Benn was an overnight kind of guy - didn't really get much notice when he had 33 goals and 61 points as a WHL rookie, but 46 goals last year really caught people. Still, no one is calling him a superstar yet, which is why I was ok trading him. I think everyone expected him to start in the AHL this year.

Having said that, I hadn't heard of Neal until you drafted him. I haven't figured out many good prospect research methods yet, so I have missed a fair amount of guys.

That's pretty solid ice time for a 2nd/3rd line tweener, even a strong 2nd liner.

That basically just means he's not getting specialty teams time, I'd bet.

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Another minor transaction:

Moneyshots acquire:
Steven Reinprecht - $0.50

Fearsome Beavers acquire:
Lee Stempniak - $1/1/1

With the condition that if Reinprecht has more than 35 NHL points this year, Beavers get Moneyshots 2012 5th.

This deal was just about creating a roster spot (and cap space) for me. I needed to clear $0.50 to be able to pick up free agents. I was happy to get rid of Stempniak for nothing. Reinprecht is equally useless, but I can drop him without penalty, and gives me precense on a team I don't have.

Eh, weak deal, potentially giving up a pick for a worse player, but I wanted a free roster spot, and no one was biting on Stemps.

Moneyshots use their newly-acquired spot to pick up Mika Pyorala.

Surprised he didn't get snatched up already. Goal-scoring Euro, playing half his time with Philly's top-6. No points so far, but they should come. Must be an adjustment period for a guy who never even played in the CHL.

Also, Moneyshots are 4-2 after a big win over the rival Nellykins. Had the worse lineup on a 6-game night, but some timely goals pulled it out. Hoping to keep the streak going on Saturday, when my lineup is so strong I have to sit Henrik Sedin!

Assisted by a goal last-night from Reinprect, the Moneyshots were happy to get lucky and play a weak lineup on a 6-game night. The 6-gamers are kind of a crapshoot, and with Savard going down (CRAP!) the Moneyshots have some substitutions to make. Getting Wisniewski back is a nice touch.

9 games on the schedule tonight - even after subbing out Savard (CRAP!) I am confident in tonight's matchup against BDH.

Last night's victory meant the Moneyshots are now in sole possession of 1st place in the division, and tied for first overall. This lofty position has not even been sniffed at Moneyshots of the past, and we are excited. We're looking to hold onto the divisional lead all year, and challenge for first overall. With a bye on Saturday a win tonight is crucial.

Tonight's lineup:

BDH
Alfredsson (OT)
Lombardi
Brule
Justin Williams
Huselius
Zajac
Meszaros
Blake
Enstrom
Hunwick

Atlanta

Moneyshots
Cammalleri (OT)
Kovalev
Briere
Lecavalier
Nash
Gaborik
Spacek
Bergeron
Rafalski
Weber

San Jose

Moneyshots are happy to welcome MA Bergeron to his first start of the year. Already tied for 6th in AHL scoring this year, Bergeron looks to continue his good play. He is expected to play 14-18 minutes a night, and be on the first PP unit - an ideal situation. Moneyshots management has been lobbying the Habadiens to replace Hamrlik as opposed to Spacek on the PP, but time will tell.

Marc Savard will be firmly next to Mika Pyorala in the press box. We're hoping Mika gets some good tips from the injured star.

Well, the Moneyshots had a bye on Saturday night. Bad luck since I had a very strong line up available, but such is life. Thank god we only get 5 (I think?) byes this year. I couldn't handle more!

Worse yet, we would've put up a giant 10.5 score with the lineup I had available, including big nights from Cammalleri, Briere and Nash. The FCHL record is 11 - I had that many points available, but no way I start Nashville over SJ, etc.

After some initial jitters, Moneyshots are looking like a powerful team, and will contend for first overall.

.

Too bad the Halifax Moneyshots are in 2nd place behind the greatest team ever created

Yeah. Well...

Take that!



That is an unfortunate, highly temporary, circumstance.

Predicted regular season order of finish:

Broadway
Moneyshots
MapleLeafs
Nellykins (3rd in points)

Biatch (6th or 7th)

Care to make a wager that my team will finish 6th or worst?

ouch. I'm no longer even in the conversation about FCHL supremacy.

Not liking this one bit.

Don't mean to be a Monkey, but I think odds are required to make this a fair bet. If you would like to place a small wager with reasonable odds, I'd be happy to do so.



Sorry, but that was partially based on my expectation of future trades. Don't see who else would be 5th-6th, other than you and Adam?

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I expect Adam to finish in the bottom 3 or so every year. And every year that prediction ends up looking silly. This year I will not make the same mistake!

I'll make the opposite mistake, apparently.

Betting me to make the playoffs this year would be -EV. My team is nowhere near as strong as it's been the last 3.

I personally don't think I stand any kind of chance, but strange things can happen. I'd put my odds of having a lottery pick (ok, Jeff having a lottery pick in my place) much higher than the idea that I'll sneak into the dance.

How would I require odds? You said my team is projected to be at 7th or 6th. How would I require odds if you think my team is so shitty to finish 6th or 7th? Unless you think my team is better? Or are you backtracking on your previous statements?

No, I think your team is likely to finish 6th or worse. However, given the lack of depth this year, it is more likely that you'll sneak into 4th-5th than fall any significant amount.

I'd offer you, say, +111 on an $18 bet that you finish 5th or worse (payout - $20), or -109 on a $25 bet for 6th or worse (payout - $23).

I like odds, apparently.

I'll give you the odds on the 6th or worse bet. If I win you owe me $25, and if you win, you get however much more that is, I think $28. Deal? So basically I'm betting that I finish 5th or higher, you are saying 6th or less.

Booked!

Now I need to acquire your first-rounder

Good luck Mr Biatch.

Add it to your bets, is $25 the entrance fee for FCHL? That's why I wanted $25, lol

30

Can we make it $30 then? And I'll pay you whatever the juice is on that if I lose

Let's do $30 straight. The juice can be a beer whenever we can meet up

Actually, let's call it 'entry fee' instead of $30, as Nell indicated he'd ask for an extra few bucks this year to cover hosting costs, etc.

Deal booked, I'll you a beer regardless of whether I win or lose. The loser pays entrance fee next year. So it's for me to finish 6th or less.

Booked indeed. I win if you finish 6th or worse. You win if you finish in the top-5. Glad to see Datsyuk go to DaveyG!

LOL, I'm actually glad he went there too. I think I have this in the bag, imo. I only count 4 teams that could finish higher then me which include:

Halifax Moneyshots
Newmarket Hurricanes
Broadway
Altona Maroons

I think my team could finish anywhere from 1-5. I think there's 5 contenders this year. I think then, Ollie and Arp have the next 2 playoff spots locked up.

Then I think the final playoff spot could be any of the following teams...

BlackDevilHawks
Injured Reserve
Lost Cause
West Coast Lock

I think 3 teams definitely beat you, with a 4th (from your list) nearly certain. I actually think you are likely to finish 5th, but I like the odds of one or more of Ollie, Arp, BDH or Fenxis (assuming Rich continues to dump players) finishing ahead of you, since I think it is very unlikely you finish ahead of one of the other 4.

I do wish you all the luck, as your entertainment value will remain high so long as its close.

I don't think it is such a definite that they will finish higher then me.

Can't decide who to start tonight:

Rafalski and Weber are in.

After that, 2 of:

Kuba @ TB
Seabrook @ Nashville
Bieksa @ LA

Opinions?

At forward I have only Lecavalier, Kovalev, H Sedin and Kariya. I'm starting Nashville in goal, so I'm tempted to leave Seabrook out, but I almost like the hedge!

Wasn't seabrook injured? If not, him and Kuba are my choices.

Rotoworld says he's playing tonight, though it will be his first game back from a (short) injury.

Thanks for your input.

Does it really matter, you are obv going to win no matter who you put in.

Not really, though you having no goalies is pretty rough. Then again, Nashville going against Chicago could easily be 5+.

I think Colaiacovo is hurt - might want to replace him if you have anyone.

not seabrook. other 2.

good luck Steve.

I actually win more often on non-goalie nights since my goalies suck but I don't like my lineup tonight. I have no one on the bench so I can't mix and match I guess.

I know Carlo is injured but I left him in just in case, there is no other D that can play for me.


ty, I need it.

hey! jerk. Good luck to me

I'm very tempted to just go no goalies, instead of Nashville. I don't think I will, but I'm tempted.

Nashville shutout! wooohoo. Hopefully this is the beginning of things to come, with San Jose goaltending player better as well.

With last night's win, the Moneyshots take a 5-point lead in their division, and are 1 off Broadway and Biatch for the overall lead. I'm still about 15 points behind the very impressive Biatch squad in total team scoring to date.

Last night's decision didn't make much difference, with all 3 players going scoreless.

Another decision tonight:

Defencemen available:
Spacek @ Chicago
MA Bergeron @ Chicago
Seabrook vs Montreal
Bieksa @ Anaheim
Wisniewski vs Vancouver
Vlasic vs Colorado

For consideration: Chicago is on the second of consecutive games. My opponent is starting Colorado goalies, Patrick Kane as his OT player and Bobby Ryan, though my lineup is stronger overall with Cammaleri, Gaborik (if he plays), Nash, Selanne, Sedin and Pominville starting. Vermette or Reinprecht will start if Gaborik can't go. San Jose goalies.

I'm leaning towards:
Bergeron
Seabrook
Bieksa
Wisniewski

Dude, I should be a guaranteed win against you every time out, you could start half farm players and still beat me.

I don't take things for granted, especially when my opponent is starting Patrick Kane, Bobby Ryan and very hot goaltending.

Moneyshots look to move into a tie for first overall with a win tomorrow night (Oct 30th result change is pending). Broadway has the bye. Should have a decent advantage against the Whalers, though without a lot of players from the same teams, anything could happen.

Even with a win, first-place might be short-lived as I have the unfortunate pleasure of playing a Blackhawks fan on a 6-game night with the Hawks playing. I'll limp into Friday's game with 3 healthy forwards, 3 D (including Bruno Gervais! and no goalies. My opponent has nearly a full lineup and goalies! Could be a long night...

Maybe you can scavenge a point in OT or a SO. It's better than nothing. It's what all the weaker teams are doing.

Moneyshots would like to congratulate Mathieu Perreault for his first (and second) NHL point last night. In his first game, Perreault looked good playing on the 3rd and 4th lines, assisting on both regulation goals.

Perreault came out of the Q looking like a typical Q flameout - talented but undersized. He showed surprising determination and attitude in his first AHL season. His playmaking skills wasn't surprising, but translating so quickly against much better competition was. His current call-up is almost certainly Washington just wanting to look at guys for the future, but he could be lining himself up for a roster spot next year.

woot! With a win last night, another tie for the highest overall score of the night, the Moneyshots move into a tie for first overall.

Sure we're behind in the tiebreaker, and are probably an underdog in tonight's game...but things are still looking up in Moneyshots land!

Now all I can do is pray that Gaborik's injury doesn't turn into a lingering issue (hahahaha)000 and Columbus doesn't have too many more 5-goal games with Nash scoring. And Montreal stops sucking.

Good game tonight sir. You were the dog going into the game and your team didn't disappoint!

Glad to be of service, my friend.

Moneyshots looking to regain (a tie for) first overall tonight! All the top teams are losing, while the Moneyshots are looking at the highest score of the night.

We'd also like to congratulate Perreault on his first NHL goal. And a hearty kick in the ass to Cody Franson for his second.

No more updates on first overall? I was enjoying the commentary. I wonder what happened?

While the guy in first place is good, he's incredibly lucky! The FCHL gods should punish you when you dress an injured Alex Ovechkin, let alone make him your OT player!

I posted ten days ago on the FCHL forums that I was away with extremly limited internet access and that I had to post my lineups well ahead a time. There is a lot of conflicting info going about Ovy at the moment and I had to make my best guess based on info I had ten days ago. Aside for this past Thur and Fri, I make no apoligies about the record especially since I have been without my best D guy all year and Ovy for the past two weeks.

Speaking of luck, I remember a farm call up decision that I did not make that if I went the other way, said poster would have one less championship. Just saying.

Haha, fair enough.

I believe I am 6 points back now (maybe 4?) of the powerful Broadway team. Needed an incredible Sedin hat trick plus 2 assist from Bieksa to take a 7-6.5 victory on Saturday. My opponent was very unlucky that night, beating the third highest overall score by 1.5.

I'm looking forward to seeing the numbers, as I think I'm approaching Biatch for most Goals For, even with Savard's injury. Also, I did a quick review on the weekend to see what my record would be like against each team, if we just played them every night. Based on the review, I'd have a winning record against every single team. Yes, even the powerful, first overall Broadway team.

I'm coming for you!