CBC disappoints... again

OK-time for me to step in and present my first non-RHL post. Don't get excited. It still is about hockey. Baby steps...

It's Saturday-5:00pm I'm actually at home, my wife has the kid, and my chair and a cold one awaits for the early game on Hockey Night in Canada. The guide says Leafs vs. Flyers. Not a surprise, since it is a certain as the sun will rise tomorrow that the early game on HNIC is the Leafs vs. X. I've come to accept that.

But I also know one of the most anticipated matchups of the season is also being broadcast by CBC in the Ottawa region. Not only should it be a great game against two of the most exciting teams in the NHL, but there's that little incident from a game a couple of days ago still lingering.

So I start to assume things. Like a conversion by NHIC brass that most likely happened after Thursday's Buffalo/Ottawa game.

"We're scheduled to have the Leafs, 10th in the east, against the Flyers, last... overall and in the middle of a firesale, as the national early match," says exec #1.

"Right. But we have a crew already doing the Sens/Sabres game," responds exec #2. "Considering the excitement of Thursday night and the fact that anything could happen in the rematch on Saturday, we should give all Canadian hockey fans the chance to see it."

"That makes sense," reasons exec #1. "God, all hell could break loose. Even if it doesn't, man can Ottawa and Buffalo play hockey. Plus, we can still give everyone in Leafnation the priviledge of seing their team take on the basement dwellers."

"Agreed. Let's flip things around and play the Leaf game regionally in Toronto and give the rest of Canada the game they're all talking about and dying to see. Geez, I hope the goalies go at it again. I can't get enough of that kind of hockey."

Problem is, that conversation never happened. The guide was right. 97% of Canada had the honour of watching the Leafs vs. Flyers, including me. Let's say I found other things to do.

I can't believe some of these idiots remain employed...

Times -- they are a changin'

It's been a while since my last post... a little too long, but hey, life happens. I must say things have taken quite the turn for the positive since my mid-season report. In the 18 games since, the Eagles have strung together a 13-4-1 record.

I've jumped from 5th in the division to 3rd, from 9th in the conference to 6th, from 17th overall to 10th. I'm 1 point out of 1st in the division, and the cherished 2nd slot in the conference.

Instead of being a seller, I was a buyer at the trade deadline. I added a top-line RW in Satan, a defensive, physical defensemen in Chelios, and a nice backup keeper in Vokoun. But more on the trades later...

What happened? Certainly the simulator has swung back in my favour, bringing many of my player's stats closer to where they should be (Smyth, McEachern, Comrie, Theodore, etc). I've Being relatively injury-free helps as well. I think I've also finally figured out the right combos and strategies to be successful with the collection of players I have.

So what's in store for the final 15 games? Who knows. I'm in the mix for the division, but so are 4 other teams. 5 points separate 1st from 5th. Things change on a nightly basis. 6 of these games are against these 4 teams, so the old 'our fate is in our own hands' saying fits. Realistically, I could finish 2nd in the conference, or 5th-9th.

Trade evaluation

To EAG: Satan, Vokoun
To THU: Ward, Williams, Belle, Nielsen, Anderson

Vokoun was the centre piece here. It's not a secret that I desparately needed a #1 for next year, considering Theodore shit the bed in the NHL one season too early. I had asked about Vokoun's availability earlier in the year... but the THU weren't moving him. There wasn't going to be much available in the auction, so my options were limited. But a more recent email to the THU met with a more positive response.

Yes, Vokoun is set to be a UFA, and yes he may have ended up in the auction, but not guaranteed. And then who knows what he would have gone for? He has a reasonable demand... and I am confident we will be able to sign him to a long term deal to stay in Edmonton.

I hadn't targeted Satan, but timing is everything. While we were discussing Vokoun, the THU decided to be a seller. I was looking to add a RW for this year's stretch drive anyways, plus I had a hole on the RW for next year... he was a good fit.

It was tough to give up the reigning Conn Smythe who's only entering his rookie RHL year next season. But I was going to have a bit of a logjam in nets with Ward, Budaj, Theodore, Anderson all rated next year, but with stats that indicate backups and not a starter. Well, having 4 backups and no starter wasn't going to fly, so something had to give.

Williams had a breakout year in Detroit last year, but has taken a step back this season. Plus my depth next season meant I could deal him, especially if it was for an upgrade. Belle and Nielsen will probably be regular NHLers someday, but not impact guys--so they were expendable.

So I give my team a boost this year with Satan, and having him on the RW instead of Williams next disk is a big upgrade. I have plenty of salary space both now and next year, so dollars weren't an issue.

Most importantly though, I actually have a keeper. I think this trade took me another step forward for RHL17. Now to address my woeful defense... ;)

To EAG: Chris Chelios,FAL1, cash
To FAL: Danny Richmond, EAG1

Let's start with the season... Chelios gives me that defensive defenseman I think the team was lacking all year. He provides a physical presence and should help out a woeful penalty kill. In his last year of a contract, Chelly is strictly a rental.

I had to give up Richmond, a mid range prospect that has had a cup of tea in the bigs but hasn't been able to stick. He's still fairly young, but stuck in the Hawks organization that is deep on the backline.

The part of the deal that sold me was the ability to flip first round picks. At the time of the trade, the difference was 7 spots. Now it is 9 spots, with an outside chance that the FAL1 becomes a lottery pick if the bottom falls out of Cleveland's season. Doug's a good guy, but right now I hope the FAL fall apart down the stretch .