs and ahhs dominated the evening. Next year I will learn that the “I can’t believe that player is still available line” is only to be used sparingly. When people offer up a drinking game over a phrase being uttered is a sign that you used it a bit too much.
That being said the draft did go very well and the league will be heavily spotlighted via several avenues throughout the season. Personally I cut down the amount of leagues I am in heavily just so I could concentrate a bit better. Frankly, 30+ leagues is just way too many for the mind, body, and soul. In bigger leagues you can learn a lot about drafting tendencies and strategy. You can also adapt when players are not available when you think they will be. That adaptation is often the difference between success and failure.
We wish a hearty good luck to all of the participants in our league and hope they do not find the sledding too rough. I will guarantee a win Week 1 against Brian Sanborn however just because I can. There are lots of tough competition in the league including yes Darryl Houston Smith and Curtis Lanton just to name a few. Two Fantasy Sports giants to say the least. It will be a fun year.
Next week on MIWC….we may look at roster battles as well if Phoenix does not mushroom again. Until then….stay cool out there….hockey season less than 3 weeks away. Aloha.
Sincerely,
Chris Wassel
Director Of The Program
