The Energon Pub

News Credits: 9 · by **Editor** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:48 pm

Dagon wrote:Hang on, where are you getting some of these teams from? And, of all the teams that have moved that you're resurrecting, like the Jets, why is there no mention of the Hartford Whalers?

The Teams were a mixed draw to bump up the league to 40. It was a something I put together a year back for a fantasy draft on a different site that sadly never took place, but that i finished for the sake of it. As to the question of where the "additional teams" come from.
1 ) Seattle Thunderbirds are a WHL team
2 ) Portland Ice Dogs made-up to put another team in closer for that division
3 ) The California Golden Seals relocated and became the Cleveland Barons.
4 ) The Cleveland Barons folded and merged operations with the former Minnesota North Stars (now Dallas Stars) This is the reason why when the San Jose Sharks joined the league, they were able to draft a portion of the North Stars roster.
5 ) The Kansas City Scouts relocated and became the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies would then relocate again and became the New Jersey Devils.
6 ) The Las Vegas Dealers is also made up due to the believe that the league wants to put a team there.
7 ) The Winnipeg Jets and Quebec Nordiques made the list because they never should have lost a team.
8 ) The Birmingham Barracudas is a somewhat fictional team to put another team in region distance for the southeast. The team name is stolen from a CFL team that played one season during their disastrous US Expansion.
9 ) Hamilton was included as that is where the Coyotes almost moved to this summer. The Steelheads comes from a TV Show called Power Play (2 episodes on UPN, 2 Seasons on CTV) based around the Steelheads being a actual NHL team.

As for the lack of the Whalers, honestly... I tried to work them in, forgot I hadn't when i moved to working on the west, and once I realized it, I didn't feel like going back.... especially as the draft it was meant for wasn't moving forward.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:01 pm

I think as far as a four division system, I would take and realign the teams according to their time zones or as close to that as you can get. It would make a ton of sense as far as travel goes and, rather than putting them together via region (and avoiding two southeast teams) you have representatives both north and south of the border...so a north-south border as opposed to a regional border.

by **Dagon** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:48 pm

Ok. Some of the team names sounded familiar and I thought maybe they were old IHL teams or something.

Aside from this for a moment, the Aves won last night, making them 5-0 at home this season. Go Aves.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:25 pm

SO here's the big question: are the Avs that good? Or are they playing over their heads and bound to fall back to Earth? And before I forget...what the HECK is going on in Columbus?!?!?!

News Credits: 9 · by **Editor** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:43 am

First-Aid wrote:SO here's the big question: are the Avs that good? Or are they playing over their heads and bound to fall back to Earth? And before I forget...what the HECK is going on in Columbus?!?!?!

Well they did have that 3-0 loss to Vancouver recently, Giving our back-up keeper a shut-out.

Then again Raycroft is a good goalie in his own right.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:14 pm

OK...here's my other question: what is causing the underwhelming performance by my Hawks? I know Toews has been out, but he hasn't been much of a factor this year yet. So why are they underachieving? This is the best chance this team has to win the Cup since we will have such huge issues with the salary cap next year.

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:54 pm

Oh dear.. the Maple Leafs won another game. They double their win total! :-P

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:29 pm

Blurrz wrote:Oh dear.. the Maple Leafs won another game. They double their win total!

Congratulations!!

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:33 pm

Oh my. The Leafs won their 3rd game! Against the Red Wings? Oh dear, Hell is starting to freeze over!

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:05 am

The wings aren't the team they used to be. IT looks to me like they are finally starting to show their age.

Can someone PLEASE tell me what the heck is going on in Chicago?!??!

by **Dagon** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 5:31 pm

First-Aid wrote:SO here's the big question: are the Avs that good? Or are they playing over their heads and bound to fall back to Earth? And before I forget...what the HECK is going on in Columbus?!?!?!

Ok,being an Avalanche fan, I have to honestly say that the team is probably not as good as it's playing right now, and that inevitably they will lose it somewhere, probably soon. It's a young team, and mostly a team of nobody's right now, with Sakic retired and Smyth gone to LA. Hejduk isn't as good as he once was and Stasny is pretty good, Svatos is not what we hoped he was going to be (just my opinion, really) and Wolski is too off and on for you to really feel safe about. Craig Anderson? Geez. A career backup or third, but he's just been solid this year so far. I hate Peter Budai, and can't for the life of me understand why they'd just sit contented with him when they could probably hunt down a better keeper. Raycroft? Don't know why they didn't resign him.
I think Colorado will eventually tail off, but honeslty if they make they playoffs this year it's all I could really want. Then again, they did go eight shoot out rounds with the HAwks the other night....

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:16 pm

Dagon wrote:
First-Aid wrote:SO here's the big question: are the Avs that good? Or are they playing over their heads and bound to fall back to Earth? And before I forget...what the HECK is going on in Columbus?!?!?!

Ok,being an Avalanche fan, I have to honestly say that the team is probably not as good as it's playing right now, and that inevitably they will lose it somewhere, probably soon. It's a young team, and mostly a team of nobody's right now, with Sakic retired and Smyth gone to LA. Hejduk isn't as good as he once was and Stasny is pretty good, Svatos is not what we hoped he was going to be (just my opinion, really) and Wolski is too off and on for you to really feel safe about. Craig Anderson? Geez. A career backup or third, but he's just been solid this year so far. I hate Peter Budai, and can't for the life of me understand why they'd just sit contented with him when they could probably hunt down a better keeper. Raycroft? Don't know why they didn't resign him.
I think Colorado will eventually tail off, but honeslty if they make they playoffs this year it's all I could really want. Then again, they did go eight shoot out rounds with the HAwks the other night....

Match up of overrated goalies huh? LOL

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Thu Nov 12, 2009 5:37 pm

Well...Chicago and Colorado went to a shootout...AGAIN. Hawks won this time. A lot of the guys in the locker room believe that the Avs are playing over their heads and seem to be coming back to Earth a bit. The Hawks on the other hand seem to be shaping up finally; even Huet is playing decent (even though he's STILL massively overpaid) and we're going to be getting Hossa back within the next couple weeks. He may come down to Rockford for a few rehab skates...so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. On the downside we lost Bolland for months. Hopefully we can maintain things without him...he was winning 75% of his faceoffs.

by **Dagon** » Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:25 pm

First-Aid wrote:Well...Chicago and Colorado went to a shootout...AGAIN. Hawks won this time. A lot of the guys in the locker room believe that the Avs are playing over their heads and seem to be coming back to Earth a bit. The Hawks on the other hand seem to be shaping up finally; even Huet is playing decent (even though he's STILL massively overpaid) and we're going to be getting Hossa back within the next couple weeks. He may come down to Rockford for a few rehab skates...so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. On the downside we lost Bolland for months. Hopefully we can maintain things without him...he was winning 75% of his faceoffs.

YEah, uh, about that. I was meaning to come here and say something until the Aves got mangled last night by Vancouver, so I'm feeling a little shame faced for being an Aves fan. But yes, over their heads, and I just hope the return to earth or a slump or whatever comes next won't be so terrible that it blows their March chances in November.
As for Hossa, oh boy, I cannot wait until he can finally suit up and skate. Not bandwagoning, although it will seem that way, but I do love my Blackhawks too, and I was real excited when they signed Hossa. I just hope that he doesn't turn out to be a bust, or like Havlat where he was subsequently always hurt or underperforming. Really sucks about Dave Bolland too. That's a real shame.

by **Dagon** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:16 pm

Whhoooo!! Hawks beat the Pens!

Hey, just trying to get us going in here again....

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:33 pm

Yeah...it got quiet here. Then again, if you look at it, this is really only the preseason. Once the playoff start, THAT'S when we really get going.. :-D

Along the lines of the future, my boys signed Kane, Toews, and Keith to long term deals. HUGE move. The more I see of these new look Blackhawks, the more I'm reminded of the Red Wings of the 90's and early part of the 2000's. This team is being built for long term success and may end up winning more than one Cup. It also looks like Patrick Sharp may be the odd man out unless the Hawks clear some major cap space.

by **Dagon** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:58 pm

Yeah,what a signing by the Hawks. I must say that if the Old Man (Wirtz) were still alive, I would bet they would've let those three go in order to keep Hossa, and so far who really knows how he'llwork out here? And Sharpie, they have to find a way to keep him. Didn't they sign Keith to a 12 year deal?

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 12:31 am

Yeah, Keither got a 13 year deal to spread out the money and try to minimize the cap hit.

If Wuertz was alive, they woudn't have even SIGNED Hossa. Or any of these guys. This is a man who said, ON RECORD, in an interview that "We will never have a Stanley Cup in Chicago. It's too expensive and I won't pay it." That man was hated in Chicago, pure and simple. The MOMENT the guy kicked it, the people came back in droves. Now we lead the league in attendance and are pulling in money hand over fist. The games are ALL on TV and generating enormous revenue. And the Bears are trying to jump the bandwagon for some positive advertising- which was just nixed by the NFL BTW, those f---ing tightwads. The future looks really bright right now. And I'll tell you, the best signing we made was bringing on Scotty Bowman- a man who KNOWS how to win. His fingerprints are all over this team.

by **Friend of Da Panda Symbol** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:07 am

Weighing in with my opinion. Love the Penguins, happy they got the cup last season. Thing upsets me--sport stations, or NHL didn't advertise the final Stanley(sp) Cup playoff with the push I felt it deserved. Indeed compared to the other two major sports--NHL's never given the push it deserves.

Has Detroit and Colorado squared off yet? I'm a fan of both and love how there's at least one figt during one of their matchess.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:27 am

Friend of Da Panda Symbol wrote:Weighing in with my opinion. Love the Penguins, happy they got the cup last season. Thing upsets me--sport stations, or NHL didn't advertise the final Stanley(sp) Cup playoff with the push I felt it deserved. Indeed compared to the other two major sports--NHL's never given the push it deserves.

Not in the United States, no. Hockey may be the most difficult sport to play and understand on a layman's basis (if you haven't grown up with it). Let's face it, not very many people actually know how to skate in the US because a good chunk of the country never had the opportunity to do it until articifical ice rinks were invented. That's why the sport is bigger in the colder regions of the US I think. However, the sport is gaining rapidly. Recent polls are showing hockey gaining on NASCAR in popularity (even though it's more of a slip on NASCAR's part; why do you think they brought in Danica Patrick? To flag waning ratings and revenues...according to Sports Business Weekly, NASCAR ticket sales are down nearly 30% and revenues are down 50%. TV ratings have also dropped 40%...makes me believe NASCAR's biggest days may be over and it was just a fad for a while; no other sport has seen such a huge drop.) NHL ratings are through the roof for three main reasons; first, the rise of stars who transcend the sport such as Sid Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Patrick Kane. Second, the airing of Blackhwaks games in Chicago; while Scrooge, er, Wuertz was alive, he would not allow Hawks games to be broadcast at all on TV; said it would cut attendance. Now all it's done is fuel the flames of hockey's resurgance in Chicago. Idiot. Third, and most of all, the rise of the Winter Classic on New YEar's Day. With more bowl games being spread out over the month leading up to the BCS games, fewer are played on New Year's. I don't know about the rest of you, but watching the Bowl games was always a part of my family's New YEar's tradition- even if we didn't know who was playing. With the loss of most of these games, there was a major chance to insert something to get the attention of TV viewers hung over from New Years Eve...and the NHL grabbed it. This year's game is expected to surpass any other nationally televised SPORTS GAME, not just hockey, with the exception of the Super Bowl. Quite a turnaround, indeed. In fact, it's practically become a national holiday by itself in Canada.

All I've got to say is, give hockey time. I think it's going to reclaim its spot in the "Big Four" sports very soon. But it's not going to happen overnight. If Chicago makes the Cup playoffs this year, you may see the highest ratings for the series in decades. And the hype will equal it.

by **Dagon** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:52 pm

You know something First Aid, I was at the home opener that season that Wirtz died against Detroit, and when they asked for a moment of silence everyone booed. I found that disrespectful.
I know he was hated, I didn't like him either, but geez, he DIED. If he retired and they wanted to commemorate his 'dedication and serivce', fine, boo like crazy. I just thought it was rude.
I've been chastised by all my friends for thinking that way, though. Not argueing the cruddiness of the old man, just tellin' a story I suppose.

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:26 pm

Time to get this thread rolling again.

The regular season is long over, and we are down to FOUR teams left. And it may be the must unexpected four teams ever.

Western Conference: Blackhawks vs. Sharks. Pick: the Hawks here for one simple reason: 5-1 on the road in the playoffs. If you are the road team, you normally don't win in the playoffs. The Blackhawks have figured out how to win on the road. And that is more dangerous than anything else.

Eastern Conference: Flyers vs Canadiens. Pick: WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!?!?!?! Montreal? Philly? Are you kidding me? I'll be honest: I have absolutely NO IDEA what to expect in this series. no clue! I've never seen anything like it! An 8 seed beating the 1 seed, then beating the defending champs? A 7 seed coming back from a 3 games to none deficit? What the hell just happened???

My pick: Blackhawks vs. somebody. I'd love to see the Canadiens here, but I just don't know if they have anything left. I think the Western Conference finals are essentially the Stanley Cup finals for this year.

All I know: what a postseason! Couldn't have written it better! I'm loving every second of it!

On a personal note: GO BLACKHAWKS!

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:29 pm

The Canadiens are destined to win this. No way they fall short now..

News Credits: 2 · by **First-Aid** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:35 pm

All respect Blurrz ol' buddy, I can't agree. It is common knowledge that- outside of Washington- the Eastern Conference is significantly weaker overall than the Western Conference. The winner of the Western Conference finals will win the Cup, whether it's Chicago or San Jose remains to be seen...though man for man, Chicago is far deeper in their roster.

What's really amazing is that Antti Niemi isn't even the best goaltender in the Hawks system! Corey Crawford would have won that spot if it hadn't been for a sports hernia at the beginning of the 2009-2010 season. He has better range, is much better with puck handling, has a wider wingspan, and is faster to the puck. I know: I've worked with him for the last three seasons.

News Credits: 1452 · by **Blurrz** » Fri May 14, 2010 11:44 pm

Eh, whatever, when it comes to sports we will always have differing opinions. Minus well just say it all. It's pretty cool you got to work with the Hawks Goalie Prospect, they've got some very good Goaltending Depth.

Hawks/Sharks - Hawks are a no holds bar type of team, they're young, they're going to hit hard and they want this. Sharks... Nabokov is a shaky streaky goaltender, and Thornton, Heatley and Marleau are hot and cold.

Canadiens/Flyers - If Montreal was able to shut down the greatest offenses in the East then the Flyers dont stand a chance. But who knows.. the Flyers seem to have lady luck on their side, and they are a very physically able team. However with Montreal, they're players are hot when they need them to be.. Cammelleri and Gionta are on fire right now, Halak's an outstanding goalie, if you've got a goalie on a roll you'll always go far.

As much as I respect the Blackhawks I just don't like their chances if they make it to the Final. Marian Hossa is cursed. Been to the Stanley Cup Finals in the last two years and has lost both contests...