CowboyinAmerica

Houston -- It was a season of ups and downs for Italian center Antonia Bucatini. It started on a Halifax team that, while rebuilding, couldn’t quite much going in the win column. Then at the trade deadline, Bucatini was traded to a Houston team with a lot of energy, a lot of hope, and soon after a lot of winning. There was high expectations entering the playoffs, but in the end, it all came crashing down with a semifinals loss to the eventual champion Philadelphia Reapers. A roller coaster, that’s how Bucatini put it. But does she think she’s worse off for the ride? “I wouldn’t change a thing,” Bucatini told reporters at the Bulls’ post-season media debrief. “There’s a lot that’s happened this past season, more than I would have ever thought possible. But through the ups and downs, I think I’ve learned – and I’ve also made a few friends.” Bucatini has spoken publicly before about how she has enjoyed playing in such a vibrant environment like the one in Houston. And even now, as the team’s players are set to go their separate ways, she’s hopeful that future locker rooms will take cues from what she just experienced. “It’s just the starting line for so many of us in the VHLM, and that’s true for more people than ever before,” she added. “I’m aware it’s a long career and that people fade away. But it’s my sincere hope that locker rooms everywhere are able to engage people like Houston, Miami and some of the other top VHLM clubhouses have this year. Because so many people active and on board makes things more fun for everybody.”

I support this story line. (Or do I? Perhaps you'll never know...)

I don't really care about the goalie rule one way or the other, but since nobody's talking about it - the hardest of passes on fatigue. I remember being in a (basketball?) league that tried it once, and there's nothing more demoralizing to activity than saying, "I know you're max earning and chasing records/titles/etc., but you're just going to not be involved now because the sim engine said so." Rule of Fun > Realism

1. It's rough, not going to lie. Really thought we had a good shot at that title, but props to Philadelphia, they were able to get it done. The hurt will pass in time, but wallowing in it for now. 2. That's probably the case for most people, but for a lot of Bulls it's now draft prep time. Meetings, workouts, negotiations, the whole nine yards ahead for me. 3. I'm really glad I was able to join mid-season and just be a part of the atmosphere. One of the more enjoyable VHLM experiences I've had, hats off to the Houston leadership for fostering that comeraderie. 4. I wasn't taking part in the riots, but I wasn't stopping them either. Nothing like a cool pina colada to sit on the roof of the stadium and watch as things burn. 5. Just a few VHL teams, no VHLE teams so far which is interesting. I'm really just anxious for the VHL lottery to be here already more than anything. 6. It's on to the E for me, and I'm really just curious what team I land on there. I'm 1 for 1 in VHLE titles so far, would be pretty sweet to go 2 for 2.

... so I'm just reading the lottery might be soon

Houston -- As of this writing, there are three series complete in the VHLM's first round of the playoffs. But only one of them so far has produced an upset: the fifth seeded Houston Bulls took down the fourth seeded San Diego Marlins in six games. Both teams had their strengths entering the series. San Diego's first line features what may be two of the top three picks in the VHL Draft in Del Rocco and Devote, while Houston's overall depth includes more than a full lines' worth of players that have capped out their VHLM training time. But in the end, says Bulls center Antonia Bucatini, Houston was able to pull out the victory for one reason: constant growth. "This was a young team to start the season. It's no surprise the Bulls fell behind a bit early and needed to play catch-up," Bucatini said. "But all of those players just getting their feet wet at the beginning of the season? They're now fully formed, peaking at the right time. This isn't your typical five seed; I really think we should be among the title favorites." In the next round, the Bulls will have the opportunity to prove that very thing. The Philadelphia Reapers entered the VHLM Playoffs as the number one seed, and even if it took them a bit longer to get past Saskatoon in the first round than many anticipated, they remain an inordinately tough foe. It will take more offensive cohesion - and a greater commitment to stay out of the penalty box - for Houston to advance another round. Still, Bucatini feels they have the team to do it. And as evidence, she draws on her experience last season - from this very same Philadelphia team, which went from a five seed to the finals. "Sometimes it all comes together. I saw it last year, and I really think I'm seeing it again," she said. "I know better than to try and predict anything with the randomness of the playoffs sometimes. But do I think we have a legit shot? Yeah, I think we're there. I really do."

Also just got a bump from pick 16 to pick 12 in the draft, courtesy of London. That's why I do my mock early - if it's inherently guaranteed to be the wrong order, fewer people can yell at me

1. Solid, but 3 wins isn't good enough. I really want to close out this series in 6 at home, I think the fans deserve it for sticking with us this season. 2. More than I think most fans realize. I've seen goalies in the VHL get on absolute heaters and carry their teams, and Vencko's been putting in the work all season to get to that top tier level. I've got faith. 3. I mean, I don't want to seem conceited by saying top two in the VHL, but that's where I think the TPE's got me right now. No matter where the lottery gods might put me though, I'll be excited to get started. 4. The Philly/Saskatoon series in particular has really surprised me with how dominant Philly looked during the season. If the Wild could pull that off even after being sellers at the deadline, everybody would be in shock. 5. Peanut butter in the skates is an oldie but goodie. A real pain in the ass to try and clean out too, but not ruin-somebody's-life malicious. 6. In-laws are in Mexico right now, that'd be nice. I'm headed to the Azores in a few months anyway, so if I could move that up a bit to now to escape the cold, I'd be rather happy.

2000+ words Claiming for the weeks ending: 2/25 3/3 3/10 3/17

CIA’s Early, Probably Wrong S93 Mock Draft The playoffs are here, and that means the event that absolutely everybody is waiting for. No, of course not the playoffs, who cares about those? No, what everybody is really focused on is the VHL Draft, the illusion of hope that will inevitably crush 15 out of 16 teams each season. And this draft is a particularly interesting one. At the beginning of this particular draft cycle, there was a belief it’d be a weak draft year. There weren’t many recreating members, after all, especially with a few high profile S83 players instead preferring to take some time off before recreating. It also didn’t help that most of those early creates were all forwards, meaning there wasn’t going to be much variety at the top of the draft. Then, the deluge happened. Spurred on by a renewed recruitment drive on Youtube, new members began to enter in drove. The result is a draft with more first generation players than we’ve seen in any time in recent memory. And since many of those new members joined at the same time, there really isn’t much separating anybody in the draft. Indeed, as of Sunday, Feb. 18, there are fourteen players between 221 TPE and 199 TPE. Yes, that’s just 22 TPE, separating the fourth and seventeenth ranked players in the first round. In my opinion, that means this could very well be the craziest draft we see in a long time. It also promises to be the most unpredictable, and a lot is going to depend on unknown GM preferences and scouting meetings that haven’t happened yet. In fact, it would be a fool’s errand - downright irresponsible, in fact - to try and predict any of this before the lottery has even occurred. Luckily, downright irresponsible is why I’m here. Before I get into the mock, there’s two important things to keep in mind: 1. This is one person’s opinion, and I know nothing. I’m very purposefully not active on Discord outside of my locker rooms, so I don’t know who’s friends with who or player plans that may have been discussed on there. I’m making picks based on what I know and team fits. 2. If you’re dissatisfied with where I put you, please absolutely take it personally. It’s because I hate you, specifically, person I’ve never met in real life. Now with that in mind, let’s get to picking. TPE totals are as of Sunday afternoon. 1. Seattle Bears: C Antonia Bucatini, Houston Bulls, 354 TPE, @CowboyinAmerica I swear I’m not doing this to be conceited, and I think there’s a very good chance that Gianfranco Del Rocco is the first name on the draft board for a few lottery teams (more on that in a second). But I do expect Bucatini to be one of the top two, both because of the agency’s history and also the raw TPE total. As it relates to the Bears specifically, I’ll just say this: I’ve only actually created one forward before. That player, Gabriel McAllister, went first overall in S56 to the Bears and a relatively new GM named Bana. Four seasons later, Bana had his first title, and McAllister was named Playoff MVP. 2. HC Davos Dynamo: LW Gianfranco Del Rocco, San Diego Marlins, 327 TPE, @Victor The easiest pick on the board, put it in pen. While some drafts have surprises, I’ll be a bit shocked if myself and Victor aren’t 1-2 in some order. And while Del Rocco falls to Davos here, I wouldn’t be shocked if he was top on their draft board regardless. After all, Victor is a former Davos GM, many of his best seasons as a member were with the franchise, and Davos could be looking for new blood after having CIA’s Booberry just a few seasons ago. Plus, Davos actually has the best combined chance at the first pick in the lottery (32.5%), giving them a chance to make this a reality. 3. Vancouver Wolves: LW Forum Content, Miami Marauders, 221 TPE, @frescoelmo This is where I believe things start to get interesting. The easy pick would be winger Jean-Pierre Devote, who has the most TPE on the board. There’s also an argument for one of the more active first gen players who would provide a high upside. But I’m going with door number 3 in winger Forum Content. Fresco is one of the very, very few sim league members who have been around longer than I have (read: we’re old), and given past member history, there’s less of a chance of burnout than perhaps some of the newer members. The Wolves have their top-end talent from their host of S92 picks, what they really need are steady players to fill out the roster. Content certainly has the capability to be a star, but the high floor is even more important for me here. 4. Chicago Phoenix: LW Jean-Pierre Devote, San Diego Marlins, 276 TPE, @eagle_3450 Early on in this drafting cycle, Devote was promoting himself as a potential first overall pick. And while he may have fallen a tiny bit behind Bucatini and Del Franco in terms of training points earned, there’s still all the makings here of a potential star. That potential mixes nicely with what the Phoenix need here, because I view Chicago as the exact opposite of Vancouver: A lot of really solid players, but in desperate need of a high ceiling player who could be the leader of the team into a new generation. That’s also why I think some enterprising first gens could be in consideration here, but Devote’s TPE advantage right now and previous earning gives the advantage. 5. HC Davos Dynamo (from Warsaw): D Lucy Leitner, Houston Bulls, 215 TPE, @LucyXpher A lot has been made of Davos getting this pick from Warsaw, so what now will they do with it? I have two immediate thoughts: First that they may not want two forwards in the lottery knowing there will be many available later, and second that Alex is not a GM afraid of taking a chance on first gens. So with that in mind, we see a first gen off the board here in Leitner. One of those coming to the league early in the season, Leitner has been a revelation on the blue line for the Bulls, averaging more than a point per game. Their insightful articles have also been a revelation, and show someone both invested in the league and not as prone to potential burnout in what may be a longer Davos rebuild. 6. Riga Reign: D Benjamin Abenduct, Houston Bulls, 208 TPE, @Schnee The Reign are my single most intriguing team as we enter the draft. Barring a bit of lottery luck or playoff lack of luck, they have three first round picks that sit in the middle of the first round. That gives them an opportunity to take a few chances, or perhaps even trade up with a team that’s looking for more established players (Chicago?). But as I’m not predicting trades, I wouldn’t be surprised if Riga takes a similar tactic to Davos’ last pick and knows there are forwards later. Thus, Leitner’s linemate Abenduct is the pick, a first gen who has been a continuously strong earner since joining at the beginning of the season. With Cobalt Burns set to retire and new defensemen in the prospect pool, Riga desperately needs some youth on the blue line. 7. New York Americans: LW Chris Reynolds Jr, Houston Bulls, 213 TPE, @Crstats23 New York has a lot of offensive talent right now, but only one forward in their pool younger than S88 (last year’s first round pick Wayne Gretzky). So I’d expect them to go forward, and the third straight Bull to go off the board in Reynolds would seem to be a perfect fit. Reynolds’ agency proved to produce loyal players given Pete Mitchell’s eight seasons in Davos, something that relatively new GM STZ should value given that the Americans are still trying to build a new identity. Reynolds has also been a consistent earner, even if not always at the max, and the Americans have seemed to value long-term consistency as evidenced by the Gretzky pick. 8. Prague Phantoms: RW Annie Oaks, Las Vegas Aces, 206 TPE, @Noodle Enjoyer With Prague being eliminated in the wild card round, it would seem to be the end of an era. Four of their starters are retiring this offseason; stars John Jameson and Nikolas Kauppi are following next season. With a full rebuild potentially looming on the horizon, that screams to me a first gen who Prague can mold over time and serve as the centerpiece as more players come in with high picks in coming seasons. Between both Saskatoon and Las Vegas, Oaks has emerged as one of the VHLM’s top offensive talents and can be exactly that type of scorer Prague can build around. A perfect earner as far as I can tell, Oaks also has star upside to be the next in a line of top earners once Jamerson and Kauppi are gone. 9. Toronto Legion: D Gul Dukat, Miami Marauders, 199 TPE, @MSouthworth This is where the draft order could start to change based on the playoffs, and the Legion certainly wouldn’t mind picking last in the first round. But if they’re here, an infusion of youth into the defensive core is a must if they’re going to extend their window of opportunity. Dukat is the third of the three first gen defensemen I’d expect to go earlier than some may expect, providing high-level upside as long as their earning stays consistent. Much more of a defensively-oriented player than either Leitner or Abenduct, Dukat would also fit in nicely with a team that has high-profile scorers in Jaks and Atlas, but could use a bit more blue line strength. 10. Riga Reign (from London): LW UghSike, Miami Marauders, 202 TPE, @UghSike You thought I was going to pick a different forward here? Ugh, sike! (Sorry, it was the low-hanging fruit.) After going defense with the first pick, and with S91 draftee Red Panda fully entrenched at goalie, going forward with their next two firsts makes sense for the Reign. UghSike has been a consistent earner since joining, recently topping the 200 capped mark for the VHLM. And even if the points haven’t necessarily been there yet with Saskatoon or Miami, that will change in time as long as the TPE stays consistent. A good team/player fit, as Riga has had success bringing first gens along. 11. Riga Reign (from D.C.): RW Nathan Ecker, Houston Bulls, 199 TPE, @Nathan_8 And with the next pick, Riga goes to the opposite side of the ice, taking right winger Nathan Ecker. Another first gen who came in near the start of the season, Ecker started off slow for the Bulls but picked his game up near the end of the season, ending with 25 goals while playing on Houston’s second line. But more important than that is a desire to be involved with the league, as evidenced by a JST GM position. That portends good tidings for long-term league longevity, and once again Riga is a good landing spot for first gens. 12. Moscow Menace: C Tyler Lawson, Houston Bulls, 172 TPE, @Nyx I’m curious where Moscow would go: recreating members who might occasionally get welfare but provide consistent earning (Nabokov, Kolesinska, French), or a first gen who has a higher ceiling, but potentially a lower floor? But having two late firsts allows them to split the difference, and I’m predicting a newer member in Lawson here. Although Lawson joined a little later than some players who have gone already, only getting in 56 games with the Bulls, he nonetheless has been a consistent earner and quickly worked his way up draft boards. The Menace do have three young talented centers in Gunner, Ruutu and Richmond, but Lawson’s current build could easily be molded to play on the wing as well. 13. Moscow Menace (from Los Angeles): D WWumbo, Ottawa Lynx, 172 TPE, @Fire Tortorella What, you thought my returning player spiel in the previous section was just about forwards? The same logic could apply just as easy to defensemen - and perhaps moreso, given that Andersson isn’t too far from regression and Pereira is a semi-regular welfare earner. WWumbo may see some welfare himself, but in a defensive pool with less depth than forward, a consistent earner and VHL regular would be welcomed into Moscow. Just don’t hire Torts as the team’s coach. 14. Helsinki Titans: G Jorgen Lovstrom, Philadelphia Reapers, 202 TPE, @Pifferfish Wait, a goalie hasn’t gone yet? Yes, it’s a rough market for goalies this season for two main reasons. First, there are a few talented ones, meaning teams could feel they can afford to wait and not miss out. And second, five of the picks in the mid-first are owned by Riga and Moscow - two teams with young goalies of their own who aren’t looking for a replacement. But those factors are Helsinki’s gain, as they get a talented netminder in Lovstrom here. The goalie for the VHLM-leading Reapers, Lovstrom has shown he knows how to win - important for a Helsinki team that may be looking to extend its window even beyond Fuukka Rask’s retirement in two seasons’ time. 15. Malmo Nighthawks (from Calgary): RW Yermolai Nabokov, Philadelphia Reapers, 205 TPE, @fonziGG What do you get for the team that has everything? There are some talented goalies on the board, but Malmo has a few prospect goalies to replace Ash Sparks, including last year’s 10th overall pick Olafur Gunnleifsson. Defense is the strength of the team already with a few young players. So forward is where I’m going, and with a known member in Fonzi. Nabokov has a few welfare claims to his name, but the Fonzi agency has also demonstrated an ability to make strong players if motivated. Landing on the reigning Victory Cup champions would seem to be strong motivation, especially since it looks like the team’s core will continue winning for a few seasons. 16. HC Davos Dynamo (from Malmo): G Ondrej Vencko, Houston Bulls, 182 TPE, @Mutti With their two lottery picks in this mock, the Dynamo already selected a forward and a defensive player. So when entering the rebuild, what’s left? Why, a goalie of course? It’s a matter of preference between Vencko and Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen, but I’m going with the first gen here. Outside of one hiccup week, Mutti has been a consistent earner since joining the league on a youthful Bulls team, emerging as the lead goalie in the run to the five seed. The Dynamo certainly have no problem with first gen goalies (see: Lachlan Summers), and Vencko would be ready to go upon Summers’ ultimate retirement. Just missed first round: RW Trimiskez Artav @jake - Was on track to be at the top half of the lottery, but two welfare weeks followed by not updating this week worries me. Can get back to things quickly though. RW Miner vHLer @Rhynex Entertainment - I’m so excited to see how the build idea works. But with a lot of depth in the draft, I’m not sure teams would be as excited. C Vanuza Kolesinska @chikn - For teams wanting a consistent presence, Kolesinksa is your player. But I’m expecting more swings for first gens this draft. RW Steve French @Seabass - Same reasoning as above, though I’m curious whether the agency’s past association with Moscow means anything with their late firsts. G Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu - Goalie is just going to be a tough position this draft with who currently holds firsts. But I’m sure someone like L.A. or London would love to trade back in to the late first and pick them up. D Ray Stanton @horoscope - My dark horse first round pick, given how many teams need defense. Has been a strong earner since joining mid-season, if the scouting interview goes well a team could swing for the high upside.

Great article, and I'm glad you included this context because it was very much a thing. A little like KD to the Warriors - great to team up with his friends and obviously very talented, but left a sour taste for a lot of competitors and nobody was going to give him the credit for joining a superteam.

1. You can just feel the energy in the room. Sure there's pressure, but I'd rather play a playoff game with high stakes than a random Game 52 any day. 2. I do think this season's so weird because of the steady influx of players and how much teams have grown over time. I think we're probably seen as the underdog, but I also think we're peaking in terms of talent level at just the right time. 3. It's been solid. I didn't really have any goals honestly, just been along for the ride. A title win would make me happier than anything else, and I hope that's coming soon. 4. You gotta have something that gets the crowd hyped, that gets them moving and ready to open up those pocketbooks. It's Dancing Queen by Abba for me, everybody loves that one. 5. Not to argue with the premise of the question, but just want to get this straight: We had a fundraiser for charity, and the suggestion to use the charity money is a 10 foot statue of the GM? Please hold, just need to get the IRS real quick on line two... 6. I do like chocolates. The partner works Thursday but is off Friday, so Valentine's itself will be pizza and a movie at home, but then we're going out for a nice dinner the next night where we can relax a bit more (and probably will have a better time with the normal menu and not waiting 30 minutes for an Uber too).

I'd lean into Nessie tbh. Different enough from DC's dragon, could also introduce some greens that we don't have as much of at the VHL level. I also donate canonically Edinburgh-born Hans Wingate as a VHL ambassador to this cause.

Houston -- Antonia Bucatini expected the trade deadline to pass without care. Cooped up at home the day after a recent Halifax win over Mississauga, she was cooped up with a protein shake and some Netflix, ready for some potential R&R. However, the rest was short-lived when she received an out-of-the-blue call from Halifax management. "Hey there. So, we've decided to sell before the deadline. We're sending you to Houston." And like that, Antonia Bucatini was off to her third VHLM franchise in just over a season - and one that suddenly would place on her higher expectations, to boot. Bucatini joins a crowded Houston team that has championship aspirations this season, but one that was desperately looking for a talented center. Houston management have already told her that she'll be a first line center from day one, teaming up with fellow S93 draftees Chris Reynolds Jr. and Trimiskez Artav in what instantly becomes one of the most talented lines in the VHLM. But if going from a fringe playoff team to a squad with championship aspirations would be intimidating for some people, Bucatini didn't show it. "You might forget, I was already in the finals once. I know what it takes to get there, and I know I have it," Bucatini said, referring to Philadelphia's finals run last year. "Having played Houston a few times, I know the players in this locker room have what it takes too. Now, we get a few weeks to gel and figure things out." Indeed, the assimilation process has already started, with Houston going 1-1 in Bucatini's first two games. She's also begun introducing herself to a boisterous locker room as well, making friends early. Overall, she said she feels good about the move. "I think I'm going to like it here. I enjoyed Halifax too, but there's just so many new faces - more faces than I'm used to," Bucatini said. "And I hope I'm the winning piece that really helps us accomplish something this year. Go Bulls!"

1. We aren't as good as we used to be, at least in the past 10 games played. 3-6-1 through our last 10 games, what do we need to do as a team to get back on the winning track? These things come and go based on the schedule, but a 10 game stretch is a while. Particularly with a young team (and some additions!) this will turn around soon as people get better, I think time will help. 2. With our roster now set we do not need to add any new players to the team this season. What is the best feeling about being part of a full 12-6-2 roster? Are there any negatives you find? It's wild honestly, not something I've ever been a part of. Some people may complain about ice time, but I'm excited to feel refreshed and give my all on every shift. 3. Trade Deadline is here and Houston has two new faces joining us to complete our roster. @CowboyinAmerica was traded from Halifax and @KRZY signed from waivers, these two are fresh meat in the locker room. What is something these players should know about Houston and our team? Are there any cool spots in Houston you want them to know about? I'm excited to explore! I'm used to Italian cuisine, then Halifax was a lot of fish, but that's too healthy for me. Give me some good ole fashioned BBQ please. 4. Playoffs are always in the back of my mind. Since drafting, trading, and signing each player this season, my goal is always to get to the playoffs. Looks like we got a good shot this season to make it! What is the one team you DO NOT want to go up against in the 1st round? VHLM playoffs take the top 8/10 teams in the league. Honestly, I'm fine taking on everybody right now. We're going to have to face the top teams eventually, if we end up the four seed and have to face someone like Vegas first round - well, let's just show them what we're about. 5. I have always loved Taco Tuesdays, Wine Wednesdays, Freaky Fridays, etc... Which day of the week is your go to "event day"? Is there a day of the week where you have a routine meal or event? First, I'm a bit worried coming in and seeing that the team has a Freaky Friday. May sit that one out. But I'm a fan of Thirsty Thursdays, everybody likes a good drink after a long practice. (Ignore that I'm not old enough for that in the U.S. please.) 6. It's GM day! I literally just made that up. For GM day you are required to give me something. This "something" can be anything! A unicycle? Sure! Some baby turtles and a tank for them to live in? Thank you very much! What is one thing you would like to give to me, your GM, if you could give me anything? Well, you're the GM of the Bulls. We live in Houston. So here's your very own livestock, a young longhorn to own! What, you don't have space for it? Too bad, it's your problem now.

Claim 4

Thank you for the time on Halifax @ShawnGlade, I had a good time and glad I was able to get the 21st a few wins. Hope this spurs a very successful future. Let's do this thing Houston! Thanks for having me @AJW, excited to see how this goes.

From the Theme Week thread: So claiming this the week ending 2/18

A Very Generic Unthemed All-Star Weekend When most people think of an All-Star Game, the think of the actual game itself. However, if you’ve ever been to the All-Star, the spectacle of the event is as much everything that happens outside the game rather than inside. So when thinking about what the VHL All-Star Game might look like, I wanted to focus on the whole of the package, rather than naming all-stars. However, the question begs to be asked: This is for theme week, should the weekend have some sort of theme? Perhaps, but according to the Theme Week post, the theme is solely VHL All-Star Games, nothing extraneous like others may be thinking. Plus, I like to come up with completely original, not cribbed from anywhere ideas. With that in mind, here’s what my ASG weekend would look like in order, with no unifying theme or inspiration taken from anywhere at all. 1. Hey Now, You’re An All-Star Of course, this would be a draft for a series of eight teams, selected by the captains, for 3v3 plus goalie hockey. Drafts for all-stars have occurred in a number of different sports leagues, and it’s always fun to see what the different stars of the league prefer for their teams. Some captains, of course, would go for an offensive style that allows for freeflowing hockey. Others, however, might want to grind the game out with a more defensive style, something that could be referred to as smashmouth hockey. 2. Get Your Game On, Go Play Second would be the beginnings of the actual games themselves. With eight teams in the tournament style, there would need to be preliminary games on Saturday to settle before later events on Sunday. However, as the completely original title of this event would portend, the games happen immediately right after the draft, no time to talk strategy or even take a breath. Some people may believe that’s cruel, and some players may sit out because of this, but you’ll never know if you don’t go. 3. Hey Now, You're a Rock Star Every good ASG weekend would need a concert, and this one would occur on Saturday night after the preliminary round of games. The perfect concert would be a band, probably a rock band, with name recognition. It’s bonus points if they would have at least one key song, preferably one that has been played at sporting events across the globe. If that band had a song relating directly to the type of weekend they’d be playing at, well, that’d be an almost perfect fit. I have no suggestions for this type of band. 4. Get the Show On, Get Paid Recently, many sports leagues have gotten in bed with gambling concerns. Rather than shy away from that, we’re going to lean in. On Sunday morning, before the Gold and Bronze Medal Games, we’re going to allow both players in the game and other All-Stars present to place bets on who they think are going to win. Those live bets will be displayed during the game, with plenty of reaction shots of the crowd as the game goes on to show the agony and ecstasy of gambling. After all, that’s the way I like it and I never get bored. 5. And All That Glitters is Gold This, naturally, would be the Bronze and Gold Medal games of the tournament. But what’s just as interesting to watch as the games themselves? That’s right - the style of the jerseys. Not only will the winners of the tournament receive a cash prize, but the best dressed jerseys as designed by the players will also receive a smaller reward. As one might expect by the title, glitter is encouraged. Hockey players may not be natural fashion designers of course, but we could all use a little change. 6. Only Shootin' Stars Break the Mold You thought we were done after the Gold Medal game? Of course not! Because we’re going to have one winner of ASG weekend. The way we’re going to determine that is a round robin shootout among all the players on the winning team. If you miss a shot, you’re out. If you make a shot, you get to keep shooting. The last one standing wins. (And if all players miss their first shot, the goalie wins.) The ultimate winner would not only get a trophy, they would get to break a trophy - a mold of last season’s Continental Cup. It’s meant to show everybody that a new season is here and a new champion will be crowned. Because, above all else, the years start comin’ and they don’t stop comin’.

1. I'd like to think so. We've been getting good wins against top teams, just need to be more consistent. I think we can get there. 2. Houston's got a lot of young, new players. When they get some more TPE, watch out. 3. Aanarsi Reingaard has been spectacular since coming on board, I couldn't ask for a better linemate. 4. I really would like to get third in the conference. That would show that we're not just the last team in or anything, but we're a legitimate threat to win on any given night. 5. I would steal Oslo from the E, then rename them the Screaming Seamen once again. We're all for historic names here, right? 6. Normally I'd say the E for the competitiveness, but the M has been a lot of fun this season with all the new players. Really enjoy the energy.

Claim 3

I wouldn't be surprised if you go #1, that TPE difference doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. I would be surprised if we don't go 1-2 in some order though. That's why I'm really curious about the race for last place. Because (ignoring the math around Davos' Warsaw pick) the last place team has a 0% chance of falling out of the top two, while the second-worst team has a >50% chance.

Yeah I think that's why most recommend that if you're going to binge, starting from the top is the way to go. Because you get to see the evolution of the show itself (one of the early seasons a reward was getting to talk to loved ones from a newfangled "Internet Cafe"), but also the returning players is more palatable because it's more like a storyline. Like seasons 20 (Heroes v. Villains) and 31 (Second Chances) are two of my favorites, but it's definitely aided because I was able to get deeper meaning into the motivations for why people did what they did.

Hope you do stick around! Partially because we're in the same draft class which is fun, also because the idea of a sim league hitting Season 100 will continue to blow my mind for the next calendar year-plus.