STZ

Spartan recruiting discord bots now..

Solid draft class

Ottawa be doing solid. I think we made our last roster pick-up in Ace's new player. He looks to be earning at a quick rate so should be able to hit the max cap by playoffs. I think we should be in a good position to make a deep run in playoffs. My Own player Analfist is doing well, he's already secured PPG, and could even reach close to the triple digit point total. On the topic of my player, it seems as though there have been some outrage on discord over the auto correct wording of my player's first name. Considering how spineless the league has become, expect changes to likely happen. I could also see the triggered individual request to have my name changed because of this. So for now enjoy FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist. But always remember FABACM. We have a stat day tomorrow here in Canada (I think it is the whole country), so I'm actually off all the way through until Thursday. Pretty excited for that. Just started watching Full Swing on Netflix, so might try and finish that off by the time Thursday rolls around.

1. I feel like our team responded well after the little dry spell we had. We've been pretty dominant and are back at the top of the Eastern Conference. 2. Consistency is key. The downs will happen, and we just need to remember to do what we can, and the results will come. 3. McKeggegger has been unreal. It feels like every game he has huge point totals. It's a shame that he will be leaving the VHLM next season, as he has clearly found a sweet spot in the 200 TPE build. 4. No one cares about the E, and I think Vancouver repeats in the VHL. 5. That's a tough one. Genuinely my first VHL Draft experience was pretty cool, and my entire first run as a first gen was a lot of fun. But then like a decade later with Markinson I had a really good time too. I think some of the funnest parts of the league are getting to know the community and meeting the members on the site. 6. Ottawa

Theme Week

So it’s just for the one season?

That’s a thing? Lol…

Usually every week I come out with a Sunday Bullets to get my final 2 TPE for the week. Considering it is Superbowl Sunday and the best time to make bets, I've decided to switch things up. So here are the top five VHL Bets for the rest of the season! 1. DC Dragons to make the VHL Playoffs +550 DC currently sits two points out of a playoff spot in a highly contested NA Race. Seattle currently has the last playoff spot with 38 points, anbd one game ahead of them is Chicago at 41 points. DC has a solid roster with superstar Vasile Lamb underachieving in his first year with the club. This is good value to throw $10 on. 2. Mac Atlas to win ROTY +950 Atlas currently sits 6 points behind the leader of the rookie race in Larry Abass Jr. Atlas however has shown promise over the last few games, and has been decent in stats outside of scoring too. He has 3 Game Winning goals, and being the focal point of the Toronto Legion, we expect to see his scoring go up by the end of the season and likely push for the top spot in the rookie scoring race. This would be another great value bet. 3. Xavier Booberry to reach the All-Time TPE Leaderboard at over 2000 TPE +200 @CowboyinAmerica is currently 150 TPE away from this gigantic milestone. I'm not even sure if it is mathematically possible for him to make it, but it surely must be, as why else would he be max-earning and banking on a playuer in their last season. Expect him not to retire at the end of the season to continue earning TPE. It will be very close, and could even depend on some Fantasy Uncapped TPE to set him over the top. I believe. Put big money on this. 4. Under 0.5 new VHL GM's appointed before start of S88 +300 It feels like with the amount of teams we have, there is always a new VHL GM Job every season. This season could be the exception as we haven't seen any firings yet. Most of the current GM's are either longstanding GM's or new GM's that still have their enthusiam about the league still in tact. This seems like a trap bet, but could be worth throwing some money on. 5. Vancouver Wolves to win Continental Cup in S87 +350 This team has been dominant. They've proven that using bot defense can work. Their lines have been unique and creative. I think management has done a wonderful job. From a team that was known for abusing the sim meta to a team who have been outside-the-box thinkers both in roster management and on ice strategy - Vancouver has proven that they are still a force. The Wolves look to repeat as Champion, but based on their season performance, we think there is a good chance for them to accomplish this.

Grading the Analfist Fit - North America Vancouver Wolves Fit Grade: B- Positional Needs: Vancouver is currently loaded up on Offense. They currently run three defensemen with a top tier goalie. They have a balanced forward core when it comes to age. They will likely be aiming for a defenseman in the draft. Overview: This is an interesting fit. The only reason I have it as a B, is because likely Vancouver would need to make a trade into the top five, in order to select Analfist. They will likely be buyers at Trade Deadline and will most likely be looking to shore up their back end. With that being said, I think their offensive group is aging and will likely need to replace a max contract for a rookie contract next year - which will probably see Oreo McFleury enter the line-up. However, the option of having another 400+ TPE rookie enter their lineup next year would really give them the option to run a 6-4-1 lineup all next year with a loaded up defense core. I would love to play with Frank, but realistically the fit is there, the likelihood of this being a landing spot is very low. LA Stars Fit Grade: B+ Positional Needs: LA is in a win-now mode. They have two top tier defensemen who are just entering their prime, and then their goalie Art Vandelay who is also just entering his prime. Two veteran contracts on the books are Miglaskems and Vinny Detroit, the latter of which has one more season before retirement. They could essentially run-it-back next season, as long as they cut the salary of at least one of their forwards. Overview: 6-2-1 lineup has proven to be working as LA stands second in their conference. This could possibly show a new meta, as Vancouver too is looking strong without four defensemen. On paper, I think adding a 400+ rookie contract would be beneficial for LA to keep this roster mainly intact.The likelihood is still rather low for LA to make a trade for a top five lotto pick, but ANalfist would be a good fit for this team. They don’t look like they have any rookie forwards quite ready to make the jump, as most of their prospects look to be VHLM and VHLE career players. I gave them a slightly higher fit rating than Vancouver as they don’t have a prospect like McFleury ready to step in. Calgary Wranglers Fit Grade: D Positional Needs: Well-Rounded. They hold their first pick in S88, but will likely just be drafting the best player available. The team is really built nicely, I think next offseason will require only minor tweaks. Overview: I think Calgary is set up nicely for the future. They have a really good balance of players in every position and age. Unless they decide to do something drastic, I can’t see them moving any of their pieces. Their biggest decision will come when they have to let a player walk. If I had to guess, it will be a defensemen as it’s already been shown this season that you don’t need a full four, in order to be successful. With that being said, I don’t see Calgary as a good fit for Analfist just because they already have a very strong forward-core that is highly unlikely to be split up. Chicago Phoenix Fit Grade: B Positional Needs: Chicago has a great line-up, with a ton of cap flexibility. Most of their players are on expiring contracts, other than Bo Johansson and BGCOS. Able to run the same team back next season, or make roster changes pretty easily. Overview: I think realistically Chicago will be looking to bolster their defense more than anything else. It looks as if they are more interested in winning now as all of their players are exclusively S81-S83. From that standpoint, I don’t think they will look at adding a rookie contract next season. Their players are all in manageable cap brackets, so I don’t see them really having to sacrifice much to keep their team together. Seattle Bears Fit Grade: B+ Positional Needs: Well-rounded, all vary ages. GM has shown a history of making big roster changes, not shy of moving up and down the draft and parting ways with key players. Overview: This is an interesting fit. I think Analfist would actually fit in this line-up pretty well. I’ve never played for Seattle while Bana has been GM, so that would be cool. They are built well with some high end young VHL stars and some veteran players as well. I think Seattle could make a splash, sending their first + a veteran and then all of a sudden be built up front for 4-5 seasons immediately. Seattle is currently in a wild card position, so they could even fall out of playoffs and have a lotto pick. DC Dragons Fit Grade: A Positional Needs: Final couple seasons of competing for DC. They may enter into a rebuild or could potentially retool around the solid young defensive core they have. DC needs to add a forward in this upcoming draft. I think Analfist could be a prime target for them. Landing a high TPE forward I think extends their window of competition. Overview: DC likely has their sights set on a forward in the upcoming draft. I think if they land Analfist, Davis, or even selecting a solid mid-rounder in McKeggegger could help their roster next year, and give them a good starting piece to retool their forward core. The fit is there, however I can see this team moving the first to try and push their team into a playoff position, if they are still a few points out, come the trade deadline. They could use an upgrade on their second line, but the big question is, do they buy now, or invest in the future? I think team performance might dictate the answer to that question. I spent 8 seasons in DC as Benny Graves, and I’d be more than thrilled to rejoin the team. New York Americans Fit Grade: A+ Positional Needs: Every position. I think NY are big sellers at the trade deadline. They already have two 1sts in S88 and should be able to acquire at least another couple (if even for S89) if they move some of their S80/S81 players. Overview: I look at this team, and seriously question why they are under-performing. They have a good roster, filled with properly built players. Good line strategy. I don’t understand why they are in second last in the NA Conference, and by a few points. They traded their fourth overall pick for Leduc and a late 1st, and it’s looking like a classic blunder. Their only bright spot is the GM’s player in Napoleon Dynamite, as he has been pretty productive. I could see them trying to run this team back, and use their two firsts to try and add a forward and defenseman. I think they could continue to be a middle of the road team by doing this, and even possibly making the playoffs next year. Or, they tear it all down, and build around Dynamite, Shrimp, Maellard. Kennedy still has a lot of time left in his career, so I could see them sticking with him, but there also could be an interesting goalie prospect that has NYA ties that could land right in their laps come draft day. I look at Jacob Stone as their primary target, and Merome Dilson as a player they target with their Warsaw pick. If they don’t land Stone, I think Calaway is a pretty damn good consolation prize. Analfist would be a good fit, but I think they will be targeting a defenseman come draft day. Toronto Legion Fit Grade: A+ Positional Needs: In rebuild, could use players in both forward and defense. Starting goalie locked up in S86 draft and franchise center locked up in S87 draft. Could use a stud defenseman and a complimentary player to Atlas. Second line center is locked up with Jimi Jaks, who will likely target a winger if they go forward. Overview: Sitting in last in the North American conference, this team is really just looking forward to the draft lottery. I think it is a win/win situation, and I don’t necessarily think they care if they get 1st overall. The top five picks would all be extremely helpful for them. There are many options at defense for them with Stone, Calaway, and Bobby Bob. They likely have a short-list for forwards as well, with Analfist being one of the top options there. My guess is that they select a defenseman on draft day, unless there’s a player they want that they don’t want to pass up. They are set in goal with Joel Castle, and are already stacked down the middle. They have a few good prospects, and young VHL players, however they will likely not be on the team when this team is ready to compete - other than Kobe Johnson. It will be interesting to see the direction the team takes and the strategy they use as they add their 4th franchise changing talent. Toronto has been patient, but I think after they add this piece, they can start aggressively pursuing free agents and trading draft picks to secure a competitive team. WORD COUNT 1557 CLAIM 2/12 and 2/26

Diet Coke >

You rule

1. So far so good. Analfist is putting up some impressive scoring stats and Ottawa is in a comfortable spot on top of the NA Conference! 2. Yeah, we’ve been good. I love that we have a solid group that are looking to improve to max cap by playoffs. 3. I’m planning on skipping the VHLE. If I was to be drafted I’d want Vasteras. 4. Well try and type my players name out and it might become evident.. 5. I prefer graphics, but my time is limited on the PC so I’ve been doing mainly Media Spots with this player. In fact, I’ve been enjoying the change of pace that I spent about an hour on a MS for this week when a GFX usually takes me 20 mins. 6. Waffles are way better

Review: okay so I usually choose the best graphic of the week to review, but two of the ones I clicked already had reviews. So this one is solid I think there’s a lot of potential here. The idea is really cool and creative. Having the mountains blended into the visor looks really slick and actually could have turned out amazing. I think there’s some obvious polishing that could be done here. The different layers are cool and interesting, however I think it’s a bit messy. One thing to keep in mind is to try and have the render reach the top of the sig. It will frame the whole piece better and not feel like uncentered. The text is actually not bad, but I would probably have it in a more interesting spot and maybe formatted to be a little more creative. Just a couple things to think about. Love to see when people are experimenting. Keep going and try something new every week! 8/10

Analfist has been solid so far this season. He’s over a PPG with 34 in 22. Ottawa has been really solid as we are second in our conference and we’ve been able to beat all of the top teams so far. Very promising, at least we know we have a legitimate chance at a championship run. The LR is a bit dead. We all seem to react with game results but it’s really just GM Grape and Neon that have been talking. Focus will likely be on the draft in the next few weeks - standings will start to shape out and a better idea of the top five picks might come to light, which is where I’m probably going to land. With that in mind I think I’m gonna do a monster Media Spot next week kind of looking at my player’s fit in each of the VHL teams. It might be a lot for one MS, so I might break it down into two MS, and it’ll likely be a months worth of PT Got to jump in Apex for a couple of games with @Spartan and @Moonthe other night. Was nice to kinda get back into games as it’s been a while. My son still wakes up in the late night though so I’m kinda always watching to see if he wakes up so I’m not fully immersed (aka 6 beers deep).

Review: Very nice work. There are a lot of things I like about this graphic. The blue to me stands out as one of the better effects used in this graphic. It actually looks nice - I’m not sure if you just used the blue tool or a filter (then erased some of the filter) as some of the blur looks like the messo filter. The jersey change is really nice, I can only imagine the frustration with the logo on the jersey fold. The coloring is nice and the text is simple and effective. I really like the look of the render - not overcooked, and the background is nice with complimentary Riga colors. I guess the only thing I would say is there is a lot of open space on the left hand side. I actually think if you had a similar bg design as the right side bit heavily blurred that would fix that. Or even if you kind of darkened the left side a bit. I dunno it’s just nitpicking I think overall this is really nice. 9.5/10

Review: This is a nice clean card. It’s very well done, I like all the little details put into place. Logo integration works really well. They way used the space was very similar to HUT Cards and makes it look pretty much like a replicate - which is what I think you were going for. Not sure how he is only a 75 Overall when the top four stats are all at 90 lol! Great work, would love to see more of these! 9/10

Out Mexico’d Mexico

This could be a cool private excel sheet idea

VHFL Cursed Team

Claiming Week Ending 2/5

Linkssssss

Shoutout to Larry Page for the recruit

Links

I’m loving it

S87 Blessed Team It’s been a long standing tradition that I go through my roster for VHFL and reveal what players will be blessed with a good season. I have been undoubtedly the best performer in VHFL history, despite what the statistics show. This season we saw a couple copycat roster reviews, but make no mistake, this is the Official Blessed Team. So, let’s get into the team. To start things off, I took a season off, so I’m a little out of touch with the trends. On top of that I was the Group Manager and first pick overall. This plays into a harder strategy as while you do get the first selection, you have to wait until everyone picks twice before you get another player. 1st Overall - F - Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser For me this is a player that I have taken in the past. I predicted his rise to superstardom before it happened. So in a way, this was a bit of a nostalgic pick. I also like to return to the players I’ve taken before. You’ll see that with a few of my picks. Janser is in his sixth season with the Wranglers. He has proven to be an incredible player taken at 8th Overall in the S81 draft. He’s put up three seasons in a row where he’s had over 200 hits, and he’s been quickly trending up in the points total with 120 last season. He has an optimal build and on a team with a great group of forwards. I think this is a safe pick. 12th Overall - F - Nico Pearce @Spartan Another familiar face, I bring back Nico Pearce to the blessed side. Pearce had a bit of an off-season last year with a decline in points and hits; it can only be explained by the fact that I took a season off of VHFL. Well, welcome back to promised land my friend, you’ve been re-blessed. He’s on an absolutely stacked roster of heavy hitters, so that is my only concern with Pearce. Realistically there isn’t a set amount of hits that can happen in a game, but for forwards most of the time they are coming from the forecheck. When you look at how this team is composed, Pearce won’t be heavily relied on to be the only fetching the puck. Despite this, I still believe in this player. 13th Overall - F - Vinny Detroit @dasboot Three forwards right off the bat? Well, yeah. The opportunity presented itself to get three previously blessed performers and I took it. One of my OG blessers in Vinny Detroit. This is a no-brainer, and might be the safest and best pick in the 3rd round of any group. This is a player who almost hit 400 times last season. He's been in the 300’s every season of his career, and will undoubtedly do it once again in his final season. In addition to the hits, he’s got a change of scenery where he’s playing in LA where he’s the main focal piece for scoring. He’s at 87 Scoring, and I’m just assuming that is him pouring all of his banked TPE into Scoring, and will likely continue to point to the golden STHS attribute until he’s put into the ground at the end of the season. Vinny D has always been one of my favorite VHL Players, so this is partially a fanboy selection. 24th Overall - D - Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito At 24 I bring the first new face into the blessed world of fantasy fantasy hockey. My first non-forward selection brings Pierre Emile Bouchard, or PEB into the mix. PEB has had a modest career so far, not getting above a point per game and peaking in the mid-100’s for hit totals. Well, that’s over, get ready to feast, my friend. This is a player with the very nice build, and it seems like 68 Checking must be a drastic improvement, as you wouldn’t have only 100 hits with that attribute. One of the bigger things that attracted me to this player was that they were the premiere defenseman on a really well built team. This team features a forward core that has 5 players above 83 Scoring, with the top one being 90. PEB should collect a mountain of points and as the main defensive player, should collect a large hit total as well. Career season, incoming. Keep an eye out, this player will not be selected in the 4th round ever again. 25th Overall - G - Xavier Booberry @CowboyinAmerica Another returning pick. I secured my goalie with the top TPE Earner, CIA’s Xavier Booberry. Booberry is on a decent Davos team that has top defensemen Jake Thunder and Siyan Yasilievich. In addition to the two star defensemen, they feature new draftee David Jokinen and Isamu Knieval. I like this group. A lot of times with a goalie pick you are taking the whole team. I think Davos will be a strong defensive team. On top of that, Booberry is the type of player that can steal a game. Booberry hasn’t had a 10 shutout season since his rookie contract, however I feel like the two time Aiden Shaw Award winner will be on the top of his game as he tries to get that elusive Continental Cup in his 8th and final VHL Season. 34th Overall - D - Callum Murray @Berocka The group had two skips, so I got to pick two spots ahead of time here. I go back to the LA Stars for one of their two signed defenseman in Callum Murray. Here’s another new face to the blessed team. Murray has not historically proven to be a point producer or a huge hitter. Well, that’s about to change. This season we will see over a point per game, maybe even catch a sniff at triple digits. More importantly we are going to see the young defenseman get a career high in hits, and take home an award for top defensive defenseman and maybe even a Labatte. Okay, maybe that’s a lot, but he’s been blessed. Watch for this player to be on my team for years to come - however, there’s no way I am able to select with the last pick in the draft ever again. 1038 words. Claiming: Week Ending 1/29 Week Ending 2/5