A Look At The Cheap Thieves Team

[DanielNegreanu 141]

The forwards are young and are starting to really come on now:FORWARDS:1. Alexander Semin, Washington. GP 47 G 29 A 22 P 51 PP 40 PPPG 0.851- At age 22, is already the team's best player and looks to have a bright future playing in the shadow of Ovechkin on the second line, while sharing PP time with Ovechkin on the first unit. A dazzling talent, he is a very streaky player, that when hot, scores in bunches.2. Olli Jokinen, Florida. GP 52 G 22 A 30 P 52 PP 37 PPPG 0.712- 28 years old now and in the prime of his career. Unfortunately, Olli plays on a weak offensive team and he has a lot of trouble scoring on the road when he's forced to face off against the opponent's top checking line on a regular basis. Some help in Florida would do Jokinen some good.3. Jason Pominville, Buffalo. GP 52 G 22 A 19 P 41 PP 31.5 PPPG 0.606 Still a baby at 24 years old, Pominville benefits greatly from playing on a deep, speedy, Buffalo team. He was a fifth round draft choice by the Thieves and it looks like he'll be signing a full length contract at season's end.4. Simon Gagne, Philadelphia. GP 50 G 23 A 14 P 37 PP 30 PPPG 0.600 - Gagne, 26 years old, is going to welcome the end of the season this year. A talented goal scorer is having a sub par season due to the weak play of his team. Forsberg has been in and out of the lineup, so on most nights Gagne is out there trying to do it all by himself. Luckily, at just 26 yeard old, Gagne will get a chance to be a part of the rebuilding process and could get help from a player like Jakub Voracek, Angelo Esposito, or whoever the top pick is at next year's entry draft.5. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles. GP 53 G 13 A 32 P 45 PP 29 PPPG 0.547- At 19 years old, you are looking at the future of the LA Kings. If it weren't for Evgeni Malkin, Kopitar would be a cinch for Rookie of the Year honors. Kopitar has shown great maturity in his first NHL season and when this team improves, Kopitar's numbers will only get better with each season. In a draft year where the Thieves nabbed Bobby Ryan, Benoit Pouliot, and TJ. Oshie, Kopitar has proved to be the stud of that group thus far.6. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver. GP 51 G 5 A 41 P 46 PP 25.5 PPPG .500- At just 26, Sedin is already one of the top set up men in the league, usually looking for his twin brother Daniel. Not much of a goalscorer, Henrick is never asked to be a part of the shootout on any AHL night, but he often gets the call as the OT player.7. Keith Tkachuk, St.Louis. GP 51 G 15 A 20 P 35 PP 25 PPPG 0.490- A pretty tough situation for Tkachuk to be in. At 34 years of age, Tkachuk is in the twilight of his career, and barring a deadline deal will be stuck on a team that has trouble finding the net. With a big contract, this will likely be Tkachuk's final year with the Thieves and the team is hoping that he is moved to a competitive team at the deadline in the hopes that his numbers will improve down the stretch.8. Alexei Kovalev, Montreal. GP 51 G 12 A 23 P 35 PP 23.5 PPPG 0.461-when you look back at Kovalev's career you can't help but think, "What might have been?" What could this guy have accomplished if he wasn't such a headcase. One of the best puck handlers in the history of the game, Kovalev can show you some dazzling moves, but unfortunately, he rarely shows up with his A game. At 33 years old, we are now longer waiting for Kovalev to break out, instead, accepting the fact that a player with high end skill is satisfied with being a middle of the road type player.9. Lee Stempniak, St.Louis. GP 51 G 15 A 14 P 29 PP 22 PPPG 0.431-one of the reasons that Keith Tkachuk has become expendable to the team next season is the emergence of 23 year old Lee Stempniak. Loved by his teammates, Stempniak is a tireless worker with a cheap contract that might just be a Cheap Thief for life. Of course, with TJ. Oshie on the horizon, a decision may have to be made to move one of the young stars.10. Corey Perry, Anahiem. GP 52 G 13 A 17 P 30 PP 21.5 PPPG 0.413- His numbers aren't staggering, but when you compare his numbers to other players playing less than 10 minutes a game, there might not be a better offensive player in the league. At the moment, 21 year old Corey Perry's growth is being stunted by the fact that the Ducks are such a deep team. Perry gets no time on the powerplay, but expect that to change in the coming years as Selanne and others move on. Perry will have to fight hard to stay with the Thieves, as the second overall pick from the 2005 draft, Bobby Ryan will be on his heels.11. Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh. GP 31 G 8 A 8 P 16 PP 12 PPPG 0.387 - the coaching staff and the team have been extremely with Malone's play, especially of late as he's also started to get on the score sheet, Malone, 27, is notorious for being a slow starter, but playing along Sid the Kid, he should be able to consistently score 20+ goals a season for years to come. 12. Raffi Torres, Edmonton. GP 51 G 10 A 16 P 26 PP 18 PPPG 0.353- Torres, 25, was looking like an emerging star last season, but has struggled to put the puck in the net this season. He's coming on of late, with two goals in his last game, but this player has the talent to be a 30+ goal scorer and the Thieves aren't too happy with his lack of production.13. Jussi Jokinen, Dallas. GP 51 G 10 A 15 P 25 PP 17.5 PPPG 0.343 - An injury to star center Mike Modano has hurt Jokinen's production on a team that has trouble scoring. Jokinen, 23, has excellent offensive skills but playing in such a conservative Dallas system certainly hampers his style. 14. Jason Chimera, Columbus. GP 52 G 9 A 13 P 22 PP 15.5 PPPG 0.298 - Speed of light and hands of stone. Chimera, 27, is one of the fastest sketers in the NHL but is relegated to playing on a checking line with Manny Maholtra simply because he doesn't have very good hands.15. Mike Johnson, Montreal. GP 51 G 8 A 12 P 20 PP 14 PPPG 0.275- Johnson, 32, rarely gets any time with the Thieves playing behind Kovalev in Montreal. His production has also slipped dramatically as his role with the Canadiens is that of a checker.16. Eric Belanger, Carolina. GP 53 G 8 A 12 P 20 PP 14 PPPG 0.264-Without question, the trade from LA to Carolina really hurt 28 year old Eric Belanger's offensive opportunities. In LA, Belanger saws lots of ice time, but playing behind Eric Staal and perrenial ice time muncher Rod Brind'amour has seen Belanger's value decrease immensely.17. Petr Kalus, Boston. GP 0 G 0 A 0 P 0 PP 0 PPPG 0.000- yet to play an NHL game outside of pre-season, 19 year old Petr Kalus is now playing a starring role with the Providence Bruins in the AHL. GM Negreanu made a surprising move, prematurely calling up Kalus to the big club in order to use their fifth round pick to nab D man Brett Skinner. Kalus started his campaign horriblly, with just 5 goals and 1 assist in 17 games. Since then, he has been on fire, with 7 goals and 5 assists in his last 7 games. Kalus may be a late season call up this year, but if not, expect to see him with the big club next season.DEFENSE:1. Mathieu Schneider, Detroit. GP 39 G 7 A 25 P 32 PP 19.5 PPPG 0.500 - The team is eagerly awaiting Schneider's first game with the team as he was recently acquired in a deadline deal for a second round draft pick. Schneider, 37, immediately becomes the team's best defenseman in years, scoring at almost a point per game pace. The team is hoping that a recent knee injury won't hurt his production too much.2. Tom Poti, NY. Islanders. GP 49 G 4 A 18 P 22 PP 13 PPPG 0.265- Poti, 29, is a real enigma. He gets plenty of PP time and should be the main man on the point for the Islanders, but inconsistency has plagued him throughout his career. The team is hoping that he will mature heading into his 30's and regain some of that scoring touch he showed as a young player in the league.3. Roman Hamrlik, Calgary. GP 43 G 4 A 14 P 18 PP 11 PPPG 0.255- Another player coming over via trade, Hamrlik, 32, was acquired for the rights to San Jose center Marcel Goc who didn't fit into the team's long term plans. Hamrlik has been worth it so far, playing on the PP in Calgary and producing as expected.4. Marc-Edouard Vlasic, San Jose. GP 50 G 2 A 14 P 16 PP 9 PPPG 0.180- At just 19 years of age, Vlasic is one of the key components of a very strong San Jose team, counted on to play big minutes in all situations. At the begininng of the season, Vlasic was concentrating mostly on playing sound defense, but of late, has been given more opportunities to shine offensively. 5. Toni Lydman, Buffalo. GP 43 G 1 A 13 P 14 PP 7.5 PPPG 0.174- Lydman, 29, plays for an offensive dynamo in the Buffalo Sabres. Lydman's points don't come on the powerplay, instead, he gets the odd assist here and there on nights when the Sabres offense is clicking on a ll cylinders.6. Brent Seabrook, Chicago. GP 49 G 4 A 9 P 13 PP 8.5 PPPG 0.173 - Big things were expected of 21 year old Brent Seabrook this season, but he's gotten off to a slow start offensively. The coaching staff has asked him to focus more on the defensive side of the game and have been extremely pleased with Seabrook's maturation at such a young age. More recently, Seabrook has been put back on the PP so expect his offensive numbers to improve down the stretch.7. Greg de Vries, Atlanta. GP 53 G 2 A 14 P 16 PP 9 PPPG 0.170- de Vries, 34, isn't counted on to put up big numbers in Atlanta, but the team scores tons of goals and de Vries is on the ice for a lot of them. In the twilight of his career, de Vries is no longer looked at as a player that will be part of the Thieves team long term.8. Adam Foote, Columbus. GP 46 G 3 A 8 P 11 PP 7 PPPG 0.152- Far too slow for the new NHL, Foote, 35, has little value to the Thieves long term and will be released in the off season due to a ballooned contract.9. Aaron Ward, NY. Rangers. GP 50 G 3 A 9 P 12 PP 7.5 PPPG 0.150- Lots of availabale defenseman on the Rangers, and for good reason: they don't chip in much offensively. Ward, 34, plays lots of minutes for the Rangers but has been mired in an offensive slump that has seen him go pointless in 8 games.10. Vitaly Vishnevski, ATL. GP 52 G 3 A 9 P 12 PP 7.5 PPPG 0.144- A recent waiver wire pick up to replace the dissapointing Sandis Ozolinsh, Vishnevski isn't expected to be with the team next season. At 26, this spot is temporarily his until his name sake, Ivan Vishnevskiy becomes an integral part of the teams defense.11. Sean O'Donnell, Anahiem. GP 50 G 2 A 10 P 12 PP 7 PPPG 0.140- In possibly the worst move in GM Negreanu's career, he traded away Daniel Cleary for this over the hill defenseman with no offensive upside, other than the fact that he plays for a great team in Anahiem. O'Donnell, 35, has never put up big numbers in the NHL, but started off the season well playing alongside Chris Pronger. Since that start, O'Donnell has been invisible on the scoresheet.GOALIES:San Jose Sharks GAA 2.29- The only team in the league that alternates goalie starts every single game. Fortunately for the Sharks, they boast two #1 goalies in Vesa Toskala and Evgeni Nabokov. Toskala, 29, is among the league leaders in GAA while Nabokov, 31, has rebounded nicely from a sub par season last year. As a unit, the Sharks are the second best defensive team in all of hockey.Vancouver Canucks GAA 2.53- It's Robero Luongo, 27, the saviour that has given the offensively challenged Canucks a chance to win every night. Luongo plays most nights and despite leaving Florida, still is among the league leaders in shots faced. Luongo's play has skyrocketed the Canucks into 6th overall in terms of GAA. New York Rangers GAA 2.96- The Rangers started off horribly, but not all of the blame can be heaved on the shoulders of sophomore Henrik Lundqvist, 24. Team defense was bad, but more recently the team has gone back to playing within a system and are a respectable 16th overall in the league.FARM TEAMDEFENSE: 1. Brett Skinner, Anahiem. $0.25 Age 23- the third round choice of the Anahiem Ducks, 68th overall in 2002 is waiting in the wings to play for a deep Anahiem team that boasts the likes of Scott Neidermayer and Chris Pronger. They won't be there forever, which may give Skinner a chance. Skinner is currently playing for Portland in the AHL: GP 36 G 5 A 11 P 16 PP 10.5 PPPG 0.292.2. Danny Richmond, Chicago. $0.25 Age 22- picked 31st overall in 2003, Richmond has some NHL experience, playing 4 games for the Blackhawks this season. Until he makes the jump for good, Richmond will play for Norfolk of the AHL where he's posted the following numbers so far this season: GP 40 G 8 A 17 P 25 PP 20.5 PPPG 0.413.3. Alex Goligoski, Pittsburgh. $0.50 Age 21- the future PP point man for the Pittsburgh Penguins was the 61st player chosen on the 2004 draft. Currently, Gologoski leads all defensemen, no, in fact all players period in the nation in scoring. Playing with Crosby and Malkin next season will all but guarantee that he will put up big numbers in the NHL. He plays for the University of Minnesota in the NCAA: GP 29 G 9 A 22 P 31 PP 20 PPPG 0.690.4. Dustin Kohn, NY. Islanders. $0.25 Age 19- drafted 46th overall in 2005, Kohn shows some promise as a set up man, but doesn't have much of a shot from the point evidenced by his 2 goals so far this year playing for Brandon of the WHL: GP 43 G 2 A 35 P 37 PP 19.5 PPPG 0.453.5. Marc-Andre Gragnani, Buffalo, $0.25 Age 19- the 87th overall pick from the 2005 draft, this is a player made for the new NHL that likely wouldn't have made the NHL in the days of the clutch and grab. With his small stature, he reminds you of the prototypical point men in the new NHL. Currently playing in the QMJHL for Prince Edward, here are Gragnani's numbers: GP 46 G 13 A 37 P 50 PP 31.5 PPPG 0.685.6. Kris Russell, Columbus. $0.25 Age 19- the 67th overall pick in 2005 shined at the World Juniors for Canada and will look to make the jump to the Blue Jackets next season. Russell is currently tearing it up in the WHL playing for Medicine Hat: GP 44 G 24 A 28 P 52 PP 38 PPPG 0.864.7. Keith Seabrook, Washington. $0.50 Age 18- brother of Brent, Keith was the 52nd overall pick in 06'. Starting out as a rookie for the University of Denver in the NCAA, Keith has been coming on of late after a pretty slow start: GP 27 G 1 A 10 P 11 PP 6 PPPG 0.222.8. Ivan Vishevskiy, Dallas. $1.50 Age 18- acquired in a trade, the 27th overall pick in the 2006 draft could be the next Sergei Zubov in Dallas. He has drawn those types of comparisons from pro scouts who see excellent offensive upside from Vishnevskiy. Before making it to Dallas, Ivan will have to prove himself in the QMJHL where he plays for Rouyn-Noranda: GP 44 G 11 A 29 P 40 PP 25.5 PPPG 0.580.9. Mark Katic, Undrafted. $3.00 Age 17- the first ever junior player ever drafted by the Cheap Thieves was defenseman Mark Katic. With the forwards coming along nicely, more emphasis was put on finding top end defensemen and the team is still hoping that Katic can turn into that kind of a player. A projected first round pick in 07', Katic currently plays for Sarnia of the OHL: GP 49 G 4 A 25 P 29 PP 16.5 PPPG 0.337.FORWARDS:1. Andrei Kostitsyn, Montreal. $2.00 Age 21- Kostitsyn, the 10th overall pick in 2003, almost made the team out of training camp, and has also been called up both last season and for a four game stint this season. Upon being demoted back down to the Hamilton Bulldogs affiliate of the AHL, Andrei has really turned it on scoring regularly: GP 42 G 14 A 23 P 37 PP 25.5 PPPG 0.607.2. Benoit Pouliot, Minnesota. $2.00 Age 20- Pouliot was highly regarded at the NHL entry draft, picked 4th overall by the Wild, but his sting in training camp didn't go well as he showed too much inconsistency. This season in the AHL he's shown flashes of brilliance, but also seems invisible others for Houston: GP 37 G 16 A 9 P 25 PP 20.5 PPPG 0.554.3. Bobby Ryan, Anahiem. $2.00 Age 19- snubbed by the Canadian junior team, Ryan, the second overall pick in 05' had something to prove. Since the WJC Ryan has picked up the pace and is among the league leaders in scoring in the OHL for Owen Sound. A power forward, the Ducks will bring him along slowly as it generally takes longer for this type of player to develop: GP 45 G 29 A 44 P 73 PP 51 PPPG 1.13.4. Jack Skille, Chicago $1.50 Age 19- the 7th pick in the 05' draft startd the season slowly due to a nagging injury that kept him out of action. Since playing in the WJC, though, the speedy Skille has caught fire for Wisconscin of the NCAA: GP 11 G 5 A 5 P 10 PP 7.5 PPPG 0.682.5. TJ Oshie, St.Louis. $1.00 Age 19- Another stellar pick by the Thieves, Oshie was drafted 24th overall by St.Louis in a deep draft. Oshie is another Thief playing in the NCAA for North Dakota, and after a slow start has been tearing it up, and is now among the league leaders in scoring: GP 28 G 9 A 20 P 29 PP 19 PPPG 0.679.6. Nicklas Bergsfor, New Jersey. $0.50 Age 19- Historically, New Jersey has always drafted extremely well and it looks like thet did it again, picking Bergsfor with the 23rd pick in the 05' draft. A draft where Thieves GM Negreanu dominated, acquiring Bobby Ryan, Benoit Pouliot, Anze Kopitar, Jack Skille, TJ Oshie, Nicklas Bergsfor, and Peter Kalus. Wow. Bergsfor is currently playing well in the AHL for Lowell: GP 29 G 11 A 11 P 22 PP 16.5 PPPG 0.569.7. Kyle Okposo, NY. Islanders $2.00 Age 18- the 7th overall pick in the 06' draft, the Thieves couldn't pass up on Okposo despite the obvious need for defensive help. What Okposo is doing for Minnesota of the NCAA in his rookie season is raising eyebrows, as no player has ever performed this well as a rookie in this competitive league. Okposo, has been compared to Jarome Iginla, and not just because they are both black: GP 25 G 16 A 13 P 29 PP 22.5 PPPG 0.900 Farm depth chart in order of the probability they'll be the next player called up to the big club:1. D Alex Goligoski 21, Pittsburgh2. D Kris Russell 19, Columbus3. F Andrei Kostitsyn 21, Montreal4. F Nicklas Bergsfor 19, New Jersey5. D Marc-Andre Gragnani 19, Buffalo6. F Benoit Pouliot 20, Minnesota7. F Jack Skille 19, Chicago8. F TJ Oshie 19, St.Louis9. F Kyle Okposo 18, NY. Islanders10. D Dustin Kohn 19, NY. Islanders11. F Bobby Ryan 19, Anahiem12. D Brett Skinner 23, Anahiem13. D Danny Richmond 22, Chicago14. D Keith Seabrook 19, Washington15. D Mark Katic 17, JUNIOR

[gruven 530]

I eagerly await serge's non-sensical response as to why his team of misfits, no goods, and has beens is going to be better than this squad in three years. I'd hazard to say that this team will be a huge contender for league championships, possibly in multiples, in very short order...

[rinswun 6]

Rumour has it DN paid David Conte for all scouting info and was regularly on the phone to him on draft day. Whether this is true or not, remains to be seen....

[serge 904]

I eagerly await serge's non-sensical response as to why his team of misfits, no goods, and has beens is going to be better than this squad in three years. I'd hazard to say that this team will be a huge contender for league championships, possibly in multiples, in very short order...

I posted this in another thread just now..There is other ways to build a future than draft picks ...For example here is a few player I have picked up recentlyDavid MossMaxim LapierreKris Newbury and recentlyDavid KresjiLast year Dustin Penner was a pick up as well....With the current group of young cheap players that I have inGionta,Afinegonov,Wellwood,Kobasew(give him time) and Dustin Pennerand the money that is i have allotted for players likeSakic,Kariya and Pronger...I will do wellI also think I have one of the best goaltending trio locked up...Detroit(hasek or not will always do well) , Nashville and Colorado(Budaj is gonna be a star)If you want a reasonable argument go ahead..but if you are going to spew gibberish then its pointless..I take a lot of heat on these forums but I am not as dumb as you people think and I do have a plan with my team..By the way Ryan Clowe who like an idiot i passed on just before Nate picked him up has 12 goals 21 pts in 27 games....Scouring the waiver wire is just as advantageous, if not even more , than a draft pick that might not stick....That is allPS TO GRUVENWHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THE LEAFS MEDICAL STAFF...Wellwood was supposed to be day to day and then boom surgery..Why not do the surgery back in December

[DanielNegreanu 141]

Scouring the waiver wire is just as advantageous, if not even more , than a draft pick that might not stick....

That's simply not true and the facts don't back it up. If you look at the best teams in the AHL, they have all become top teams thanks to building a solid core of players through the draft. Pickups help, but you can't consistently grab any high end talent by living off the scraps that nobody else wants, especially in a league that now has 20 teams, full with 20 man farm teams. You'll never get an Ovechkin, Crosby, Semin, Kovalchuk, etc, by picking him up on waivers. Guys like Penner or Cleary come by once in a bluemoon, but the majority of pick ups end up being total duds rather than studs.

[serge 904]

That's simply not true and the facts don't back it up. If you look at the best teams in the AHL, they have all become top teams thanks to building a solid core of players through the draft. Pickups help, but you can't consistently grab any high end talent by living off the scraps that nobody else wants, especially in a league that now has 20 teams, full with 20 man farm teams. You'll never get an Ovechkin, Crosby, Semin, Kovalchuk, etc, by picking him up on waivers. Guys like Penner or Cleary come by once in a bluemoon, but the majority of pick ups end up being total duds rather than studs.

like i saidAfinogenov,Gionta,Wellwood may not be Ovechkin or Crosby..however they are pretty close..add to that the cash i have ie Sakic and Kariya...I have a competitive team...I am just saying that my lack of draft picks does not handcuff me as much as you think...2 or 3 of the guys that I pick up will turn out to be major players...YOu are really scared of my team...I picked up a tell on you....We will fight to the end this year for the playoffs...I somehow dont think Elvis will be there at the end

[Zach6668 513]

like i saidAfinogenov,Gionta,Wellwood may not be Ovechkin or Crosby..however they are pretty close

lol

[OVERKILL 0]

I had no idea you had any Flyers on your team. So why no Gagne jersey at the Borgata?Or were you saving it, for a later day. OR were you too ashamed to wear it, as he probably is?

[digitalmonkey 929]

I posted this in another thread just now..There is other ways to build a future than draft picks ...For example here is a few player I have picked up recentlyDavid MossMaxim LapierreKris Newbury and recentlyDavid KresjiLast year Dustin Penner was a pick up as well....With the current group of young cheap players that I have inGionta,Afinegonov,Wellwood,Kobasew(give him time) and Dustin Pennerand the money that is i have allotted for players likeSakic,Kariya and Pronger...I will do wellI also think I have one of the best goaltending trio locked up...Detroit(hasek or not will always do well) , Nashville and Colorado(Budaj is gonna be a star)If you want a reasonable argument go ahead..but if you are going to spew gibberish then its pointless..I take a lot of heat on these forums but I am not as dumb as you people think and I do have a plan with my team..By the way Ryan Clowe who like an idiot i passed on just before Nate picked him up has 12 goals 21 pts in 27 games....Scouring the waiver wire is just as advantageous, if not even more , than a draft pick that might not stick....That is allPS TO GRUVENWHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH THE LEAFS MEDICAL STAFF...Wellwood was supposed to be day to day and then boom surgery..Why not do the surgery back in December

David MossMaxim LapierreKris NewburyWow....just wow...superstars in the making.Penner was a pickup by someone else Serge. You consistently make it sound like YOU picked him up.I don't believe Clowe was picked up by Nate. Nate has Pavelski."Scouring the waiver wire is just as advantageous, if not even more , than a draft pick that might not stick...." LMAO

[serge 904]

David MossMaxim LapierreKris NewburyWow....just wow...superstars in the making.Penner was a pickup by someone else Serge. You consistently make it sound like YOU picked him up.I don't believe Clowe was picked up by Nate. Nate has Pavelski."Scouring the waiver wire is just as advantageous, if not even more , than a draft pick that might not stick...." LMAO

he picked him up and traded him...

[DanielNegreanu 141]

like i saidAfinogenov,Gionta,Wellwood may not be Ovechkin or Crosby..however they are pretty close..add to that the cash i have ie Sakic and Kariya...I have a competitive team...I am just saying that my lack of draft picks does not handcuff me as much as you think...2 or 3 of the guys that I pick up will turn out to be major players...YOu are really scared of my team...I picked up a tell on you....We will fight to the end this year for the playoffs...I somehow dont think Elvis will be there at the end

You picked up those three players off the waiver wire? Didn't think so? If you did that's impressive, but I don't beleive it for a second. Gionta maybe, but Afinegonov and Wellwood weren't on a farm team? As for being scared of your team, I feel sorry for your team. It's more fun when you are in the hunt but when one looks at what a hack job you've done to your team's future, it's clear that next year and for several years, that your team will be among the worst collection of players in the entire league. It's going to get ugly for you, but my team, on the other hand, is destined for great things. That much should be obvious by now. I wasn't even really expecting the playoffs this year, but already my youth is performing big time.

[goose 0]

Serge does have a point about the waiver wire, although if you gave me the choice between developing talent through draft picks or the wire I'd take draft picks everyday of the week, it's not really close.I've got a lot of value out of the waiver wire, however, so I'm not at all quick to knock it. Andy Greene and Kyle Cumiskey are two promising d-men that I've managed to pick up, Cumiskey especially has a lot of upside, they're calling him J. Liles the 2nd in Colorado. Pavelski is obviously a big pickup, he looks to be a solid 2nd line center already.Players I've picked up off the wire:Jeff Schultz, D, WASKyle Cumiskey, D, COLAndy Greene, D, NJRichie Regehr, D, CGYBoyd Devereaux, F, TORJoe Pavelski, F, SJRyan Clowe, F, SJI traded Jeff Schultz, Ryan Clowe and Jerri Lehtonen for Brendan Morow, so, in essence I managed to trade Lehtonen + wire pickups for Morrow, which is a pretty substantial upgrade.Whoever said you'll only find a certified scoring line player once in a blue moon is correct though, it looks like (so far) the only two certified waiver steals are Pavelski and Cleary, and Penner if he was a pickup this year.P.S. Serge, Pavelski (.7 PPG) > Penner (.47 PPG)

[preroller 0]

Is there a link to all the teams in the league?I have Michalek in a bunch of pools, he started off really hot, but has cooled down a bit as of late. I also managed to snag Kopitar in quite a few pools. He is already good for a point a game pretty much. They thought that O"Sullivan might be a bit ahead of him going into the year, but thats laughable now.Do you guys think the Leafs should try and make a trade involving Darcy Tucker?

[gruven 530]

As an aside: Dustin Penner, past 6 games= 1 pt and minus 5. The wall has arrived. His ice time is droppppppppppppppping, serge.....

[DanielNegreanu 141]

Is there a link to all the teams in the league?I have Michalek in a bunch of pools, he started off really hot, but has cooled down a bit as of late. I also managed to snag Kopitar in quite a few pools. He is already good for a point a game pretty much. They thought that O"Sullivan might be a bit ahead of him going into the year, but thats laughable now.Do you guys think the Leafs should try and make a trade involving Darcy Tucker?

www.alternativehockeyleague.com

[goose 0]

As an aside: Dustin Penner, past 6 games= 1 pt and minus 5. The wall has arrived. His ice time is droppppppppppppppping, serge.....

lol