Premier Conference Midseason Report
Following on the heels of the successful season preview, the Talon editorial board has weighed in at the half-way point of the Premier's Conference season.
For each team, their first half is summarized, along with what should be expected for the rest of RHL15. Also included is a special feature that lists each team's most and least productive players, as measured against their salary (best bang for the buck and what were they thinking?)
Defiance
Everything is going as planned for the Defiance. Their big free agent signing of Alfredsson is paying off, as he’s having an MVP-like season. Raycroft is a shoe-in for rookie of the year, and the supporting cast is playing its role to perfection.
What to expect
The Defiance have had a great first half jumping out of the blocks. They've avoided any sort of funk so far and been the most consistent squad in the conference--their longest winless streak has only been 2 games. It’s their title to lose now… Can they maintain their pace or will they fall back to the chase pack?
Best bang for the buck
Visnovsky 24.8 33 4 20 24 +16 $412k
What were they thinking?
Marchment 14.8 25 0 1 1 +5 $1.6M
Reapers
The Reapers have been in the mix at the top of the conference all season long, even with some difficult stretches when the injuries piled up. Forsberg is proving to be a shrewd signing, as he and Luongo have been driving the squad’s success.
What to expect
This team, when healthy, could be considered the best in the conference. If they can limit their trips to the emergency room down the stretch, the Reapers could be the Defiance's biggest threat at the top. That a big if though…
Best bang for the buck
Kubina 23.8 33 9 15 24 +19 $1.203M
What were they thinking?
A.Miller 15.7 7 0 0 0 -3 $925k
Penetrators
After securing the services of Sakic at the start of the season, it was thought the team had the final piece of the puzzle. And it looked like they did, jumping out to a 14-5-1 record and having the top 3 scorers in the conference.
What to expect
A bit of uncertainty has crept into the YDP game. With only 4 wins in its last 13, players and management are starting to second guess decisions and they’ve allowed the Defiance to jump ahead and the chase pack to catch up. This team is too talented though to not one of the favourites to win it all.
Best bang for the buck
F.Kaberle 22.4 31 1 14 15 +1 $784k
What were they thinking?
Modano 19.9 34 8 8 16 -12 $2.95M
Aviators
No team looks more different now than they did at the start of the season. Gone are allstars Jagr and Chara, as well as most of the original supporting cast. The squad also brought in new blood into management. The team had quite the evolution, and in a Vampyre-like time frame.
What we can expect
Through it all, the Aviators find themselves tied for 2nd and still within striking distance of the DEF. But like any team making this many changes, their success will depend on how all the new plays gel down the stretch and whether the coaching staff can find the right combinations.
Best bang for the buck
McCauley 19.1 33 8 18 26 +8 $471k
What were they thinking?
Salei 22.4 32 1 7 8 -6 $2.04M
Eagles
It’s been a streaky first half for the Eagles. They are currently on a 5-game win streak, which was proceeded by a 5-game losing streak, which was proceeded by a 6-game win streak… we sense a pattern. Boding well for the squad is the fact they haven’t lost since the acquisition of Arnott and Primeau for the Spectre.
What to expect
More streaks perhaps? If the team stays healthy and they continue to get contributions from all four lines, expect more good ones and bad. They should be in the mix at the end for a top-4 finish.
Best bang for the buck
R.Jackman 24.8 33 4 11 15 +9 $668k
What were they thinking?
Cullimore 15.7 33 0 7 7 -2 $1.65M
Gargoyles
A favourite to win the conference going into the season, the first half is one the team would like to forget. Never able to get on a roll, the Gargoyles find themselves hovering around 500. Individually, plenty of Gargoyle players are having solid years. But this isn't golf or tennis... hockey is a team game and Chicago hasn't come together as a team.
What to expect
The squad has the tools to still challenge, but if they don’t get going soon they’ll run out of time. If they do pick it up, the Gargoyles will be the team no one wants to play in the first round.
Best bang for the buck
Timonen 20.9 33 6 14 20 +8 $819k
What were they thinking?
Therien 19.2 26 0 2 2 -12 $1.95M
Purge
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the first half of RHL15, the Purge has proved to be a stingy and difficult team to play against. The team has been held to 2 goals or less in 24 or their first 34 games, but are only one game under 500, and 6 points out of 2nd place.
What to expect
As long as Brodeur continues his MVP season, the Purge will be in a lot of tight, low-scoring games. If they can get some timely goals and a little bit of luck, they could still end up in the top half of the conference.
Best bang for the buck
Ronning 16.4 34 11 11 22 +7 $361k
What were they thinking?
Bonk 18.1 29 4 12 16 -2 $3.07M
Spartans
At one point, the Spartans looked be fighting it out in the Crosby sweepstakes with a 5-12-2 record. But a couple of moves changed the team’s chemistry just enough to tip them in the other direction, and they are currently one of the hottest teams in the league.
What to expect
Everyone thought the trading of Jonsson was the start of the rebuilding process for RHL15. But since the move, the team has clawed back to respectability. Goal scoring will still be a challenge, and they still have a lot of work ahead of them though if they want to break into the chase pack.
Best bang for the buck
Renberg 16.4 33 10 10 20 +0 $541k
What were they thinking?
Amonte 19.6 33 4 8 12 +1 $2.43M
Thundercats
Unfortunately for Cats fans, their team is the biggest disappointment so far in the Premier. Everything started well, as Waterloo jumped out to a 7-2-2 record. But then the wheels fell off and the team endured a 9-game losing streak. Their stars have disappeared for long stretches, and the team can't break out of it's funk.
What to expect
Instead of challenging for the title, the conference’s highest payroll is challenging for a lottery pick. Management could start cutting guys loose to limit the damage, or could look for positives and try to be that darkhorse come playoff time.
Best bang for the buck
Strbak 21.2 30 2 10 12 +7 $446k
What were they thinking?
Carter 13.6 34 3 5 8 -9 $1.85M
Freeze
The biggest question on the minds of Freeze fans is where is Mr.Iginla? The highest paid player in the league hasn't played like it so far, which has filtered down to the rest of the squad. Kolzig has seen a lot of rubber so far, but hasn't picked the team up by the skate laces with overly stellar play.
What to expect
The Stillman trade might be the first sign that management has had enough with its current set of players, and is looking to regroup and build around their solid nucleus. Unless Iginla and Lang become a two-man wrecking crew, the Freeze will struggle to reach the 500 mark.
Best bang for the buck
Quintal 27.2 29 5 9 14 +7 $735k
What were they thinking?
Iginla 22.6 34 12 7 19 -13 $5.9M
T-Men
On the plus side, the T-Men have lost less than half their games. On the other side, they have only won 7. Ties have kept the squad out the conference basement, but somehow fans can’t shake the nagging twinge of disappointment that seems to surround the RHL15 squad.
What to expect
More of the same for a team that doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses, but no real strengths either. At least they own their first round pick, and Crosby would make RHL15 easy to forget.
Best bang for the buck
Erat 18.4 33 8 11 19 -2 $617k
What were they thinking?
Zhamnov 14.9 25 3 8 11 -1 $2.68M
Stingers
Last place is not an usual spot for an expansion team, as the Stingers have 11 wins in their first 34 games as a franchise. Management might have expected a bit more though, since they spent some dollars and brought in some decent talent for their first season.
What to expect
It’s all about the future for the GPS, and they must be dreaming about the possibility of a line with Nash, Ovechkin and Crosby wearing Grande Prairie sweaters for many seasons.
Best bang for the buck
Nash 22.1 30 21 4 25 -8 $762k
What were they thinking?
Selanne 15.4 34 5 3 8 -18 $4.58M
For each team, their first half is summarized, along with what should be expected for the rest of RHL15. Also included is a special feature that lists each team's most and least productive players, as measured against their salary (best bang for the buck and what were they thinking?)
Defiance
Everything is going as planned for the Defiance. Their big free agent signing of Alfredsson is paying off, as he’s having an MVP-like season. Raycroft is a shoe-in for rookie of the year, and the supporting cast is playing its role to perfection.
What to expect
The Defiance have had a great first half jumping out of the blocks. They've avoided any sort of funk so far and been the most consistent squad in the conference--their longest winless streak has only been 2 games. It’s their title to lose now… Can they maintain their pace or will they fall back to the chase pack?
Best bang for the buck
Visnovsky 24.8 33 4 20 24 +16 $412k
What were they thinking?
Marchment 14.8 25 0 1 1 +5 $1.6M
Reapers
The Reapers have been in the mix at the top of the conference all season long, even with some difficult stretches when the injuries piled up. Forsberg is proving to be a shrewd signing, as he and Luongo have been driving the squad’s success.
What to expect
This team, when healthy, could be considered the best in the conference. If they can limit their trips to the emergency room down the stretch, the Reapers could be the Defiance's biggest threat at the top. That a big if though…
Best bang for the buck
Kubina 23.8 33 9 15 24 +19 $1.203M
What were they thinking?
A.Miller 15.7 7 0 0 0 -3 $925k
Penetrators
After securing the services of Sakic at the start of the season, it was thought the team had the final piece of the puzzle. And it looked like they did, jumping out to a 14-5-1 record and having the top 3 scorers in the conference.
What to expect
A bit of uncertainty has crept into the YDP game. With only 4 wins in its last 13, players and management are starting to second guess decisions and they’ve allowed the Defiance to jump ahead and the chase pack to catch up. This team is too talented though to not one of the favourites to win it all.
Best bang for the buck
F.Kaberle 22.4 31 1 14 15 +1 $784k
What were they thinking?
Modano 19.9 34 8 8 16 -12 $2.95M
Aviators
No team looks more different now than they did at the start of the season. Gone are allstars Jagr and Chara, as well as most of the original supporting cast. The squad also brought in new blood into management. The team had quite the evolution, and in a Vampyre-like time frame.
What we can expect
Through it all, the Aviators find themselves tied for 2nd and still within striking distance of the DEF. But like any team making this many changes, their success will depend on how all the new plays gel down the stretch and whether the coaching staff can find the right combinations.
Best bang for the buck
McCauley 19.1 33 8 18 26 +8 $471k
What were they thinking?
Salei 22.4 32 1 7 8 -6 $2.04M
Eagles
It’s been a streaky first half for the Eagles. They are currently on a 5-game win streak, which was proceeded by a 5-game losing streak, which was proceeded by a 6-game win streak… we sense a pattern. Boding well for the squad is the fact they haven’t lost since the acquisition of Arnott and Primeau for the Spectre.
What to expect
More streaks perhaps? If the team stays healthy and they continue to get contributions from all four lines, expect more good ones and bad. They should be in the mix at the end for a top-4 finish.
Best bang for the buck
R.Jackman 24.8 33 4 11 15 +9 $668k
What were they thinking?
Cullimore 15.7 33 0 7 7 -2 $1.65M
Gargoyles
A favourite to win the conference going into the season, the first half is one the team would like to forget. Never able to get on a roll, the Gargoyles find themselves hovering around 500. Individually, plenty of Gargoyle players are having solid years. But this isn't golf or tennis... hockey is a team game and Chicago hasn't come together as a team.
What to expect
The squad has the tools to still challenge, but if they don’t get going soon they’ll run out of time. If they do pick it up, the Gargoyles will be the team no one wants to play in the first round.
Best bang for the buck
Timonen 20.9 33 6 14 20 +8 $819k
What were they thinking?
Therien 19.2 26 0 2 2 -12 $1.95M
Purge
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the first half of RHL15, the Purge has proved to be a stingy and difficult team to play against. The team has been held to 2 goals or less in 24 or their first 34 games, but are only one game under 500, and 6 points out of 2nd place.
What to expect
As long as Brodeur continues his MVP season, the Purge will be in a lot of tight, low-scoring games. If they can get some timely goals and a little bit of luck, they could still end up in the top half of the conference.
Best bang for the buck
Ronning 16.4 34 11 11 22 +7 $361k
What were they thinking?
Bonk 18.1 29 4 12 16 -2 $3.07M
Spartans
At one point, the Spartans looked be fighting it out in the Crosby sweepstakes with a 5-12-2 record. But a couple of moves changed the team’s chemistry just enough to tip them in the other direction, and they are currently one of the hottest teams in the league.
What to expect
Everyone thought the trading of Jonsson was the start of the rebuilding process for RHL15. But since the move, the team has clawed back to respectability. Goal scoring will still be a challenge, and they still have a lot of work ahead of them though if they want to break into the chase pack.
Best bang for the buck
Renberg 16.4 33 10 10 20 +0 $541k
What were they thinking?
Amonte 19.6 33 4 8 12 +1 $2.43M
Thundercats
Unfortunately for Cats fans, their team is the biggest disappointment so far in the Premier. Everything started well, as Waterloo jumped out to a 7-2-2 record. But then the wheels fell off and the team endured a 9-game losing streak. Their stars have disappeared for long stretches, and the team can't break out of it's funk.
What to expect
Instead of challenging for the title, the conference’s highest payroll is challenging for a lottery pick. Management could start cutting guys loose to limit the damage, or could look for positives and try to be that darkhorse come playoff time.
Best bang for the buck
Strbak 21.2 30 2 10 12 +7 $446k
What were they thinking?
Carter 13.6 34 3 5 8 -9 $1.85M
Freeze
The biggest question on the minds of Freeze fans is where is Mr.Iginla? The highest paid player in the league hasn't played like it so far, which has filtered down to the rest of the squad. Kolzig has seen a lot of rubber so far, but hasn't picked the team up by the skate laces with overly stellar play.
What to expect
The Stillman trade might be the first sign that management has had enough with its current set of players, and is looking to regroup and build around their solid nucleus. Unless Iginla and Lang become a two-man wrecking crew, the Freeze will struggle to reach the 500 mark.
Best bang for the buck
Quintal 27.2 29 5 9 14 +7 $735k
What were they thinking?
Iginla 22.6 34 12 7 19 -13 $5.9M
T-Men
On the plus side, the T-Men have lost less than half their games. On the other side, they have only won 7. Ties have kept the squad out the conference basement, but somehow fans can’t shake the nagging twinge of disappointment that seems to surround the RHL15 squad.
What to expect
More of the same for a team that doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses, but no real strengths either. At least they own their first round pick, and Crosby would make RHL15 easy to forget.
Best bang for the buck
Erat 18.4 33 8 11 19 -2 $617k
What were they thinking?
Zhamnov 14.9 25 3 8 11 -1 $2.68M
Stingers
Last place is not an usual spot for an expansion team, as the Stingers have 11 wins in their first 34 games as a franchise. Management might have expected a bit more though, since they spent some dollars and brought in some decent talent for their first season.
What to expect
It’s all about the future for the GPS, and they must be dreaming about the possibility of a line with Nash, Ovechkin and Crosby wearing Grande Prairie sweaters for many seasons.
Best bang for the buck
Nash 22.1 30 21 4 25 -8 $762k
What were they thinking?
Selanne 15.4 34 5 3 8 -18 $4.58M
posted by Chris - Eagles at
2:36 p.m.
2 Comments:
Excellent recap; I think that it will be a good second half in the Premier, and my fearless prediction is that you'll see the Defiance and Penetrators battle in the final series, with the Eagles being my darkhorse.
You heard it here first! :)
By
Steve, at 12:03 p.m.
I almost cancelled my subscription! About bloody time an article went up :) Totally agree with the assessment of the Reapers, very scary when they're healthy. I think it would help all of us out if several Reapers had some 'accidents' tonight 'wink wink'
By
Howard, at 12:40 p.m.
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