Two trades to get the ball rolling...

Canadian Gothic trade:
PK Dealers 2nd Round pick 2010-11

The Big M's trade:
F - Torrey Mitchell - San Jose Sharks

The Dealers' pick should be in the early to mid 20's. I think Mitchell is a solid player and hopefully he's fully recovered from last year's broken leg. This was an fair-value trade imo. Mitchell will be signed for 1 year at $0.75.



Canadian Gothic trades:
$1.50 09-10

The Underdogs trade:
F - Dustin Boyd - Calgary Flames

I think Boyd has very good upside and has the potential to break out very soon. I think I got a very good deal here and was somewhat surprised that Boyd was made available. He will be signed for 5 years at $2.50 per year.

Here are the players under contract so far:

D - Zbynek Michalek
D - Matt Niskanen

F - Matthew Lombardi
F - Mikael Samuelsson
F - Tyler Arnason
F - Jussi Jokinen
F - Alex Steen
F - Ruslan Fedotenko
F - Guillaume Latendresse

We are currently negotiating with our free agents.

These players put a fear into your opponents every night...Alex Steen as OT player..lol

I admit, there's no Dustin Penner there but those are only the players that are already under contract.

Three more trades to announce:

Canadian Gothic trades:
D - Steve Eminger
F - Tyler Arnason

Steelheads trade:
Steelheads 4th Round pick 2012-13

Eminger is still unsigned but does have some potential. I just don't have the roster space to wait anymore. Arnason was taking up a roster space that I wanted to use on someone else and he was signed for 3 years at $0.75 per year. And i love the late round picks.


Canadian Gothic Trades:
Canadian Gothic 1st rounder in 2010-11
Canadian Gothic 1st rounder in 2011-12
Canadian Gothic 2nd rounder in 2011-12
F-Artem Anisimov-NYR (farm)
$4 cap in 9/10
$3 cap in 10/11
$2 cap in 11/12


Magically Delicious Trades:
F-Paul Stastny-COL
D-Anton Strallman-CGY

I think I overpaid a bit but I also think I could afford to overpay. I think Anisimov will be a solid player but i have plenty of youth on my team with Stamkos, Little, Neal, Berglund and company. The picks have decreased in value somewhat as my team will be getting better thus making the picks worse as time goes on. Also, when you factor in the potential new rule where 1st rounders could potentially start out at $3.00 then a solid 2nd round pick is just as good as a later 1st. The cap money has minimal significance as I have enough to sign my players. Strallman is a throwin with potential imo. He does have some offensive skills and if he can get the chance to display them in Calgary then he will be a nice bonus.


Canadian Gothic Trades:
$0.75 09-10

Ottawa Shortstackers Trade:
F-Doug Weight-NYI

Weight could get injured in the first game or he could get me 40-50 points. Well worth the $0.75.

And one more...

Canadian Gothic Trades:
F-Alexander Steen-STL

Mustangs Trade:
F-Tomas Kopecky-CHI

Steen is signed for 3 years at $1.25 per year. Kopecky will be signed for $0.50 this year. I'm happy with this deal. I was doubled up in St. Louis with Berglund plus I think Kopecky has more upside.

This one is really funny because Serge makes fun of Steen like every single time he posts about your team.

hmm...Maybe..thats the nature of the business...I also reacquired Afinogenov today...So no more bad mouthing him

Here's the roster that will cause Serge to lose his hair both figuratively and literally...

Defensemen
Andrej Sekera - BUF
Marc Staal - NYR
Matt Hunwick - BOS
Matt Niskanen -DAL
Kevin Klein - NAS
Zbynek Michalek - PHO
Anton Strallman - CGY
Kyle Cumiskey - COL


Forwards
Shawn Mathias - FLA
Matthew Lombardi - PHO
Mikael Samuelsson - VAN
Jussi Jokinen - CAR
Patrik Berglund - STL
Torrey Mitchell - SAN
James Sheppard - MIN
Bryan Little - ATL
Dustin Boyd - CGY
Ruslan Fedotenko - PIT
Guillaume Latendresse - MTL
Andrew Ebbett - ANA
Paul Stastny - COL
Doug Weight - NYI
Tomas Kopecky - CHI

PLUS: Steven Stamkos and James Neal will be called up.

I'm working on my goalie situation.

Question to the owners in this divison, what do you think the final standings will be in your division?

Cheap Thieves
Mustangs
Gothic
Steelheads
Underdogs

I didn't realize your division was so competitive. There are no teams in your division that are in a "true rebuilding form".

Like all the teams in that division are legit enough to make the playoffs. To contend for the title, probably just the Thieves. But again anything can happen in the playoffs.

My prediction:

Cheap Thieves (will be the first team to clinch the division title)
Steelheads (they still have Crosby and Thorton)
Canadian Gothic (this depends heavily on what happens with his goalie situation)
Underdogs (still some talent there)
Mustangs (bad luck when all of his 40 year old players just happen to get injured)

lol

My prediction:

Cheap Thieves
Canadian Gothic
Steelheads
Mustangs
Underdogs

Since I own the Mustangs and Underdogs first round picks next year I like your prediction.

A minor trade today:


Canadian Gothic Trades:
F - Troy Brouwer - CHI
F - Robbie Earl - MIN (FARM)
F - Harrison Reed - CAR (FARM)

Swackers Trade:
Swackers 3rd Round Pick 2011-12

I had no room for any of these players so it was nice to pick up what should be a decent pick for them.

Here's my roster entering DRAFT DAY...

DEFENSE

Andrej Sekera - BUF - $2.00 - I'm hoping Sekera can step up and become the PP quarterback the Sabres need. He has loads of potential and I'm looking for at least 40 points this season.

Marc Staal - NYR - $0.50 - Staal has loads of offensive abilities. The word on the street is that Tortorella will be giving Staal every opprtunity to use his offensive skills. I
He's still young so I'll be happy with 25-30 points.

Matt Hunwick - BOS - $0.50 - Hunwick has shown that he can put up points. The only problem is that when it comes to offense from the defense in Boston he is behind Chara and Wideman. I still think he can put up 35+ points.

Kyle Cumiskey - COL - $0.75 - The signing of Preissing and Quincey doesn't bode well for Cumiskey's chances at a regular roster spot but he has too much offensive potential to give up on. He will probably spend most of the season on my reserves.

Anton Strallman - CGY - $0.75 - Strallman has some offensive skills but he is way down on the depth chart on Calgary's loaded blueline. Right now I consider him a filler but an injury to Phaneuf or Bouwmeester could create an opportunity.

Kevin Klein - NAS - $1.00 - Klein has loads of offensive potential but the same can be said for many Nashville Dmen. He'll finally get an opportunity this season and will be in the Preds top 4. I think he'll get me 25+ points.

Matt Niskanen - DAL - $0.75 - I expect Niskanen to take over the role that Zubov played for so long. I'm expecting 40+ points this season.

Zbynek Michalek - PHO - $1.75 - Michalek has very good offensive skills but the problem is that he does other things so well that Gretzky doesn't use him much in an offensive role. He'll still get me 25-30 points.


FORWARDS

Shawn Matthias - FLA - $1.25 - Matthias will most likely spend most of the season on my reserves.

Tomas Kopecky - CHI - $0.50 - Kopecky is stuck behind a lot of guys in Chicago. He is a filler imo.

Patrik Berglund - STL - $2.00 - I'm hoping Berglund can avoid the sopmore jinx and get me 60+ points this season.

Doug Weight - NYI - $9.00 - I'm crossing my fingers that Weight can stay healthy and maybe find some chemistry with Tavares on the PP. I'm predicting 45-55 points.

Torrey Mitchell - SAN - $0.75 - He has speed to burn and with the loss of a player in the 2 for 1 Heatley trade I'm hoping Mitchell will be given more offensive opportunities. I'm looking for 40+ points.

James Sheppard - MIN - $2.00 - Sheppard is slotted in as the #2 centre. With the departure of Lemaire I'm hoping he can find some offense and consistency and get me 40+ points.

Bryan Little - ATL - $3.00 - I'm looking for Little to continue his development. I'm predicting 35-40 goals and 65-70 points.

Dustin Boyd - CGY - $2.50 - Boyd has plenty of offensive skills. If he can get the opportunities I'm certain he can produce. I'm looking for 40-45 points.

Andrew Ebbett - ANA - $1.25 - I'm hoping the addition of Koivu won't take away too much icetime from Ebbett, but the again, either Koivu or Selanne is bound to spend some time on the IR. Ebbett is a wildcard and could get me anywhere from 25-50 points.

Matthew Lombardi - PHO $2.00 - Lombardi is the #1 centre in Phoenix. He'll get me around 60 points.

Mikael Samuelsson - VAN $0.50 - If Samuelsson can put up 40 points on Detroit's 3rd line, I'm excited to see what he can do if he gets a chance to play with the Sedins. He should also see some time on the point on the Canucks PP. Hopefully he can avoid serious injury and get me around 45 points.

Jussi Jokinen - CAR $0.50 - Jokinen will get me 30-40 points. Any more than 40 would be a very nice bonus.

Paul Stastny - COL $4.00 - I'm hoping for a healthy season this year and 70-80 points.

Ruslan Fedotenko - PIT $0.50 - Fedotenko inconsistency is maddening. He plays with Malkin and has the potential to go on ridiculous streaks so he has value. I'm looking for about 45 points from him.

Guillaume Latendresse - MTL $2.00 - Latendresse is a developing power forward. This is his 4th year so I'm looking for a big improvement especially considering he is possibly slotted in on the 2nd line. I'm predicting 40+ points with at least 20 goals.


GOALIES

Carolina Hurricanes B - $0.25 - Carolina had the 8th best GAA last season. They only significant loss on D was Seidenberg and they were able to add Aaron Ward so I don't see them being worse than last year. Paul Maurice also likes his forwards to be defensively responsible.

Anaheim Ducks A $2.75 - Anaheim was only 18th in the league in GAA last year. They lost Pronger and Beauchamin on D but added Sbisa and Boynton. The good thing with Anaheim is they have two quality goaltenders battling for playing time. Hiller vs Giguere should provide a decent GAA. I'm looking for Anaheim to move into the top half of the league in GAA this season.

Philadelphia Flyers A $5.25 - Philly was 16th in GAA last season. With a top 4 of Pronger, Timonen, Coburn and Carle, I think they have a shot at cracking the top 10 this season.


EXEMPT
F-Joakim Lindstrom
F-Kyle Calder

Cap Space = $48.00
23 players signed and 3 goalies signed at $48.00



I like the way my team is looking. It's still on the young and developing side but adding a player like Paul Stastny is a big plus. My defense has some promise but I would like to add a quality defenseman sometime during the season. I will be calling up James Neal and Steven Stamkos when the season begins so they will add even more scoring potential.

You and Adam should start an Optimists Club! I like several of your defenceman, but those are some consistently high predictions. Same goes for 35-40 goals for Little and more than 6 goals for Latendresse

Sadly, I have traded away several players you own from my FCHL team (though I'd have preferred not to) so I have no choice to root against you. More sadly, I think several of your predictions could easily pan out or exceed, including Klein, Niskanen and Stastny.

Hope you're right about Klein.

Wrt Samuelsson, he's on my FCHL team, so I followed him really closely last year... he spent a really good chunk of time playing with Zetterberg during the season, and he played the point on the 2nd PP unit (which would probably be a top 10 1st pp unit in the league) as well. I'd be ecstatic if he had 45 points, and I don't think it's far off, but 35-40 is my expectation.

I know you're being facetious but I don't think it's overly optimistic to expect Little to improve upon the 31 goals he scored last season. Also, Latendresse has goal totals of 16, 16 and 12 in his first three years. It has been reported that he is being expected to take on a bigger role this season so I think 20 goals is far from optimistic.

The Gothic is shaping up for a playoff run this season. I think it will be close. Depends on what direction the Underdogs go in. I don't see top two as a possibility, but #3 is an option. Goaltending seems weaker this year than in past seasons. Philly has better defense, but as has been the case for 30+ years goaltending is still a question mark. Anahiem could be a different kind of team this year too. They have potential to be a high scoring team with a more up tempo style. Losing Pronger is a big hole to fill and they haven't done that for the short term.

If you don't make the playoffs it will be because of your goalies, that's my take anyway.

I finished only 1 point out of a playoff spot last season so I think I'll be able to make the playoffs this year as The Underdogs and Steelheads didn't get any better. Plus my goaltendting is actually better than it was last season...Philly replaces Dallas. I like the fact that Anaheim has two quality goalies battling for starts and Philly has Emery who will be looking to stay in the league this time. Boucher is a very good backup who can get me a shutout here and there and the Philly defense is solid.

you guys really have no clue do you?

My team is a solid second...

Sorry to burst your bubble Serge, but that is not true. You honestly have a better shot at last in the division than you do 2nd place.

bet..??

shave your head??

NEWSFLASH

It just came to light that the owner of the Gothic tried to cheat when he put in his protected list for the 2009-2010 season. He tried to take advantage of the fact that some owners wouldnt notice that he put 3 people on his exempt list. If it wasnt for the quick eye of The owner of the Big M's, this violation wouldnt have come to light.

Its interesting to see how many other rules like this that he has violated in the past few years.


Mustangs owner and rival Serge Bogosyan was reached at his office Monday morning and was asked what he thought.

"I am not surprised, i have suspected that he is a cheater all along and this confirms my suspicions" said the always aloof and eccentric Serge Bogosyan.

Stay tuned as this story develops.

Will you be staying under the cap this season?

are you denying you cheated?

Yes, I simply forgot that Vyborny was still on my exempt list. If this were reversed I'm sure we would all be subjected to another Serge rant on how you were being accused of cheating and then you would threaten to leave the forum (for 45 minutes).

Personally, I am of the opinion that anytime someone tries to hold onto Kyle Calder illegally, he should be just shot on sight.

This kind of thing just cant be allowed.

Lets all be friends, yes. Can I have a cheer for friendship?

HIP HIP HOOOOOORAY!!! HIP HIP HOOOOOOORAAYY

I am sure Dale got the fact that it was a joke that i posted(reporter style)...

I hate when i have to explain my attempts at humour..

Oh, you were kidding? Not me.

When I see Dale on Wednesday, we are gonna exchange some harsh words over this attempt at cheating the Whalers out of Kyle Calder.

**** friendship, this is Kyle Calder!!!!


hey, he still plays with Mark Bell and Tyler Arnason on the ABC line, right? I mean, why else would everyone be hyping the Blackhawks so much I figure.

lol...on a related note former Mustangs superstar Eric Daze was finally released this year..Contract expired , and gone from exemption list.

so I can bid on him too? awesome, im gonna have the top 2 lines in Chicago.

he is definetely available..too bad i cant bid on him.

My drfat picks from last night were...

3rd round
Marc-Andre Bourdon D PHI
Dmitri Orlov D WSH
Casey Pierro-Zabotel F PIT

4th round
Justin Bernhart F PHO
Mattias Karlsson D OTT

Wow, those are pretty high-quality guys to be going in the 3rd round. Bourdon and Orlov both have decently high upside without being super-long shots. I'm kind of a Bourdon homer though.

I am very happy with my first 4 picks. I took a flyer on Karlsson.

Here's a few players I picked up at the end of the draft for $0.25 each...

Jamie Arniel - Boston Bruins
Francis Pare - Detroit Red Wings
Sebastien Piche - Detroit Red Wings


Here's my latest roster move:

RESERVE - D - Sebastien Piche - Detroit Red Wings
CALL UP - F - Steven Stamkos - Tampa Bay Lightning

RESERVE - F - Tomas Kopecky - Chicago Blackhawks
CALL UP - James Neal - Dallas Stars


This makes my opening day roster lok like this:

DEFENSE
Andrej Sekera Buffalo Sabres
Marc Staal New York Rangers
Zbynek Michalek Phoenix Coyotes
Anton Strallman Calgary Flames
Matt Hunwick Boston Bruins
Kyle Cumiskey Colorado Avalanche
Matt Niskanen Dallas Stars
Kevin Klein Nashville Predators

FORWARDS
Steven Stamkos Tampa Bay Lightning
Matthew Lombardi Phoenix Coyotes
Mikael Samuelsson Vancouver Canucks
Jussi Jokinen Carolina Hurricanes
James Neal Dallas Stars
Patrik Berglund St. Louis Blues
Doug Weight New York Islanders
Paul Stastny Colorado Avalanche
Torrey Mitchell San Jose Sharks
James Sheppard Minnesota Wild
Bryan Little Atlanta Thrashers
Dustin Boyd Calgary Flames
Ruslan Fedotenko Pittsburgh Penguins
Guillaume Latendresse Montreal Canadiens
Andrew Ebbett Anaheim Ducks

GOALIES
Carolina Hurricanes B
Philadelphia Flyers A
Anaheim Ducks A

RESERVES
Jamie Arniel Boston Bruins
Francis Pare Detroit Red Wings
Shawn Matthias Florida Panthers
Sebastien Piche Detroit Red Wings
Tomas Kopecky Chicago Blackhawks

And here's what the farm looks like:

DEFENSE
Oskars Bartulis Philadelphia Flyers $0.50
Raymond Macias Colorado Avalanche $0.25
Marc-Andre Bourdon Philadelphia Flyers $1.00
Dimitri Orlov Washington Capitals $1.00
Mattias Karlsson Ottawa Senators $0.50
Brian Salcido Anaheim Ducks $1.00
Yannick Weber Montreal Canadiens $1.50
Brendan Smith Detroit Red Wings $1.00

FORWARDS
Luca Cunti Tampa Bay Lightning $0.50
Mike Santorelli Nashville Predators $0.50
Cory Emmerton Detroit Red Wings $1.00
Igor Makarov Chicago Blackhawks $1.00
Maxim Mayorov Columbus Blue Jackets $0.50
Philip McRae St. Louis Blues $3.00
Rob Schremp Edmonton Oilers $3.00
Patrick Maroon Philadelphia Flyers $1.50
Casey Pierro-Zabotel Pittsburgh Penguins $1.00
Justin Bernhardt Phoenix Coyotes $0.50

woot! Love the Pare pickup. I have a couple contacts who scout the QMJHL professionally (though they work for various websites of dubious quality..cough cough HF) Both have told me Pare has no chance of sticking in the NHL. He is older, but has still been the best player on the Griffins. Definitely worth a shot, IMO. Then again, I'm also a Pare homer

Check out my farm..

It really is better than yours now..I have 5 NHL ready players on there

It's rather easy to draft 3rd and 4th line NHLers. Nobody would take your farm team over mine!

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=500173

Stralman traded to Columbus...great news for my team.

yup great news, when a player is so good that he gets traded every other week.

It's refreshing to see you don't limit your hyperboles to just Leafs conversation.

yup shremp, waivers

yup

That's because he had to be put on waivers to be sent down to the AHL. How's your travel agency farmhand doing? Any good deals on flights?

The Canadian Gothic are currently first place in their division.