CowboyinAmerica

Inside Defenseman Lance Flowers's Thought Process Who joins a team two-thirds of the way through a season? Craig Kimbrel and Dallas Keuchel excepted, it’s extremely odd to see a player join up with a squad when the season’s almost done. It’s even more unique when that player is coming from abroad, seeking his very first professional gig. And yet, that’s where British defenseman Lance Flowers finds himself, aiming to sign his first VHLM contract close to the end of the season. And yet, even with the oddity there’s a bright side: Just about every team knows where they stand and what players are going to pan out, meaning there’s a good number of suitors for Flowers’s services. As he prepares to make a decision, here’s what he’s focused on: Playoff Positioning: Seeing as how Flowers will only be on the squad for a few games before entering the VHLM Draft, it’s more fun if he’s playing for a playoff team. It’s natural—the entire point is to win games. And still, with that said, Flowers also doesn’t want to particularly be a frontrunner, not actually earning a title but hanging on to others who have. Last time Flowers’s agency was in this position, forward Gabriel McAllister signed with the third-place Wild—and ended with a Finals MVP to his credit. Playing Time: Especially compared to past players the CIA agency has had in the VHLM, it’s particularly interesting the disparity between the haves and the have nots. Some teams wouldn’t be able to offer Flowers more than a third line role, just because the talent they have on their team. Others, he would step in and be the best defenseman instantly. Flowers isn’t looking for a top line role necessarily, but he would like to get a decent amount of playing time and be able to contribute in a meaningful way. Personal Considerations: A broad category, to be sure, and one that doesn’t necessarily favor one team or another. As alluded to previously, McAllister spent two playoff runs on the Wild, finishing with a title, two Playoff MVPs, and an affinity for the franchise. The agency has always tended towards teams trying to break streaks or make their very first marks, making the 21st and the Marlins both natural fits. And the agency itself is actually currently headquartered in Minnesota, and there’s something appealing for playing for the hometown team. It’s rather early for Lance Flowers to have to make a big decision, and yet, the day is already here. Expect a decision from the young defenseman within 24 hours.

Lol, I get it but actually being serious. I actually plan on being somewhat similar to what Tfong did with Fook Yu - a solid 6-8 points a week, maybe picking up a few reviewer points when I can. No ambition for picking up a league job or getting extra recruiting/affiliate points. High floor, low ceiling.

Hey! She's busy with school and stuff and yeah you're right but don't let her see it And you completely sniped that I was gonna make a D-man on the World team for World Cup I'm always down for a good rivalry, though I went D because I'm not gonna go as ham on TPE as I have previously

Flowers +5 (Previous players Karsten Olsen, Hans Wingate and Gabriel McAllister all above 400 TPE)

Thanks! Yeah I was always shooting for a summer return anyway - got married and stuff last month, so a whole lot of time I was devoting to that I now have free. And thanks to the GMs that have already made offers! Going to let this sit a bit and see what rolls in, will accept later tonight or tomorrow, most likely.

Well, at least you increased the carryover cap by 5. I was fully prepared to bitch about it, now what am I gonna do?

Player Information Username: CowboyinAmerica Player Name: Lance Flowers Recruited From: Other (I received the energies of the hockey universe) Age: 18 Position: D Height: 79 in. Weight: 244 lbs. Birthplace: United Kingdom Player Page @VHLM GM

(Hi still here stalking the VHL) I really liked this piece, always appreciate people applying statistical analysis to sim leagues. Have played around with it in crude fashion myself as well, and was curious - is there any sort of strength of schedule component in what you ran? That's one thing I've run into with STHS in particular - scheduling can be really wonky at times, with Riga playing Seattle 8 of its first 10 games or something like that, which I feel like would make limited sample size projections difficult. (Also asking without actually looking at the index, it may be more balanced with 10 teams for all I know.)

Well, that's super convenient timing for me to check in here for the first time in like a month. Excellent article, thank you for tackling

Now that Ubuyalot has been knocked out of the Sponsor's Shield, I guess it's time for this. I went into McAllister's career figuring that I would make a pure scorer, stay on one team his entire career, and get solid TPE but not break my neck over it. So naturally, I broke the all-time single season hits record, got moved twice directly following playoff runs, and finished with an ungodly amount of TPE due to the cap raising from 9 to 12. Sounds about right. It was a lot of fun though. I'd like to thank my two GMs @Banackock and @Tyler, the large number of people McAllister's been teammates with over the past eight seasons, and the VHL community at large for continuing to make this fun. I'm not as huge of a hockey fan as a lot of people here, but I enjoy the game and the community so much that I keep coming back. And whether it's a player like McAllister who rakes up awards or someone like Olsen who doesn't accomplish too much, I continue to have fun all the same. I'll be gone for a bit before I create a new player - a full-time job, a part-time master's program, a fiancee in med school, and a wedding to plan in May will do that to you. But I figure I'll be back eventually. A happy holidays to all, and see you soon

Stalock went to the same high school in St. Paul as one of the people I was with. Pretty sure he hated us calling his name by the end of the night.

1 (The chances of me still having a player when this hits are small, but why not)

Def a bit drunk, closest I've ever been for an NHL game, let's gooooo

+5

Part I - Pick em' (Pick the correct winners of all three games for 2 TPE) Game 5 - Riga Reign Game 6 - No Game Game 7 - No Game Part II - Predict the Score (Predict the correct score and winner of this game for 3 TPE) Game 5 - Riga Reign 3-2 Part III - Player Predictions (Predict the correct player for each category, 1 TPE for each correct answer) Series leader in points: Jack Shepherd Series leader in goals: Edwin Preencarnacion Series leader in assists: Ryuu Crimson

Not dead yet!

It's Boner, isn't it

I'll take this one. Wouldn't be surprised if both series go 7

McAllister +5

A great job @Tyler. Happy to have played on the team

Hans Wingate agrees. But yeah, I pumped all my points into scoring, skating and puck handling first, so not too surprised about the assist totals particularly early (though I'm still Top 20 all-time in points). What I enjoy more is that I meant to build a pure offensive threat and didn't put a single point into checking until my third season - and am still gonna finish Top 20 in hits with potentially three Boulets.

Seattle -- Three seasons ago, after Season 60, @street had a look at the most individual awards won by player and member. At the time, Seattle forward Gabriel McAllister was coming off his first MVP season, giving him seven individual awards through the first five seasons of his career. It was a solid number, yes, but to make the top five all-time with 10 total awards, it would take at least one, if not more, great seasons. It seems, though, that McAllister has gotten there. He would go to Davos and win three awards in Season 61, with a Boulet, Campbell and Kanou to give him ten total. Season 62 would produce a year off, but this year, he has stormed back once again -- with 137 points, he clinched his second Szatkowski trophy by more than 20 points, and came one Ironside hot streak away from getting the Brooks for most goals as well. That award gives him 11 individual awards, tying him with Franchise Cornerstone for third all-time. McAllister also has to be considered the favorite for his third Boulet for two-way forwards, and will likely be on the ballot for the Campbell (MVP) and Slobodzian (MOP) as well. If he wins even one of those, McAllister becomes alone in third all-time behind Thomas O'Malley (17) and Scotty Campbell himself (19) for individual awards. It's been a long career for McAllister, but he's happy his final regular season could be as dominant as it's been. "My playmaking certainly stepped up this year, and that feels good. 84 assists blows my previous mark out of the water," the player noted in a recent press conference. "It goes to show the what a little hard work and great teammates around me can do. And maybe, just maybe, I can end my career with my third championship and Kanou [Playoff MVP] as well!"

I averaged like a goal a game down the stretch! I hope they're drug testing @DollarAndADream after a season-ending 9 goals in 3 games.

That's sure one way to get yourself into the Brooks conversation

Welp. The drive for 400 goals isn't looking pretty, but she's got a pulse.