jRuutu

The off-season is moving on and the VHL Draft is fast approaching. Teams around the VHL are coming up with last-minute strategies for the different scenarios that might become a reality during and after the draft if trades between certain teams take place or if interesting options become available. One of the players many teams have reportedly scouted is Moscow Menace defender Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage who scored 105 points last season. The unofficial sources claim a 4th round pick has been set as a "fixed price" by the Moscow Menace management for the services of Obuz. Sources close to Moscow state the management is refusing to let the player go any cheaper despite Obuz having only one more season left before they retire from VHL. Numerous teams around the VHL could be interested in having an elite-level offensive player on their team even for one season, but the price has proved to be too much, so far at least. A shocking twist came earlier today when Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage and Moscow Menace organization announced Obuz will play as a center during the upcoming season. Many experts believe Moscow Menace as an organization is getting desperate to move Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage, so they are doing all they can to make Obuz appear more valuable as a player. However, it is unclear just how much of a boost to the trade value the change of position actually is when you take into consideration Obuz has played their whole career in VHL as a defender, and even in the juniors they have played as a forward extremely rarely, perhaps never. No official game reports can be found where Obuz was a forward. From the point of view of the player, we must give credit to the player for having the guts to try a new position. Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage is a proven scorer in the league. Over point per game with almost 150 goals from the blueline are statistics of a killer offensive player. However, it is one thing to prove you can do it from the back, totally different when you have to be in the middle yourself when the action is in front of you and behind you at the same time. Traditionally, Moscow has relied on the center being in the middle as often as possible, so that is something that could help make the transition less painful as Obuz is able to play "on rails" in many scenarios. What if Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage is not going to be traded? The move to the middle during the off-season more than likely means Obuz and Moscow are forced to start the season together to show the rest of the league that Obuz can play in the middle. I think this type of approach is the smartest option also for Obuz and Moscow as the team could very well realize Obuz brings something extra to the position and helps Moscow play solid hockey as a team. If something like that were to happen I don't think Moscow is interested in moving Obuz. Then again, a 4th round pick could end up being too good to turn down, especially if the learning curve of a new position turns out to be a steep one.

It has become a habit of Moscow Menace players to openly share their thoughts with the media. Maverick Goncalves is the latest to do so as they spoke to the media on Friday about stress, the desire to win The Continental Cup, and about the difficulty of making an impact in VHL. To the untrained eye, the words of Maverick Goncalves might appear as sincere and as something you might expect to hear from a player who is the face of an organization in a professional simulated hockey league, they are a star in the league with a potential to reach Hall of Fame. The expectations to succeed are heavy and perhaps the heaviest expectations come from the player himself. The super-competitive players tend to aim for perfection. After all, the desire to be the best, the determination, the hunger, all those aspects are the reason they have made it all the way to the top. Me? I don't buy it. I have been in the world of simulated hockey leagues as long as I can remember. The words coming from Maverick Goncalves are a textbook example of a carefully crafted trade request. Maverick appears as relatable, the struggles and aspirations are shared by most players in VHL. Of course, not every player has the potential to be a Hall of Fame player, but many are in the league to win the Continental Cup, many work hard to be the best possible version of themselves, so they can in return help their team to win as many games as possible. Maverick Goncalves is a hot babe caught shoplifting a Snickers bar. Those looking in from the distance can think only one thing: " I can save her". We have all been there, we have made decisions we would like to take back. Those looking in from the distance think that with some guidance and care they could help her reach her full potential. You can debate whether the Snickers bar was taken by accident or on purpose, and whether the purpose was to have the Snickers bar specifically or was the action and the thrill the ultimate motive. What we do know for certain is that the hot babe now has a Snickers bar in their pocket they didn't pay for and they could be facing some troubling times. There is only one problem with Maverick Goncalves appealing to the emotions, Moscow Menace General Manager Euron Leonidas has no feelings. The words of Maverick Goncalves have certainly been read to Euron, but the reaction more than likely was similar to hearing tomorrow might be a cold day in Moscow: "Hmm, interesting, I might go skiing tomorrow". I do not doubt that the phone lines of Euron are ringing hot, but for someone like Maverick to be traded, any team would have to make an offer that would make an ice-cold negotiator like Euron sweat a little. Is Euron going to entertain the idea of trading Maverick Goncalves? Yes, but that is the case with every player in Moscow. Official or unofficial trade requests are just paper to Euron.

Chicago traded Lionel Collberg to Vancouver for S100 2nd-round pick. I think this trade is undoubtedly one of the trades in VHL and for that reason, this trade caught my attention. Collberg is an 801 TPA player with 81 TPE in the bank, they have two years left before they are forced to retire. In return, the S100 2nd round pick is expected to be a bit more valuable than the "normal" 2nd round pick as S100 could end up being a deep draft, an interesting trade. I started to wonder what would happen if Chicago and Vancouver kept trading these two assets back and forth dozens, hundreds, even thousands of times. Would one of the assets start to decrease in value? After ten times you must start to wonder what kind of impact being moved up and down like that has on the player, then again how valuable is a draft pick that has been moved around many times? It is difficult to get a read on this scenario without actual data and trades taking place, so in that sense, two general managers in VHL should consider doing something like this, so we can all participate in studying the mental and physical effects of being traded in a simulation hockey league.

We have two players retiring, all-time Moscow great and a true Menace to the league, David Rashford, and our newest defenseman, Montgomery Burns. Do you have any message for these guys as they move on? Great careers, hopefully you will create new players and make your way to Moscow again! Enjoy the retirement! These retirements are leaving some big holes in the lineup, though we do have S97 Founders Cup champion Kazuma Satou (@Spartan ), moving up and switching to C. How do you think Moscow should aim to improve for next season? I think this type of commentary is propaganda, aimed to create favorable negotiation position for any potential trade negotiations during the off-season. Having said that, I am going to spend all of my banked TPE on fighting and checking to go for a Gladiator-type last year of my career, I will entertain and when the last game of the season is done - I will lay down at the center of the ice on my back - dying from old age. Are you planning to participate in any offseason tournaments? Not sure, more than likely not if there is no world cup going on Who is your favorite athlete outside of the NHL? Mike Tyson Who is your pick for MVP of the Four Nations Faceoff? Crosby maybe? Will Alexander Ovechkin hit 895 goals and break Gretzky's record this season? I think so, he will go over 900!

The sounds of choking echoed thunderously, the sounds were similar to those of a trucker from Kentucky who had a sausage stuck in their windpipe, and so was Riga Reign, a team on the verge of destruction in the series against Moscow Menace. Riga had a commanding lead, but they threw away a 3-1 series lead and allowed Moscow to force the series to go all the way to game seven. Against all odds, Riga Reign survived and they won game seven. But at what cost? Only hours after winning game seven, VHL announced Riga Reign would be punished for breaking the Spirit of Competition rule, Riga started more games with the bot backup goalie than they should have during the regular season. Similar to the trucker from Kentucky who miraculously managed to spit the sausage out and breathe fresh air again, the survival was quickly overshadowed by the realization that they were sweaty, tears were flowing from their eyes, there was shit all over their pants, and there was vomit all over their shirt. On the surface, starting the backup bot goalie more than you should have sounds like an innocent mistake. If that was the case, why did the General Manager of Riga Reign step down only moments later? Indeed, just like the trucker from Kentucky who announced they would never try to eat a sausage in a hurry again, the Riga Reign General Manager promised they would never manage a team again. The story has layers that you can see only if you analyze the bigger picture. When Riga Reign "forgot" the bot in their game plan for an extra game, they gained favor from Simon T, an AI God who grants favors to the desperate. Riga Reign was desperate to win this season as the team is facing a rebuild in the near future. This favor was cashed in on the game seven against Moscow. Riga Reign now learned Simon T is not patient, Simon T is not fair. Simply starting the bot goalie over a real goalie was not enough of a sacrifice for Simon T, the true enjoyment for Simon T comes in the form of surprise, in the form of reduced odds in the draft and public scrutiny for the whole Riga Reign organization. The Riga Reign management realized they had been played by Simon T, much like the trucker from Kentucky, the Riga management walked out of the door eyes read and in soiled pants. There are no winners in this story. After the season is over, Riga Reign will more than likely start to rebuild as three players are retiring, and a few other players are nearing retirement also. The team of the people, Moscow Menace, is not playing in the finals and representing the good in the world. The management of Riga promised never to manage a team again. Perhaps, Simon T did not play just Riga Reign, perhaps we all got played? Whatever the case may be, Season 97 will be remembered for a long time.

Which country do you think will win the Four Nations Faceoff? Finland will take it home Who do you expect to lead in points in the Four Nations Faceoff? Barkov will have 14 assists and 1 goal. We're up against the ropes, whether we make it through to the next round or not, how do you feel about our season, reflecting on it to date? I think Moscow has played solid hockey all year long, I think we will push the series to game 7 and take it home, and when that happens our season has been even better and will almost certainly end in cup celebrations. Wildcard teams seem to be doing considerable damage to the league's top contenders this year. What do you think is causing this? Is it the break? Wildcard teams are better than in the past perhaps when there is so many teams and so few top-end talents out there. If you could bring back any former Moscow player for help in these playoffs, who would it be? Someone like Idaho, Markinson, or Pavlov, we need physicality on the ice! Do you have any crazy offseason predictions? Moscow will get an affiliate team in the NA division where we send our younger players to develop.

Restaurant somewhere in Moscow. Star defender Jillian Woods along with the rest of the Menace players, coaches, and management are enjoying a team dinner, a tradition that takes place at least once a month. Once everybody was seated around the long table, Jillian Woods started to walk towards general manager Euron Leonidas who offered his left hand with the S94 Continental Cup ring glistering on his little finger, as tradition goes, Jillian kissed the ring and asked for a moment of Euron's time. Euron was in a good mood and instructed Jillian to share what they had in mind. Jillian started to speak about the future and different changes that might have an effect on and off the ice, Jillian finished by stating: "I plan on max-earning for the remainder of this career. Maybe the odd pension here or there, but I have no intentions of letting Woods fall flat." Everybody around the table was now silent, they had turned towards Euron and Jillian to hear what was being discussed, you could almost see the words of Jillian Woods bounce around in the air, from one wall to the other. Euron looked towards Jillian and said: "All I got out of this was Woods is going to keep Woods-ing. Hope life doesn't beat you up too badly, good luck with the endeavors!". The kiss of death. To the untrained eye the look on Euron Leonidas' face was a mix of surprise and disappointment, but behind the surface calculations for potential trade partners were already finished. Euron Leonidas had been in the league for too many years to let feelings interfere with business, and that business is Moscow Menace. Around the table, the seasoned players looked at each other. No words were said, no gestures were made, not even a wink. The seasoned players knew what was about to come. Stormy seas are ahead, and the boat is going to be shaken, one of the sailors has a small cut on their leg, they and few others will fall from the boat to the water, there are sharks in the water. Who is going to get eaten? Is it going to be just the sailor with the small cut? For the rest of the dinner, Euron Leonidas was deep in thought. Euron looked around the table as they ate, each zip of red wine appeared to bring clarity to the future, each bite from the reindeer stake appeared to solidify a player's position in the team, each scoop from the chocolate soufflé appeared to bring a new trade idea. The seasoned players were reserved. They did all they could to avoid bringing attention to themselves. They focused on their meal, perhaps thinking about what Euron might see on television next week as Euron famously wants to eat whatever he sees on television. Perhaps they were also thinking about the ongoing playoffs against Davos. Usually, the team dinners have limited discussions on hockey as the point is to get together and have a bonding experience as people, as work colleagues. This time around there was pressure in the air, which kept discussion at minimum, almost as if it's going to rain soon, almost as if a storm is coming.

1. With playoffs starting this week, how do you feel about our S96 playoff rematch with Davos? I think we will have a good chance of beating their ass, I am expecting tight games, but we will take the series in 5! 2. Does the S96 series concern you at all, or does our regular season success against them give you more confidence? This season is a new season, we have learned our lesson, time for some payback. 3. The final few games of the regular season were brutal for us. What do you think went wrong? We made easy mistakes and the other teams were lethal in front of the net. Perhaps the other teams just wanted to beat us more than we did, Moscow has been the top team for so long that other teams have that extra desire to show they can compete with the best. 4. We're contenders once again, but this time, with no Victory Cup curse. With the regular season now behind us, how do you feel about our Cup odds? We will go all the way into the finals and bring home the cup, I am confident! 5. How do you feel about your player's regular season performance with it now in the rearview? I think I had a solid year, I was expecting bit more assists, but cool still that I got close to 50 goals! I am hoping I am able to score some crucial goals in the playoffs. 6. Who do you think will be our MVP in the playoffs? I will say Maverick, they will keep firing those pucks into the net and they will also hit the other teams players every change they get.

Jarmo Ruutu - Poke Checking

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/48zDhYZREQb 10+ mins

1. The trade deadline has come and gone, and no major moves were made. Do you feel that the lack of moves by other contenders impacts our Continental Cup odds? I think the other teams were scared to make moves because they know Moscow will brush them aside easily. Those resources are better used to make moves around the draft to better match the window when Moscow is rebuilding and more easily beaten for season or two due small-scale rebuild. 2. How important do you expect seeding to be in a tightly contested European conference? Moscow will be at the top, Malmo a fair second, then Riga and Davos, others miles behind. 3. If you could nominate one player on the team besides your own for an award, who would it be and what award would it be? Deadpanda for the rookie award! Look at those shutouts and wins! 4. How would you describe your player's personality in the locker room? I sit on my seat and wait for the coaches to yell instructions to me. 5. What would be your pregame hype song going into a playoff game? Kid Rock - Bawitdaba 6. Have you seen any interesting storylines this season that nobody has talked about yet? Riga has the 2nd worst powerplay in the league but still they are among the best teams in the league, is powerplay overrated?

Moscow Menace center Jarmo Ruutu is reportedly facing a potential 3-game suspension after scoring four goals against Warsaw in the latest sim, Moscow won the game 6-1. Furthermore, Moscow Menace as a team is facing a 30,000 dollar fine for shooting 70 times and allowing Warsaw to shoot only 10 times. Suspensions for the players and fines for teams for an "unfair" edge in competing and disrespecting VHL as a league are the latest efforts by the VHL officials to reduce the gaps in skill and talent between players and teams. The current standings have reportedly caused a stir inside VHL headquarters as the worst team in the league has only 18 points, while the top teams are getting close to 100 points when the 60-game mark fast approaches. Jarmo Ruutu and Moscow Menace have been given until Monday to complain about the potential suspension and fines. In the complaint, the VHL officials expect to see an apology and a promise that similar events are not going to happen again anytime soon.

1. Our lead has slipped up a bit for the Victory Cup. Are you feeling better about the curse or does that have no impact on your view of Continental Cup odds? I think we will bounce back and claim the number one position in the standings, and rightfully so - Moscow is the best team in the league. 2. The trade deadline is 3 days away. Do you have any crazy predictions for this week? Not really, when looking at the standings, the battle for playoff spots is not that intense in EU, maybe some of the NA teams could try to make sure they will make it, but tough to say are there enough sellers to make a move when the bottom teams are truly brutal. 3. With that being said, the trade deadline is also this week's theme for theme week. Do you plan to capitalize on that, and if so, how? I made a graphical piece, I wanted to earn some extra TPE, so had to give the theme week a go. 4. If you could change anything about your current build, what would it be? I would add more physicality, something about a hitting and aggressive center sounds cool. 5. What's your favorite offseason tournament/event to participate in? World cup, the best against the best is always a good time! 6. Outside of Moscow and your own player, who is your favorite active VHL Player? Gavilrovs from Vancouver perhaps, this year almost 30 goals in almost 60 games from the blueline is elite level stuff