On the Topic of Fantasy Ownership

Now, with all that's going around-- I could opine on what the great Greg Wyshynski had to say about blogger credentials, but he discussed that with us and Lyle Richardson at the 2009 Draft already.Plus, I've been credentials for years and I still can explain the process due to my hackiness. I could talk about the Olympics and what it could mean, but the nuances around it are too much for me to debate with myself.

But the topic I'll tackle is the fantasy hockey side of things, that is now in full effect. The FOHSHL has gotten back up with our four divisions getting rolling, I got an email about my CBS "Experts" league getting going, it's finally the time of the year where the ordinary people can become very psychotic about players performances and what not. You can be the guy behind the guy and only have yourself to blame for picking some craptastic guys.....or play the blame game after the season and single out players like some GMs in real life do. I know I put out my confession of the addiction back in '07 and it holds true to the day.

Even so, with one draft 35 days away-- the strategy has been on-going since the whole free agent period when you're thinking how each new signee will fit into the scheme of not only the team, but his value when you could pick him and if they could become a sleeper. I know there has been many times where I assumed one thing about a player and the exact opposite happens; which is what makes it aggravating at times, but that's life. It creates challenges and a sort of an escape for things to make yourself feel bigger than you really are....which is fantastic when you have a sort of Napoleon complex.

The thing with the whole fantasy process is not only battling other owners in terms of drafting and free agent position, it's more of battling yourself and your own decision making process. The fact of the matter is that you are your own worst enemy. The second-guessing issue is mostly the big thing, not only in drafting, but in putting in a claim for waiver processes, quick fixes for late-week points, or even being too late in picking someone up off of free agency when you had been debating in your head on picking them up. Oddly enough, the regret you have for not picking someone very much outweighs the good moves one can actually make. It's the fish that got away scenario.

More over than second-guessing, another thing that irks me is the owners who don't actually pay attention to the entire season. I mean, I know there's people who do have lapses when it comes to the day-to-day games and that's fine. It's the guys who don't check their teams at all that bugs me, especially when you want to make a trade and since they don't check the team-- it never happens and you feel that you lost out because of it. That happened to me a couple times in the past few years and it's bothersome-- especially when the commissioner of the league trusts that owners will keep track regardless of how bad their team is. It's hard to bag on them, though, because in most cases they are your friends or it's a public league where people seem to be more idiotic than not. The point is-- even if you just check your team once a week, make sure you keep tabs on your teams because while you might not care halfway through the season, some other owner may when it comes to your roster.

And speaking of public leagues-- the best part about public leagues and one that has been great fodder for FOHS is the trades that are proposed through the season. The public leagues bring the silliest of trades, mostly because people underestimate the knowledge of their leaguemates and assume most everyone in a public league is a dumbass who is only there just because and to try out hockey for the first time. It never seems to happen in private leagues because people usually know better, but it also is a sign of the times where not many trades (at least in the FOHSHL) have taken place. It's like there's a salary cap in fantasy hockey and no one has the cap space to fit one guy or another into it. It's crazy because, like in real hockey, trades are very interesting and something that could make others make moves here and there.

While there's another peeve some guys have, but I can't complain because I've done it myself-- where an owner drops a ton of guys to pick up others just to get points late in the week. Now, I've only done that with a lot of rank-and-file guys and at the end of the Finals during championship week, which-- in championships-- any means necessary. Even so, it's a little bothersome when it comes to guys doing it frequently; but like I said-- no room to talk since I've been guilty of it from time-to-time.

So, what has this rambling done?? Probably nothing but venting on my trials and tribulations when it comes to fantasy ownership. Also, it breaks up the whole monotony that other people are blogging about, not that it's bad-- but I'm not really known for going with the flow of things. As well, I'm more amped up about another season in the FOHSHL than anything right now. I've been to the finals twice and lost in the past two years....maybe it's the third time is a charm, like so much Marian Hossa. f

Glen Burnie HC: End the Season Now/ Issues with Teams

It's the middle of week three and I'm trying hard as the GM of Glen Burnie HC to end the season now. Why?? Because I'm in first place in the FOHSHL Hirsch Division and I'd like to have the bye week for the playoffs. But it's been good-- luckily, the guys who I need to produce like Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, and the surprising Michael Del Zotto, who was a great pre-season pick-up, are producing in droves and really booting my team through the roof.

However, the fact some of the players I have like Mike Green, Mark Streit and goalies Pekka Rinne and Jonas Gustavsson aren't pulling their slack, but in Gustavsson's case, injuries have slowed him down. Fact of the matter is that many complains are coming from other owners about what to do and how freaked out their are, even two weeks into the season. Many guys have reformated their teams as it is and are thinking about trading away the teams to shuffle up a new group, even if they are in the playoff spots as it is.

I know I'm one to panic, but not really two weeks in or so-- I'd be more freaked out when it comes closer to the final playoff push rather than starting the seasons slow. Many complaints from the likes of Pavel Datsyuk and goalie Niklas Backstrom have popped up. I think the same happened with Alex Ovechkin last year when he got into his funk, but smart owners just took a deep breath and realized he's a superstar and would snap out of it-- and he did.

It's just an issue of realizing how patient you can be when it comes to a player. The discretion is up to the owner in terms of who else they have on their roster. If they have a decent supporting cast, then the panic will not be as stressful and they won't have to worry about dealing out their star player and will wait longer for them to get out of their funk in order to reap the benefits when they do. If an owner doesn't have a good supporting cast or their cast is slumping as well, the freaking out will commence ten-fold because of it.

Yet, the moment and owner freaks out in a panic strictened state is the moment they should try and focus on the next season. Yes, it's that bad when you're already trying to make wholesale changes in Week Three. Of course, there are times where the wholesale changes do make differences, but in all honesty-- it's a crap shoot. Like they say, even a blind squirrel finds a night every once in a while.

Luckily for me, GBHC is doing well, because while one of the Aston HC satellites is doing well in 3rd, the other satellite is dead last. My expert's league team is deadlast too, but at least the expert's league games have been close....but still-- only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and bocce ball.

Glen Burnie HC: It's Easy Being Green

Yet another installment of my fictional, but somewhat real, fantasy hockey team. Obviously, this will be more frequent throughout the season, but just bear with the randomness right now-- and if you are always looking at this blog, odds are you're used to it by now.

Another season has come and the draft in the FOHSHL is at the forefront for Glen Burnie HC. The draft that took place on Thursday, GM Scott Wasilewski focused on how to make his team, the much better and maybe win the entire division, as well as the league, for this season. It seemed that'd he be in a decent position picking 6th in the odd numbered rounds, then 9th in the even numbered rounds. Both fairly in the middle, so no extreme waits watching players tick away.

With the first pick, Wasilewski got defensive picking Mike Green with the team's first pick of the draft. Green, who blew up last season with 31 goals, 42 assists and 38 power play points for the season. Needless to say, he'll be a welcome addition to the Glen Burnie HC roster.

"Obviously, early on you have a pick of many guys, but Green really stood out in our minds as someone who would be crucial to our team as a whole," said Wasilewski. "When you can get a defenseman with those kind of numbers, it's something you have to jump on because you can't expect that all the time with guys on the blue line."

After the first round, the focus was on goaltending and scoring, with Henrik Lundqvist, Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, and Olli Jokinen going rounds two through five. Defensive again for rounds six and seven with Mark Streit and Pekka Rinne being picked up next.

"Up and down, I'm happy with the way the draft went," stated Wasilewski. "One thing we were able to do was bring back the franchise player in Danny Alfredsson and the next franchise player in Brent Seabrook. Seabrook has been with us every single year he's been in the league, while Alfredsson has been in and out with this franchise since we were the Glen Burnie Hillbillies and he was the captain of our championship team in the FOHSHL back in '04. So, it's great to have both of them back in the stable."

Not only that, but Seabrook joins Patrick Sharp as returning members from last year team. Lundqvist was drafted by Glen Burnie HC, but was dealt during the season. Sharp was the last pick of the draft for Glen Burnie HC and could be considered a sleeper. Another sleeper pick for Glen Burnie HC is the pick-up of young goaltender Jonas Gustavsson as their third goaltender. See the full roster below.

From top to bottom, Glen Burnie HC looks very solid. As they have a variety of scorers and set-up men, as well as consistent goaltending and defense, it should be tough to get by the Glen Burnie HC and even if other teams can, the score will be close enough for Glen Burnie HC to still gain ground.

"It looks to be a good year for us," mentioned Wasilewski. "I think we have a good equal attack for the squad and we could very well get that spot we couldn't get last year and bring home the Lakomyj Trophy. We've reached that height before and I think we can do it again this year. Just have to stay healthy and get the good bounces we haven't gotten in the past. We need to make the playoffs and then we'll be fine."

The season for Glen Burnie HC starts October 1st taking on Halco-maniac and Son for Week One.

Glen Burnie HC: Looking For That One Spot More

(As many of you know, Glen Burnie HC is my longstanding fantasy team. Also, as many of you know, I love making up fictional pieces because I feel it's much better than most parts of my reality, as well as allowing me freedom to let my mind wonder and go with it. If I only could kick this ADHD, I'd be more accomplished. Also, I have a minor-league team in most other leagues under the Aston HC banner-- but they stink so I don't talk about them. Anyway-- these will be going up throughout the fantasy hockey season of the FOHSHL, so enjoy.....or not.)

Walking through the concourse and up the stairs in the Mello Yello Center, Glen Burnie HC General Manager and Head Coach Scott Wasilewski stopped and turned to look at the ice surface and wondering what could have been. They had come a long way in last years FOHSHL and almost got to their goal, but sadly couldn't add to their championship banners.

As the last seeded team in the playoffs, many thought that the team affectionedly called "The Troubled Bunch" wouldn't last a week in the playoffs, but they soldiered on. With nothing to lose, Glen Burnie HC went all out and got out of the first round, taking out the third ranked RedWhitenRed 7-5, which put them against the 2nd ranked team in LizardInsid'er, a daunting task, but GBHC took them in the regular season. The Bunch was on and they took out the LizardInsid'er easily 7-3. However, that's where the luck ran out, as the Jesmond Jesters took out Glen Burnie HC 7-4; winning the Hirsch Division and ending the run for the upstart GBHC.

"There's a lot of to take from the season," Wasilewski stated while sitting in the upper deck of the empty arena. "A lot more good than bad, of course. I think that there's plenty we could improve upon in terms of who's on our roster-- which, of course, is my duty on this team; build up and guide this team through personnel changes. We'll just have to see what's out there this year, right?? That's all you can do."

As the division forms ups, Glen Burnie HC will have to face some new foes and foes they've known for a long time. While the mix of new and old are a solid thing for most leagues, the fact everyone has to start from scratch is something where it doesn't matter who you're facing because it's a new, fresh start to the season.

"I think that's the beauty of it all," mentioned Wasilewski, "It's something where you could have the worst team ever one year, but win the whole thing next season. It's fantastic and really adds a good parity dynamic to the entire thing. I love it."

Whether or not this season will yield another banner to the rafters of the Mello Yello Center, but it's going to be about consistency all season. While one bad week can't sink you for the season, a losing streak at the wrong time, or not being able to gather up enough points in a win, could be the one thing that pushes you out of a playoff position.

"It's a fine line, a very fine line, that you have to walk in this game," Wasilewski stated. "It's something that we have to make sure that if we win, it's by a lot or if we lose, it's at least close. We won't go undefeated, but we have to make sure we keep things close if all else fails. We also have to worry about the Olympic break as well-- so it should be something to look forward to and take notice....or not, either way."

His light-hearted demeanor off the ice, coupled with his killer instinct demeanor behind the bench and in the office, Wasilewski will be looking for fifth banner in the rafters of the MYC when the 2009-10 season of the FOHSHL closes out in April. If the past is any indication, his chances are better than most would think.

Fantasy Update: FINALS!!!

As a six-seed in the Hirsch Division, I didn't think I'd be able to get past the first round. Playing the third seed in the whole thing, I thought I'd be hooped since I lost big time the only time played RedWhitenRed, but luckily-- I pulled out a small victory 7-5. I was lucky Zach Parise and Jason Spezza had six point weeks and my goaltending didn't fail me like it has in playoffs past (thanks to that Marty Brodeur waiver pick-up when he was injured). This at least ensured me that I'd be playing the whole season and not lose the last two weeks to nothingness.

This made me move onto the two-seed, LizardInsid'er, whom I beat both times this season. Of course, huge underdog yet again, but moved past them with ease, 7-3. Six point weeks for Steve Sullivan, Devin Setoguchi and Alexei Kovalev (say whaaaaaaa) and 19 goals for the week, which was my weakness during the season. Pekka Rinne and Jonas Hiller flourished, which was great since last week, Brodeur was awful. It also led to much bragging for my Australian comrade, who claimed he would destroy me in the playoffs. Take that, Prison Colony!!

That leads me to not only the Final of the Hirsch Division, but into the Optimum Ocho of the FOHSHL, which combined all four divisions of the league (Beaupre, Liut, Tabaracci) and let's us go roto-style. However, I'm facing the top-seeded Jesmond Jesters. I lost both meetings to the Jesters this year, both by a huge margin. Plus, in the '06-'07 season, I beat the Jesters to claim the bronze in the Hirsch. I'm scerrrred.

However, it's better than last season when I was a six-seed and lost in the first round and lost in the 5th place game. I won the FOHSHL in '03-'04, but haven't gotten close since then. This could be the year......or not.

Oh, and as far as Aston HC....in the consolation games and just....turrible this season. I'm so glad Neumann College won the D-III Championship.

The Hell?? They're Doing Better??

It seems that the Aston HC crew is starting to get their act together and starting to win some games and benefiting from the other teams failures and moving up the schedule.

Starting with the flagship team, Glen Burnie HC took it's first weekly loss in Week Five of the FOHSHL, as they lost to Jesmond Jesters 7-4, mostly due to the goaltending failing to do it's deed. Though, that's not a fair assumption, as the Jesters had three shutouts on the week thanks to Roberto Luongo. However, they bounced back in Week Six with a 6-5 win over the second place Lizardinsid'er. Zach Parise, Miro Satan, and Christain Ehrhoff were the stars in Week Six, while the contingent of Carey Price, Henrik Lundqvist, and Brent Johnson got five wins on the week.

Now, to Aston HC-- first in GFH's Norris Division, while they lost Week Five 6-3 to the Fargin Iceholes, that was due to another Luongo incident and Ryan Miller having another shutout in there. However, they broke out in a big way in Week Six, with an 8-2 win over Beaded Banner Bonnie thanks to Jason Arnott's four points and Nicklas Lidstrom and Kimmo Timonen's three points from the blue line.

To the PlayoffBeard.com side, after a Week Five loss to the commish, Captain Bosh, by the count of 7-3; another break out win by the score of 9-1 over Lobstrosities, with J-P Dumont and Mike Ribeirom, both pretty underrated scorers when all is said and done, chipped in four points a piece with Brian Campbell, Patrick Kane, Marco Sturm, and Timonen having three a piece.

All in all, things are looking up for the conglomerate now, let's just hope they keep getting better as the weeks go on.

RESULTS AS OF 11.17.08

FOHSHL: Glen Burnie HC: 40-22-10, 1st place
GFH-Norris: Aston HC: 23-29-8, 9th place
PBHL: Aston HC: 25-35-12, 8th place

Well...There's At Least One Good Team

It's almost time for me to start looking forward to next season when it comes to Aston HC. Just dishing out all the assets and building for the future....if only they were keeper leagues.

Starting with the good news that is Glen Burnie HC, that squad is still in first place in the FOHSHL Hirsch Division. In Week Three, Glen Burnie HC took out Rhiannon Magic 7-2 thanks in part to Cory Stillman and Zach Parise putting up three goals and three assists apiece on the week. In Week Four, Glen Burnie HC had its closest win 7-4 over Bsdontneedagoalie2.0. Alexei Kovalev led the way with five points and Miro Satan putting up four points, with Carey Price picking up three wins in the week.

Now, to the bad parts that is Aston HC, starting in Leahy's GFH Norris Division where in Week Three, Aston HC lost 8-0 to the Fyremonkeys, with Jason Arnott's three points being the only bright spot of that week. They saved face in Week Four by tying Tie Domi Fan Club 4-4. The defense was crucial with Scott Niedermayer putting up four points and Nicklas Lidstrom putting up three, whilst Carey Price had three wins in the week.

To the even worst Aston HC entry in the PlayoffBeard.com League, Week Three saw Aston HC losing to The Reggie Dunlops 7-2. At least Mike Ribeiro put up six points and Henrik Lundqvist putting up two wins and a sub-2.00 GAA. It was a 7-4 loss in Week Four with Aston HC losing to the Montreal SekoS. Ales Hemsky put up five points, with Patrick Kane and J.P. Dumont putting up four points.

You can definitely see that I only care about Glen Burnie HC at this point-- it's the show's league, so I want to make sure that I beat the piss out of the listeners; mostly because that brings in the listeners.......or not.

RESULTS AS OF 11.04.08

FOHSHL: Glen Burnie HC: 30-10-8, 1st place
GFH-Norris: Aston HC: 12-21-7, 12th place
PBHL: Aston HC: 13-27-8, 10th place

At Least I'm First Somewhere

It's been two weeks and I'm somewhat pleased with my big team, Glen Burnie HC. The first week, I was able to capture a 7-2 win over Todd Butts' Lubomirs and Olegs to hold first place in the first week. The second week was much more rewarding with a 9-2 over one of the English blokes, the Pirhana Petes, keeping me in first place with a 16-4-4 record.

Like I said before, I take the GBHC league a little more seriously since it is the league for FOHS and I need to save some face somehow. Plus, I need to get back to my championship ways and it seems the league keeps getting bigger and bigger in terms of participants so the competition gets better and better. It makes some moves in the first few round crucial since pickings are slim in the later rounds.

In one of my other leagues, Leahy's GFH league-- the Aston HC contingent could be doing worse, but could be doing better. The first week, I got hammered 7-1 by Kessel's Jewel-- which is a funny name because it's true. The second week was redemption with a 7-2 victory over Black n' Blue Line. Let's hope the second week result continues on. The set-up in Leahy's gig is good and I like the forward and defense thing because you could have five centers playing at once and not have to decide who starts over who.

In my other league, which is put together by Captain Bosh and his Playoff Beard league, I may as well trade things away for parts. While I barely lost to the Carolina Creatures 6-4, Slue Foot took the legs right out of Aston HC by beating them 7-3. It's always a rough scenario, but it's early and I'm sure things can change instantly.

It should be a fun season all around, but heaven knows if I get too pissed, I may need to get a new laptop and may actually be fired as GM from my own fantasy hockey team. I wonder if things like that have ever happened before and if I would need to go to the insane aslyum for it....again.

RESULTS UPDATE AS OF 10.20.08

FOHSHL: Glen Burnie HC: 16-4-4, 1st place
GFH-Norris: Aston HC: 8-9-3, 8th place
PBHL: Aston HC: 7-13-4, T-9th place

Fantasy Foibles

I have to say, I've done worse with fantasy hockey drafts. In the first year inception of Glen Burnie HC; the "Troubled Bunch" picked Felix Potvin in the first round. Now, if it was 1993, I think I would have been happy with it....but it was 2003 and Potvin was able to get usurped all the way to Russia. How I was able to pull a championship out of that-- I'll never know.

This year....we'll have to see how we do. Down the middle, I feel somewhat solid with Jason Spezza, Joe Sakic, and Patrice Bergeron, but my wings are what I fear. On the left side, Zach Parise, Patrick Sharp, Ryan Malone, and Cory Stillman. I'm hoping both Parise and Sharp continue their surge to elite status, while I hope Malone earns his money and Stillman doesn't get hurt. On the right side, Alexei Kovalev and P-M Bouchard-- both who have potential, but need to reach it consistently for my benefit.

Defense could be a little shaky with Brent Burns and Kris Letang, both I hope have big years-- especially Letang who should get tons of chances to prove himself with all the Pens injuries. Rounding it out, franchise player Brent Seabrook (he's been on this team every freakin' year), Sami Salo, and Christian Ehrhoff. It's not the most glamourous blue line, but if they can succeed-- a lot of bang for my buck.

I needed to pick up goaltending quick since I picked 14th in odd numbered rounds and 1st in even numbered-- there was too much downtime and too many picks before and after me to sit on it. I was able to swipe up Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price and hope both stay healthy and play amazingly.

Oddly enough, in my other leagues with GBHC's satellite team, Aston HC-- I've got a decent amount of Blackhawks in one of them and just a total gongshow team in another. Guess that's what happens when you don't have to go by position and just go forward position. The defense in that gongshow is ridiculous with Nick Lidstrom, Scott Niedermayer, and Kimmo Timonen, but the offense isn't up to that par.

I don't look for much in the Aston HC leagues, but with GBHC; anything less than a division title would be a big disappointment for the goals I set.

Speaking of which, if anyone is interested in taking over the one Dummy Team in my league, let me know. First come, first serve.