Prediction: Micheal Haley - PIM Champion for 2017-2018

[Pengwin7]

NHL goons are almost dead.
They've been exiled from league value quickly over last 5 years.
Very few exist any more.
The PIM leaders 5-10 years ago (guys like Zenon Konopka) used to register 300+ PIM.
Now, we're seeing 150 PIM lead the league.

There are very few fighters left, but there's one guy I like this year - as PIM is still a category in many pools (and tougher to find).
Micheal (spelled E-then-A) Haley

Haley has played 130gp in the NHL.
Haley has racked 350 PIM over those games.
For those keeping score, that's 2.70 PIM/gp... or 220 PIM over an 82gp season.
(Again, last year's PIM leader had 150)
Yes, Haley likes to fight.


Fight above vs. Windsor-Boy Zack Kassian

Sometimes a little nutty, some singing on the bench a few minutes into this one:


In many ROTO leagues, you are looking at "max GP", and if a guy doesn't play: no big loss, no counted GP.

Q: But (you ask), if Haley is just one of the many dinosaur goons in the NHL, why will he play?
A: Well, a team WANTED him. The Florida Panthers signed him. Not only did Florida sign him... but the coach there is a gritty/tough-nosed coach, Bob Boughner.

Q: Um, so. What difference does that make?
A: Boughner was an assistant with San Jose last year, where Haley played. He knows a lot about Haley and likely (I'd say) would have been in on conversations with Tallon about what he wanted on his team. Boughner is a Windsor (Ontario) guy... where I'm from. Just about everybody from Windsor (incl. Matt Martin, Zack Kassian, and Ed Jovanovski) come out of there with a little-to-big gritty-sized chip on their shoulder.

Here's a recent paragraph on Boughner and the Panthers.
Boughner understands what the players are going through. He?s only a decade removed from a 10-year NHL career earned by being a tough defenseman unafraid to drop the gloves. The Canadian earned the nickname ?The Boogieman? for his physical style that resulted in nearly 1,400 penalty minutes and eight broken noses.

Q: So he's gonna play?
A: IDK, maybe. But Florida sure is talent-starved. Boughner wants to play a tighter, tougher, more defensive hockey. I think we'll see Haley really pushed to grind it up, he also hits, with over 2 HITS/gp. Haley's deal is also a "One-Way" for two years.. and not just at the NHL minimum of $650,000. That's pretty solid.



Haley did also play 9:11/gp last year... and played 58gp last year... his highests in NHL.
He's never had a terrible +/- season, and was actually +6 last year.

Q: Did he even make the Panthers team though? But he's not gonna start right?
A: Yes, he did. And he's on a starting line (line 4) for opening night. This is a team with a gritty owner (Viola), a GM that signed him (Tallon), and a coach (Boughner) that used to rack up PIM himself.

Q: But its just PIM & HIT right?
A: And FOW maybe, Haley's C/LW in Yahoo... he can take draws if need.

Q: OK, seriously Haley?
A: Florida created a management role for former enforcer Shawn Thornton and they're run by an owner that is very pro-military, Vinny Viola. Henrik Haapala wasn't even given a line spot, with FLA going with more "North-South" players like trading for Jamie McGinn and sticking him on LW2!

Q: Sounds like Haley might be a nice option for my PIM?
A: Micheal Haley is a bad, bad man. SO sign him up if you are counting PIM



For those not wanting to roster him full season, here's his past fight cards to give you an idea of the guys he has (& likes to) fight:
2016: Stoner (now VGK), R.White (now VAN), I.Cole (PIT), R.White, Kassian (EDM), Boll (-), Clifford (LA), Stuart (-), Helgerson (-), Cramarossa (-), Thorburn (STL), Reaves (PIT), Stewart (MIN), McLeod (NAS), Bouma (now CHI), Lucic (EDM)
2015: Thornton (-, form FLA), Stoner, Prout (-), Stewart, Dorsett (VAN), Nurse (EDM), Clifford (LA), Pedan (just traded to PIT)


Start of NHL Season is a great time to invest in Goons.
This is when they need to prove to their team (teammates) that they will fight for them! (try to... justify their role/spot on team).
Florida's opening schedule:
G01: @ TB (Oct 6) - look for fight with Dotchin
G02: TB (Oct 7) - if not last night, maybe this night (extra tension against same team two nights)
G03: STL (Oct 12) - has gone with Thorburn in 2016
G04: PIT (Oct 14) - went with Reaves in 2016
G05: PHI (Oct 17) - PHI is kind of without a fighter... so skip this game
G06: PIT (Oct 20) - if he didn't go with Reaves previously... might go here
G07: WAS (Oct 21) - Tom Wilson back from suspension, might be ready
G08: MON (Oct 24) - probably no fight here, I may skip rostering him for this one
G09: ANA (Oct 26) - Not sure they have fighter on current roster, though Bieksa will goon sometimes.
G10: DET (Oct 28) - Skip this one, no goon.
G11: TB (Oct 30) - May... be...

[Eskimo Brother]

Nice sales pitch!
I'll throw Thorburn and Roussel's names in the ring as my bets. On a per game basis Haley will be excellent, but I can't see him getting more than 50 games, thus limiting his numbers.

[Pengwin7]

I can't see him getting more than 50 games, thus limiting his numbers.

On every other team in the NHL, I'd agree.
This is Bob Boughner though, former Spitfire coach and two-time CHL champion.
It's very possibly Haley gets 70+ if he's not costing them goals against while he's out there.

[Eskimo Brother]

It is very possible! Personally not something I would bet the over on (even at 60 games), but it's definitely possible. In roto leagues especially though, his upside for those stats is tremendous.

[LawMan]

Boughner is a Windsor (Ontario) guy... .

You have my attention! Definitely going to keep an eye on this guy early on.
Excellent write-up and analysis as usual Pengwin

[Kofax]

Roussel is the guy I was going to say as well.

Haley could potentially win you a H2H matchup as well (or at least a category). Late in the week, lacking on PIM, maybe you get lucky and hit on a fight or two by adding him.

[ericdaoust]

My concern with Haley is healthy scratches. He'll be outstanding when he plays though. He can play wing/center which adds to his value.

My pick for PIM champion is Tom Wilson, because he's an everyday player. Lame pick but he's durable and is proven in this area.

[ericdaoust]

Another dark horse: Luke Witkowski

More risk than Haley but Detroit targeted him because they wanted to add some sandpaper. Witkowski is playing both W and D so he'll be able to find a spot most of the time. Plus he'll be more valuable down the stretch when Detroit is out of the race and they want a guy to take change when meaningless games trainwreck. The problem right now is he's starting the year as a healthy scratch so it might take a bit of time before he gets his spot.

He's also not as much of a nutcase as Haley - just 58 PIM in 54 games.

[Pengwin7]

^Great calls. I like 'em. PIM is hard to find, so every theory out there... I'm listenin!!

[Dan G]

Thanks for heads up! Definitely worth keeping an eye on.
This is what make Marchand, Byfuglien and Simmonds elite fantasy players. Top quality production and superb PIMage.

[Pengwin7]

...bump.
HE's BACK!

For those of you that need PIM... Micheal Haley is back with Florida after 2gp for AHL Springfield.
Oh, and while at Springfrield: 1 goal... 1 assist... 1 fight.
He's ready.
Don't look him in the eye. (Unless you have a billy-club)



If you are in a PIM league, he's your boy.
Leftwinglock has him on LW4 from today's Cats practice:
https://leftwinglock.com/line-combin...EV&gametype=GD

(oh... and Haley was, indeed, the 2017-2018 NHL PIM leader. Boom!)

[ericdaoust]

Will the Panthers use him consistently though? Last year he played 75/82 games but the NHL is moving away from his type. Granted, the Panthers have been shit so he'll probably get a chance to "spark" them a bit.

[Pengwin7]

He's baaaaaack.
The San Jose Sharks have claimed Haley (..."for some reason"... LOL).

If you need PIM... look for at least 2 fights from Haley in his first 5gp dressed with club.
These guys (goons) only substantiate their place on a hockey club by doing what they CAN do... and for Haley, that's fighting.
If SJ wants him, they want him to fight.

Next 5gp for SJ: @PIT, @CBJ, @DET, @BOS, then home vs. COL.
Not many fighters on those teams... but...

Most likely:
@PIT vs. Garrett Wilson (6-2, 199 lb, Elmvale, ON)
@ BOS vs. Kevan Miller (6-2, 210, LA USA)

[Eskimo Brother]

My Roussell call for last season is looking good for this season haha.
I think I missed your update where you took credit for calling him as the league leader last season. Kudos on that!

[4T2]

Thanks for the tip Pengwin. Last year in the RHRS I added Haley on Jan 23 and he gave me 39 PIMs that night. I'm so far behind in skater cats now, I may as well try to goon it up so I don't end up in last place in PIM too!