On my 3rd episode of stranger things. Not really ny type of series but looks well done and have a exciting story. Thx 4 da tip Jimbo.

I'm not going to comment on what the pay is or anything cause I think I might get in trouble, but I don't really think the pay is the driving factor. It's just cool to have a form for your thoughts. It's not a full-time job, so life gets in the way sometimes which is why those guys probably don't write all the time.

I highly doubt anyone's motivation for writing has anything to do with money or popularity, but then again, I have the pure soul of a naive sucker, so I don't really know.
- James_Tanner

Is it at all related to click or comment count? - Or a per article basis

You don't have to give any numbers on it or anything

I read Eyes of the Dragon in grade three. At first my Dad would only let me read that and the Talisman and Different Seasons. Then he got pretty pissed in grade four or five when he caught me reading the Dead Zone, but he let me finish it.
- James_Tanner

Funny..I'm sure he was thinking he could have caught you with worse.

Yawn

Although Tanner always claims to never read my posts (because I enjoy using his own words against him and destroying him factually), I figured I'd write a response not only because I like fantasy hockey, but far more importantly because my flight was delayed, which caused me to miss my connection in Frankfurt. With a rebooked 7am flight, I decided to stay in my comp'ed airport hotel room and watch Netflix... and then discovered that it appears Netflix has now blocked VPN's. Not speaking German, I decided to browse Hockeybuzz.

Without knowing more specifics of the league, this is what I'd go with:

Ovechkin, Tarasenko, Kucherov (or Hall), Byfuglien, Letang

Sell high on Crosby and whichever of Hall or Kucherov you didn't pick (and anyone else you can that's not in the above five players) before the draft for a few high picks.

Reasoning for my picks:

1) Ovechkin - a no brainer. The best goal scorer in hockey right now. Will also put up an insane amount of shots (flirts with 400 every year) and huge PP numbers; and should put up strong +/- numbers as Washington looks set to be a dominant team again this year.

2) Tarasenko - Should put up 40+ goals and figure to challenge for the Rocket Richard trophy this year. I expect a monster season this year from Tarasenko who is just entering his prime. Like Ovie, should put up big shot numbers (300+), strong PP numbers, as well as a good +/- as the Blues look set to continue to be strong.

3) Hall / Kucherov - Although I disagree with pretty much everything that Tanner spews forth, I do agree that Hall is a truly elite LW. But no one really knows what is going to happen in NJ, as Hall joins one of the worst offenses in the league. However, he put up stellar numbers in a similarly poopty situation in Edmonton, so hopefully he'll continue to pour in the points whilst lined up with Henrique & Palmieri. Should also put up big shot numbers (wouldn't be surprised to see him top 300+ in NJ as their new #1 weapon) as well as PP points. Plus/minus might be an issue. While I believe Hall is the superior player, I would choose Kucherov in this situation. Barring injury, he should easily match last season's 30+ goals / 60+ points again, and I expect he may well do even better, flirting with point per game range. He's just surrounded by so much talent in Tampa - he doesn't have the weight of the team on his shoulders, he doesn't have to be the man like Hall does in New Jersey, he won't be facing the opposition's top defenders every shift like Hall will because Tampa's opponents will also be focusing on shutting down Stamkos, Johnson, Drouin, etc. I don't think there's a wrong pick here, but I'd go the safe route and take Kucherov. I think Hall is a superior player, and he may well explode for 50+ goals (as Tanner predicted he would last season...), but I have my doubts as he heads into a brand new, defense first system where he is the undisputed #1 offensive weapon.

4) Byfuglien - another no brainer. Dude puts up huge numbers across the fantasy boards. Consistent 15-20 goals, ~ 50 points, lots of PP time, ~ 100 PIM, 200+ shots every year. Love Letang as well (see below), but if forced to choose just a single defenseman I'd take Byfuglien simply because of his durability & Letang's recent health issues.

5) Letang - Like Byfuglien, Letang consistently puts up great fantasy numbers across the board year after year. Actually, looking at their yearly stats side by side, Letang and Byfuglien put up remarkably similar stats year after year - Letang some more assists, Buff some more PIM, but very, very similar. Overall I chose to go with 3 F / 2 D rather than 4 F / 1 D, as it's usually much harder to replace quality defensemen in fantasy leagues than it is to pick up quality replacement forwards.

You could argue for keeping another forward (eg Hall / Kucherov) or a goalie (Elliott or Murray), particularly depending on league rules, in which it might make more sense to take another forward. Likewise a goalie - but the existing goalie situation doesn't excite me a whole lot. Elliott is a phenomenal goalie, but Calgary is an interesting and unknown situation. Whilst they desperately needed a true #1 goalie like Elliott, I think his fantasy numbers (wins, save %) are going to take a big hit as Calgary got caved in routinely on the possession front. Murray I like, but once again the uncertainty of the situation concerns me - no one knows whats going on with the Pens' goaltending beyond the fact that it's very likely one is traded before the deadline.

As for Crosby, I'd definitely try to trade him for a couple high-round picks. I like Crosby, he seems to have re-found his game after the coaching change last year and I could definitely see him putting up 100 points next season... but, center is usually the easiest position to replace in fantasy pools. In small leagues (like 8-12 teams), just due to numbers you've often got crazy situations going on where guys like Joe Thornton, Bergeron, Krejci, Sedin, Backstrom, Monahan, Spezza, etc are going for basically nothing in the later rounds (or undrafted altogether). Sure, Sid is likely going to put up 20-30+ more points than most guys I just listed, but I'd rather trade him for a few high draft picks and then "settle" for a guy like Backstrom or Thornton.

In honour of being stuck in Germany, I considered keeping Leon Draisaitl, and it was at that point that I realized I've probably drunk too much "bier". Gute nacht!
- TheMaritimer

2 words. Redlight district.

Lots of good King movies: Shawshank, the Body, Green Mile, 11/12/63, Creepshow, Silver Bullet, Carrie, the Shining, the Mist, Apt Pupil, Secret Window, the old made-for-TV the Langoliers (his best short story) Misery is actually probably the best movie, Dreamcatcher isn't as bad as people say, the show Under the Dome was pretty good,
the running man is classic Arnie, hearts in Atlantis.

So tons of decent stuff, and the Shining and the Body are two of the greatest movies ever made. Also, Shawshank is probably one of the most popular movies ever made.

Crazy to think that the films the Shining, and the Children of the Corn come from the same guy.
- James_Tanner

I never understood why people hate that movie. I mean, it's not Shawshank, or Stand by Me, or The Shining, or even Apt Pupil, but it's a solid movie that I'll watch when I catch it on.

Needful Things is the worst movie I've ever seen, full stop.

Take vesey, seems to be the flavor of the week. (frank) your pool tanner and go (frank) yourself.

2 words. Redlight district.
- Wetbandit1

Thats Amsterdam buddy

I never understood why people hate that movie. I mean, it's not Shawshank, or Stand by Me, or The Shining, or even Apt Pupil, but it's a solid movie that I'll watch when I catch it on.

Needful Things is the worst movie I've ever seen, full stop.
- Wetbandit1

Shawkshank is such overrated garbage. It's incredibly sentimental.

Hi James,

I looked at your team and in my opinion you are set up well for two possible scenarios; either push for the championship this coming season, or do a partial rebuild to fill the holes in your team.

Based on your group of forwards I believe that you will have a great shot at scoring your way to the championship as long as you can get lucky in the draft and land at least one above average goalie, and one league average goalie. If you are going to push for the win then I would go pure offense and keep Crosby, Ovechkin, Tarasenko, Kucherov and Letang. You would still have a few nice pieces left over to trade for some draft picks and increase your chances of getting a quality goalie or two.

I think you also have a great window here to retool your team for the future. You could keep either Crosby/Ovechkin, Letang/Ekblad, Tarasenko, Kucherov, and save one spot for a goalie that you pick up via trade. You wouldn't have as much pure offense but it would leave you with the pieces necessary to make a trade for an elite level goalie like Holtby/Price/Bishop/Lundqvist/Schneider.

However you decided to act this off season, I would suggest that you do everything you can to improve your goal tending. In a league that has 4 of 10 categories dedicated to goal tending it is going to be very tough to win without a balance of quality forwards/goalies.