Saturday evening was our annual fantasy hockey draft - 15 weeks later than usual due to the NHL strike
Gary Chekan (pictured below, left) is the Commissioner this year
Our league has 2C, 4W, 3D, 2G and 2 Utility positions. Categories are G, A, +/-, PIM and PPP for skaters and W and Save % for Goalies
Ladies and Gentleman, your 2013 Sweet Leafs
Ryan Getzlaf, Centre
Ryan has a Stanley Cup and a Gold Medal for Canada. Last year was not great: 57 points, 75 PIMs and a minus 11. The 6'4" Saskatchewan native has hit 90 points and 120 PIMs in the past and at 27 should be in his prime
Brad Richards, Centre
I don't get Brad Richards. A Stanley Cup and playoff MVP and just one year ago signed a 9 year $58M contract with New York - but coming off a mediocre year (66 points) and generally is a minus player. Hopefully being on a line with Nash and Gaborik gets him back to a point-a-game
For fuck sakes, Brad, put your clothes back on
Mike Richards, Centre
Drafting Mike Richards was an accident. My friend - and fellow GM - had his dog jump in my face as I was trying to draft either Tobias Enstrom or Loui Eriksson. I missed making a pick and ended up with Mike Richards
Given he has won a Memorial Cup, a Calder Cup, a Stanley Cup and a Gold Medal for Canada he will serve as Team Captain until he is placed on waivers Tuesday - he had 44 points last year and has none after 4 games this year
We wish Mike all the best
Daniel Sedin, Wing
Last April I ordered a Vancouver Canucks car flag, tumbler and shot glass - they arrived 2 days before Vancouver was eliminated in the first round by Los Angeles. Daniel Sedin and the Canucks have a lot to prove
Daniel had 67 points last year after 104 points the year before when he won the scoring title. At 32 his best years are likely behind him but 85 points is realistic
Thomas Vanek, Wing
The pride of Austria, Thomas is a two-time 40 goal scorer and has 9 points in his first 4 games
T.J. Oshie, Wing
The only NHL payer from Mount Vernon, WA, T.J. has good upside on a good St. Louis team
Teddy Purcell, Wing
From St. John's, Newfoundland, Teddy Purcell is coming off a 65 point season and is off to a good start with 6 points in 5 games
Alexander Semin, Wing
Guys from Russia - wonder why they often fade? Hanging out with Alex Ovechkin can't help
The former 40 goal scorer from Krasjonarsk is coming off back-to-back 54 point seasons (not good) but I drafted him in the twelfth round (good) and he is now with Carolina (not sure)
Only two girls?
Chris Kunitz, Wing
Chris is a strong utility player coming off a 61 point season. Hopefully he gets some quality minutes with Crosby or Malkin
Ryan White, Wing
Ryan White had 33 penalty minutes after 4 games so I took him with my final pick - since we get stats retroactive for roster players as of Wednesday. He'll be on waivers Thursday - but good job gooning it up, Ryan. Brandon, Manitoba is proud
Erik Karlsson, Defense
The reigning Norris trophy winner, Erik had an amazing 78 points last year for our nation's capital. That's why he's at the NHL awards with a hot girlfriend
Tobias Enstrom, Defense
My top 2 defensemen are from Sweden - both pretty strong offensively but a little light on the penalty minutes...
Kevin Bieksa, Defense
...so we added Kevin Bieksa, who has average 1.5 penalty minutes per game
Kevin also scored one of the best goals ever (for me) when he scored in the second overtime to eliminate San Jose (hahaha) and send the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals
Ryan Miller, Goalie
I was hoping Tuuka Rask would still be available when I took my first goalie but am very pleased with the great Ryan Miller from Lansing, Michigan. Ryan has put up back-to-back save percentages of 91.6% with a winning % of over 50%
Carey Price, Goalie
I couldn't resist taking Carey Price - also coming off a 91.6% season on a mediocre Montreal team that should be better
That's Carey with the 3 cigarettes in his mouth
Still - something almost mystical about great Montreal Canadians goalies
Tomas Vokoun, Goalie
Despite fucking me over last year (by getting hurt and then losing the starting job and then getting hurt again), Tomas is a good goalie and as my third goalie I only need him to play 10 games - and on Pittsburgh that should be 5-6 wins
The Santa Fe Sweet Leafs - your 2013 Champions
