diamond_ace

In my recent media series, New Over Old, I discussed the fact that while a highly select group of recreates dot the top of the upcoming draft, a great handful of first-gens in larger numbers should make a larger total impact on the draft class. While this obviously appears to be a true claim at this time, given the sheer number of first-gens making an impact in this draft (and many people can argue that, for example, Jakob Linholm and Ron World Peace combined make for a better combination than Tom Slaughter and NYA D2, so these numbers give the first gens a greater total impact, which was my claim), I'm prepared to make a further claim. This further claim will be more controversial than the first. I'm prepared to say that in terms of singular on-ice success throughout their careers, Tom Slaughter, Slaeter Fjorsstrom, and Logan Laich will not all finish above every first-gen. Sure, they might win in TPE (having an edge now means that even if a first-gen fills up their cap every week, if these three do the same they'll maintain the same edge) but as has been proven time and time again, TPE doesn't necessarily equate to success. There will be at least one first-gen who outperforms his TPE, and there will be at least one of the big three who underperforms his TPE. Coupled with the fact that the gaps could remain small, and it could produce a shock. Also, Logan Laich (the only one of the big three to whom this applies) isn't far ahead of the top first-gens at all. He's only 6 TPE ahead of Ron World Peace at the moment, and over 100 behind Fjorsstrom and Slaughter. Take, for example, Slaeter Fjorsstrom and Konstantin Jaroslav Azhishchenkov. Currently, the gap is 232 TPE to 73 TPE, a difference of 159 TPE. Right now, that means all the difference in the world. How much will it mean if the two keep the same pace, and the gap becomes 959 TPE to 800 TPE? With a proper build and a bit of luck, an 800 TPE player can easily outperform a 959 TPE player. (Note this is just an example. My claim is only that a first-gen can outperform a recreate even if the recreate doesn't slip up and that at least one will, not that specifically Azhishchenkov will outperform specifically Fjorsstrom. They are just each examples of their own classification.)

Delusions of Grandeur The VHL has always been a league where players, GMs, and agents often fancy their chances more highly than they should, and in doing so, often the bubbles are burst in rather harsh ways. Other times, things that the league perceives as delusions of grandeur on the part of an individual turn out not to have been the case; in these instances, the individual proves to be right. Right now is no exception, but several of these cases can go either way. 1. Gregreg Seattle Bears GM Gregreg was quoted after the fourth game of his team’s series against the Quebec City Meute as having said, “We’re just as good as Quebec so I’m glad we showed up for some games. Anything can happen now!” While part of this statement is undeniably true, as of course anything can happen since the series is tied at two games each, the other part may classify as a delusion of grandeur. Gregreg claims that the Bears are just as good as the Meute. On the whole, a clearer way to define which team is better is with the 72-game sample size of a regular season. A playoff series, as short as seven games or fewer, doesn’t truly determine which team is better. One team can get hot and win enough games to steal a playoff series, or additionally, one team’s tactical style can line up well against another team’s tactical style. With a larger sample size, as well as the chance to play against a variety of teams, one can more accurately determine which team is better. In this case, Quebec heavily defeated Seattle. However, in Seattle’s defense, several players underperformed in the regular season, most importantly including goaltender Steven Smyl. If Smyl had performed as expected, the totals would have been much closer, but would it have been enough to make Seattle “just as good as Quebec” or would the Bears still have fell short? 2. Devise22 Devise22, agent of Quebec goaltender Skylar Rift as well as prospect Logan Laich, has been quoted after the same game as having said, “Yeah I wish more of my asshole teammates would be around so this could actually be an entertaining little series of some flame.” During Rift’s career, Devise has widely adopted the persona of a firebrand, willing to get into any debate that will increase the tension and subsequent activity of a series or thread. However, it’s not generally been something that his teammates have gotten into alongside him. Jericho, agent of Wesley Kellinger, has often joined in on the debates, but many other Meute-affiliated league members have been more peaceful, especially Quebec GM Koradek. So while on one hand, Devise is correct that it would be more entertaining from an outsider’s view if more people joined him in his debate on the series, it’s also a rather unrealistic request on his part when his team hasn’t been so vocal recently anyway. Admittedly, this is a far cry from the Meute of only a few seasons ago, who were all over the boards proclaiming their superiority. 3. Da Trifecta In the wake of the Helsinki Titans’ sweep of the Cologne Express, Da Trifecta, agent of Davos forward Davey Jones was quoted as having said, “All roads lead to Davos.” While solely within the conference, this is technically correct, as regardless of which team (Helsinki or Cologne) had won their first round series, Davos would have home ice against the winner in the second round, the playoffs are not a one conference ordeal. On the whole, both the Quebec City Meute and Toronto Legion of the North American Conference would be given home ice against Davos in a potential final series. All roads would in fact lead to Davos temporarily, but those same roads take a detour shortly thereafter to either Quebec or Toronto. These are just three examples of potential delusions of grandeur within the VHL and its members in the last few days. Historically, the playoffs do tend to bring out these sorts of claims among those who qualified, especially from a strong team. Will the league’s perception be what plays out in reality, or will these members prove to be right?

I doubt Russia gets past both Sweden and Finland, but they're the only team in the lower 8 that has more than a slim chance of the finals. (Yes, I'm completely discounting Czech Republic. They don't impress me.)

What do I have to do to bring Marcellin out of retirement and ship him to Cologne for a 4th?

Personally, I've never been one to have any interest in shooting games, but from an objective standpoint I'd think the addition of the mechs (I watched the video) is an innovation, whereas COD basically just adds a couple guns and maps.

BJ and JJ. JJ was actually one of the more successful ones, didn't do much in the bigs but was a huge VHLM piece, which is more than can be said for BJ or CJ

One, Two, Five. Three, sir! Three. (And shalt thou lob thy holy hand grenade of Antioch toward thy foe, who being naughty in my sight, shall snuff it.) (Also, my point was that there were technically five Staffords, but only three ever did anything)

So the lesson to learn from all of this is not to trust a jar of pickles to play hockey

Eight wins in the playoffs

Also, I'm going to do my own guy here as well. Lars Intranquilo - Raphael Diaz Underrated defensively but in the end does so little offensively that overall he still sucks

Mitch Higgins - Brad Park Park was an amazing defenseman who nonetheless was always overshadowed by someone else (in Higgins' case, Braxton)

BENEDUM SMASH. BENEDUM GET 7.5 SACK. YUM YUM.

Actually, now that you guys are back up and running, I'd prefer VHLM mag to VHL mag. I just wasn't going to keep getting strung along back when no editions were coming out, because it was impossible to figure out whether I had to write an article.

Yeah sorry everyone, I'm going to apply for this. I was most active when I had a regular mag spot. I'll link to an article of mine in a bit, but you know what I typically do.

Due in SHL is a Blues fan, but he's never made the jump over to this league...

Is it wrong for me to say I'm surprised there's a team better than reverse-Detroit, even if it is the Pats?

ANNA FENNINGER. She almost makes me want Austria to win... That is all.

I thought we'd discussed comma issues?

So I watched the women's "skiathlon" last night (don't know why they stopped calling it the pursuit) and then when I got up and put the channel on, there was about 15 minutes left in the Swansea-Cardiff game and what comes on after? THE EXACT SAME EVENT I ALREADY SAW. fuck that.

NEVER!

Fuck you guys, Kenya is awesome. Stephen Sambu? Paul Tergat? Wilson Kipsang? For that matter, Tergat is from Rift Valley, you should like him.

Look out VHLM, get your popcorn ready, these playoffs are going to be must watch television. The Bratislava Watchmen could be on pace to set or break several long standing records, both as a team and as individuals. Defenseman Matt Reilly could break several defensive scoring records, as his regular season stats are also quite strong. He's leading the league in assists by 15 over the next closest competitor (who, by the way, is his teammate Razzle Dazzle) and is the highest scoring player in the VHLM. Earl Parker, a Bratislava left winger, is the next closest points getter and along with Reilly, Parker is miles ahead of everyone else (Reilly has 137, Parker has 134, Boone Cassidy is the next best with 125). In addition, Martin Brookside could break some goaltending records in the playoffs as well, seeing as how he's doing in the regular season. Really, this is all irrelevant, though. VHLM records aren't really kept anywhere as far as I'm aware, so all of this will be forgotten by next season. That said, it'll be entertaining for the time being, and here's your challenge Devise.