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Panthers Make Key Move

GM Marcel had the points to do it and knew he had to unload his Avalanche players Duchene and Landeskog at some point.  In a huge move for Florida, Vermette was added, shipping Landeskog and 8 needed points to Vancouver (Joel).  Marcel still have plenty of points and more work to do, the the moves are starting as the chatter picks up across the league.  "Sometimes the longer you hold guys the harder they are to move late" said the Florida GM.  After today's final Waiver in Montreal, there will only be 14 days until the NHLP Trading Deadline, at which time no NHLP Transactions of any kind may occur.  "I think after the final Waiver the reality really starts to set in" said Muddy Capone, "Sometimes it borderlines of panic as every player in the Minors will surely be hotly contested and teams with points to move start flexing their might."

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Stepan Newest Av

GM Chad has been as good as any this season, maybe the best form he has ever been.  In a huge deal the two-time Cup winner added Stepan and Lehtera to one of the strongest teams in the NHLP in Colorado.  Chad paid a fair price, 7 points and Parise and Perron who now belongs to GM Matt in Quebec.  "We just keep watching GM Chad and his moves, they are spot on" said Muddy Capone, "The job he has done building his teams, the players he has brought in, are just clearly a step above most others."  Chad has said all season he is three steps ahead this year, trying to "Plan things out as I go."  Colorado now has 19 points to work with and Okposo is skating.  For Matt, Parise looks great with Pominville and Perron adds with Winnik and Winnik, for a three Pens team.  The Nords are now 13 points up on GM Charlie's NY Rangers for the final playoff spot in the Atlantic Division.

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GM's Battling Over...
GM Glen?

There seems to be a behind-the-scenes battle currently raging between a pair of heavyweight NHLP GMs (well, heavier than the average GM, put it like that).  When GM Charlie heard GM Vinnie was looking for a representative, GM Charlie said he'd be contacting GM Glen then, who is a semi-legend of sorts, about Glen calling the shots at the meeting for GM Charlie's teams.  Problem is GM Vinnie had Glen on his short list already, as well as Glen does have ties to the Atlantic City Franchise, even if the two GM's are still at odds.  Vinnie has apparently upped the offer to Glen including travel expenses and a Tim Horton's gift certificate rumored to be in the $10 range.  Charlie was adamant that any deal involving him and Glen would have to be structured in a creative way.  "We aren't prepared to blow our entire seasons spending budget on just one meeting" said GM Charlie who said this season has already taken its toll, reaching the upper end on what they already feel comfortable spending based on internal budgets.  Charlie said he'd be willing to load a Tim Horton's card for Glen with an amount spread over 3 to 5 years, a deal which makes more sense to him.  "You can load the cards right online" said Charlie.  The ironic thing to all this is Vinnie and Glen have "history" since the well documented incident that occurred, again ironically enough, at GM Charlie's.  There are just as many rumors to the story than "who has screwed who in Chicago".  One story is Glen was so gooned, knowing he was in no shape to drive, left his boots behind for a better pair of walking shoes to make the 4.8 Kilometer walk back to his estate.  Those shoes just happened to belong to GM Vinnie who happens to be very particular about the heel height and the long walk seemed to take a little off.  Makes him look taller supposedly.  The story gets more creative and interesting depending on who you ask, or maybe how many cold pops are consumed before the story is shared.  Although the truth to that story may be an unknown, one thing is for certain, GM Glen's services appear to be in high demand.  GM Glen may shine as an UFGM, and the GM who signs him will have to ante up for his services, even as bad as they were in his 11 NHLP year career.
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GM Charlie - "We Are Very Close"

It was believed Stamkos wasn't in play, but now he is?  "I have to be open to everyone moving" said GM Charlie who has advised the league GM's Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Oshie and even Stamkos are in play.  It is beleived a deal could come as early as Friday for what he said was a "Big named player."  The GM insists it isn't a fire sale as much as a little aggressive work to get his three teams into the playoffs.  "If you steal a spot, even with nothing at all" said the GM, "Least you are in the playoffs and have a shot, so expect my teams to be there in the end."  No doubt the GM has the players to move, but the harder part will be making teams that avoid penalties that will cripple their playoff hopes.

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NHLP Trading Deadline

Although the Friday's looked perfect, all the blank spaces were GM's not sending in any dates.  That leaves a tied date and only GM's Andrew, Shawn, Vinnie, Ryan and Scott sent in any preferred dates.  "We begged GM's to give us anything, stating it looked like a tied date, but we got what we got and it is what it is" stated Muddy Capone.  Meaning the NHLP Trade Deadline is Saturday, March 21st at 11 AM.  GM's Vinnie and Matt cannot make that date, while Tyson and Charlie are maybe's, meaning between 8 to 10 GM's will be there.  With only two Waivers left, it seems GM's not attending will have to work some deals prior to the meeting for potential non playoff players.

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Chicago Loads Up with Injured Wisniewski

GM Andrew admitted he wasn't aware Wisniewski was out week to week but took him anyhow.  "I am in tough against some good teams" said Andrew in reference to the Division leaders GM's Shawn and Joel.  After trading Richards and Abdelkader to Phoenix (Charlie) for the Waiver, the Blackhawks added Wisniewski twice, Cole and Garrison.  This leaves only one NHLP Waiver remaining.  GM Marcel has the last pick in Montreal on Saturday.

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Tops In Pacific Trade Big Names

No sooner did GM Andrew have Perron, he was dealt from Los Angeles.  The Kings moved Perron and Palat, two top quality players to Colorado (Chad) in an inner Divisional trade of 1st and 2nd place clubs.  The Kings added Letang and Hornqvist.  "It is difficult this time of year to get doubles" said GM Andrew referring to adding players of the same team.  The Kings now have two Pens, Rangers and Habs.  The Avalanche have the NHLP's top scoring team with 7 playoff players if Parise's Wild make it in.  The Avs are also carrying Okposo who had retina surgery but should return sometime this month.

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Who's Left?

A quick look at the NHLP Player Tracking reveals there are not a lot of names on current rosters that could go today.  "Seems the most likely is Phaneuf" said Muddy Capone, "After that everyone expected to go, has already went."  Their may be a few big names traded, that may help GM's with the final two Waivers, with GM Charlie in Phoenix who has Stamkos and then GM Marcel in Montreal who has Crosby.  Both GM's have work to do, and points to give.  If these Waiver become available, it is a good chance the GM's get a decent package of high picks.  "Why battle your points away to the Minors when you can get an uncontested pick" said Capone, "Well, at the expense of Draft Picks of course."  Should be a fun day for the NHLP.

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"We Believe in Boston"

GM Jr said that Dallas had no significant offers but they are very happy to add Smith and Lucic.  "We believe in Boston" said GM Jr in an email to the league, "I think the Bruins are a much better team than they have been playing."  Dallas also made out like bandits with Fleischmann just traded to Anaheim where he is certainly on a powerful playoff team.  Dallas is 10 points out, 12 out of third and now have more assets to grab a playoff spot in the South.
 
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Dallas Says - Take Your Pick

GM Jr has stated the Waiver and or everyone in Dallas may be had.  Pacioretty, Strome and Richards are high end players, one of which will likely move if Dallas uses the Waiver.  The Waiver is valuable with the number of NHL players moving to new teams and potential playoff teams like Minnesota sitting with top players available.

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"We Got No Deal"

Rumor is GM's Vinnie and Matt negotiated very hard but in the end GM Matt said "We just could not get it done", opting instead for Quebec to make a 3-3.  Dropped were Vrbata, Soderberg and Parenteau for Pominville, Winnik and Winnik.  For GM Vinnie it capped a bad few days, leaving only the Trade Deadline to drop Kane Penalty Free, or taking a hit on moving him with one of the final 3 Waivers.  As a Contract 5, Kane starts at a minus 8 points and drops a point for each game missed for the Waivers and of course, all injuries do not apply to the Minors at a meeting, also known as the "Stop the fucking car" rule.

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Meeting To Be Called Saturday 6 PM

(UPDATE:  Everyone has weighed in and it is coming down to preferred dates, or a Friday.  Not everyone has weighed in on the Fridays.  So if you haven't voiced a preferred date, get one in and get your Friday schedules in.  Meeting called at 6 PM Saturday, the Schedule will be made live.)

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Yandle Vancouver Bound?

YUP!  The Los Angeles Kings (Andrew) traded Yandle to Vancouver (Joel) for Perron.  GM Andrew firmly believed Yandle would get traded, but now maybe not so much?  "The timing is very interesting" said Muddy Capone, "Because we are only four days until the NHL Trading Deadline."  Andrew is never one to put all his eggs in one basket, but it worked well with Bickell two years ago, but on his Cup winning team the name Perron also appears, a player GM Andrew really likes.

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Meeting To Be Called Saturday 6 PM

This Saturday will be two weeks before the first possible meeting date for the NHLP Trading Deadline and we have yet to hear from GM Ryan.  GM Marcel is hosting a meeting either Saturday or Sunday with starting time of 11 AM.  The meeting dates with the most YES votes will hold and if a date is tied, the most preferred dates.  If you have NOT attached a preferred date to your dates, send one in.  Any GM not submitted their dates (including the Friday dates just sent out) are a Maybe for all dates.  It is only fair for everyone, so guys can try and make it, if we set a hard date by Saturday.
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Halifax Add Pen

GM Shawn made a minor move with GM Matt, adding Comeau in Halifax in a deal with the Icemen who received Krug and points.
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Player Tracking - Matching NHL Trades

If you notice something wrong, let me know.  I moved Sekac and Tlusty, not sure if I am missing any that are on NHLP rosters.

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Worse Case Scenerio

First reports would have served GM Vinnie much better than the reality of the situation.  Kane appears to be gone about 3 months, meaning he would only be good for the NHL's Conference Finals at best, if Chicago got that far.  "It is a killer injury" said GM Andrew, one of a number of NHLP GM's weighing in.  "It gives you a sick feeling" said GM Joel who experienced losing his top player just last season with Stamkos.  Once this type of injury occurs, you can never replace this top player with equal value even if replaced.  Joel replaced Stamkos with Kadri, hardly a replacement, and no player one for one can replace Kane's 64, as it leads the league.  A multiplayer deal will now certainly have to be made by Atlantic City, but time is running out to get that done, with only 4 Waivers to go before the Deadline meeting.  "This same thing can happen to any one of us" said GM Scott who lost Kane, Toews and Duchene within the month before the playoffs started last season, with Duchene actually lost during the NHLP Trading Deadline.  "The meeting starts at 11 AM at GM Shawn's and at 2 PM GM Marcel shows me Duchene is gone, causing me to have to trade Gaborik for Briere" said GM Scott, "I really made that deal" he said, still shaking his head in disbelief.  With Scott, 2 of the 3 players returned for the first round of the playoffs, but Vinnie won't be that lucky with Kane.  A full season is a lot of work to have a late injury ruin a teams chances, but each team goes through these at some point over the years.  As far as the NHL-Blackhawks, losing Kane is huge as well, as beating St Louis and Nashville won't be easy as is.  The good thing, if there is such, is that over $6 million comes off the books and Chicago can get players worth as much to offset the injury.  An interesting note is if they grabbed $6 million in replacement(s) players, the hard cap does not exist in the playoffs, so Kane could join the players pickup up if Chicago won the first two rounds.  In fact, Kane could join these players if he played the first game of the playoffs, a loop hole I'd somehow work into my team building if I were a GM in the NHL.  One more side note is starting to slowly develop.  With the current NHL playoff format, the Wild Card team plays the first two rounds in the Division they start the playoffs in.  So, if the Hawks fade a little and either Winnipeg or Minnesota catches Chicago, the Hawks would play the first two rounds in the Pacific, adding a completely unexpected twist.

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Minny Run On

GM Joel took the 5 point hit dropping MacArthur after adding him and the Waiver from Atlantic City (Vinnie), but the GM said it was worth it.  "Grabbing Lee and Pominville is a nice addition" said Joel who also added some excitement to the NHL Trade Deadline by adding Glencross.  Gone with MacArthur were Wheeler and Hamilton, players off two teams that are very much on the cusp.  The NHLP rides the NHL playoff races wave and with the Kings and Wild heading in the right direction, those players, and top players they are, won't be in the NHLP Minors long.  "We just saw a run on the Jets" stated Muddy Capone, "Now with 38 players on rosters from the Sharks, Jets, Flames and Bruins, those GM's are trying to figure out if those teams are playoff teams or not."  Undoubtedly some of those players are Minors-bound, meaning the Minors has to somehow come good for those players, making for interesting decisions in the coming weeks ahead. 

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Kane's Injury Over-Shadows Waiver

The Atlantic City Gamblers (Vinnie) traded the Waiver and MacArthur, unloading their injured player for Fowler, but there seems a bigger injury on the horizon.  Kane, the NHLP's 5th over-all pick this past Draft is reportedly out from 4 to 10 weeks.  These are very early reports, stating the injury is a broken collarbone which seems logical the way he fell shoulder first into the boards.  The Gamblers are only 9 points up on a playoff spot, tied with Carolina who they gave the Waiver and being chased by Philadelphia who has 5 Blackhawks, some of which may now see more powerplay time in Kane's absence.  It isn't good no matter how you look at it for GM Vinnie, but this might lead to Kane being available to a team that can hold onto him, if the numbers can be made to work for a player already with 64 points.  If he is back in 6 weeks, he will play game one of the playoffs, but 10 weeks means not until the NHL Semi-Finals, meaning Chicago would have to first get by St Louis and maybe Nashville without Kane.  Kane missed the end of last season in this same fashion and Chicago seemingly just rested him until the playoffs.  Is this the same kind of thing, gamesmanship, and they already know Kane will return for the playoffs?  Likely truly too early to know for sure, even on their part.  How this all unfolds will certainly play a huge part in the East Divisional playoff race and possibly the NHLP playoffs, if Kane gets traded in what would be a HUGE blockbuster.    

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GM Jr's Year More Miserable

It might be an NHLP first.  Calgary now has a roster with 6 injured players, and although we recall teams having 5, we can't recall a team with 6 injured players at one time.  Making matters suck a little more, Dallas got the news Krejci will be out anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, meaning late March to around the start of the playoffs with 7 weeks remaining in the NHL schedule.  Dallas is 11 points out in the South.  As far as Calgary GM Jr will be holding his breath tonight as their last healthy player, Neal plays.  "I don't know why we think it is very possible Neal suffers an injury tonight" said Muddy Capone, "It just seems the way things have gone in Calgary over the past twenty-five seasons."
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Team Reporters on Standby

That is right.  The NHL Trading Deadline is one week away and only five more Waivers before there is nothing left but the NHLP Trading Deadline.  The Tampa Bay Lightning have only 20 games remaining, seriously hammering home the end is near.  This is the time of season the NHLP Yearbook lights up with emails of teams plans, so send them in.  Team reporters are ears open, looking to join new-comer Clearwater Jones (no relation to Indiana Jones), and league legends Reginal Cherry (no relation to Donald S. Cherry) and Muddy Capone (very much related to Al).  Seldom heard from is Muddy Capone's longtime assistant at the NHLP Headoffice, Bonnie Anne Clyde (named after her Grandpa Bugsy, who was a Pit Boss at the Flamingo for years - long story).  So who exactly are the team reporters?

GM Andrew's Teams:
Chicago - Hy Marx
Los Angeles - Holly Wood
Hartford - Buster Cherry (Reginal's Son)

Chad's Teams:
Pittsburgh - Eric Shinn
Toronto - Roc Bottom
Colorado - Willie B. Hardigan

Charlie's Teams:
Phoenix - Noah Lott
NY Rangers - Owen Cash
Miami - Tish Hughes

Joel's Teams:
Buffalo - Celia Feight
Vancouver - Royal Payne
Carolina - Clearwater Jones (took over after Jack Hass retired)

Jr's Teams:
Memphis - Ben Dover
Calgary - B.A. Ware
Dallas - Rusty Steele

Marcel's Teams:
Florida - R. Slicker
Alaska - Anita Newholmes
Montreal - Jos Bleau

Matt's Teams:
Indianapolis - Howie Cummings
Quebec - Joe King
Cincinnati - Mick Stupp

Ryan's Teams:
Green Bay - Willy Fisterbottom (took over after Will Power retired)
Boston - Tess Steckle
NY Islanders - Phil Updegrave

Scott's Teams:
Philadelphia - Kent C. Strait
Edmonton - Ty Coon
San Fran - Craven Moorehead

Shawn's Teams:
Halifax - I.D. Clair (Hydee goes by her middle intials)
New Orleans - Flat Liner (took over for Katrina Flood)
Seattle - Terry Bull (Relocated from Ottawa)

Tyson's Teams:
St Louis - Garren Teed
Hamilton - Kenya Kill Jr.
Cleveland - Jack Potts

Vinnie's Teams:
Atlantic City - Marshall Arts
Portland - Sharon Weed
Las Vegas - Winsom Cash

If your franchise is ready to move on, as your team reporter is no longer doing their job, let us know who should be reporting your teams news.
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Pittsburgh Adds Tatar

GM Chad has been doing it all year long.  Little moves (literally Little moves) here and there, adding pieces while other GM's seemingly just do little.  With Indianapolis willing to take anything for a stud like Tatar, GM Chad jumped in, knowing a great valued player when he sees on.  Tatar was added for Little for just a mere five points.  Then maybe shockingly, the Icemen never dropped Little, keeping him on the roster and making a four for four.  Dropped were Johansen, Perreault, Lucic and Fehr for Voracek, Lee, Stafford and Comeau.  "GM's do surprising things when they have the Waiver and a big part of building you winning team, as GM Chad has clearly grasp, is adding the smaller pieces when they are available" stated Muddy Capone.  The Icemen now have a Flyer, King and three Jets, all potential penalty combination or just maybe 5 playoff players.

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Icemen GM - "Everything Goes"

GM Matt understands today he can make a huge uncontested pick.  "I can't say enough about my Kings" said the GM "Even though I may have five Wild players at days end."  It is true, it can go many ways today, but first things first in Indianapolis.  Tatar, one of the top young players in the league, on one of the top teams, is for sale, as is almost the entire roster.  On a side note Matt was "Raving" about the new NHL.com statistics.  "I knew Lee was on fire, but now I can see the hottest players in the NHL over the past 10 days" said Matt who loves advanced statistics as much as anyone, his favorite still the PP60M.  The NHL has released their first of a four phase operation to bring the numbers behind the game to the fantasy hockey lover in a way even a guy like Matt could eventually use to win a Championship.  "I will be putting those numbers to good use today" said the GM, "And don't worry Capone, I am going to win this thing, just watch and see."  Well, lets be honest.  Having the heart and desire are truly two of the qualities it takes and clearly the NHLP Transaction leader has those hands down.
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Indianapolis Reacts to Perreault Injury

After being dealt a huge loss GM Matt grabbed the New Orleans (Shawn) Waiver on Saturday and plans to make a quick move.  The Wolverines added a surer thing in Nelson for Lucic and the Waiver, one New Orleans really had no use for other than what they did.  The Icemen have fallen fast, quickly 15 points out in the West Division and will have to take a full 5 point penalty to drop Perreault who is a Contract 1, missing just one game heading into Saturday's Waiver (so worth 31 in a drop).  Perreault was one of the hottest players in the entire NHL but should not return to about the playoffs, making him maybe a bargain for a GM who can hold onto him over the coming 7 weeks.  There is a good chance Matt goes all out and Tatar, Lucic and Williams, among others are moved in the next 36 hours.

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Race's Are On

Things are getting tense in the NHLP.  Player Tracking shows there are 17 Bruins on NHLP Team Rosters, and just one Florida Panther player.  Although Boston would have the ROW (NHL first tie-breaker) Florida is only 2 points behind Boston at even games with 26 to play.  Games like the Bruins playing Edmonton tonight must be turned into sure points.  The Flyers are only 6 points behind Boston, but blew a game to Columbus last night or they would be 4 out.  There is not one Flyers player on any NHLP team.  In the West ten players from Los Angeles are still on NHLP teams and now as one of the NHL's hottest teams with 5 wins in a row, the Kings are only 2 points behind San Jose, with three games at hand.  The Kings won it all from the 8th seed just three seasons ago, so you never know if they can just make it in.  While the Kings are going up, 11 NHLP players are Sharks including Elite players Couture, Marleau, Thornton and Pavelski.  The actual hottest team in the entire NHL has only 1 NHLP player, Parise of Colorado (Chad) who's Minnesota Wild are 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and are 3 points behind San Jose with 3 games at hand.  Vancouver (6 players) and Calgary (2) are currently both in the NHL playoffs but only a single point ahead of San Jose, even though they have three and two games respectively on the Sharks.  Things are tense and a lot of NHLP players hang in the balance whether or not their names will be on the board to the Minors at the Deadline or even sooner. 

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5 Injured Players - Doesn't Matter

The Calgary Flames (Jr & Scottie) are 81 points out of a playoff spot and likely the lone NHLP team that likely somehow can't get in.  Making things even more difficult is the current 5 injured players in the lineup.  This team has some very desirable players and could easily get 20 points for Shattenkirk alone, but no GM in league history has came back from this far down and we won't see it happen this year either.  GM Tyson is 47 out in St Louis and is praying hard the Kings keep winning, meaning more and more points for Kopitar in a trade with each Kings win.  With Keith maybe worth as many as 20 points when GMs are left with no where else to throw them, the Blues may be able to get close enough that a late push could give them hope.  Tyson passed on a points grab with his Waiver last week, on a night when he could have grabbed Lee twice and 10 to 12 points.  Lee's next game he got 4 points, meaning that could have been 8 for St Louis who could have easily cut their deficit in half without any points from Keith.  For teams well out this time of season a big points gain in an unwanted Waiver is never a bad idea. 

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West's Injuries Long Term

Three other teams besides Calgary (Jr & Scottie) from the West have been hit hard with injuries and likely worse.  It doesn't matter that Calgary's entire roster is on the injury list as at 82 points from a playoff spot not even an out of control motorcycle can save them.  However, serious injuries to Vatanan and Perreault will play an important role from here on out.  Fifth place Indianapolis (Matt) has lost Perreault for the season, already 8 points out of the final playoff spot.  Green Bay (Ryan) right in front lost Vatanen as did top dog Portland (Vinnie).  Although Vatanen has a serious injury, he will likely be back just in time to play a few games before the playoffs.  Portland does have 28 points to work with but with Vatanen a zero the rest of the way, trading Benn and maybe Soderberg just got a little more difficult.  "From here on out, even a month long injury really messes with teams" stated Muddy Capone, "And having a player miss the first round of the playoffs, if things are that close, can kill any team any season." 

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Weak Waivers Week

On the heals of a burnt Waiver, GM Tyson opts to make a seemingly weak move for a team 45 points out of the playoffs.  "St Louis was fully aware they could pick for Pearson on Sunday" said Muddy Capone a little baffled why the Waiver would be used in a one for one to make a move they could have done anyhow.  The Blues dropped Pearson for Karlsson.  The Blues have by far the worst scoring team in the NHLP and are 45 points back.  Making a serious move was there for the taking.  "The Waiver could have easily been a gain of 10 to 15 points in itself" said Capone, "And another 15 in trades, the team could be right back in it."  There are six Waivers left as the NHLP takes a full week off before New Orleans (Shawn) picks on the 21st.  The NHL Trading Deadline sits 16 days out and the season ends in less than 60 days.

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Keith Needs a Good Home - Bidding War Begins

GM Tyson said although it isn't a fire sale, "We need points and it is time to move assets."  At 40 points back Tyson believes his time is now and with Keith, a 30 minutes per game power play specialist on a team that may be a Cup favorite, a huge deal awaits Keith.  "Come playoffs these are guys that win Championships" as proven just last season in San Fran with Keith and Doughty twice on the winning team.  A bidding war should surely ensue and the Blues will need every point to scrap and claw from the depths to challenge for a playoff spot in the Pacific.

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Memphis Eat Waiver

GM Jr could have used the Waiver to move Elias but stated "I like the team".  Instead of getting something instead of nothing the GM chose to eat the Waiver, a first for this NHLP season.  Jr admitted he maybe should have used it but has been extremely busy and travelling.

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GM Matt Knew It Was Coming

"Can you believe they are going to make this information available to everyone" said GM Matt to Muddy Capone.  What Matt is referring to is the NHL's decision to officially adopt advanced statistics on the nhl.com website starting February 20th.  GM Matt may be one of the most statistical of any NHLP GMs often referring to the advanced statistics such as the Corsi, Fenwick, Points Per 60 Minutes (PP60) and Minute Distribution Charts (MD).  "I am no longer going to have this advantage over other GMs when trading" said the GM who figures less than half the GMs are using advanced stats now to determine if making the deal makes sense.  That may be true, but as Capone points out, "The information is already available, so just because it will be more available doesn't mean GMs will start using these stats."  Matt hopes Capone is right, but it is official for certain.  The NHL has officially adapted these powerful statistics and will start publishing them on their website for the first time on the 20th.

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Bickell To Nords Completes Deals

GM Matt did quite well with the Waiver, moving the Nordiques into a playoff position over the weekend.  After dropping McDonagh for Palmieri the Nords traded Palmieri to Buffalo (Joel) for Bickell.  "It was a great move for us" said Matt, "We needed the points and added points and a playoff player."

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Quebec Trades for Waiver With Conditions

GM Matt knows what is required and what he must do with the Waiver Quebec acquired for Saturday, but the GM admitted maybe he can do more.  Edmonton (Scott) traded the Waiver with Vrbata and McDonagh to the Nordiques for Drouin and Backlund.  The deal has a condition that Quebec must pick up Palmieri and send him to Buffalo (Joel) for Bickell.  "This is a big move, some guaranteed 19 points for our 6th and 7th players" said Matt who now said although he can simply drop McDonagh for Palmieri and make the 4 point gain from Buffalo, maybe more can be done in trading Lehtera or Parenteau to a team that can hold onto the star players.  GM Scott said that replacing Kunitz and McDonagh with Drouin and Backlund goes against any logic he knows and isn't something 11 other GM's would do.  "We can thank god things don't have to make sense anymore" said the GM, "The only thing that matter is the FTIMU says this was a good deal.  You don't have to think anymore, just be able to input everything you know and let analytics make you a better team."  The GM stated the number one option was grabbing Backlund from Dallas (Jr) but Dallas would not move Krejci, meaning the next best the Oil could do was Backlund and Drouin.

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Kunitz Added With Malkin and Hornqvist

GM Joel has quite the Penguins built team in Buffalo adding Kunitz to Malkin and Hornqvist.  The Sabres sent the Waiver to Edmonton (Scott) with Vrbata in a deal with a player to be named later.  To complete the deal Oil GM Scott has agreed to pick up Palmieri as part of his Waiver pick on Saturday, sending him to Buffalo for Bickell.  GM Joel did well adding Crosby's winger and a Duck while GM Scott admits it is totally about nothing more than first round scoring.  "We already have the distance players and Kunitz and McDonagh are top playoff performers" the GM stated, "But I think we can be a higher first round scoring team and that is what the goal of this pick is all about."  Scott said Vrbata and McDonagh will be shopped likely for nothing more than picks as points aren't needed with what the GM has planned.

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37 Under 30

It is getting to be crunch time in the NHLP.  All the Waivers are on the board below, only 9 left in the NHLP season but currently 37 NHLP players are sitting on NHL non-playoff teams.  "As always there is a lot of team building yet to do" said Muddy Capone.  Making things more tense, the Winnipeg Jets became the first NHL team to officially have under 30 games to play.  Games start to fly by now, soon 25, 20 and suddenly, gaining a few points becomes almost impossible.  Games become magnified.  The defending NHL Cup Champions in Los Angeles are 5 points out, with a game at hand and 4 teams in front of them to catch if they hope to be in the playoffs.  With only 32 games to play for the Kings, the real count down is on.  Teams can no longer afford to not grab every possible point.  For NHLP teams, if decisions haven't been made yet, GMs are running out of time.  With 37 non-playoff players there will surely be a battle for any remaining in the Minors, only intensifying come the meeting.  The talk should start to heat up, but only 9 Waivers, and one huge meeting, stand between GM's setting their teams and the NHLP playoffs where we will have our 25th Champion.

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Penguins Jet to Island

GM Chad just didn't like what he saw.  "I don't like it when my players break curfew" stated Chad, acting quickly in making a change in Pittsburgh.  Chad grabbed the Waiver from Alaska (Marcel) for 25 spots in the 7th Round and quickly dropped four of his teams Jets, Byfuglien, Perreault, Kane and Enstrom.  Kane was rumored to have maybe missed a curfew, leading to his healthy scratch last night but Chad is known to run a tight ship.  Added were Islanders Nielsen, Boychuk and Bailey along with Maroon from Anaheim.  The Jets were one of the hottest teams in the NHL so the move comes as a bit of a shock just weeks after being the first GM to jump on the Jets.  With the Jets looking like a playoff team one would have though Chad could have unloaded those players, like Perreault, inside the league.  Seems the GM made a snap decision and with the Islanders as strong as they are, maybe a better option than four Jets.

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Berglund Not Ideal For Waiver

GM Marcel has stated he'd prefer to swap Waivers because the injury to Berglund has made it a bad time to pick.  "If I don't swap the Waiver, I'll likely trade it" said Marcel who is also open to a deal.  "We have points there and if someone sees something that makes sense, maybe a deal can get done with the Waiver" added Marcel
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Seattle Makes Pricey Decision

Some GM's just continuously get fined by the NHLP Head Office and GM Shawn leads that charge year after year.  When asked if he thought the fine was fair GM Shawn stated, "I won't comment so I don't get fined."  OK, well what was your Waiver?  "I won't comment so I don't get fined" he stated.  When asked who did you drop in your Waiver though, "I won't comment so I don't get fined" was all we got repeated for five straight minutes.  We do know however, from an email, Seattle dropped JVR, Smith and Cogliano in an 82-82 for Seguin, Bailey and Bouwmeester.  It could always be worse however, like Seattle losing today in the Super Bowl, right Shawn?  "That won't happen" he replied.

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Seattle - Atlantic City GM's Late Night

GM Shawn was in celebration mode on the eve of Seattle's second straight Super Bowl appearance, out with GM Vinnie to the wee-wee, very fucking wee hours of the morning.  "I might be taking a fine on this one" said GM Shawn in his last recorded communications with the leagues head office, well, well, well after 4 AM in the morning.  In acquiring the Waiver Seattle traded Kesler to the Gamblers for van Riemsdyk.  "Hopefully I get an offer for Smith" said Shawn, but I don't think anyone knows I even have the Waiver."  Well, not many GM's are awake at 4:56 AM either.  We'll see how it pans out but all indications are GM Shawn may be paying a little extra for sleeping in this morning.

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Gamblers Taking Offers For Waiver

GM Vinnie has decided he will trade this one and set his team with the teams Waiver in three weeks.  "I don't like doing a lot Super Bowl Weekend" said the GM who has the luxury of another Waiver and a hell of a lot of points if he decides to trade the Waiver and points.  The Gamblers could move the Waiver with van Riemsdyk and MacArthur, a total of 68 points.  Doughty could also be in the mix.  The team has NHL superstar Kane to built around and Shattenkirk is as good a d-man as in the league.  "I could pull the trigger at any time" said Vinnie, "I don't think teams well out can continue to wait as the Waivers are running out and the meetings never go as planned."  So clearly with GM Vinnie in this kind of trading move, we expect more than just a football game to play out this weekend.

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Qvist For Quist

GM Ryan lost 5 points in the injury penalty for Wingels in his Waiver but got it back in a trade with Colorado (Chad).  Ryan's Islanders first dropped both MacKinnon and Wingels for Green and Silfverberg with the Waiver prior to the trade.  Ryan then added 7 points in a one for one sending Hornqvist to Colorado for Nyquist.  "I am not real sure we go much better" added Ryan who also picked up a first and second round pick from the Avs.  The Islanders are closer now to a playoff spot with further work to be done to overcome the current 18 point deficit behind fourth.  "I grabbed seven points and a top seeded asset in Nyquist, who can move me up further" said Ryan knowing all Wings are in demand with their strong play.  As for GM Chad he was very pleased with the deal.  "I have been chasing a second Penguin to go along with Letang who may just be the most exciting defensemen in the league right now" the GM stated.  It is hard to argue as Letang is putting up a steady streak of numbers including a 5 point game this week and 14 so far in the month of January, the NHL's fifth best total, with tonight still to go.  While the Islanders will continue to look for more points the Avs are looking to keep improving, still with 34 points to work with and Parise still looking to find a good home outside Colorado.

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Yandle Worth Risk?

The Los Angeles King GM did state a major house cleaning was coming and only Palat remained after a huge 6 for 6.  GM Andrew said it was time, "To deal with the Seguin issue once and for all", worried his Elite player may not be a playoff player and thought the Yandle rumors were more a realistic hope.  Yandle was added twice along with playoff players Markov, Markov, Scheifele and Kreider while Seguin was joined by Bozak, Iginla, Huberdeau, Erhoff and Bolland in the 162 for 162.  "If Yandle doesn't go it will be disappointing" the GM said about the Coyote with just one year remaining before being an UFA and only at $5.7 million next season.  It would seem he would be coveted by every single GM in the NHL, knowing even as a rental next year he can still be a blockbuster at the Deadline.  The kind of team to get him, likely can use him this season and next for long playoff runs and actually get him established where he might fall in love and want to remain.  The lone problem is he won't be cheap and some team is going to have to really pony up, likely a roster player, very top prospect and at least a first round pick.  Seems reasonable for a defenseman who will anchor the power play and play 30 minutes a game through the playoffs and season.  It doesn't seem the question of if he goes, just when.  This season, this summer or next Deadline?  Andrew is hoping now it is before March 2nd.

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Canes - Avs Suffer Blow

It could be the biggest injury of the NHLP season to date, Okposo going down for "up to two months".  GM Chad in Colorado would seem to have a bit more wiggle room, comfortably 44 points up on 5th in the Pacific while GM Joel in Carolina is 19 up on 5th.  This is the type of injury, a point per game producer on the top seeded team in the Conference, that you really struggle with what to do.  "These teams are in a place where they will likely keep him and make the call at the NHLP Trading Deadline what to do with him then" stated Muddy Capone.  It may be difficult at that time to keep Okposo unless the GM has a comfortable 10 points or so in the bank leaving the meeting if you know Okposo might just appear for a few games before the playoffs and if you don't hear of any setbacks.  As is two months would be late March, about two weeks to go in the NHL season and likely a week after the NHLP Trading Deadline.  Even falling out isn't a worry for either GM as if indications are Okposo is on schedule, he would be worth a huge amount in a trade, playing on one of the top NHL lines.  It is a huge blow, but thankfully these two NHLP teams are in a good position, not already 15 points out where it might of been a doom case scenerio.

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Second Half Attack Planned

GM Marcel starts off what many fans consider the start of the second half, even with teams nearing 50 games played.  "The roof drops in a hurry now" said Muddy Capone, "Once you hit 30, 29, 28 games remaining, there just runs out of time to gain ground on a playoff spot."  The Attack do have a full 7 playoff players but there is always room for improvement and in Alaska's case, 10 full points over 5th to work with.  The Alaska GM said there is a plan to use the Waiver but he won't be trading it for draft picks alone.  "The Waiver can make any team better" said Marcel, "So if someone can make Alaska better in a trade for it, they can then set themselves up with the Waiver."  So it looks like Marcel is trying to make a hockey deal and he has attractive returns on his team to do so.

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Avalanche Smoothers Pacific

GM Chad already holds the NHLP record for the biggest week by a GM at 83 on three team week totals of 30-30-23.  Although this week was a little inflated thanks to a Waiver in Pittsburgh, Chad was still able to hit 71 points on a week of 30-26-15.  Colorado's 30 was a true 30, no Waiver involved and becomes the first 30 point week of the NHLP season and first since Vancouver's (Joel) 33 in March of 2013.  So far this season Hamilton (Tyson) got recognized for a 12 point night and GM Shawn for his amazing 27 point night among his three teams.  The Avs have just been smoking hot and are now atop the Pacific Division with 25 more points to work with.  The 30 point week came with 6 from both Letang and Okposo, 5 from Nygvist while Fisher and Neal had 4 each.  High scorers Parise had 3 and Oshie had 2, leaving the potential room for a much bigger week had those two been above normal and as is was only 7 shy of Halifax' (Shawn) NHLP record of 37.  Chad has been phenomenal as of late says Muddy Capone.  "He is simply out performing other GM's in the league with an endless run of solid trades" said the 25 year league analyst.  Chad who started slow in the 'Transaction department' now has made 17, only three behind league leader GM Matt who has 20 on the season.  "There has been a plan for everything I have done" Chad stated a few weeks back adding, "I am thinking three moves ahead this season."  Maybe other GM's should just start thinking about watching Chad a little closer as several of them could use his management skills as Chad continues to build some solid teams.  

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The 8th Seed Dropout

For the third season the NHLP is running with their strictest ever playoff player rule.  You either have them or you don't.  The rule simply means to make the NHLP playoffs, you likely must have 6 NHL playoff players on your roster or you will likely penalty out.  What we have not seen the first two years with this rule, is a team miss the NHLP playoffs by way of a penalty because an NHL team misses the playoffs in their final game.  "It is certain to happen and as heart breaking for fans of that NHL team, it will be for an NHLP GM" stated Muddy Capone about the heartache that would ensue.  The rule does make it tough to take a chance at the NHLP Deadline on the 8th seeded NHL teams.  "It is a risk associated with building a team and the GM's willing to do it face great reward or potentially great disappointment" added Capone.  If you look at today's NHL standings, the two 8th seeded teams are the teams that made the NHL Finals just last season, the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers.  If that stays as is and we are now at the NHLP Trading Deadline, knowing how good of playoff teams those teams are, do you leave the meeting with two on your roster?  "This is what makes being a GM so much fun" said GM Scott, "Well, substitute fun with anything, like so much of a nightmare."  Clearly building teams around the 8th seeded teams can work for you, as three seasons ago the Kings went on to win the Cup from the 8th seed, but it will always now run that risk.  If after the NHLP Deadline that 8th seeded team tanks to finish 1-6-1 and that 9th place team goes 7-2 down the stretch, we will see some GM's facing something they didn't anticipate coming.  Although we think of this happening to the 8th seeded team at the NHLP Deadline, it can be the 7th or 6th seeded team just as easy.  The bigger the collapse the more madness it will create with the NHLP Standings and maybe an NHLP Cup favorite is instead booking tee times.  "I think any GM should always anticipate heartache prior to the drop of the puck for any game" said Capone, "Every NHL player, superstars included, are one simple hit away from not playing again this season, playoffs or not."

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Here is a Reminder of the NHLP

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They Went Quick

GM Shawn wasted little time making the Waiver pick in Halifax, adding two more Jets, making nine Jets players that have been picked up the last three Waivers.  "The Chicago Blackhawks have six loses at home this year" said Muddy Capone, "The Winnipeg Jets beat them in Chicago all three times they played them this season."  Adding Ladd, Byfuglien and Stralman GM Shawn was clearly happy even though they did lose Perreault earlier in the day.  "I'll take the two for one with another Bolt" said the GM.  Gone were Kessel, Simmons and Moulson.  The Destroyers are in 4th in the East and have what appears a very solid team with all moveable assets.  Halifax at one point was so far back it looked like a bleak year ahead.  "It was a lot of work, but we are now finally heading in the right direction" said Shawn.  This is the king of thing a GM can do with a team almost 30 points back.  The trades were all solid, adding assets along the way.  Although the team traded Sharp and Hedman already, here is a team with Tarasenko, Subban, Ladd, Byfuglien, Krug, Stralman and Fisher.  If that isn't GM of the year talk we aren't sure what is?  They are now well on their way to a potential solid second half and the NHLP playoffs.

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Perreault & Kessel Traded

GM's Shawn and Matt made a two for two with Kessel and Fisher going to Halifax, who has the Waiver tonight, and the potentially injured Perreault and Nelson heading to Indianapolis.  "We talked about the Perreault injury" said GM Shawn, "And a compensation package will be included if the Perreault injury is longer than anticipated."  Under NHLP rules GM's cannot deal injured players unless the other GM knows the extent of the injury and the league runs on a full discloser policy.  When an injury is unknown it is not uncommon for conditions to be built into a deal whereas draft picks could change hands if the injury is longer than expected.  If the GM receiving the injured player knows he is injured and is ok with any outcome, the league then has no say in the matter.  "We just like to ensure at the time of the deal everyone is on the same page, it is just easier that way" stated Muddy Capone.  Perreault has been likely the hottest goal scorer in the NHL the past 30 days and the extent of a possible injury that occurred Friday is unannounced at this time.  "With the All-Star game shutting the league down for a week, he might hardly miss a beat" stated Capone, "But the cheap shot he did take should not go unpunished by the NHL."  Carcillo, a notorious cheap shot artist, would be on the receiving end of that potential suspension, a non-factor in the NHLP either way.  It is unknown if Halifax is dropping Kessel or Fisher, who both could be a good pick up for another NHLP team.

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Canes Jump On Jets

GM Joel followed GM Chad's pick of five Jets with two of his own with the Hurricanes Waiver.  Ladd and Wheeler were added along with Hamilton and Fowler in a four for four seeing Foligno, Pominville, Huberdeau and Richards all now finding themselves available in the NHLP Minors.  The Jets are playing good hockey and daily continue to prove that not only can they make the NHL playoffs, but maybe make a run for it.  "They certainly seem to have the right mix from top to bottom including outstanding goaltending" stated Muddy Capone.  With a number of Jets having solid numbers we expect to see a few more added before the frenzy dies down.

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Carolina Trades 3rd Overall Pick

GM Vinnie likely made the right move in grabbing a huge pick when trading the Waiver from Las Vegas to GM Joel in Carolina.  "The difference between the third and fourth overall pick, at times seems to make a big difference" said Muddy Capone.  Both GM's are having good seasons and when you can improve the future with a Waiver because your team is solid, that is never a bad thing.  The Strip also moved Richards from LA in the deal for Sheahan, adding a fourth Red Wing to the roster.  It seems all the Red Wings play in the North Division but truly it is only 7 of the 15 that are in the NHLP including Datsyuk twice, Zetterberg, Franzen, Abdelkader, Kronwall and now Sheahan.  GM Joel is open to offers for moving players with his new Waiver in Carolina.

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Pittsburgh Relocates

It has been two years since the NHLP last had a Franchise in Winnipeg, but GM Chad wants to change all that.  Well, he has in a way.  Chad's Penguins added 5 of the NHL Jets players in a wild 5 for 5 house cleaning.  "I will be wearing white to the Trading Deadline" said the GM in reference to his teams new slogan, "Whiteout".  It has been a while before since we have seen playoff hockey in Winnipeg, but clearly with the season half over this seems like the year it happens again.  "All they have to do is trade for Doan and it will be complete" Chad said, having passed over Doan with his pick.  In are Little, Byfuglien, Perreault, Kane and Enstrom, players combining for 11 points between them last night.  They join Getzlaf and Gallagher who survived the wild Waiver.  GM Vinnie is now next in Las Vegas and let the Yearbook know he is trying to trade the Waiver, so it is available on Thursday.

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Buffalo Shows Signs of Aggression

GM Joel paid a step selection of draft choices, about 20 spots in the 4th and 6th rounds and 6 more in the 2nd in acquiring Nyquist for Bozak.  GM Chad was the winner of the two points and the picks, points Pittsburgh can use in their coming Waiver.  "I think this is a very clear indication of how Buffalo's season will go from here on out" stated Muddy Capone, "It seems GM Joel clearly knows he has an opportunity to win it all and that means at all costs."  The opportunity to win an NHLP Championship is not something every GM truly has every year, even though it can happen.  Buffalo has a realistic opportunity and Joel is clearly going for it and rightly so.

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Power Shift

The post Winter Meeting CTR is in, representing games played making the season over half over.  There isn't a true shift in power as much as a couple additional teams, four in total, all cracking the 2000 CTR point barrier.  Where are you sitting in the NHLP Power Rankings?

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Pit Stop

Drouin found himself in Pittsburgh (Chad) for less than 48 hours, now traded for the Waiver so GM Chad can correct the Transaction he made in grabbing Drouin in the first place.  Chad had dropped Johansen and Dubinsky for Belesky and Drouin causing GM Andrew to make the comment that it was one of the worst Minors deals he had ever seen.  "I just felt he'd kill the teams scoring" said Andrew afterward.  So now adding Bonino and the Waiver GM Chad ironically gets a "do-over".  Making matters worse is if Parenteau goes to the Minors, he is a minus 4 points tonight, meaning Chad might try and trade him within the league first.  "It is a mess" said Muddy Capone. 

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Maata of Time

The injuries and bad news of the past couple days finally "Boyled" over for GM Tyson.  With news that Maata may be finished for the season, having already missed the required games, Cleveland opted to move him now, adding Dan Boyle.  "What a terrible stretch" said the GM who also lost both Toffoli and Pearson since the GM's broke from the Winter Meeting.  Tyson does have the Waiver tonight, in Hamilton, a healthy team with 24 points to work with.  Although no word from the Hitmen on their plans, maybe a deal is waiting to be made in hopes of improving the team, or just moving the Waiver. 

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 Winter Meeting - 31 Transactions

For the second straight year the NHLP Winter Meeting saw 31 official transactions, with a trade and a Waiver coming officially before the meeting started and the Minors were open.  Of the 36 NHLP teams 27 of them made at least a move during the day.  The meeting was well attended and the accompanying card game ended after 6 AM with GM Vinnie seemingly the big winner on the night.  "First for everything" said a GM who was playing at the very end, "He'll fucking get his come the Deadline."

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Titan Fuck Up Waiver - Suffer Penalty

GM Scott used the Waiver to add Johansen (36), Garrison (17), J. Staal (3) and J. Staal (3).  Dropped were Koivu (20), Ward (18) and Jenner (12-3=9) and Jenner (12-2=10).  Jenner last played December 18th, meaning he missed 7 games.  He had a Contract of a 2 and a 1, meaning GM Scott took a three point penalty on one and two points on the other, going from a 62 to a 57 point Waiver drop.  "Obviously those fucking numbers don't add up" said Scott who now realizes he was using J. Staal's frozen number of 2.

Place Penalty Here - Try Again

GM Scott used the Waiver to add Johansen (36), Tlusty (15), J. Staal (3) and J. Staal (3).  Dropped were Koivu (20), Ward (18) and Jenner (12-3=9) and Jenner (12-2=10).  Jenner last played December 18th, meaning he missed 7 games.  He had a Contract of a 2 and a 1, meaning GM Scott took a three point penalty on one and two points on the other, going from a 62 to a 57 point Waiver drop.  "When you fuck up it hurts" said GM Scott, "I really wanted Garrison and could have taken him, but I really wanted Staal's low scoring number incase Johansen ends up going to the minors at the Trading Deadline."  The Titan were fined for sending in the wrong numbers.  GM Scott said it is imperative you always leave outs when you take high scoring non playoff players, "A rule I will always follow.  I think taking the best lowest scoring player is as important as the best high scoring player in any Waiver."   

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San Fran Acquire Contested Waiver

GM Vinnie said 5 different GM's had sent in offers but in the end, no one could match that of the San Fran Titan (Scott).  The Titan, loaded with draft picks, used some of that stock pile to ensure they would have the pick ahead of the meeting.  Although 6 Draft picks traded hands it was Portland's interest in Kreider that ultimately seemed to close the deal.  Ward came back to San Fran who gave up 6 spots in the 1st, 4 in the 2nd, 22 in the 5th, 4 in the 6th and 6 in the 7th over the next three seasons.

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Division Rivals Swap Six

 It is a monster of a deal.  The reigning NHLP Cup Champions in San Fran (Scott) shockingly traded Hossa and Lehtera twice but brought in massive names in their own right.  The Titan add Tavares, Filppula and Kreider from Toronto (Chad) to complete the deal of heavyweight players.  All told after the nights scoring, it is an even point deal.  "This was a huge deal" GM Chad said, "I had my finger on the trigger but left the safety on for a long while before finally agreeing after first turning the deal down."  Scott himself said he was still a little shocked, "I am not sure what just happened."  For Chad's North Division's Maple Leafs adding Lehtera twice means three Blues with Schwartz, a killer Blues team.  With Hossa and Stepan the team is a serious threat, building towards a seven player second round if the stars align.  The key to the deal for Scott was adding a second Bolt with Kucherov and some serious first round scoring in Tavares.  Scott said he had been looking hard for a deal like this, having let the league know Hossa was in play.  It appears a great deal for both teams who could very well be heading for a playoff matchup, both being from the same Division.  With a Waiver available tonight, more trades are expected shortly.

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Perfect Through 281 Games

"This isn't something new for GM Vinnie" stated Muddy Capone, "He does this year in and year out and we still haven't put a finger on just how."  Heading into tonight's games with the Waiver in hand the Portland Winter Hawks (Vinnie) have played 281 man-games on the season and have yet to miss one game.  Adding to the craziness of this feat, Vinnie's other team Atlantic City has only missed two games on the entire season.  Miami (Charlie) has missed 69 and GM Jr has two teams having missed 40 player games.  "It makes a huge difference" added Capone, "Even if Miami averaged a half a point a game out of those 69 games, that is 35 more points in the standings."  If Vinnie uses the Waiver tonight, he'd likely bring in a player who has missed a game, but so far he has a zero, or a perfect 281 for 281, just an amazing feat to accomplish.

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Toronto Moves Injured Versteeg

GM Chad has suddenly been a busy GM the past couple weeks.  Toronto moved Versteeg in an even point deal to Philadelphia (Scott) for Soderberg.  The deal now gives the Flyer Versteeg twice.  GM Scott said things are heating up prior to the meeting saying "I was just turned down on a deal where I was giving points, Hossa and Lethera twice."  If that is true, things are truly heating up in the NHLP prior to the Winter Meeting.
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Portland - I'll Move It

GM Vinnie said the Waiver may be available and he is open to anything in Portland.  The Winter Hawks have 34 points to work with in the West Division.  "I'd be open to moving players as well" said the GM who basically can do what he wants having the only NHLP team to have cracked 200 points to date.  Voracek is looking like a blockbuster waiting to happen, some 48 points that can change some teams fortune this season.  The GM asked to send him an offer.

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Minors Frozen Monday

The NHLP Meeting on Saturday will be using frozen numbers from Monday.  You may freeze the minors yourself or one will be supplied at the meeting.
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NHLP Meeting Set

The NHLP GM's will be gathering on Saturday, January 10th at roughly 4 PM for the 25th NHLP Winter Meeting.  GM Matt is hosting his first ever meeting and it is still possible a full 12 GM's are in attendance.  The Minors will be frozen after games completed Sunday, January 4th, frozen for 5 days prior to the meeting.  GM Ryan in Boston does have a Waiver on the 10th, so he will have the right to make a uncontested Waiver pick prior to the star of the meeting, or after the meeting by noon the next day if he wishes.  "You'd think there would be some interest in that Waiver" stated Muddy Capone, "The GM with it gets to start the day with a free uncontested pick, grabbing some of the players all other GM's will immediately then be battling for." 

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Chicago Makes 5 for 5

GM Andrew dropped 107 points in a 5 for 5 with his Waiver, now having a full team of 7 playoff players.  "This is a crazy Division this season" said the GM, "It is fun, but I have my work cut out for me in building a team that can compete."  Adding Burns, Brassard, Kronwall, Abdelkader and Bennett along side Toews and Richards is a nice start for the third place team.  Andrew admitted that playing either New Orleans (Shawn) or Buffalo (Joel) won't be an easy task, but completely necessary to moving out of the South come playoff time.  "It isn't much fun having those two teams in your Division, but I always love the challenges of the NHLP" Andrew stated in a text to Muddy Capone, "I build so I have a chance and if I did that, what more can I ask for."

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Blackhawks Trade Neal For Waiver

GM Andrew said he is ready to make a move in Chicago, or make that another move.  Trading Neal to Colorado (Chad) for Glencross and the Waiver is a clear indication the veteran GM will be making further moves ahead of Tuesday's Waiver.  Toews may be the only untouchable for the Hawks who aren't worried about giving points, some 19 points up on 5th in the NHLP's South Division.  "I'd like to get something done" said the GM who has been relatively quiet by his standards, "And with the Meeting this week, anything is possible."  The GM noted in an email to the Yearbook he could give points and a player that another GM could then use those extra points in a deal to the Minors this weekend or even if a GM can't make it, now could be a good time to deal and Andrew can go to the minors if needed.

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Perron Comes and Goes

After arriving in Vancouver (Joel) Perron was dealt some 5529 Kilometers away to Florida (Marcel).  "This brings up something we have never given any thought to" said Muddy Capone, "But we have two NHLP teams playing in Miami."  Of course the Panthers play out of Sunshine, Florida, in Metropolitan Miami while the Miami Surf (Charlie) play out of Miami Beach.  "We have never blamed GM Marcel, the 2008 NHLP Champions in Florida from wanting to separate themselves as far as  possible from the Miami Surf, one of the poorer ran NHLP Franchises.  Who was the genius who put the Abominable Snowman on a Hockey Stick 'surf board' riding a wave?"  We really are going to have to put more thought into this, but the bottom line today, there was a trade and Plekanec was sent to Vancouver for Perron who is now in Florida, somewhere.

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Canucks Grab Perron Twice

To no one's surprise GM Joel mad a huge 120 point drop, a 5 for 5, adding Perron twice.  Perron was the lowest scoring player to be added in the massive dump as the Canucks added playoff players Ladd and Brassard along with point producer Yandle.  The NHL's leading point getter will be missed, but was a big part of the drop as Voraceks 47 was more than Bonino, Lecavalier and Michalek combined.  Johanson, who is inching closer to a playoff spot with Columbus rounded out the next 5 Minor league players.  The Nucks are in 4th place in the Pacific with many assets to compete for a playoff stop down the stretch.

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Timing Is Everything

GM Joel likely didn't have Perron high on his radar, but most certainly will be taking him twice now with the Saturday Waiver.  "His points per game should go through the roof in Pittsburgh where he can sit on the bench and pick up more assists" said GM Joel, clearly happy about his fortunes. Perron had 19 points in 38 games in Edmonton, but led the club last season with much better numbers.  The Oilers do well, a first round pick from Pittsburgh in a very loaded 2015 draft.  The Oilers are likely favorites already to win the lottery.  This is a great opportunity to start their rebuild, seeing as their former first round rebuilding players are now league veterans with mediocre value.
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Gaborik Next?

The Vancouver Canucks (Joel) traded Toffoli for a 5 point gain, adding Johansen from Montreal (Marcel).  "It seems a house cleaning" said Muddy Capone.  Gaborik who has 11 points in December and has a point in each of his last 6 games, at 0.76 PPG seems a very attractive player and very tradable at only 19 points.  The Canucks are gearing up for a major Waiver drop Saturday, so all assets appear on the way out, meaning Bonino could also find a new home to start 2015.  With the top teams in the Pacific firmly holding onto their points, GM Joel decided it was his time to make a move, meaning less points the top teams can now move.  St Louis (Tyson) will certainly now become a seller sitting with a team full of assets.  "We see this all the time in the NHLP" said Capone, "The top teams in the Pacific had a ton of points to move, and any of them could have made better teams.  If they had moved down, GM Joel and Tyson would have likely tried to build with what they had, instead of selling off."  Teams can't wait forever to make moves and often the teams that move first are the biggest winners.

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Filppula Off Block

Possibly one of the more attractive playoff players on a NHLP non-playoff team is no longer.  GM Joel traded the much desired Filppula, along with Stepan to Toronto (Chad) for points, a Waiver and Picks.  Vancouver (Joel) picked up Voracek and Michalek along with the next NHLP Waiver, moving the Nucks to within 15 points of a playoff spot.  The team has a nice LA Kings mix of Toffoli and Gaborik to build around with slow moving vehicles Lecavalier, Brown and now Michalek clogging the highway to a playoff spot.  "This is a great move for both GM's" said Muddy Capone, "Vancouver can now really improve their overall team while Toronto adds to an already strong playoff team."  Seeing as Joel has went this far it is not unfathomable that Toffoli and Gaborik are now moved ahead of the Waiver.

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Toronto in Trading Mood

GM Chad said he is looking to deal, use or trade the Waiver on the 3rd.  "We are in a good position" said the GM who stated if the Waiver goes it would be his preference to move Voracek and Michalek, some 55 points to the Minors.  With rumors now circulating that Cleveland (Tyson) has begun shopping both Hedman and Stastny and clearly Shattenkirk has to be on the block in Calgary (Jr & Scottie), a deal seems certain for Chadwick.  "I'd really like to add another Blue to go with Schwartz" the two-time Cup winning GM stated.  "We will now start to see movement" said Muddy Capone, "Teams have points to move and now is a good time to grab garbage if needed, right ahead of a meeting where you can do some tidying and leave yourself in a better position for a late season push." 

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Big Deal Ahead of Waiver

GM Chad added points in a deal in Toronto that could set the team up nicely.  Playoff players Versteeg and Schwartz were added and high scoring Voracek who can now be used in a Waiver dump with Michalek and possibly Ehrhoff depending on the direction Chad decides to go.  In the 12 point deal Toronto "got away" from their big Rangers trio of Nash, St Louis and Kreider, keeping only the later.  Little was the final player involved heading to Cincinnati (Matt) in a inter-Division deal.  Toronto has 18 points to work with and the January 3rd NHLP Waiver, the first Waiver of 2015.  "It will be interesting to see if Chad's intentions are to keep or move Voracek" said Muddy Capone, "With a low number on the roster it makes him more moveable, but with each passing day it may be argued less may be had from the minors if the points are kept for the Trading Deadline."

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Were Back

With 13 games the unofficial second half of the NHL season starts tonight, even though teams have yet to officially reach the 41 game market, the official half way point.  Most teams will be hitting 41 games around the NHLP Winter Meeting.  The NHLP season to date has about 4 more deals to this same date as compared with last season.  Still 20 Waivers and 2 meetings to come.  GM's Scott and Matt have led the way with double digit Transactions while GM's Ryan, Vinnie, Charlie, Tyson and Shawn are still just watching, all yet not reaching a 5th Transaction on the season.  Portland (Vinnie) is well in front of the NHLP in turns of points at 194 and will likely crack 200 points tonight.  GM Tyson in Cleveland will soon be 100 points behind Portland as the low scoring Fury only have 111 points, last of the 36 team league.  It should be an exciting second half to the NHLP season as we race to crown the 25th NHLP Champion.

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Montreal Gets Aggressive

GM Marcel did in fact trade Subban out of Montreal, a highly unusual move for the Hab loving GM.  After sending what amounted to basically moving GM Andrew up 40 spots in the 7th Round in Hartford, Marcel made a four player drop.  Gone were Wheeler, Boedker, Granlund and Grabovski, a few playoff players among the four for Burns, Sheahan, C. Smith and Sekac.  "I really like the move, and I love adding Burns" said GM Marcel who is a huge fan of the Sharks.  "The way they are playing, they might win the West Conference" the GM added.  With half the season to go and as close to the top as they are, that could very well happen.  It is unusual to see Marcel trading a Subban type player but it is an aggressive move that adds four playoff players on what is already a first place team.

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Subban Traded - Marcel Has Waiver - Deal Veto'd?

What we do know for sure is Montreal (Marcel) has acquired the Waiver from Hartford (Andrew) in a player deal involving picks for the Waiver tonight.  GM Marcel moved Subban in the deal, immediately drawing a "Veto" from GM Scott.  Under league rules any GM can initiate a Veto on any deal, thus leaving it in the hands of the GM's involved in the deal to further explain the deal if enough of the GM's question the deal.  "We haven't seen a deal official vetoed in years" said Muddy Capone.  Wheeler went to Montreal, with the Waiver, causing GM Scott to know instantly something was wrong.  "Maybe GM Marcel slipped and fell on the ice, has a concussion" explained Scott, "I just need to hear from him that he is OK, not in the hospital and of sound mind.  For I have never seen him trade a top Montreal player in all the years I have been in the league, so I concerned for him and just hope he is ok at the moment."  Marcel's Habs are in first place in the NHLP's East Division but are sitting with 85 non-playoff points from their roster if Wheeler is a non-playoff player.  Who else might be available, maybe anyone.  We will soon find out.

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GM Matt Hosting Winter Meeting

Everyone has responded and we have a tad of a dilemma.  Do we go on the date with 11 GM's, with 11 Yes and one no, or the following Saturday where we have 10 yes and two maybe.  If you have a preferred date send it in and we will make a decision ASAP.

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GM's Shawn and Joel Have The POWER

For the first time ever, the CTR has left the previous write up below the current write up, so we can follow a teams season more accurately.  New Orleans (Shawn) and Buffalo (Joel) are the cream of the crop this season and being Division rivals it will be a fun story watching this season long duel unfold for who can bring down the team to beat out the other in the playoffs.  Of course we are nearing the halfway point at 37% of the season complete, which means there is easily time to make your team better.  There is nothing like winning an NHLP Championship and any team can win.  The CTR just thinks some teams have a much better shot.  The question is, do you?

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Winter Meeting Set For January

(Update:  Just waiting to hear from Shawn)

GM's Shawn and Tyson have yet to be heard from, but the NHLP Winter Meeting hosted by GM Matt will clearly not be in December.  There are a total of 5 dates it can be with three dates still possible a full 12 GMs, depending.  We will work to hammer a date as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.

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Pittsburgh Grabs Waiver - Drops Two

GM Chad made a bold trade in Pittsburgh, using his stock pile of points and trading Pacioretty for Silfverberg in Pittsburgh.  Memphis (Jr & Scottie) picked up a dozen points in the deal which included swapping Waivers, leaving Memphis in good shape in the seasons second half.  Chad then dropped Pominville and Couturier adding Gallagher and Nyquist.

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Stars Say Everyone Available +  Waiver

GM Jr has stated that they will move the Waiver and any players.  The Stars out in 5th place and have the Waiver Tuesday.  Krejci at only 10 points is a very attractive player and will likely make many numbers work.  A deal for players and the Waiver now seems likely.

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Hartford Makes Waiver Available

With a pick in-between from Dallas (Jr & Scottie), the Hartford Whalers (Andrew) are making what would be the final Waiver before the holiday break available.  The NHLP breaks from Saturday, December 20th after Hartford picks until Saturday January 3rd when GM Chad is up in Toronto.  The Dallas Stars have a pick on Tuesday and although no official word has been released, they are likely going to use the Waiver.  "It is likely best to use a Waiver to make an uncontested pick than to try making it at the Winter Meeting where your points may not be enough" says Muddy Capone.

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Rangers Add Two Ducks

GM Charlie used the Waiver in New York, adding two Anaheim players with the pick.  "I am very happy with them both" Charlie stated about Silverberg and Maroon, both now in the NHLP twice each.  The Rangers who are only four points out of the final playoff spot in Atlantic Division dropped Cammalleri and Brouwer

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Dupuis Replaced

GM Ryan replaced one Penguin with another with his injury pick in Boston.  Dupuis often played with Crosby and with his long term injury he had to miss 12 full games before Spaling was able to come in as his replacement.  The Bruins are still 22 points up on 5th led by Ovechkin and Karlesson.

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Keeping Kessel

GM Matt joined the '131 Club'.  It isn't as exciting as the "Mile-High Club", well for most GMs.  "I'll take the 131, I'm scared of heights anyways" said GM Matt after a trade and a 6 for 6 to the minors, keeping only Kessel with the Icemen.  The new club won't be together for long as Matt hopes to blow by the other three teams in the West all with 131 points as of today.  After acquiring the Waiver Indy sent both O'Reilly and Williams to Chicago (Andrew) for Ryan and Jokinen who joined Jagr, Vanek, Perron and Hanzal on a one way flight.  Joining "Chubby Cheeks" was Giordano, Wingels, Tatar, Muzzin, Scheifele and Fisher.  "I think he has a round face, but I wouldn't call him chubby" said Matt, defending his star Leafs-player who is the only Leaf player in NHLP history with Elite Status.  Of course the NHLP didn't have Elite players when Gilmour was having his name engraved on the NHLP Championship two years in a row with St Louis (Norm), but GM Matt would like to change that.  "I like the way this team is shaping up" said the GM, "We will continue to go hard every day as there is no hungrier GM in the NHLP."  We were ready with the Kessel punch line, but Matt did say 'GM'.

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Indianapolis Acquires Waiver From Alaska

GM Matt announced a deal has been struck and officially Indy has the Waiver Thursday night.  "Everyone there is available" said the GM, "Williams is a steal, a great playoff performer who has picked it up after a really slow start."  Indianapolis has fallen to 5th in the West and has 4 non playoff players but assets Kessel, Vanek and Williams.  Matt said no one is untouchable and he is taking offers now with hopes of getting a deal or two done as soon as possible.  Alaska received a Waiver on January 27th, two 3rd round picks and a 5th round pick in exchange for tonight's Waiver.

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Carolina Adds Scoring In Tough East

Like the NHLP's North Division the lowest scoring team in the East has 114 points.  With a strong Waiver GM Joel looks to keep ahead of the 5th and 6th placed teams.  The Canes dropped 69 points in their 5 for 5 with Barrie, RNH, Ennis, Gagner and Lee all where they belong and Nelson, Vatanen, Johansson, Sekac and Dubinsky all up from the Minors.  With Dubinsky a nice out and low number GM Joel has arguably the highest scoring team in the Division.  "The East won't be easy all season" said Muddy Capone, "It seems those teams will go high while other Divisions trade down to meet the 5th place teams."

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Canes Grab Waiver After Deals

GM Joel swapped Waivers in a deal with Colorado (Chad), also trading both playoff players Okposo and Nyquist.  The Canes added Barrie and Nugent-Hopkins as well as moved Vanek for Ennis in a separate deal, all players headed to the minors in what appears a 5 for 5.  Vanek ended up in Indy (Matt).  It is likely both Hudler and Okposo can be had tonight if a GM is aggressive, especially Hudler who GM Joel can just grab again in the Minors.  "We expect more deals" said Joel.  Hudler would be a great addition for a team with a high scoring non playoff player as Calgary continues to do well and Hudler has a point a game.

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December Belongs to GM Charlie

Through the first ten days of December, there is no hotter NHLP GM than GM Charlie.  With a staggering 79 points and the two highest scoring teams of the month to date it is looking like Christmas might be one of the GM's best yet.  "I wouldn't go that far" laughed Charlie, "We just drafted well and finally guys are starting to get points."  The GM has only made two moves on the season that is nearing it's halfway point.  In Miami Datsyuk and Zetterberg are leading a team with 5 Wings and Leafs and 32 points on the month.  "I'd love to see what the CTR has to say about us know" the GM said, "Clearly we must be at the top of the Division with this stacked team."  The Yearbook which doesn't always, or even often, agree with GM Charlie, knows he is easily right about the CTR being wrong about his team.  The Surf has the highest scoring team in the NHLP for a team sitting with a full 7 playoff players.  With Detroit about as good as any Eastern Conference team in the NHL, the Surf are riding the big boy waves and will easily swallow many teams if this ended today.  With guns Stamkos, D. Sedin and van Riemsdyk, Phoenix is not only first in the Pacific with their 25 point month, but resembling a team that could make some noise this season if the veteran GM plays his cards right.  "You don't get Stamkos on this Tampa Bay team every year" add Charlie who clearly is high on the teams potential.  Although Charlie's Rangers have been slow 'he says', their 22 points this month is still better than 26 other NHLP teams.  GM Joel only has 6 points this month in Vancouver and GM's Ryan and Jr are tied at 39 points for the GM with the fewest points as we near mid December.  For Charlie the points are nice as two of his three teams are North of a playoff spot in their Divisions.  If he keeps scoring at this rate that clearly won't be the case by New Years Day.

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We'd Move Oshie

The Colorado Avalanche GM has stated that Oshie and Letang may be had, with or before the Waiver tonight.  "Of course a deal for them would have to have sensible points and picks or a Waiver" said GM Chad who GM's the Avs to their lone Championship 14 years ago.  The Avalanche are well in a playoff spot, but do have 37 if the NHL Avs aren't a playoff team.  There should be some takers for a huge playoff name like Oshie or Letang.  Let the bidding wars begin.

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Quebec Adds Maroon

GM Matt was on a scouting trip in Detroit watching Nash where he reported his Waiver from.  Quebec added Maroon and Lindstrom while dropping E. Staal and Dubinsky.  Dubinsky was called up, traded and sent down all before every playing his first game this season and we are certain his low number will be called again shortly.  Quebec now is in second place in the Atlantic with a full 7 playoff players and with easily enough scoring to stay ahead of the struggling teams out of the playoffs at the Divisions relegation line.

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Go Fish

GM Chad said Nishushkin was just a nightmare and was counting the seconds until he could unload him.  "I think it was the earliest I ever sent in an injury pick" said the Avs GM who finally, with Fisher, has a point for his pick Nishuskin.  The Colorado team has done well considering we are almost a third way through the season and still nothing but a big fat zero from the 6th Round Pick.  Seeing as this team as slow-as-mOshielasses (something like that) the GM must be very happy to be in the playoffs by 9 points at this point of the season.  "Our seventh round pick has 18 points" said Chad of Glencross while laughing at the entire situation.  Fisher has always been a solid player for most NHLP teams and seems to have recovered from an nasty achilles injury.  With Nashville so high in the standings, the other Fisher's low number won't be in the minors long.

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Maatta Fuckka

"Lied to us" said Muddy Capone about Cleveland GM Tyson.  Tyson laughed it off saying "You have to keep the Yearbook in the dark sometimes or they have you trading your untouchables like Hedman."  That part might be true.  Cleveland did in fact make a 3 for 3, dropping their two Rangers Zuccarello and Hagelin along with the expected Atkinson and added Penguins Comeau and Maatta along with a second King, Brown.  "With Dupuis injury, Comeau may do quite well" said Tyson, "We couldn't pass on these guys when they were available and I like the idea of two Pens and King over two Rangers and someone."  Cleveland is stacked and the right amount of points behind 5th that saving this team can be real.  Dropping further back could mean losing a stud so adding any scoring here was a great move by Tyson.  "If I stay close I may be able to move other assets but keep the nucleus together" added the two-time Champion GM.

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Atkinson's Days Number

GM Tyson has at least one target, and likely only one, with his Waiver in Cleveland that was acquired in a swap with picks for Saturday's Waiver with Quebec (Matt).  The Yearbook inquiry into available players leads us to believe no playoff players are available, clearly meaning Tyson has his sights set on a one for one.  The Fury are loaded this season as they attempt to win a league-tying high second Championship with big names like Toffoli, Eriksson, Hedman and Stastny.  With two other Rangers, Zuccarello and Hagelin, there is much more potential playoff scoring on this team than regular season scoring, sitting worst in the South Division at 0.55 PPG which is second worse in the entire NHLP.  The team has had numerous injuries and slow starts but with Hedman's value alone likely worth as much as any 10 point player in the league, this team is always in it with one league wide email sent.  "When you sit out of the playoffs there is only real pressure when you have a team of nobody's" said Muddy Capone, "Clearly that isn't the case in Cleveland this season."  The Fury are 22 points out of the playoffs.

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GM Maatt Confirms Waiver May Be Had

The Quebec Nordiques are taking offers on Staal, Saad and Plekaanecs said the GM.  "I think Staal may be dealt but Saad or Plekaanecs are solid choices" said the Nords GM.  The plan is to trade and then move Drouin and Dubinsky, or outright trade the Waiver for the best offer that comes their way.  Either way those are some class 'aa' players being offered up.
 
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Flames Run On

GM Charlie said he was happy to add a newcomer to the NHLP.  Jooris and Weiss are now Surf property, picked up for Neiderreiter and Bouwmeester in an even point swap.  Jooris is one of many attractive Flames in the Minors along with the highest scoring playoff player in the Minors, Giordano, who is down there twice at 26 points.  "Calgary is the highest scoring team in the West" Charlie added, "And they don't allow many goals either."  The Surf decision maker is right on both accounts as not only does Calgary have more goals than any West team, but only Tampa Bay is ahead of them in goals scored in the entire league.  "Your first thought is always the star studded teams led by Crosby-Malkin or Kane and Toews" said Capone, "But in fact Giordano-Hudler and Brodie are the big three for the West's powerhouse Flames."  Jooris is doing his part for a 21 year old with 8 goals, 45th overall in the NHL and 4 of those on the powerplay.  When you are 45th in a category, only one and a half guys per team are doing better.  If the Flames continue their domination it won't take long for other NHLP GM's to follow in Charlie's footsteps and add Flames.

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Alfredsson Says So Long

He was an NHLP GM's dream player when he was healthy and on his game.  Daniel Alfredsson was a favorite of many GM's and always near a point a game player in his heyday.  Winning the 2003 NHLP Championship with San Fran, on a team that until last years Titan team, GM Scott said was his best winning team ever.  "I always loved Alfie and it was nice to forever have that bond of winning a Cup together" said the Titan GM.  Alfredsson along with Hull and Elias accompanied three defensemen that season for his only ring in his long Senators career.  They are already counting the days in Ottawa until Alfie's number 11 will join the #8 of Frank Finnigan as the only two Senators to have their numbers retired.  While Finnigan had his number retired during the NHLP's early days in 1992, Finnigan played between 1923 and 1934.  The NHLP will miss Alfredsson.

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Good Gamble

GM Vinnie jumped at the opportunity to add a Montreal player and with 15 in Player Tracking, the Depth Chart in Montreal is almost depleted.  The Gamblers added Gallagher in a deal for Neiderreiter from Miami (Charlie), giving the Surf an extra needed point in their Waiver drop.  "Anytime you can add a playoff player, your options open up" stated Muddy Capone.  Teams trading playoff players, for or giving points, are always more attractive when they are trading playoff players as compared with non-playoff players.

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50 on 5th

The Buffalo Sabres (Joel) have more points than they know what to do with, again!  The Sabres are now up 50 points over Dallas (Jr & Scottie) in the South and with Malkin and Hornqvist leading the way one has to wonder how GM Joel will be moving his points to improve and when he will start moving them.  Sitting last in the South with assets Toffoli, Eriksson, Stastny and Hedman, GM Tyson in Cleveland is in a chess game with Joel.  "It is always a wicked game in the standings" says Muddy Capone, "One GM will think he has 50 points to move until a team behind trades up, altering what you can do or vice versa."  Often top point teams will come down and ease the tensions by maxing their points before a team at the bottom decides it is time to sell out.  Once a team at the bottom does sell assets, often the top team can't do what they once thought they easily can do.  "It is a wonderful game of cat and mouse but in the end, at the Deadline, we see every Division meet somewhere" Capone points out.  So the question becomes who decides where that mark is going to be, the top teams or the bottoms teams in a Division and usually all depends on who acts first.

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Surfing

After a week of GM Scott, finally another GM will take a crack at the Waiver, but it might not be GM Charlie.  The Miami Surf GM is sitting with Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen and are only 16 points out of the North's final playoff spot.  "When will GM's start giving the Red Wings love" Muddy Capone wondered?  The Red Wings are a point out of first overall in the entire NHL.  No team in the league has fewer losses than Detroit.  All in all the Surf have 7 playoff players with Gallagher, Kadri and Lupul, but are being slowed by Bouwmeester.  There is enough here that Miami is not forced at all to use the Waiver, but replacing Bouwmeester might move the team up the standings, allowing them to hold onto their playoff players.  Charlie said he is open to talking about his players and depending on what gets done, may use or even move the Waiver for another Waiver and a pick.

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Back to Fog Horn

GM Scott capped off a busy week, finally getting one guy high on his list, but passing on others he wanted.  "When we first went into this pick it was a 17 point drop which turned into a 25 point drop, totally changing the players we ended up with" said the GM who has now made 14 transactions on the season while GM Charlie has yet to act, but does have the next Waiver in Miami.  The Oil dropped Ryan (13), Coyle (10) and Hodgson (2), 25 points and added Josi (11), Killorn (10) and McDonagh (4).

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Sharp No Longer Destroyer

In a huge NHLP trade Halifax (Shawn) traded Sharp to Philadelphia (Scott) for Nelson.  GM Shawn expressed some bitterness that "All GM's can see how far back Halifax is" said the GM, "I am happy to get Nelson and a playoff player.  I know I may have gotten more, but by that time we may have had to write off our season.  If more GM's would pay attention to what is happening on other teams instead of solely focusing on their own teams.  There are 10 other GM's and it seems only the aggressive GMs get the better players."  GM Shawn had more to say but it was clear the GM is frustrated, partially at the amount of injuries he has suffered through in Halifax and partially at what he sees a number of GM's asleep at the wheel.  "You always hear GM's saying, 'I'd of given you this guy' but where were they ahead of time?  I am not taking 15 points and a non playoff guy that I have to move for one of my better players."  GM Scott said he can tell when to keep his mouth shut.  "I basically told GM Shawn I'd better any deal he could get and to through Sharp out there and see what he is offered, but I could tell GM Shawn was in no mood to be talking to others and he was very happy with Nelson.  That was it."  Sharp should be back within a couple weeks.
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Edmonton Get Pick - Ready's for Waiver

GM Scott said he had no idea he'd get any points for Plekanec, Dubinsky and Dubinsky.  "We were planning a 17 point drop" said the GM who after dealing Burrows to Cincinnati (Matt) for Ryan and a Pick, the Oil now find they are dropping Ryan, Coyle and Hodgson, 25 points.  "It changed what we will do.  We simply can't leave 8 points on the table, but it will help as this brings in a huge name we really didn't think we had any part getting."  

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Flyer High

GM Scott said sometimes his emails go right over the heads of some GM's.  "I don't think too many guys got the whole Giroux thing" said the GM, "By reaction, maybe not everyone follows the off season as we do."  This is coming from a GM who drafted a retired player!  "Ya, I made our Draft List during the Playoffs that year" laughed the GM who just dropped Giroux (26), Giordano (24), Brassard (17), Karlsson (16), Skinner (11) and Drouin (9), a total much higher than many NHLP teams have points in 103.  Added were Thanksgiving picks Forsberg, Ribeiro and Nelson, as well as playoff players to accompany the lone hold back Keith, in Versteeg, Seabrook, and Soderberg.  The GM said negotiations are in the works for a deal that can come any minute, further making the Flyer a NHLP powerhouse.  "We build strong teams" said GM Scott, "Doing what every single other GM is trying to do as well.  We will do everything to not be a team holding onto a high scoring non playoff player.  This is the model we use.  If others have different approaches, good for them.  This is our way and we aren't changing because we hurt some GM's feelings." 

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Massive Move

There is no doubt who the most aggressive NHLP GM is, and has been for many years.  Up to his usual tricks, using his time tested strategy in how to build his winning teams, the Philadelphia Flyer made a massive 6 for 6 Waiver drop.  "You draft well" the GM explained, "Pay attention to the quarters, be more aggressive than all others and always leave outs when needed."  When asked about the quarters GM Scott refers to an older NHLP Yearbook article.  "The American Thanksgiving is the key to the NHL Standings" says Scott, "No more than 3 teams ever have moved in and out after that mark, so the teams in will likely stay in and the teams out are likely out."  After that comes the NHLP Winter Meeting where the next evaluation occurs followed by the NHL Trading Deadline where teams are set and finally the NHLP Trading Deadline.  The GM feels he is on top of his game, as good as he has ever been.  "I have been evaluating players forever, but now with the FTIMU, having every player in a excel program where we can instantly see all things NHLP related has changed the value of the players.  I already had everything else, but our skill level has increased and long term we'll be better for it."

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Edmonton Makes Two Deals

Edmonton (Scott) first said he was trading Saturday's Waiver, then changed his mind and asked for a do-over.  "We can build for the future or build for this season" said GM Scott, "To me there is no option, any year, but never say die."  GM Scott said he was left with only one hour to make the Waiver last weekend, a position that he says he will not place other GM's in, "I am not blaming GM Shawn, for I understand I had the Waiver Saturday night, but I never knew until an hour before, and I clearly didn't do it as good as I should have."  Scott said usually when you make a mistake, it isn't something easily corrected.  "Not often do you have two Waivers in a short period of time, so I am going to do it over, and get it right" said the GM.  In doing so Plekanec was traded in a two for two, with Dubinsky, adding Coyle and Burrows from Quebec (Matt).  The other deal was with Pittsburgh (Chad), a one for one for Dubinsky, adding Hodgson.  "Today could not have went better" said the Oil GM, "Our target didn't get a point after being kicked out of the game.  Now lets hope he doesn't get suspended."

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Kucherov Joins Johnson

GM Shawn said he is "Very close to a team that can compete for the Championship."  Adding a top teams top player along with the one he had seemed the best deal GM Shawn would get and Philadelphia (Scott) was hesitant, but happy to oblige.  "We don't move Globe-Trotterish like players like Kucherov unless it makes our team better, and this will" said the Flyer GM.  New Orleans now has Johnson and Kucherov, a very strong punch with the teams three Ducks including Perry and Kesler.  "When your weakest player is Backes, Lucic or Fowler, there just aren't teams any better" stated Muddy Capone about the Wolverines.  GM Scott said that it is hard moving the 8th and 9th overall scoring players in the league, Giroux and Giordano, "But that is what the FTIMU allowed us to do this year, find high scoring players that we can now thank and send on."  Scott said he will give points to move those players but expects everyone is available to be had ahead of his 100 point dump on Friday.  "Well, everyone except Keith that is" said the GM, "Even we have our limits when it comes to players involved in Waiver dumps."

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Annual Circus Trip

Although the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks are on their annual famous 'Circus Trip', there is a little lesser known circus, clowns and all, occurring in Calgary.  "I think the Flames are playing games with the NHLP's Yearbook" said Muddy Capone, "Calling press conferences to announce transactions for players that aren't even on their current roster, mocking us for our mistake."  The NHLP Yearbook made an error and contacted the Calgary Flames co-GMs asking them if they were dropping Chara, who mistakenly was left on the Injury Chart.  Calgary traded Chara to Vancouver (Joel) on November 8th and the Canucks subsequently dropped Chara to the minors in a Waiver November 9th.  Instead of simply correcting the Yearbook for its oversight, the Flames went through with announcing they dropped Chara for Palmieri.  "We work hard enough here at the NHLP offices and to be mocked by the Flames, making us the laughing stock of the league" Capone said pausing, "Well we aren't through with Calgary just yet, let's leave it at that."  The practical joking Flames may have done well trading Chara for Neal, but messing with the NHLP Yearbook and their connected power within the NHLP might make for a miserable season ahead for the already struggling Flames.

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New Orleans GM - "Surprised"

GM Shawn told the NHLP Yearbook he has been a little surprised at the lack of interest from many GM's over the Waivers.  "I keep hearing from the same GM's" said Shawn who is looking to move Friday's Waiver in New Orleans.  The GM went on to express a little frustration that some GM's just aren't getting how valuable these Waivers are.  "I'd gladly use it, but I have an exceptional team there already, but I always go hard after the Waivers.  There comes a time when the minors dry up and suddenly guys act surprised, like it is some sort of shock.  Like, what happened!  This is a great league and this is how it works.  Each Waiver picks the minors apart and the better GM's just get it.  There is more value in a Waiver, the better the players in the minors, meaning the first Waivers do have more value."  GM Shawn stated GMs not going hard after the Waiver cannot be surprised with where it appears headed Friday and the rumored 6 for 6 that teams wants to do.
 
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Lupul's Up - Injury Page Updated

The next coming injuries in the NHLP are to McDonagh for GM Shawn and GM Chad for Nichushkin.  Both those are on the updated Injury Calander.  GM Charlie noted Lupul will be back any day, passing on the picks up to 5 points and then adding, "You don't drop top line playoff players as injuries as a general rule."   The GM makes a good point, as guys like Sharp are worth 20 points in a late season trade, whereas the replacement value in the minors just likely isn't there.  If you don't see your player but would like him added to the Injury Calendar, let us know. 

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Edmonton Annual House Cleaning

GM Scott said he is 'More attached to winning NHLP Championships than he is to any one player'.  "It is one thing to be attached to a Toews when Chicago is in first place" explained the GM, "But Burns hot start gave us no reason to keep him once we lost faith in San Jose as a team."  Using Burns and Burns high numbers the Oil GM made a huge 6 for 6, a seemingly annual event in Edmonton, also dropping Tanguay, Ryder, Byfuglien and Nieto, most of the players just cruising along with mediocre seasons at best.  Added was the potential rookie of the year in Forsberg along with potential playoff players T. Johnson, Plekanec and Weber.  "Dubinsky is an awesome double out" said Scott, "His double zero gives us outs if Nashville fades and his 50 points last season tells us when he is back in two weeks he should help us get some scoring for a late season move."  Edmonton has next Saturday's Waiver and GM Scott said he will look to move it by Saturday afternoon before the games start. 

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Hartford Plays Wire Again

Right after adding Krug this week, GM Andrew gave up the injured Tanguay in Hartford, adding a potential high scorer Stepan from Edmonton (Scott).  "We could use the 5 points, just led us to a higher player ranked on our want list" stated GM Scott. 
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Seattle Adds Playoff Player

GM Shawn added Smith in a move for Ryder and the Waiver in a move Seattle stated accomplished their lone goal.  "We had to move Ryder, and I doubt we could have done much better then a top Bruin" stated the GM.  GM Scott said moving Smith was all part of improving the team.  "I have the Waiver next Saturday, but with San Jose playing one game this week, I may not have been able to get the players I wanted with them playing extra games by next Saturday" stated the Oil GM.
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Waivers Available?

Back to back Waivers on Friday and Saturday just may be available.  GM Scott is saying his is in Edmonton and with New Orleans (Shawn) having two waivers this season and as good a team in the NHLP as their is, indications are they may move it although no official word from GM Shawn just yet.

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Chad Lights Up Twitter

GM Chad has a major following on Twitter, often voicing his displeasures or thoughts for his followers.  "It is great strategy as a GM to follow the other teams and GM's on Twitter" says Muddy Capone, "You can often note something that can help you better one of your teams."  GM Chad's most recent Tweet lit up the Tweetie Wire like the old days.  Chad is in the early stages of proposing the NHLP BOG's look into a limit on the number of players that may be dumped in any one Waiver, keeping the Minors more stocked as the season goes along.  GM Scott said he couldn't agree with Chad more stating, "It always baffles me that GM's continue to carry high scoring non playoff players all season only to find a relatively dry minors later in the season.  I sure as hell am not going to leave good playoff guys in the minors.  Why, because I am a nice GM who wants to give other guys a better chance of beating me?  I am going to scoop up every single playoff guy I can get and as soon as I can get them."  Capone said every NHLP GM is different in their thinking, just as GM Marcel indicated this weekend when he noted, "I will take Duchene and Landeskog from the minors" Marcel stated, "It is way to early to be dumping high scoring Elite players."  Although the Tweets from other GM's initially were not supportive of GM Chad's idea, it is almost a certainty we will be hearing more talk on this subject at the next GM's meeting.  Although the league went from 5 to 6 to 7 drafted players per team, so it could create more options when moving players, GM Vinnie Tweeted he'd like to see a number of players Drafted 'having to remain on your roster all season', likely defeating the purpose of moving to more players to begin with.  "The NHLP has became the best league in the world by the simple fact it isn't a draft your players and lets see who has the most points after 82 games" said Capone, "And it is likely the only pool in the world when all is said and done, Lubos Bartecko or Dave Reid or Ville Leino or Robert Svehla where the gems that made the difference in who won the Championship, certainly all players names who likely were never drafted in the NHLP or any other pick'em pool that has ever existed."  We are most certain that we haven't seen or heard the final Tweets on these two proposals.  "This is one of the great things about the NHLP" Capone added, "There are hundreds of inner working dynamics and each and every one effects another in ways we often can't even envision until we go there, but thank goodness there is enough experience among the current NHLP GM's that at least it isn't total guess work on how this damn thing actually works."
  

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Storm Brewing?

There is a rumor circulating that GM Shawn may take advantage of his 14 points and team full of playoff players to make a deal before Saturday.  "When you have points to give and can include the Waiver, things are right for something big to happen" stated league analyst Muddy Capone, "We have already seen GM Shawn make a big deal this season, so we'd not be at all surprised to see another."  Shawn is off to a great start and Seattle has the makings of a good team already.

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Landeskog 'Right Price'

Signing three players at Contracts of 1, including Elite player Landeskog made a lot of sense for the Florida Panthers (Marcel).  The smaller market team also added Vrbata and Desharnais in a 3 for 3, dropping Doan, Elias and Ekman-Larson.  Marcel admitted Landeskog was a bargain.  "There is a lot of season to go, to see Elite Players in the Minors" said the GM, "You can unload these guys later when guys are begging for points."  GM's Scott and Jr dumped Elite players already with the majority of the season to be played.  "Clearly GM's have different strategies" stated Muddy Capone, "The only strategy that ultimately matters will be the GM who can turn that Elite player into a Cup Winning team."

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Hartford Uses Waiver Wire to Add Krug

Waiver nights are very important to building championships and GM Andrew uses these nights to help build his winning teams as well as anyone.  Andrew added Krug and Wheeler in Hartford in a 2 for 2 with GM Marcel who needed a couple points for his Waiver in Florida and added Elias and Doan to make that happen.  GM's who are on the ball can add little pieces, like a Krug for relatively cheap.  "Even if Florida wanted Krug again, he is in the minors" stated Muddy Capone, "But here is a top defensemen, 10 points in 12 playoff games last season, who any GM could have had tonight."  Capone added that the Krug's of the world will be hot commodities later, making as much as 10 points in Deadline deals, making grabbing them for nothing even more a long term win.

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  Montreal Cracks 100

GM Marcel is use to high scoring teams.  He seemingly hits the 100 mark first almost yearly.  The Canadiens beat Portland (Vinnie) to 100, lead by both Crosby and Johansen who have 46 of the teams current 103, or 45% of the teams scoring.  Ten teams are within 10 points of the worst total, currently belonging to Dallas (Jr & Scottie) who only have 61 points with their two top scorers on the Oilers and Voynov on the docket.  Voynov is an injury pick today by 6 PM for the Stars.

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Vatanen Makes NHLP Debut

GM Ryan said he is a big fan of the 23 year old power play specialist in Anaheim.  "Someone has to be on the back end of Getzlaf and Perry on the power play" stated Ryan in a text to the NHLP Yearbook.  With 12 of his 16 points on the power play clearly Vatanen is the big man in Anaheim on the point, almost leading the Ducks in points, just one back of Getzlaf.  The Knights also added Williams and Doughty in a three for three where Kronwall had to be sacraficed, along with Ladd and low point producer Huberdeau.  The Knights now have 7 playoff players and still plenty of scoring to hold down a playoff spot in the NHLP's West Division.

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Seeing Stars

Voynov was dropped today by Dallas (Jr & Scottie) in a move GM Jr called a "Knockout".  It was a big move, adding Evander "Holyfield" Kane who will give the Stars some needed punch.  Before the injury drop the Stars were in last overall in the 36 team league.  St Louis (Iron-Mike Tyson) now finds himself in last place in the league, the other team Kane plays for.

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Bruins Dupuis Out for Season

GM Ryan had a major blow dealt to his Boston team when the news broke Dupuis is gone for 6 months.  "He was one of the movable parts the CTR wrote about" said Muddy Capone.  The Bruins who have Ovechkin and Karlsson who may need to find a spot in the minors if they are not playoff players not must also replace Dupuis. 

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Shattenkirk Added in Point Pick-up

GM's Jr and Scottie opted to add 12 points and take Shattenkirk out of the minors in a 5 for 5.  The Flames dumped O'Reilly, Landeskog, Williams, Richards and Maroon, 5 big names, for Shattenkirk, Galchenyuk, Parenteau, Gonchar and Gonchar.  "I never thought I'd see the day when I have four Habs on one team" said GM Jr, "But with all the slow starts, the points and playoff players made more sense than the offers we received for the Waiver."  Landeskog became the second Elite Player dropped in just three Waivers, both from Colorado (Duchene).

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What Excitement Will Saturday Bring?

Fresh off two exciting Waivers and a huge NHLP deal this week, GM Jr & Scottie have Saturday's Waiver in Calgary and have stated they will move players and the Waiver or just the Waiver if the right value can be had.  "These early Waivers can be where Championship teams get the early jump" said Muddy Capone, "Stealing a Tofolli or Lehtera as we just saw with the first two picks of the year."  Some GM's like to wait, keeping non playoff guys for added scoring while other GM's like to get rid of them as soon as possible.  The different strategies always make for a wide assortment of teams but there can be no denying the value of a Waiver on any given night of the NHLP season.  We fully expect another big name to leave the Minors with tonight's Waiver no matter who has it.

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Calgary Waiver On The Move Again

After trading the first NHLP Waiver of the season, co-GM's Jr and Scottie have announced they will also be trading Saturday's Waiver in Calgary.  "We are open to all offers and look forward to working with another GM interested in the Waiver" said GM Jr.  The minors are very loaded but will continue to be depleted player by player and if GM's make the right choices, early Waivers can have clear advantages. 

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New Orleans Gets Stronger
Quebec Get Statistical Advantage
Who Really Won the Deal?

GM Shawn didn't waste time moving points, sending 10 to Quebec (Matt) for Backes and Lucic.  "The Wolverines are just a stacked team" said Muddy Capone.  Already with Johnson, Perry and Kesler, and now added is Backes and Lucic, giving the team a much feared lineup top to bottom with many more points to give.  "I was going hard after the Waiver to add Lehtera" stated Shawn, not adding if this deal played a part or not in Lehtera no longer in the minors.  The Nords added the points and Nash and Burrows.  "I believe in both the Rangers and Canucks, so I think I may have won the deal" said GM Matt who was happy with what he called a "Statistical Win."  Matt who is known to be one of the many GM's now using advanced statistics said in a text with Capone that the Nords increased their Points Per 60 Minutes, "The PP60M went up 2.64, from 3.74 to 6.38" texted Matt adding the net points of this deal by seasons end is around 42.24 points Quebec's way.  Matt also claimed the Minute Distribution Charts of the players/teams involved made a huge difference in why he made this deal.  The advanced statistics are very valuable and Matt said "The PP60M/MD of Nash and Burrows compared with Backes and Lucic was just to good to pass on."  Undoubted the GM is right stated Capone, "But these charts aren't telling us the NHLP value of St Louis and Boston players compared with Rangers and Canucks, something only an NHLP GM can value."  Clearly things are starting to heat up in the NHLP as teams realize what they have, or have to do, to make that winning team.  Will this get a response from Buffalo (Joel), who now have the first place team in the South and New Orleans number one competition for the top team in the NHLP?

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NHLP Breaking News:  Nash Gone?

There is a circulating report of a deal by the New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) that they have traded Nash and Burrows to a team in the East Division.  "Yes it is true" said GM Shawn saying that a 3 PM Press Conference has been called to announce the deal.  Nash is off to a great start and the two have 26 points on the top ranked Wolverines.  Knowing GM Shawn loves his Blues players, all three NHLP teams at the bottom of the East have Blues, Matt with Backes, Charlie with Oshie and Jr with Pietrangelo.  We can only assume it is one of these players targeted.  Stay tune.

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League Heavyweights in South

It isn't a real surprise that the CTR listed the New Orleans Wolverines (Shawn) and The Buffalo Sabres (Joel) as the two best teams in the NHLP according to the just released first CTR of the NHLP season.  Both teams come in at over 2000 and are clearly way in front based on the current NHL standings and their teams.  "Only one of the two can come out of the Division in the end" said Muddy Capone, "The other Divisions should be thankful for that." Check out the CTR and see what the current Power Rankings have to say about your team thus far. 

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Lehtera Titan Target

GM Scott admitted he lucked into Lehtera's natural Hat Trick.  "We were able to get three of the five guys we wanted" said GM Scott, "Lehtera twice and Kucherov were three we got, so we did ok."  The NHLP's first Elite player to be dropped to the minors was Duchene, along with Yandle, Purcell, Wisniewski and Scheifele made up the five to the minors in the drop.  The Titan also added Jenner twice for what GM Scott said is a "Solid low number for what will come next."  The Titan didn't waste time after the CTR called them one of the worst teams in the NHLP.

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Just Drouin It

San Fran (Scott) started the clearing of the house, starting with Drouin who is now a Nordique (Matt).  "Drouin had 8 points in 11 games as a Titan" said GM Scott, "But you need to produce better than that to play on a Championship winning team.  This is Chelsea not Burnley."  The Nords sent Purcell in the even point deal along with 9 spots in the 7th round of next years draft.  GM Scott also stated everyone will be gone by noon with the exception of the teams lone untouchable, Koivu.  "You don't trade guys like Koivu, you just don't" said the Titan GM.

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Vegas Strips Titan of Waiver

The Las Vegas Strip (Vinnie) have moved the November 11th Waiver to GM Scott in San Fran for a Waiver in January as well as a 2nd and 4th round pick.  "I had an offer of around 30 spots in the second round" said GM Vinnie, "But it didn't include a Waiver and we wanted that movable piece just in case it was needed at a later date."  GM Scott was please saying that after reading the CTR he was slightly embarrassed with the direction of the team in the early going.  "We don't accept anything less something that resembles a competitive team and I had simply grown tired of a few of the beats, especially our top picks in San Fran" the GM added who ensured by morning the team would not be recognizable. 
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Machine Boyle Over

GM Jr decided to drop the injured Boyle and replace him with 4 point player Cullen with the Memphis injury pick on Tuesday.

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Vancouver Makes 'Rushed' 4'fer

GM Joel made a 4 for 4 Waiver drop in Vancouver after paying a Waiver and Draft picks to acquire it from Calgary (Jr & Scottie).  "I was in a bit of a rush" said GM Joel, "But I got the players I wanted and am excited about Toffoli, Brown and Stepan."  Also added was Lecavalier for the injured Chara and Eberle, McGinn and Legwand. 

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Draft For 2017-18 Updated

The NHLP Draft Master page and Draft page for the 2017-18 draft is updated.  This draft may be used in trades this season and was picked at this years draft.  GM Vinnie in Atlantic City has the first overall pick while Edmonton (Scott) and Cleveland (Tyson) have the next two NHLP season's first overall.

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Joel Goes Big

GM Jr said it was available and it was, trading the first Waiver of the NHLP season from Calgary to Vancouver (Joel) in an inner conference deal.  Calgary had a huge point gain, adding Neal for Chara, a Waiver and two picks, a 2nd and 6th rounder.  "GM Joel gave us a very fair offer" said GM Jr, "In the end, no one else's offers competed."  Although GM Joel appears to have paid dearly for the Waiver, Muddy Capone states it was well worth it, "The minors are loaded and sure Neal is a huge point per game player to give up, what can be had from the minors made any GM getting this Waiver a winner."  The NHLP Yearbook anticipates GM Joel to make a 4 for 4, but no word has been heard from the Canucks as of Midnight.

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Vegas Gambling on Good Deal

GM Vinnie has said he plans on moving the Waiver on Tuesday, hoping to garner a deal as Calgary (Jr & Scottie) did to start the season.  "I am officially taking offers" said Vinnie who stated players didn't have to be involved but could be.

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Blues Get Wild

The St Louis Blues (Tyson) elevated themselves from the NHLP's basement floor by adding 5 points for Dubinsky, grabbing Wild player Granlund.  Granlund is now gone twice.  GM Tyson has another injury pick Friday for Stastny in Cleveland before Calgary's first Waiver on Saturday.

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Franzen Newest Flame

Palmieri became expendable in Calgary (Jr) with the coming Waiver and points needed if the Flames don't move the Waiver.  "He is now also available, as is the roster" said Jr who has previously said he'd move the Waiver and any players for the right price.  Franzen had 5 points and moved the Flames to 19 out in the NHLP's West Division.  For the first time this season the Flames are no longer the NHLP doormats, certain to change again Wednesday after St Louis (Tyson) add a five point player for Dubinsky. 

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Another Injury in Halifax

As if the injuries to McDonagh and Hedman weren't misery enough, the Halifax Destroyers (Shawn) lost the teams Elite player Sharp for what apparently "will be a while".  Early speculation is an MCL but any games missed further hurt the East's lowest scoring team.  "This is the way it goes sometimes" said GM Shawn via text to 25 year veteran Muddy Capone, "All three of these guys are players any GM would pay dearly to have.  We just need to get through this without getting ourselves in too deep a hole.  Trading any of the three when healthy can change things back in our favour, but I'd prefer to not lose more than one of them at worst."  GM Shawn has two teams in the lowest scoring 10 in the NHLP but New Orleans and Buffalo (Joel) have traded spots on a daily bases for first overall in the NHLP with today about 75 points in the race to be the first team to hit the century mark.

Injury Picks

GM Jr can now pick for Palmieri in Calgary while Wednesday by 6 PM GM Tyson can replace Dubinsky, both picks up to 5 points.  There are 9 players in total on the Injury Calendar that can be picked over over the next three weeks.  Check out your players and if you don't see your guy and he has missed half his required games, give me a heads up.

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The Right Price

GM Jr has announced to the league that Saturday's Waiver is available for the "Right price."  In the release to the NHLP Yearbook Jr said there is a lot of potential there to make an early season trade and he'd not hesitate to move players with the Waiver if things make sense.  Calgary is well back in the West Division, 23 points back of 4th and last overall in the NHLP.  All seven players are potential playoff players although it is believed a move for the injured Palmieri is coming tonight as GM Jr knows it is a free 5 points as the other Palmieri is in the minors.  League rules do not allow you to drop a player and pick him back up without another GM picking in-between, however since Palmieri is in the minors one time, Calgary could pick him up once. leaving the player he dropped in the minors.  Things should get interesting and we should see a deal of some sorts by no later then Saturday.

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OSHIe,T

TJ Oshie and Backes both suffered concussions, hitting three different NHLP GMs hard.  GM Chad is already with Nichushkin and Glencross injured in Colorado where the Pacific's 5th place Avs are only 10 points clear of Calgary (Jr & Scottie) for the worst NHLP team, well least the lowest scoring to start the season.  Oshie was off to as miserable start as any player could be, a mere single point in eight games for the second round selection.  "All those lost points are money in the bank when the trades start coming" says Muddy Capone, "As long as St Louis is a playoff team, GMs know Oshie will sooner or later return to the player he is expected to be."  GM Charlie's NY Rangers, last place in the Atlantic Division are in the same boat as Chad in Colorado and both teams are only three points clear of a playoff spot.  Both Oshie and Backes are out indefinitely and with concussions, both might play next game or next week or next year, as is always the case with this injury, you hope it isn't major and they come back soon, but unlike a broken finger where we know it is a 2 to 3 week injury, concussions are anybody's guess.

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Weak Away

The first NHLP Waiver of the season is just a week away now, officially launching the NHLP's unofficial trading season.  The Calgary Flames (Jr & Scottie) drafted 36th and 37th overall, landing Landeskog and O'Reilly.  On paper the team does look set for a Cup run, but injuries and slow starts seem the norm in Alberta for the Oil's little sister.  Good news came yesterday when the teams PPG leader Maroon said he could go Friday against Dallas or Sunday versus the Avalanche, two full weeks ahead of schedule.  This could open the way for a much larger deal with assets galore in Calgary but points seemingly just folklore.  Sitting already 18 points out of a playoff spot this Waiver will play a huge part of how Calgary's season unfolds.

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Whatcha Doing?

The Waivers are inching closer.  All season long if you know in advance what you are planning, like moving a Waiver or certain players, let us know and we will post it here.  If it is the day of, ensure you cc everyone in an email, as it may be too late to get something posted.

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CTR Returns

The Cup Threat Rating (CTR) is the NHLP's equivalent to the Power Rankings.  "It is a great separator of the teams" says Muddy Capone, "Usually the top ten teams are the leagues best and the bottom ten, long seasons are often to follow."  The CTR for the first time in a decade is tweaking their power ranking formula, "So we are inline with the new playoff format with the NHL" said Capone.  The CTR is going to try and come out at least 4 times this season, with an early look at the teams this coming weekend when most teams in the NHL will break the 10 game barrier to start the season.

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Nashville and Carolina

With only 9 players between the teams on current NHLP Rosters it is clear that neither team was thought as playoff teams by NHLP GMs on Draft day.  The Canes are now the only NHL team without a win so far this season and their 29 goals allowed looks out of place when Minnesota has only allowed 4 goals through the teams first 5 games.  The Preds on the other hand are the lone NHL team to lose in regulation this year, starting 5-0-2 and looking every bit the part.  Neal (Andrew and Joel) has 5 goals in the first 7 games while team leader Forsberg is in the NHLP Minors twice.  Neal and former Predator Hornqvist go head to head Saturday night as the NHL's Penguins will try and deal Nashville their first loss.  Each year we see a few teams excel that no one truly was willing to lay a preseason bet on and it makes for interesting GM decisions come Waiver time, do you jump on the bandwagon or not?  This often separates the winners and the losers, the GMs who make the correct call on the teams long term success this season.  We are sure if the Preds have another couple undefeated weeks in front of them that they will be hot commodities when the Waivers start in two weeks.

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Retraction:

The NHLP Yearbook issued an apology to the Calgary Flames Franchise, GM's Jr & Scottie and the fans of the organization on Saturday morning.  "Do to an unfortunate internal mishap an 'Editors Note' was published that should not have appeared on the NHLP2.com site and the 'Note' does not entirely reflect the views of the NHLP Yearbook" the statement read, adding  "A full investigation into the matter is underway including a review of the procedures and policies of the Yearbook staff".  Muddy Capone who oversees the Yearbook staff said what occurred was unacceptable even if quite plainly the honest truth.  "This is not a debate about how the Franchise in Calgary operates, for that is clearly a one-side debate that no one can argue against" Capone stated.  "The Franchise is in shambles and has been in a downward spiral for the better part of a decade.  We are certainly not going to try and convince our readers otherwise.  Our hearts do go out to all fans of the Franchise for the continued agony it must be as a fan.  There is nothing we can do to sugar coat what is happening in Calgary.  We fully understand that with the exception of Miami, there may not be an NHLP team that has been this bad, this long, and having to share the Province with Edmonton isn't something fair to the fans, but out of our control.  However, this isn't about any of that.  This is about our staff needing to be more careful in their editing moving forward, as it might have been something unfairly printed and unjust towards an undeserving Franchise.  As their leader, I will ensure this just doesn't happen".

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Trying To Move Up Waivers

Well, if there was a way, we are certain the co-GMs in Calgary would be looking for it.  The team with the first NHLP Waiver of the season has been hammered with injuries, a third player going down.  Chara is rumored out long term, following Palmieri and Maroon.  "As bad and miserable as it has been in Calgary, they are still just a mere 13 points out of the playoffs" Muddy Capone pointed out.  If there is a bright side it is the Waiver and the fact it is early with some potentially very valuable players on the Roster.  Williams is playoff gold and just won the Conn Smythe and Richards is another King most GMs would love to have.  If Colorado can rebound, the teams top two picks are both fantasy fantasies in Landeskog and O'Reilly.  The GMs will have some tough choices come Waiver night, either an early season total retooling or something less dramatic.  GM Jr was always the dramatic type and a 7 for 7 would certainly happen after four trades and a 20 point gain, but we have come to see a softer more casual approach from the once feared GM.  We are talking about a franchise that laid claim to a team slogan of "You'll Probably Beat Us".  We will be the first to admit that that was back when the team was struggling and things have certainly changed since.  (Editors Note:  Before posting take out that last line.  What league have you been watching?  This is Calgary we are talking about, the floor mats of the NHLP since inception.  "Back when the team was struggling"...your fucking killing me here.)

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Been There - Will He Do That?

It was only last season GM Joel had so many points in Buffalo that he simply did not know what to do with them all.  He gave 30 here and 30 there, adding both Stamkos and Crosby to the Sabres, the two best players in the league on one team.  "It was such a crazy move at the time" said GM Joel, "I knew I likely shouldn't have done it, but how could I resist?"  To the heartbreak of the GM his Sabres missed the NHLP playoffs as they just cut themselves too thin.  Temptation is surely going to be something the Sabres deal with again this season.  Already with 5 players who have over 6 points including Malkin, Hornqvist, Bozak, Henrique and Vrbata, Buffalo is already 22 points up on 5th.  At this rate the Sabres will have easily 50+ points to give again, maybe much more, meaning the opportunity to do something mind-blowing again.  Joel has likely learned from last season that cutting things too finely can often be dangerous.  However, we also know the opportunities that are presented to GMs with these kinds of points to move.  As the season goes along many GMs find it difficult to resist a monster deal when presented with one.  One thing is for certain it will be fun watching Buffalo this season to see how GM Joel handles another potential dream team.

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Two Weeks to Waiver One

Eight NHLP teams have Waivers in November with Calgary (Jr & Scottie) setting the Waiver season in motion on November 8th.  "This is the unofficial launch of the trading season" said Muddy Capone, "With Waivers being crucial in building some of the best teams each year."  There are always great finds on Waiver nights, players who may be had for just a point or two that are great players on NHL playoff teams.  GM Scott says it is like he has the Waiver every night because there is always something creative you can do to better a team.  "One of my favorite Waiver moves is the win-win" said GM Scott, "When a player is in the minors, offering a GM a few points and a draft pick for that same player off his current team.  The GM can just pick the player up in the minors again, adds a draft pick and has additional points for using in his pick, a true NHLP win-win."  It is being hungry and creative that can make the difference.  While it is the start of hibernation season for several GM's, in just two weeks, the real "Championship Building" season officially launches with the first Waiver of 2014-15.

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Injury Calendar Updated

After your player misses at least half his required games, I usually through his name up on the Injury Calendar.  If you don't see a long term injured player that you think you may want to dump, let me know and I will ad his name.  It is totally up to you to know when you can pick for your players, however every effort will be made to remind you when the date arrives.  Injury picks are made by 6 PM and failing to pick on your first available date means you pick behind another GM on a later day if that is his first night to pick.  You may always pick up to 5 points or equal to the injured players amount if greater than 5.
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NHL Announces Trading Deadline

Monday, March 2nd is the NHL Trading Deadline, leaving GM's Charlie and Marcel as the lone Waivers after the Deadline.  Charlie goes the next night in Phoenix while Montreal has the final Waiver of the season on March 7th.

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Hedman Stings Halifax

Only four points up on fifth in the East, the Halifax Destroyers (Shawn) received the bad news that was rumored, Hedman is gone 4 to 6 weeks.  Hedman and Tampa Bay were off to torrid starts and GM's Shawn and Tyson in Cleveland were enjoying their fourth round picks early success.  "You knew Hedman was ready to breakout" said Muddy Capone, "The six year veteran had just adapted to the bigger ice and after last seasons breakout, you knew he was going to explode."  With Tampa Bay looking like a solid team this season the GM's will have to just hold on until he comes back and hope he can pick it back up.  With this being his hand, he will be able to keep skating and should come back in great shape.

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Cup Hangover?

The NHLP's worst team with only 11 points on the season is none other than the San Fran Titan (Scott).  After winning their second Championship the team is out of the gate as slow as you can get with 5 players having two points or less including eggs from Koivu and Drouin.  "I had a serious Cup hangover after winning in San Fran in '03, not making the playoffs anywhere the year afterward and I said never again" said GM Scott, "I put more time in this years draft then I ever have with the FTIMU.  Finding and drafting only 200+ shot players with top minutes per game and only first line power play units.  Players having to have had top five power play minutes on their team to qualify, for basically all 21 guys except the rookies I drafted.  So the FTIMU did its job and this is nothing but a slow start."  Scott says the Titan will rebound and be a threat to win it all when things are all said and done.

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Up North

The NHLP North Division is about as fucked up as a geographical Division the NHLP has ever seen.  The North's six teams include Florida and Miami as well as Las Vegas and San Fran.  Cincinnati is hardly North as is the final team in the Division, Toronto.  "Being in the Central Conference likely doesn't help" laughed Muddy Capone.  Two North teams, Miami (Charlie) and Las Vegas (Vinnie) should be moving North, up the standings with the return of Datsyuk Tuesday.  Vinnie has weathered the storm without Datsyuk, only 5 points out of first and Charlie is only 9 out of first in the Division.

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Hamilton Scores Again

Nothing new for GM Tyson!  In just his 6th NHLP season GM Tyson has won 2 NHLP Championships and continues to do things even 20 years veterans have never accomplished.  The Hamilton Hitmen became just the leagues 32nd team in league history to hit 12 points in a night, doing it for the second time as a franchise and fourth as a GM.  "I look at GM Marcel and GM Andrew" said Muddy Capone, "39 years of GM experience between them and combined have not had more 12 point nights then GM Tyson has in just his sixth season."  Hamilton is now the sixth team to hit 12+ points in a night twice and as a GM is only one behind 25 year veteran GM Scott who has accomplished the amazing feat more than any other GM, but only 5 times in 25 years.

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5 to 6 to 7

In the NHLP's history, entering its 25th Anniversary, the 12+ point night has only been reached 32 times after Hamilton (Tyson) hit the magic number tonight.  In the twelve years the teams had 5 players per team, the feat was only accomplished twice, first by one of the leagues founding GM's,  GM Ian and later by GM Jr.  In the eight years the league carried six players per team GMs hit 12+ on eight occasions.  "This is only the fifth season in league history where we have carried seven players" said Muddy Capone, "But the elusive 12+ point nights have now fallen 22 times over that short span."  It is still a 'Big Night' as current GM's Joel (8), Matt (7) and Vinnie (9), combining for 24 years as GMs have not had a 12 point night between them.
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NHLP Players -Years - 12+ Nights

5 Players - 12 Years - Done 2 Times
6 Players - 8 Years - Done 8 Times
7 Players - 5 Years - Done 22 Times

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GMs Recording The 12+ Point Nights

Scott (5) San Fran x 2, Edmonton x 2, Philadelphia
Ryan (4) NY Islanders x 2, Green Bay, Boston
Tyson (4) Hamilton x 2, Cleveland, St Louis
Jr (3) New Jersey, Dallas, Calgary
Shawn (3) Halifax, Detroit, New Orleans
Marcel (3) Alaska x 2, Florida
Charlie (2) Phoenix, Anaheim
Chad (2) Pittsburgh, Colorado
Glen (2) San Diego, Atlantic City
Andrew (1) Washington
Henry (1) San Jose
Brady (1) Vancouver
Ian (1) Boston

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Teams Recording 12+ Point Nights

Twice
Alaska (Marcel)
Boston (Ian, Ryan)
Edmonton (Scott)
Hamilton (Tyson)
NY Islanders (Ryan)
San Fran (Scott)

Once
Anaheim (Charlie)
Atlantic City (Glen)
Calgary (Jr)
Cleveland (Tyson)
Colorado (Chad)
Dallas (Jr)
Detroit (Shawn)
Florida (Marcel)
Green Bay (Ryan)
Halifax (Shawn)
New Jersey (Jr)
New Orleans (Shawn)
Philadelphia (Scott)
Phoenix (Charlie)
Pittsburgh (Chad)
San Diego (Glen)
San Jose (Henry)
St Louis (Tyson)
Vancouver (Brady)
Washington (Andrew)

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Zetterberg Helps Wait

The Miami Surf (Charlie) have some players who have been often hurt in the past couple years, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Lupul and Franzen, but so far everything is going GM Charlie's way while he waits for Datsyuk to play his first game this season.  "I am happy with the start" Charlie told the NHLP Yearbook.  Why wouldn't he be?  After Zetterberg and Franzen combined for 6 points, the team is basically in second in the North.  This comes without Datsyuk playing yet.  Charlie has had seemingly a Detroit built game each and every year and suffered some tough Wings playoff loses in recent years, but that didn't stop Charlie from going all in on them again this season.  Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Franzen are about as good a Detroit team as possible and so far Charlie has every reason to be happy with their and his start.

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Maroon 4

As if things weren't bad enough in Calgary (Jr & Scottie) the team has learned Maroon is gone four weeks.  With the first Waiver of the season about 3 weeks away, the three point player will surely be in the minors before he appears in his next NHL game.  Maroon has three of the six points the team has scored this season and was looking like a bright spot for the struggling team.  Already with Pamieri injured and sitting 8 points out of a playoff spot the seasons first Waiver could not come soon enough.

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 Drouin To Minors

"Well least he is playing" said GM Scott who took the young star twice, once both to Philadelphia and San Fran.  Drouin had 242 points in 128 QMJHL games and undoubtedly will light up the NHL in the future, although rookies seldom do, so his time in the NHLP might be a few years away.  "I looked at what his junior line mate did and based a lot of our pick on that" said Scott referring to the year MacKinnon had last year and hoping Drouin's first season could be near as good.  Starting with an injury and in the minors, likely now missing the teams first 8 to 10 games won't help his scoring numbers this season.

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Miserable Start For Proud GM

If Detroit gets the "HockeyTown" moniker in the NHL, the NHLP's HockeyTown shifts further South, all the way into Texas.  The two-time NHLP Champion's in Dallas are the self proclaimed HockeyTown of the NHLP and rightly so.  The Stars were the third NHLP team to win two Champions and from 2000-2009, there may not have been a better or more feared NHLP GM.  "GM Jr gave you a sense that he was going to dominate each and every year" said Muddy Capone, "He had unbelievable teams that come the playoffs GMs literally feared playing."  In 2009-10 Dallas registered 15 points in a regular season night, the highest regular season total ever and in that same year's playoffs, GM Jr hit 17 in New Jersey, for the biggest night in league history.  After the first week of the NHLP season this year, GM's Jr & Scottie only have 15 points between their three teams, about the same as 15 other NHLP Teams have and about a quarter of GM Shawn's 57 points.   "Slow starts are miserable and all teams and GMs go through them from time to time" said Capone.  Jr is a firm believer in 'things coming out in the wash', meaning his 9 players that have zero points (compared to GM Shawn who has 9 with 4+ points) will even out down the road.  Maybe, maybe not.  Is this nothing more than a slow start or is it a reflection of things to come?  Jr is still known as a powerhouse GM and he knows how to bring a team back from being completely off the radar.  The problem is due to poor drafting the last few years his teams are off the radar more frequently.  Once down, now the pressure of making strong Waivers and strong moves must be there, something that appears missing from his game of late.  GM Scott says he saw the change when some of the best teams in the NHLP, built by GM Jr and expected to go far, got knocked out in the playoffs.  "I think Jr was doing the right things" said Scott, "But started second guessing how to build the winners, even though he was doing everything right to begin with."  GM Andrew said Jr has a deep rooted passion for the NHLP that you either have or you don't.  "When he brings that passion you actually see and sense it" Andrew said, "When he brings that game, no one can beat the guy."  Andrew feels it is just a matter of GM Jr finding it again.  "I went through the same kind of period" Andrew said, "I was able to get it back, but it didn't fall into my lap."  Andrew went onto say that when Jr has his best game going for him, "It seems to bring out the best in me as well."  GM's Jr and Scottie have the first Waiver of the NHLP season, notoriously the best to have.  "I think that will define their season, as it did last season" said GM Scott, "A huge move to let the NHLP know they are hungry for another Championship this season, will set that tone."  As for Dallas, they are just a Cup away from being the NHLP's first team to raise a third team Championship banner.  Should we expect anything less from the NHLP's version of Hockeytown? 

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Eights is Enough

GM Shawn had an historic night just two days into the NHLP's 25th season.  Recording 27 points from his tree teams (10-9-8) for the second highest average 'Points Per Team' night in league history at 9.00, only behind GM Chad's 28 point 9.33 night (13-10-5) on March 10th, 2013.  The night however accomplished a rare feat, an NHLP first.  GM Shawn became the first GM in league history to have all three teams hit 8+ points on the same night.  "The previous record holders lowest teams were always under 8" said Muddy Capone, "With GM Jr previously having a third team hitting 7 with his 8-7-7 on October 16, 2011."  How big was GM Shawn's night last night?  The lowest scoring 15 teams (almost half) the league last night didn't have 27 points, including GM Andrew who had 4 in total from his three teams and two of them had zero on the night.  "If we are looking at big nights, look to Saturday" said Capone, when all 30 NHL teams and every playing the NHLP that isn't hurt will play.

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Oh Boy

Memphis GM's Jr & Scottie will have more to think about the day after their NHLP Waiver in Calgary, about the time Boyle will be due as an injury pick.  Boyle broke his hand in the season's opening game and is now gone 4 to 6 weeks.  "What a relief that must be" said Muddy Capone, "Knowing that a player of yours breaks his hand and it wasn't Thornton or St Louis", the two big guns in Memphis.  Well, it can always be worse and although this sucks, the GM's will get up to a 5 point player in an injury pick, while still early enough in the season to turn this negative into a positive.

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Still Searching

After a huge pre-season deal leading to the drafting of Toews, the Chicago Blackhawks (Andrew) have now become the last team in the NHLP to get a point.  "It always sucks to start slow" said Muddy Capone, "But I don't think Toews is on the block just yet."  Toews hopes to lead Chicago to a third team Cup, the first NHLP team to do so.  GM Andrew had a big hand in 1999 (Chicago) and 2004 (Washington) of winning Cups 2 & 3 for Yashin, the only player in league history with three Cups.  Toews has two so this could be a lucky year for both Toews and Chicago, but at some point they will need to first get that first point of the season.

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Officepools Updated

Please check your own teams.  Remember if you click the TEAM column at the top, the current NHLP Standings show properly.  If you see an injured player you didn't know was injured, you have to him missing his first game to replace your pick, otherwise he falls into the injury rule.  I didn't see any surprises when I look.

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Player Tracking - Count Your Name 21 Times

It always sucks when a mistake is made on this page, for it means Waivers get screwed up.  Please ensure your teams are there 7 times each.  If I missed anyone or got a player on the wrong team, please advise sooner then later.

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Lee Returned to Minors

GM Joel's Carolina Hurricanes will likely be ok, but 7th round player Lee won't start the season in the NHL.  After Lee misses 13 games the Canes will be able to grab a player who has up to 5 points, which in this case will be November 7th and likely a much better replacement than Lee himself.  Carolina cannot replace Lee now, just as Skinner could not be replaced, as what happened to him was on the day of our draft or later.  However, if a player misses their first game AND the GM can prove this was something that occurred before the draft AND no one knew that player was injured (he wasn't listed on any of the printed injury reports), a GM could immediately by 6 PM the follow night of missing his first game replace that player.  A replacement pick must be an unselected player with equal to or less then the average points of all players selected in that round after games the previous night (essentially 0 points, but maybe 1 - depending).  "When you look in Officepools, there really aren't any surprises now, but each case is its own" said Muddy Capone, "And it is up to the GM to advise the league immediately after his player misses his first game of his desire to drop that player, so a decision can be made on whether compensation will be allowed."

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NHLP Replacement Rule

Many years ago this kind of thing occurred, because we didn't have access to the Internet and such live statistics.  The league still honors this replacement rule because it's intention is a star player wasn't gone for three months before the draft and no one knew, basically crippling a team out of the gate.  Although the league refuses to come down off the "5 point barrier" for the Injury Rule, it can be argued that any injury now is more a benefit to a GM if the player is likely a 5th, 6th or 7th rounder.  You don't want an injury to kill any team, but a GM should not benefit from an injury either.  "There was very strong support of moving this number to 3 points" said Muddy Capone, "But it gets shot down each time."  One thing is from year to year you never know what GM could benefit.  "Maybe out of the gate there needs to be bigger numbers, like a 7th rounder missing 20 games before compensation under the injury rule" says Capone, adding "Lee will be replaced, as will Skinner, under the injury rule, while others in that same round are still struggling to score their second point."  For now the injury rule still sits at minimum 5 points and the replacement rule, although seldom used now-a-days, still does exist.  

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Dubinsky - Gone 6 Weeks

 The St Louis Blues (Tyson) received word Wednesday morning that Dubinsky had surgery and will be gone for 6 weeks.  This is another in the long list of injuries hitting NHLP GM's before the season is even underway.  The injury shouldn't hurt GM Tyson, as he will be scheduled to replace Dubinsky with a player up to 5 points on November 5th, the earliest of any injury pick so far.  Lee is scheduled for the 7th for GM Joel followed by GM Scott picking for Skinner on the 8th, all injury picks before Calgary's (Jr & Scottie) first Waiver on the 8th.  It is very possible several more players will become injury picks in the coming week.

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Skinner Blow for Philly?

GM Scott admitted all injuries are bad injuries but if a player is going to suffer such a serious injury, as another concussion for Skinner, they are better early in the season.  The Philadelphia Flyer know Skinner was suppose to bring scoring from that 5th round pick, but now it will likely be someone else.  "I already circled November 8th" said GM Scott, "That is the day he will no longer be a Flyer if he is still hurt." 

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It's a GREAT Sign

GM Marcel not only has Crosby in Montreal, but now adds in Johansen who signed with the Blue Jackets just two days after the Draft.  The Penguins (Chad) also benefit from the signing.  The doubt of whether he'd sign or not and how long this would drag out caused his value to drop until the 4th round.  This will really help the scoring of these two teams and has turned into a great move by both GMs.

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Matt - Galcheyuk, Not Gallagher

GM Matt noted a change on his Quebec team, saying he chose Galchenyuk, not Gallagher as Officepools had.  No further changes have been heard from since.

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Calgary - First Waiver

GM's Jr & Scottie had an interesting Draft.  "It is a blast watching these two" said GM Andrew, "Jr wants to pick the 40 year olds and Scottie and his advanced statistics wants to pick the young players."  The Yearbook came down hard on the Co-GM's after picking the first Waiver last year.

Memphis (Jr) Drops Pominville (3), Enstrom (1), Ott (1), Ennis (2) and Clowe (2), Adds Stastny (3), Hjalmarsson (1), Leddy (1), Boyle (2), and Havlat (2)

Havlat?  Leddy?  Boyle?  Hjalmarsson?

Steen was in the minors at the time and picked with the next Waiver and later turned into Kopitar and a Cup.  "We did think it wasn't as strong as the first Waiver should have been" stated Muddy Capone, "But the GM's have over a month to get this first Waiver right and kick-start what could be a winning season in Calgary."  Don't the Flames fans finally deserve that?

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Ranch Holds 25th Draft

Thanks to GM Joel the NHLP spent the 25th Anniversary Draft out on the Ranch.  It was a great Draft and rumors have it the NHLP cannot wait to get back to the Ranch.  "Everything was awesome" said GM Jr, who then stated, "Well, almost everything."  Seems Jr had some late night issues with the card dealing of fellow GM Scott.  The poker game got heated at times and at one point GM Scott asked Jr, "If I go missing tomorrow check for a shallow dug grave up the street".  GM Scott was referring about both the Graveyard 100 yards away and the fact he was having some good fortunes at the table and his pockets were running out of storage room.  Jr shot back telling Scott that 'he has a pretty swelled head' if he thinks they'd actually take the time to dig a grave.  Scott did survive the night but there appears to be some bad blood brewing which could easily come to a head at the next meeting's card game.  "I'll be the first to admit I'd get creamed in a spelling contest" said GM Scott today, "But I struggle after that to think of anything else I don't excel at."  On the heels of the beat down GM Scott gave the NHLP this past season, we'd have to tend to agree.  Should be a fun season ahead. 

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NO Respect for Phoenix

GM Charlie doesn't get any respect from the NHLP Yearbook, who tonight completely bypassed them and moved to the 3rd overall pick, GM Chad.  "I have come to expect this from the Yearbook" said Charlie, "It seems there are about 4 GM's and 12 teams that get all the talk, and us smaller market teams just aren't respected by the Yearbook."  A representative from the Yearbook did take responsibility for the error citing a shortened staff still being the offseason, adding, "Least GM Charlie does recognize the number of teams those GM's own."  GM Charlie does have the next pick with GM Marcel already announcing the picking of Crosby 1st overall.

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Chad's Charlie's on the Clock - Crosby Goes 1st Overall

GM Marcel has in fact made his first pick, grabbing Corsby in the 1st overall slot.  "He is just too good of player, dominate in every word" stated the Habs GM, "We wanted to make this pick now, letting the NHLP know we are confident he can lead us to our second Cup in Montreal."  GM Marcel has won his lone Cup in Florida, but the Habs won the 2nd NHLP Championship when under direction of GM Ed, 24 years ago.  Marcel asked the Yearbook to make the pick public, now leaving GM Charlie on the clock with the 2nd overall pick.

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4th and 10th Picks - GM Going Hard For 6th Cup

GM Andrew acquired the 4th overall pick in Saturday's Draft, giving him both the 4th and 10th overall pick.  "I knew GM Scott had the 12th and 15th" Andrew stated to the NHLP Yearbook, "I wanted a strong anchor and with 4th overall I think I found it."  Andrew's passion for the NHLP always shines and it seems there is no GM more excited to get started than the current 5 time winner.  "I find it a great release" says Andrew who is entering his 19th season, "I hope a few other GM's, guys I love to compete against, find that passion again this year."  Andrew stated he made several offers for moving up with all GM's basically wanting the same package of a 2nd and 4th and a Waiver, something GM Andrew decided was worth it.  "When I pick 4th Saturday I will be getting one of the NHL's most elite and NHLP's most sought after players" the GM said, "I could go all year chasing him, and they are so hard to get, or just make this move now and assure I get that elite player."  It is that kind of passion, combined with an uncanny ability to build Championships teams, that seems to propel GM Andrew each and every year to the end of the NHLP playoffs.  "Not only has he 5 Cups" said Muddy Capone, "His Los Angeles team just lost in each of the last three NHLP Finals, something never done before."  Clearly what GM Andrew does works.  A bold move giving his Waiver this season for that 4th pick and time will tell if the move works its way into an unprecedented 6th NHLP Championship and also the first team in league history to win three Cups in Chicago.

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Chicago Moves to Pick 4 With Pre-Season Deal

GM Andrew had contacted many GM's trying to move up in picks, finally making an NHLP first pre-season deal, moving from position 27 into the 4th overall pick.  "This was so exciting" said Andrew, "I had four offers out there, and we now have a deal."  Andrew's Chicago team will move up 23 spots in the first round, but gives to Quebec (Matt) their Waiver this season as well as moving Matt's team up 23 spots in both the 2nd and 4th rounds.  "I looked at this as sacrificing my first round pick for two better picks and a second Waiver this season, that I can trade and make the Nordiques strong for the coming seasons" said GM Matt, "It certainly hurts giving the fourth overall pick, but GM Andrew's team in Chicago will understand how much it hurts to not have a Waiver this season."

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The Early Favorites?

"When you raise the kids for 18 years and they still are that bad at poker" said GM Joel, "At what point do you start blaming it on their coaching?"  After years of suffering heavy losses at the NHLP poker table no one can blame GM Jr for wanting to head out early after the NHLP meetings.  "It is hard to watch at times" said GM Scott, "These youngsters losing hand after hand, not quite yet grasping the concept of King beats Nine, but not caring as Papa pays the bills."  GM Scottie has shown signs of brilliance as an up and coming GM but has not once left the poker table a winner, something that hasn't gone unnoticed by fellow players.  "I'd say likely only Chad and Charlie are worse players" said a GM who didn't want to be identified.  "Thanks to those guys I win each and every single time we play" that GM added.  The NHLP heads into another meeting and there is hope for an awesome card game that replicates that of the last meeting at GM Shawn's where as many as 8 players took part.  "There was never a better game then last season and we can only hope that this season brings just the game" said the NHLP Host GM Joel.

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Divisions for 2014-15

North Division
San Fran (Scott)
Las Vegas (Vinnie)
Toronto (Chad)
Florida (Marcel)
Cincinnati (Matt)
Miami (Charlie)

South Division
New Orleans (Shawn)
Boston (Ryan)
Cleveland (Tyson)
Chicago (Andrew)
Buffalo (Joel)
Dallas (Jr & Scottie)

Atlantic Division
Hartford (Andrew)
Quebec (Matt)
Pittsburgh (Chad)
Hamilton (Tyson)
Memphis (Jr & Scottie)
NY Rangers (Charlie)

East Division
Montreal (Marcel)
NY Islanders (Ryan)
Atlantic City (Vinnie)
Philadelphia (Scott)
Halifax (Shawn)
Carolina (Joel)

Pacific Division
Los Angeles (Andrew)
St Louis (Tyson)
Seattle (Shawn)
Vancouver (Joel)
Phoenix (Charlie)
Colorado (Chad)

West Division
Portland (Vinnie)
Alaska (Marcel)
Indianapolis (Matt)
Calgary (Jr. & Scottie)
Edmonton (Scott)
Green Bay (Ryan)

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F-TIM-U

GM Scott says it is an acronym and he pronounces it the "F-TIM-U".  What is it?  "I think it is the single most dominate draft selection device the league has ever had" said the GM, "It is a lifetime of work, everything and anything that means anything and everything is factored in the FTIMU and we base our entire draft on this, not numbers or points or any other statistic at all.  Nothing means anything to us other than the FTIMU."  After 5 Cup wins in 25 years it is hard to argue GM Scott clearly must be doing some things right.  Can the FTIMU be such a strong device it helps wins the Cup?  "I think the key word is helps" says the GM, "Cups are not won at the Draft, but the Draft is where the separation starts."  What makes the FTIMU so superior?  "I have factored in everything I know, everything I have learned over 25 years to try and precisely weigh every single NHL player before the NHLP Draft" the GM states, "Just because two players get the same points, certainly doesn't mean they have the same value in our league."  Duh, tell us something we don't already know!!!  An 80 point Leaf clearly isn't an 80 point Hawk.  Moron!  "Just because two players get the same points, on the exact same team, doesn't mean they are even close to the same valued player" Scott said.  This is where it gets interesting and confusing at the same time.   "If two guys are both 50 point players but one is on the first line and plays more power play time with more minutes per game, should you draft him before the other guy" said GM Scott?  Why wouldn't you?  "Well is the first guy 37 years old and heading into this season with declining stats and missed games the previous 5 years due to injuries while the other guy is 21 and on the upswing, with a brighter future and increased numbers each year of his first two seasons of his career" Scott explains, "Now which of the two do you take?"  Scott continued with how in-depth the FTIMU actually is factoring in such things as the Waivers, "If you don't have a Waiver or an early Waiver, things are certainly different then if you do" the GM explained, "Early waivers means you want fast points from lower rounds while later Waivers may want better playoff players at the Draft in the later rounds."  GM Scott insists he likely drafts faster then all other GMs.  "I already know who I am drafting for I have already ran the FTIMU for every player.  Once I factored in the projected strength of the NHL teams each player plays for, the list is completed and numbers do not lie.  On draft day when I draft a player who had 40 points last year while others are drafting guys who had 60, I'll be thanking the FTIMU while they wonder why TSN's top 300 didn't include that player so high on their list."  Maybe TSN has no idea how our league works?

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Divisions for 2014-15

North Division
San Fran (Scott)
Las Vegas (Vinnie)
Toronto (Chad)
Florida (Marcel)
Cincinnati (Matt)
Miami (Charlie)

South Division
New Orleans (Shawn)
Boston (Ryan)
Cleveland (Tyson)
Chicago (Andrew)
Buffalo (Joel)
Dallas (Jr & Scottie)

Atlantic Division
Hartford (Andrew)
Quebec (Matt)
Pittsburgh (Chad)
Hamilton (Tyson)
Memphis (Jr & Scottie)
NY Rangers (Charlie)

East Division
Montreal (Marcel)
NY Islanders (Ryan)
Atlantic City (Vinnie)
Philadelphia (Scott)
Halifax (Shawn)
Carolina (Joel)

Pacific Division
Los Angeles (Andrew)
St Louis (Tyson)
Seattle (Shawn)
Vancouver (Joel)
Phoenix (Charlie)
Colorado (Chad)

West Division
Portland (Vinnie)
Alaska (Marcel)
Indianapolis (Matt)
Calgary (Jr. & Scottie)
Edmonton (Scott)
Green Bay (Ryan)

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10-15-20-25

This NHLP 25th Anniversary season is also a milestone season for 4 GM's.  GM Shawn enters his 10th NHLP season while GM Charlie enters number 15.  Neither GM has hoisted a championship just yet with GM Charlie now the longest running cupless GM.  GM Marcel who won his only Championship in his 13th NHLP Season enters year 20, the second longest reigning GM in the NHLP.  NHLP Founder GM Scott celebrates the leagues 25th Anniversary with his personal 25th NHLP Season.  "These are awesome milestones for these GM's" stated Muddy Capone who can't be left out of the conversation, reporting for the NHLP Yearbook as long as the league has existed.  The season is only 52 days away with a Draft to likely occur prior to the NHL's launch.  "It is going to be a great season, one that we will feature some of the best and worst memories the league has" stated Capone, who plans on sharing stories of the leagues history this coming season here in the NHLP site.  Congrats to those GM's who are in milestone years and thanks for making the NHLP the best league in the world.

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Saturday, Oct 4th

Looking at the schedule, Saturday October 4th is the top date.  The other date can only tie, but most GM's gave the 4th as their preferred date making it the winner.  More details to be emailed.

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NHLP Draft Dates Posted

GM Joel stated the dates of September 19th to 27th are out, leaving a Sunday and four full weekends posted to have the Draft.  Take a look at the Schedules page, keeping in mind that the NHL Season starts on October 8th.

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GM Joel Confirms as Draft Host

GM Joel said he was extremely excited to be hosting the Draft of the 25th NHLP Season.  "It is a very special league anniversary" stated the hosting GM, "We will have to launch the season off with a major bang."  The NHL Season is set to start on October 8th.  Joel will be announcing dates by September 1st so all GM's have a few weeks notice.  GM Matt is hosting the Winter Meeting while this upcoming seasons Trading Deadline is being hosted by GM Vinnie.

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NHLP Waiver Dates Announced

Using the following the NHLP has came up with 36 Waiver dates for the upcoming season.  The earliest Waiver could come 30 days after the NHL Season starts, so November 8th, while the final Waiver 30 days prior to seasons end on April 11th, so March 11th.  The biggest hockey nights were 9+ games, which totaled 44 dates between November 8th and March 11th, meaning 8 dates had to go.  Christmas holidays got rid of December 23rd, 27th, 29th and 31st and February 14th was taken making only 3 more dates needed to be excluded.  Those were the first three lowest night totals of 9 games, November 9th and 26th and Feb 5th.  This leaves 36 Waiver dates listed below.  Of course the Waiver order, forward or backwards won't be determined until the draft, but either GM Marcel or GM Jr will have the first Waiver.

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Waivers

The 2014-15 Waivers start on November 8th, either GM Marcel or GM Jr and run through March 7th.  November and December have 8 dates each, meaning 16 picks will come before Christmas while 20 take place after, with 10 in the busiest month January.  Only 3 dates have 9 games while 3 dates have 13, the most of any Waiver nights.  Most of the dates have 10 or 11 games.

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2014-15 Waiver Dates

November Dates (8) - 8th, 11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 28 and 29th
December (8) - 2nd, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16 and 20th
January (10) - 3rd, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 27, 29 and 31st
February (8) - 3rd, 7, 10, 12, 21, 24, 26, 28th
March (2) - 3rd and 7th

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Conditions Updated

Four Transactions for 2013-14 involved Conditions.  These four were Transactions #166, 241, 252 and 279.  They have been updated on the draft master and individual draft pages as well as the transaction page.  The biggest of which was Atlantic City (Vinnie) getting Edmonton's (Scott) first overall pick in the 2015/16 Draft if the Oil had made the NHLP Finals this season.  GM Scott accomplished the feat, but in San Fran, meaning Edmonton keeps the 1st overall.

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2014-15 Waiver Dates

November Dates (8) - 8th, 11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 28 and 29th
December (8) - 2nd, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16 and 20th
January (10) - 3rd, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 27, 29 and 31st
February (8) - 3rd, 7, 10, 12, 21, 24, 26, 28th
March (2) - 3rd and 7th

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Divisions for 2014-15 Set Below
The Two Teams that win in the first round of the playoffs in each Division and the 5^th place team – Stay in that Division, the two first round losers and 6^th place teams – move to the other Division within the same Conference.

North Division
2 First Round Winners
San Fran (Scott)
Las Vegas (Vinnie)
2 South's First Round Losers
Toronto (Chad)
Florida (Marcel)
5th - Cincinnati (Matt)
6th (South) - Miami (Charlie)

South Division
2 First Round Winners
New Orleans (Shawn)
Boston (Ryan)
2 North's First Round Losers
Cleveland (Tyson)
Chicago (Andrew)
5th - Buffalo (Joel)
6th (North) - Dallas (Jr & Scottie)

Atlantic Division
2 First Round Winners
Hartford (Andrew)
Quebec (Matt)
2 East's First Round Losers
Pittsburgh (Chad)
Hamilton (Tyson)
5th - Memphis (Jr & Scottie)
6th (East) - NY Rangers (Charlie)

East Division
2 First Round Winners
Montreal (Marcel)
NY Islanders (Ryan)
2 Atlantic's First Round Losers
Atlantic City (Vinnie)
Philadelphia (Scott)
5th - Halifax (Shawn)
6th (Atlantic) - Carolina (Joel)

Pacific Division
2 First Round Winners
Los Angeles (Andrew)
St Louis (Tyson)
2 West's First Round Losers
Seattle (Shawn)
Vancouver (Joel)
5th - Phoenix (Charlie)
6th (West) - Colorado (Chad)

West Division
2 First Round Winners
Portland (Vinnie)
Alaska (Marcel)
2 Pacific's First Round Losers
Indianapolis (Matt)
Calgary (Jr. & Scottie)
5th - Edmonton (Scott)
6th (Pacific) - Green Bay (Ryan)

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2014 NHLP Champions
San Fran Titan
GM Scott

Anze Kopitar
Jonathan Toews
Drew Doughty
Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith
Slava Voynov
Charlie Coyle