AHL- Apolyton Hockey League 07/08: III Revenge of the Undrafted

[Flubber]

So tonight it begins for serious-- I have 4 skaters and a goalie going tonight while Snoopy has 3 skaters and TWO goalies going. It seems everyone else has afew guys going with the slowest night going to the "Future champions" with only a single keeper in action tonight

Snoopy should be having some mixed feelings this night since he'll have Kunitz shooting at the dominantor--

BUt some head to head stuff too--If my Bertuzzi/Ryan duo can generate some offence past the Dominator, it will be doubleplusgood. But Detroit at home is almost always really tough. As well his Sundin is shooting at Gerber and I have Zubov firing toward Budaj.

I can really see why these leagues are popular. The head to head element is already way more fun than just some general look at how you players do.

I had expected a bit more chatter on here though. I have not yet been mocked even once for picking up Gerber

[Asher]

Gerber is Ottawa's current starter and has been very hot in the preseason. He's always had potential. A smart pickup, I thought -- way better than Labarbera.

I agree about Head to Head. In the league I'm commish'ing this year for my blog, people voted for Rotisserie. Which so far isn't nearly as fun as head to head.

[Asher]

Just noticed Semin is DTDTDTDTD.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
Just noticed Semin is DTDTDTDTD.

You must learn to hate that status-- I know I hate it for Emery--

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
Gerber is Ottawa's current starter and has been very hot in the preseason. He's always had potential. A smart pickup, I thought -- way better than Labarbera.

I have never loved Gerber though-- seen him play weakly a bit too often-- but I figured that if I didn't react to Emery being out, I would pretty much be ceding the "wins" category outright-- I at least want to make it interesting

Feels weird though having FOUR goalies

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher


I agree about Head to Head. In the league I'm commish'ing this year for my blog, people voted for Rotisserie. Which so far isn't nearly as fun as head to head.

Well there are two things I like a lot about it- The fact that you are only taking on one person a week adds some personal interest where you can focus on their team and the matchups-- you only have a few key games instead of just generally seeing how a hundred players are doing. Second the fact that every week is new-- No matter how badly a player or even my whole draft sucks this week, next week is fresh and I can keep or drop a player just like that. Even if I am in 12th place, there is the challenge THAT week to win that week

[Asher]

You can drop players during the week too, in case you didn't know. changes take effect the next day.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Flubber


Well there are two things I like a lot about it- The fact that you are only taking on one person a week adds some personal interest where you can focus on their team and the matchups-- you only have a few key games instead of just generally seeing how a hundred players are doing. Second the fact that every week is new-- No matter how badly a player or even my whole draft sucks this week, next week is fresh and I can keep or drop a player just like that. Even if I am in 12th place, there is the challenge THAT week to win that week

That latter bit is the reason we went with head-to-head a few years back. We figured it would keep more people more interested for more time since there's always a weekly challenge. When all you do is pick players and add up their points, you can be out of the running by Christmas and lose interest fast.

There's also a bit more of a strategic element to it as well. When a Saturday rolls around and most of your players can go, you need to decide who to activate and who to keep on the bench. Down by a couple of goals? Make sure your top snipers are active. Goals and assists well in hand but you need a +/- boost? Better keep those Coyotes and Bruins on the bench. Your goalies been solid but still need more wins? Maybe you chance wins and sit your goalies in hope of taking save percentage. Always lots to think about, especially if you try to get into the mind of your opponent.

Oh, and the chatter will almost certainly pick up once the season starts rolling.

[Ninot]

I hate it when the Habs play Carolina, because I want them to win, but I also want to see Cam Ward do well.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
You can drop players during the week too, in case you didn't know. changes take effect the next day.

Thanks -- I did know that one. Although until last night I was unaware of my ability to adjust my lineup for each night well in advance. It was actually a relief to see that I could do that. So the only stuff I need to do the "night before" are any drops and adds.

[Asher]

You can adjust your lineup up to a minute or so before puck drop.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Kontiki




There's also a bit more of a strategic element to it as well. When a Saturday rolls around and most of your players can go, you need to decide who to activate and who to keep on the bench. Down by a couple of goals? Make sure your top snipers are active. Goals and assists well in hand but you need a +/- boost? Better keep those Coyotes and Bruins on the bench. Your goalies been solid but still need more wins? Maybe you chance wins and sit your goalies in hope of taking save percentage. Always lots to think about, especially if you try to get into the mind of your opponent.

Ya I had already been thinking about situations where I might sit a goalie or skaters. I see it as more likely with a goalie since you risk save percentage with only a chance to gain in wins (and shutouts of course ). For skaters, you know that if you sit them to keep +/- good, you are giving up the chance to improve FOUR categories. I don't imagine many weeks you would be THAT comfortable going in to Saturday night given the large number of games on a typical Saturday

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Asher
You can adjust your lineup up to a minute or so before puck drop.

Excellent-- but that only applies to the people on my roster right ??




Now taken to extremes, is it possible to get 3 goalie games in a day? (not likely but possible)-- I am thinking if Ottawa has an afternoon game and the Sharks play at night on the coast -- Could I sub in Nabokov after the Ottawa game was over

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Ninot
I hate it when the Habs play Carolina, because I want them to win, but I also want to see Cam Ward do well.

I will feel that way when the Habs play any of my goalies. Flames too for that matter.

BUt that conflict of loyalties strikes me as being part of the fun of this type of league

[Asher]

Originally posted by Flubber


Excellent-- but that only applies to the people on my roster right ??




Now taken to extremes, is it possible to get 3 goalie games in a day? (not likely but possible)-- I am thinking if Ottawa has an afternoon game and the Sharks play at night on the coast -- Could I sub in Nabokov after the Ottawa game was over

No, once you fill a position for the day it's locked down once the game starts (even if the guy doesn't play).