Knight

https://riverside.fm/dashboard/editor/preview/694302f4-8161-4290-b629-f9d3f6648622/661c935df6d74a5272134d95?share-token=3b3fdfc3e785b544837e&content-shared=recording-preview Reflecting on my season-long predictions. Spoiler: not great.

1. The players seem to be inactive in the locker room, why? Dog days of the season, just waiting for playoffs. 2. Our recent upgrade to defense hasn't panned yet. Any ideas what is going on? Spartan is just an awful GM and can't see team fit. 3. Although we were on top of the EU world, we have fallen lately. Where will we end up? Honestly it's totally up in the air, could be anywhere from 1st to 5th. 4. As a whole, the team looks strong and resilient. Are you looking for that big win streak that I am? As long as it comes in the playoffs! 5. Our tender is doing a good job when you consider this is season two for him. Can the team rally behind him and push us to glory? He'll be even better by playoff time so I'm looking forward to seeing him carry us to victory. 6. Overall, not counting this last week, are you happy with your player? No complaints at all - leading the team in +/- and still putting up the points. I'm honestly just happy to be on the team having fought for a roster spot. Hope it continues for many seasons.

https://riverside.fm/dashboard/editor/preview/d52432f8-934e-4e71-84e8-7373715006df/661c8c577fec641e88e390f3?share-token=3b3fdfc3e785b544837e&content-shared=recording-preview Rebranding LA Stars to Mexico City.

4. Have any ideas about any changes the team should look at? A new GM would be great but that's a pipe dream 5. Syko has shown some elite skills in recent games. Can he lead us to the promised land? Absolutely, kid's got elite talent and is going to win many trophies starting this season. 6. If you could have one league related change, what would it be, if any? Different updating system (not realistic given SimonT's limited build model)

Rashford Promoted to Top Line That's right, you read that correctly. The unsigned draftee is now playing on the top line of the top team in the EU. In a move made to shake up the team and give the top line some mojo, Rashford was asked to provide that spark. The early results have been good as Axle Gunner and Jeff Lewis are starting to heat up and now look poised to overtake leading scorer Jarmo Ruutu within the next couple of games. The team has seen pretty balanced scoring thus far to date, as evidenced by the above, but judging by how Gunner and Lewis have been playing the last couple of games we may not see the balanced act last. Nevertheless, Rashford is thrilled to have earned the trust of the organization in his role to bring out the best in his line mates. "It's early days but it's encouraging to see signs of success already," said Rashford after morning skate. "Ultimately, it's down to whether we are winning or losing which will determine the success. We need Gunnner and Lewis to be the best versions of themselves to have a chance at competing so it's great to see them more comfortable out there."

https://riverside.fm/dashboard/editor/preview/c6343298-0236-49a0-8609-70392a5b6393/661324fd64680848ae5a8363 1. Moscow looks to be in a potential 5 way race for the top of the conference, how will we do? 2. What team is our biggest threat in your opinion? 3. The lines have seemed to settle down a bit and sim more stable, do you agree?

Presser for the week ending 4/7 1. We seem to be a consistent winner at the moment. Will we keep this pace? Absolutely, the team is only going to get better and better as the season progresses. 2. Do you think we are peaking too early or it really doesn't matter? Everything resets after you hit the playoffs and it's all about finding form then. 3. I like the lines and the balanced scoring, thoughts? I would've never thought Rashford would be so productive after his rookie season so personally, yeah these lines are great! 4. Do you have any thoughts on line changes you would like the team to try? Not a single one 5. How is your player playing? As expected or better/worse? Definitely did not expect him to be so productive. He's almost on the Leaders page! 6. Easter Sunday, you looking for eggs and eating chocolate rabbits? Nope, just looking after my dog who is recovering from surgery.

[UPDATE] Rashford Surprising: Leading Moscow in Scoring A week ago an article was written about the surprising performance of David Rashford who was, at the time, leading the Moscow Menace in scoring having completed roughly 20% of the season. It was an article written with the knowledge that it was a "cool" story for something that would soon be expected to change. Rashford had spent the off-season getting bested in the most improved player award, so it's not as if the expectations were high for them. Every player hits a bit of form during the season and Rashford just seemed to have his at the beginning of the season. Fast forward another handful of games, however, and the story may not be the cute little blip that people thought. No, in fact Rashford is once again tied for the league in scoring for Moscow (with Jarmo Rutuu) who both sit five points ahead of third place with 36 points. Rashford by virtue of having more goals (13 vs. 10) is technically the leader of the team again and while no one expects him (dare they at this point though?) to keep his current pace of 104 points in the season, one thing that's absolutely clear is that Rashford has proven to be a vital part of this team that is contending for a championship. Who would've thought that for an unsigned draftee just a few years ago eh?

Under Axle's leadership we're ready to make some huge noise this season.

I'll only be wishing you a Happy Birthday if there's actually some TPE in it for me.

Rashford Surprising: Leading Moscow in Scoring It's early days but David Rashford is surprising everyone by leading the Moscow Menace in scoring 20% of the way through the season. While rumours were that the rule changes would increase scoring league-wide, no one predicted that Rashford would be such a benefactor. His 6 goals pace the Menace (tied with two others) and his 14 points have him looking just outside the top 10 in scoring. Moscow have an extremely balanced scoring attack with 8 players flirting with a point per game pace, so it's unlikely that Rashford will continue to lead the charge. However, it's not fluke as he's fired 76 shots on net so far putting him 10th in the league in that category. When asked what's spurred his inspired play, Rashford replied "I think it's just getting more comfortable with the team and knowing that I've earned the trust of the front office. It's allowed me to just be myself and play instinctually and not worry about making a mistake or two. Plus, I feel like I should've won most improved last year so I'm going to show all the voters why they were mistaken. I think that's something that's helping me hit an extra gear even though I know it's largely meaningless. I use it as a good excuse to add a little spice to my game."

4. Do you think we can make a push in the playoffs with our current roster? Definitely, we proved that last year. 5. What player on the team has impressed you the most? Rashford obviously, no one thought he'd lead the team in scoring. 6. What happened to Davos? Only six players including their goalie? Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/david-knight29/episodes/Knightly-Insights-in-Five---Eight-e2hhc12 1. How do you feel about the start to our season? 2. Do you feel good about how your player is playing? 3. I feel that we will only get better as the season progresses, do you agree?

G - Olober Syko @Patrik Tallinder

F - Axle Gunnar @Gustav

Jumping in to grab D - Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage

F - Larry Abass Jr @Gustav

F - John Jameson @CowboyinAmerica P.S. Hey cutie long time

D- Liv Slater @Gustav

1. The season is about to start, how will we do in the first week? We'll go undefeated sending a warning to the rest of the league. 2. It looks like most of the team has worked hard to improve. What is your biggest gain in skills? Kudos to the entire team. Rashford has been working hard to improve his skating and defence. 3. Too early to tell, but I think we have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs. Thoughts? No doubt in my mind or anyone else's on the team. 4. Do you relate season wins and losses to our chances in the playoffs? Not really as once you're in the playoffs anything can happen. 5. Do you think Syko will have a breakout season? What will be interesting is how the goalie sliders change affects goalies across the league. 6. What is your concerns about the team, if any. Defence is a little bit of a weak point but the team is working hard so I have faith.

David Rashford Loses Out on Most Improved Award The career altering year for David Rashford ended just shy of the highest individual achievement possible - the most improved award otherwise known as the Dustin Funk Trophy. In what ended up being a close voting race, Rashford received two of ten votes while co-winners Nick Sansoe and Jon Webber Jr earned three a piece. S91: Jon Webber Jr (LAS) - 18G, 30A, 48P, 18, 18PIM, 39HIT, 33SB S92: Jon Webber Jr (LAS) - 33G, 52A, 85P, -1, 50PIM, 119HIT, 18SB S90: Nick Sansoe (LDN) - 5G, 16A, 21P, -7, 35PIM, 82HIT, 8SB S92: Nick Sansoe (VAN) - 32G, 56A, 88P, -22, 60PIM, 94HIT, 54SB S91: David Rashford (MOS) - 11G, 17A, 28P, -48, 38PIM, 60HIT, 6SB S92: David Rashford (MOS) - 28G, 35A, 63P, 22, 23PIM, 56HIT, 31SB Here we see the statistical breakdowns for each player presenting their case for the award. Webber Jr, a career 40-50 point player exploded for 85 points in his final season. It was an impressive jump in output for a player on the brink of retirement. It's strange that a most improved player retires right away - it might be the first time it's ever happened in the VHL or any professional hockey league in history. Sansoe was an interesting case as well given he had a year of development in the minors between his comparative seasons in the VHL. One could argue that it's not an entirely fair comparison for the other candidates on the list and this writer agrees. Having an additional season of development to "improve" gives an unfair advantage over the other candidates. Looking at the plus minus of the winners, Webber Jr was down 19 and Sansoe was down 15. Rashford's case really lay in his impressive plus minus increase of 70. To put this in perspective, he was a net positive of one goal per game to his team - an incredible improvement. While both Webber Jr and Sansoe were deserving finalists, their victories come with questions on why their names will be on the trophy forevermore. Rashford's ascension from arguably one of the worst players in the league to a productive forward on a top team will now be lost in the VHL ether, never to be remembered by anyone other than the youngster from Britain. His attention now turns to winning a cup with Moscow in the upcoming season - the only real award that matters.

4. Our goalie is looking good. How will he stack against the rest in the league? Our goalie has a name and yes Joseph Reed is going to dominate. 5. Do you see an obvious weak spot on the team? If so, what is it? Probably our defence. They've been working hard to improve though so maybe it won't be a weakness for long. 6. Do you think goalies should be converted to the hybrid format Naw based off what I saw in the sim tests the slider changes will achieve exactly what's hoped for. I don't think hybrid attributes should be a thing if we can help it.

https://riverside.fm/dashboard/editor/preview/0fb168d8-3044-450d-92e0-976cb0f897a1/65ee8c1287d7e2632a0114d5?share-token=3b3fdfc3e785b544837e&content-shared=recording-preview 1. Alone was moved but we brought in Grimgor Ironhide, thoughts? 2. Looks like Richmond still has milk on his lips. How well will he fit in? 3. I am looking for a big season, do you think we will exceed last seasons record?

Rashford Enjoying Down Time in Offseason During the season in the VHL things can get pretty intense. Any player who's had the privilege to play in the league can attest to this. Hence why it's super important to make sure you don't burn out and David Rashford is learning this not the hard way, but the fun way. Rashford has enjoyed spending time back home with friends and family during the offseason as he disconnects entirely from the every day rigors of trying to win a championship. Moscow Menace came oh so close to having a serious playoff run but ultimately fell short which was a bitter end to such a promising season. Not to dwell on it is key to ensuring the mind is focused and ready to go next season once training camp rolls around. Even though he is very young in his career, Rashford has drawn on experiences from mentors in his network to give him the best possible chance to succeed next season.

1. Did you expect to see London and DC in the finals? No because I expected to see Moscow there. 2. Have you kept up with the league since our playoff departure? No not really, but then again I was busy. 3. Do you have a plan to build your player? Yeah get that defense and scoring up. Will work on skating and puck control as well. 4. Do you have a cool hobby, or even a not so cool hobby? I golf. A lot. I don't even know if it's considered a hobby at this point. 5. Did you ever dream you would be a player on the Moscow Menace? ikr, pinch me. I didn't even know they were a team before David Rashford didn't get signed to Helsinki and Spartan reached out! 6. Why does everyone hold up and sign that says "Spartan Sucks"? Because, believe it or not, @Spartan does actually suck. Crazy eh.