TKS WHLInsider. Fun experience.
WHL (24-Team Daily H2H)
Weighted Scoring: G(1),A(1),PPP(0.5),+/-(0.25), SOG/PIM/HIT/BLK(all 0.05), FOW-C(0.01)
Braham Pietasters
C(3): Barkov, Seguin, N.Schmaltz
LW(3): Gaudreau, Pacioretty, Hinostroza
RW(3): Radulov, Mantha, Dadonov
F(3): Bailey, Thornton, Vanek
D(6): Josi, Jones, Krug, Leddy, Ellis, Miller
G(1): Bishop (Sparks)
Bench: T. Wilson (RW), Boyle (C), Pirri (C), Boyd (C)
Farm: Myers (D), Husso (G), Soderstrom (G), Petersen (G), Anderson-Dolan (C), Pilut (D), Capobianco (D), Aho (D)
I really enjoyed these last few interviews, they have been a fun read , great bunch of guys! As for the WHL Insider, you have gone above and beyond what any fantasy league could expect in such a special asset!! Is this the real life , or is this fantasy?
24 team cap league, HTH Pts. 25 PLAYER ROSTER C3/LW3/RW3/F3/D6/G1
G & A = 1PT.
HT.BLK.PIM.SOG.=0.05 / PPP=0.5/ FOW=0.01/ +/- =.25
W=2 SHO=3 SV=0.1 GA=-1 OL=1 SHL=1
Connor - Barkov - Ehlers
Hagel- Couturier - Tarasenko
Frederic - Tyler Johnson - Nichuskin
Vatrano - - Guriano
Drumroll please....time to get to know the Victoria GM....
We have to start with the team name....explain.
The team name was, at the start of the league, Victoria Royals. WHL Hockey came back to Victoria BC at the same time the WHL started, so I stole their name. Some time after that a particularly talented forum member was designing team logos (thanks Glorybe!) and I really wanted one, but Royals was too dull and derivative I feared. So, given my penchant for using the phrase ‘dead hookers’ in a variety of situations (snorting coke of a dead hooker’s ass, as a turn of phrase) I decided to re-name my team. Hence the name and the awesome logo.
I do not have anything to do with missing sex workers in Victoria.
What got you into fantasy hockey?
Hockey pools started in highschool… courtesy of my brother’s friends. I kind of got pulled in to the allure of the Tuesday(?) Toronto Star box scores! Remember a time before the internet, kids?
What made you decide to join the WHL?
I always felt like I was better than the Dobber Forum members who were signing up, so… free money? (checks bank account… son of a b…)
What was your original strategy for the inaugural draft?
I was supposed to have a strategy? I think I tried to value production per dollar to sort of do some half ass money ball sort of BS? The fact is I’m usually just smart enough to cause myself real problems.
What is the rivalry like being in a league with your brother?
The thing is, I really like my brother an am happy to see him beat everyone but me.
Is there any change you would make to improve the WHL?
Pretty good balance at the moment. Nothing springs to mind other than my long-standing hatred of fantasy goalies. (this is not pool specific)
What interests do you have outside of fantasy hockey?
I take some photos, exercise a little, and really like road trips. And I like making smart ass comments (that’s a hobby, right?)
What is one real world accomplishment (non fantasy hockey) you are proud of?
I’ve been on TV twice and have managed to suppress my murderous rage for almost 20 yrs now!
What is your current occupation and how did you get into it?
I work at an insolvency trustee… yes, those are crickets you hear chirping. I stumbled into it by dumb luck, but enjoy my work. Pro-tip: If you live in Canada and have financial stress, call up an Insolvency Trustee’s office – they give free consultations. Also, gutting your RRSPs to pay off half your debts is a terrible idea, trust me.
What is your typical day like in this worldwide lockdown/pandemic?
Completely unchanged, except for standing in line at grocery stores and not being able to get a decent coffee. My work has been completely unchanged and I have a long-held distaste for being close to people. I wash my hands more?
What would be one new idea you would like me to consider implementing?
Paying your interviewees with cocaine and call girls?
Who is the better fantasy GM, you or your brother?
Probably him… with the caveat that I’m more patient and kind of a dick, so there are some situations where I have an edge.
A question from your fellow GM....
Where do you see your team going next year?
Really looking forward to next year. Should be getting Sorokin over to address net issues, fun fact, I had about 20% less goaltending points than the second worst team when the season was suspended… and finished in the top 8. Otherwise no real cap concerns, and some youngsters on the uptick.
What do you think of this young vs old dynamic in the XGL?
XGL?
No clue what XGL means....perhaps the GM who asked it can clarify?
How are your cooking skills?
Pretty effing good. I can make risotto from scratch, roast a damn good prime rib and can bake.
What is your go to meal to cook?
Roast beef and potatoes (or a BBQ steak and zucchini) BBQ zucchini is great by the way.
Who is the better cook, you or your brother?
Me… pretty clearly I think (he has it’s moments, but I think he’d agree)
What does a typical trade discussion with your brother look like?
Pretty easy… we both have a fairly good idea of how we value players and we both know that the other does not respond well to lowball offers, so starting points are pretty reasonable and it’s just tweaking from there. Doesn’t always work, but conversations are seldom exasperating.
You can now ask me one question....
Who are you and why do you do this you crazy fool?!?
That was 2 questions...so I will only answer 1...you kind of answered your own question there....because I’m a crazy fool!
Follow me @WHLrumourmill for rumblings from around the World Hockey League
Zing... nice.
One of a kind Victoria! Loved it.
Is your brother in our league?!?! Who is he? On Dobber?
This is the first I am hearing of it as well.
Writer of the weekly Top 10 column.
12-team Keeper pool, straight points for forwards & dmen. Goalies get: 2 points per win, 3 per shutout, 1 point per assist & 1 point per shootout loss.
League champ in 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2022.
Top 8 forwards, 5 dmen and 2 goalies count.
We keep 15 players (any position) plus two rookies.
Forwards: Panarin, Ovechkin, Kopitar, Stamkos, Tuch, Rust, Marchessault, Pavelski, Miller, Bertuzzi, Stone, Kakko, Brown, Stankoven, Kovalenko
Defence: Hedman, Fox, Matheson, Thrun, Jiricek
Goalies: Kochetkov, Talbot, Vasilevskiy, Campbell, Schmid
So we can rule out newf and havana as the insider then eh?
/S
~ I'm not a sociopath, it's just that my magnetic personality keeps throwing off my moral compass.~
Victoria DH
C(3): Athanasiou, Sissons, Zibanejad
LW(3): Lehkonen, Burakovsky, Hymen
RW(3): Bjorkstrand, Smith, Palmieri
F(3): Stepan (C), Bjork (LW), Poehling (C)
D(6): Carlson, Heiskanen, Bogosian, Edler, Hakanpaa, Fleury
G(1): Talbot, Sorokin, Varlamov
Bench: Parise (LW), Motte (C), Richardson (C), Hagg (D)
IR: Wood, Henrique, Johnson, Dvorak
Prospects: (F) Barre-Boulet, Khovanov, Beckman, Greig, N. Robertson, Fagemo, Tuomalaa, (D) Ceulemans, Hughes, Schneider, Zboril
WHL returns for another season....let’s go!
Follow me @WHLrumourmill for rumblings from around the World Hockey League