I usually prefer to do updates in the late afternoon, when I get enough news throughout the day. But just listening to Regier on local radio, I have some very relevant info that should be useful to both poolies and fans alike.

• McCormick and Gerbe are NOT ready to play, so multi-cat poolies and GMs in Goon leagues take note. No timetable on return provided.
• With regard to McNabb: "...most beneficial for him to remain in Rochester this year." Exception being of course need due to injuries. Poolies (myself included) will have to sit on this beast for awhile but I really think it will prove a fruitful endeavor for those of us in multi-cat leagues.
• Center postion is shaping up thusly: 1st Hodgson; 2nd Ennis, 4th Ellis.
• As for the 3rd line.....Ott and Leino are both in consideration (hey, I am just the messanger). Rumor also has Regier going back to the Hecht trough (god help us).
• The only fantasy relevant player in that convo is Ott, of course, so I will provide updates as the info flows.
• This shortage to me almost assures Grigs gets at least a few games worth of a look.
• IF Grigorenko earns a permanent roster spot, his role is very much up in the air at this point - 2nd line, 3rd line, special teams only???
• The issue is not his offense, according to Regier, he is fully aware that Grigorenko's offensive skill set is at a pro-level. Hockey sense, skating, hands etc. no problemo. Regier's concern is how Grigs handles himself w/out the puck. He needs to ascertain whether Grigs can "play enough hockey w/in a shift"
• Not sure if this nugget has been let loose in other threads, but apparently the new CBA will allow teams to trade both player AND contract - up to 50% (both contract AND cap hit). Should make for more trades, especially those teams in need of a playoff push but up against the cap.

Sabres first home game is slotted for Sunday, Jan. 20th.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Nothing life changing to report today, and I suspect through the week as well. Until camp opens and players get evaluated during the one week push, we're all pretty much speculating.

But what fun it is....

• Given the Sabres need for a third line center, am I the only one curious with regard to the complete silence on Luke Adam?? Not only have both Ruff and Regier failed to once mention his name (as a possibility), neither have any media personnel.
  
• To reiterate: (#1) Vanek-Hodgson-Pommer; (#2) Foligno-Ennis-Stafford; (#3) Ott-???-Leino; (#4) Scott-Ellis-????
  
• Gerbe may be back in time for the opener. McCormick will not. So at the ??? above you can fill in with one of - Kaleta, Gerbe, Grigorenko, and possibly McCormick when healthy. My Guess McCormick, Scott and possibly Gerbe swap "Healthy Scratch" status. McCormick most of all.
  
• Point being all this scrambling and a glaring shortage of true centers, yet nary a peep about Adam. Rather telling, eh? Hell, I've heard Hecht's name uttered more often
  
• Could Grigorenko and/or Hodgson reform Vanek back into a 40 goal scorer?? Or does Ruff's system preclude such production?
  
• Need a goon? John Scott. My theory (and some of us have tossed this about in another thread) goons generally and Scott specifically will be more active with their craft the opening 1-2 weeks. With everyone flying out of the gate, gnashing teeth to play, looking for a fast start, tenacity will be at its peak. My guess...fwiw.
  
• I like (despite Dobber's prognostications in his guide): Ehrhoff/Sulzer; Myers/Regehr, and Leopold/Sekera. Admittedly you could wind up with Myers/Sekera (more offense) and Regehr/Leopold (shutdown)...but my fav is still Myers/Regehr (beastly and punishing)
  
• Above pairings in mind, we are still then left with Weber, TJ Brennan, and Pardy (again, McNabb stays put in Rochester this year). Something has to give and but for Weber, I'll be damned if I know. TJ's nascent NHL career is best served by playing, finding the necessary TOI on this team will take a miracle. Can he clear waivers??? Do the Sabres take that risk??
  
• I like Myer's development, and think fans will see a more physically confident game from him. If he's paired with Regehr, they will form a punishing duo. on an aside: I think Hedman and Myers are on similar paths.

So there's that....

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Updates abound!

• News reports out of Germany indicate the Sabres have an agreement in principle with Hecht. Nothing official will be announced until thel CBA is offically ratified. Deal is for one year.
• Which brings me back to Luke Adam. He's done as a Sabre; the team is moving on. Don't know what happened between then-and-now but the Org no longer considers him a top prospect
• Hodgson and Foligno have returned from Rochester, however, TJ Brennan is staying behind for one last game tonight vs Hamilton. Are the Sabres showcasing him? Could he and Adam be paired up for a trade package?
• Maybe. But when one perusues the Sanbres prospects, one will notice how thin they are at forward, despite having just drafted Grigs-n-Girgs. Slightest bite of the injury bug could destroy this team (again)
• Ruff interviewed today; discussed Miller's workload. Enroth owners take note: Ruff said he didn't think this schedule would really differ much from any other non-lockout season - at this time of the year - with regard to games/week. Especially when you factor the All-Star break. He went on to say that Miller ideally will see high-thirties in terms of GP. But he then immediately referred to Enroth's recent slump in SWE.
• So again, beware....if Ruff so much as sniffs an Enroth slump Miller will immediately jump to low-forties GP. Mark it.
• To re-state for those in need of a goon, get John Scott. Ruff expects to dress him regularly. TOI will vary to a degree, but he should be pretty reliable for those GMs in need of a bruiser.
• In addition to his regular duties, Ruff expects Ott to see some time on the PK
• Ruff intimated that he is open to the idea of rolling three lines with heavier mins than usual, given the shortened season. The fourth line would be rolled out for special occasions (birthdays, and the like)
• But seriously...he is considering dressing a seventh dman, if not using the sixth as a PP spe******t. That's only one guy...Brennan. If Ehrhoff can eat big mins (25+/game), Ruff believes that would afford him the luxury of using his sixth dman solely for PP use.
• ...and Brennan can succeed on the PP. He has a helluva accurate shot. He and Ehrhoff would make for one elite tandem. TJ Brennan wouldn't be a bad guy to have on your bench in deeper leagues. Could come in hand down the stretch.
• Bad news re McNabb: reports out of the Amerks camp are that his development has regressed. Physical play has diminished, poor decision making and still has yet to improve his skating. All is not yet lost, but unless there are significant injuries this year that boy is staying right where he is.

That's all for now. Is it beer-thirty yet...???

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Noooooooo!

Don't know why I'm upset, considering that my D is off the charts deep and good. I just like McNabb!

Fantastic coverage, Bomm! Love it!

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GO WINGS!

12 team H2H dynasty, most categories under the sun, incl. hits/blocks. Main team, farm

C: Kopitar Backstrom Stepan Cammalleri Little Bolland Laich Johnson
LW: Parise Lupul Erat McDonald Martin Silfverberg Nyquist Schwartz Morin Nieto Conacher
RW: PKane Doan Pominville Nash Clowe Lupul Rinaldo Stafford Rattie Stone Chiasson Ritchie
D: Green Suter Seabrook Dillon Beauchemin Schenn Letang Schultz Hamilton McNabb Rielly Harrison
G: Bryzgalov Pavelec Holtby Neuvirth Nihlstorp Lack CalPickard Andersen Stalock Sateri Eriksson
IR: Halak

Thanks, Dakkster, appreciate the feedback.

Yeah the McNabb news does suck, but I'm not giving up hope. Just that with the volume of dmen the Sabres posses, competition for roster spot/ice time is fierce. Now factor in delayed player development, and....

We shall see.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Update later, in the mean time, check out this cheap hit by Panik on Girgensons.

Props to TJ Brennan for coming to his mate's defense.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

One of your several D-men is gone as the Islanders took Joe Finley from the waivers.

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UHL Pittsburgh Penguins

24 Team Fantrax Salary Cap H2H Dynasty League Daily
G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SHP, GWG, SOG, Hits, Blks, FOW
W, GAA, SV, SV%, SO
23 Man Roster - 3C, 3LW, 3RW, 3F, 6D, 1G, 4BN, 4IR
27 Man Minor Team

C- Tavares, Stepan, Hodgson, Shaw, Bjugstad
LW- Ryan, Perron, Downie, Killorn, Rinaldo
RW- Wheeler, Simmonds, Coyle, Frattin, Boyes
D- Pietrangelo, JJ, Bogosian, EJ, Josi, Cowen, Muzzin
G- Lehtonen

F: Granlund, Silfverberg, Jensen, Dalpe, Bowman, Knight, Fasth, JAM
D: Beaulieu, Koekkoek, Gelinas, Pysyk, McCabe, Irwin
G: Nilsson, Nilstorp, Ramo, Berra, Brossoit, Gibson

Oddly, we were not counting him among our depth.

I hope he succeeds. The few games he was up last year, he just seemed out of place. But you have to respect a guy that never gives up nor takes anything for granted.

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Not much as far as updates today, just more spec re Hecht and Girgensons and where they fit. Let me say this once, if Ruff at any point of the season places Hecht on the first line, centering Vanek and Pommer....he should be fired. Period. Because in so doing he will most assuredly verify what has always been said about him - he has a penchant for giving up too quickly and falling back on his old core of mediocrity. Ruff would rather have reliable mediocrity (Hecht) than inconsistent high end talent (Grigorenko). Grigs will have his share of mistakes, that's to be expected but he needs to learn by being among men who can teach him.

Ruff unfortunately needs to win now, and I can see him pulling a move like that in a vain (and somewhat ironic) attempt to save his skin.

Plenty of updates tomorrow after tonight's scrimmage game. First Niagara Center was mobbed as I was leaving work; you would have thought it was a friggin playoff game. lol...never doubt that Buffalo is indeed a hockey town.

Some Amerks called up to fill out two squads. Teams are....

TEAM WHITE
Goalie: Enroth

Vanek-Hodgson-Pominville
Ott-Grigorenko-Leino
Scott-Sundher-Mancari

Regehr-Myers
Leopold-Sekera
Brennan-Biega

TEAM NAVY
Goalie: Miller

Foligno-Ennis-Stafford
Ellis-Hecht-Kaleta
Varone-Adam-Flynn

Sulzer-Ehrhoff
Weber-McNabb
Pardy-Pysyk

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Four out of three people have difficulty with fractions

Commish - Twisted Wrister Fantasy Hockey League

12 team, $$$, 24 players, Weekly, H2H, limited keeper (8), multi-cat (G, A, PIMs, Hits, SOG, HT/ W, GA, SV%, SO)

Start: 2C, 2RW, 2LW, 4D, 2G

Bomm, great work! Also saw this .....10,175 fans at #Sabres intrasquad game. Impressive!!

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