Grant's home page(Note: This was written last week after the seventh week of the season.)
We are now at the one-third mark of the EFHL regular season. I thought I would take the opportunity to review the first third of the season for a couple of reasons. First, my fantasy football teams have been extra frustrating this year, and I need to forget about football for a week. Second, my hockey team is in first place with a 5-1-1 record and I will continue to rule as long as play the team with the fewest points every week. I can't talk too much trash because I am in second to last in total points. (Not that I would if I was doing better.)
This season has been interesting so far. After the first period, it looked like Rick would run away with everything again. However, with three of five weeks completed in the second period, Rich and Tony are neck and neck separated by three points. Rick is in the middle of the pack 24 points back. Rick is still ahead in total points, but at least for now the gap is closing. What makes Rick's slump even more satisfying is that he is being brought down by the pathetic play of the much-hated Rangers, and specifically Gretzky and Robitaille. Here is a team by team breakdown of what we've seen so far.
Tortured Souls
Biggest Surprise: Dan Alfredsson has been superb, continuing his pace from being last year's rookie of the year. I might have expected the sophomore jinx to hit somewhat, especially with him playing for Ottawa.
Biggest Disappointment: Mario. He is outproducing Alfredsson, but of course the expectations of the first overall pick are greater. Mario's just not finding the net on chances he would have buried in the past. I do have a feeling that he will shortly regain his touch. Gary Suter ranks a close second. His performance is way off from last year.
Cougars
Biggest Surprise: The fact that Brendan Shanahan was traded to Detroit very early in the season has not hurt his fantasy production. I don't think his production would be as high if he were still in Hartford.
Biggest Disappointment: After posting 14 goals and 34 points last year, Vladimir Konstantinov has 0 goals and 5 assists so far.
Other notes: Has the lowest scoring defensemen in the league.
Free Radicals
Biggest Surprise: It appears Saku Koivu is the sleeper of the draft. One of the last forwards chosen is the NHL's third leading scorer.
Biggest Disappointment: Eric Lindros should finally see the ice this week. Jeremy Roenick rates the biggest disappointment for Brett's players that have actually played for him. I don't think four goals and 11 assists is what the Coyotes had in mind when they signed him to the huge deal.
Other notes: With the loss of Lindros for the first seven weeks, Brett has really held his own with late picks Arnott and Koivu. Could be a real force if Lindros comes back and produces as expected. Brett has used the most moves (seven), and will have to burn another one to get Lindros back in the line up.
Ice Dogs
Biggest Surprise: That I'm in first at 5-1-1. Well, it helps that I've played the team with the lowest points for the week five out of seven times. I know none of you guys care, but this is strangely similar to what has happened in the Nasty Fantasy Football League. Up until last week, Chris has consistently had the lowest total points and the best record in the league. But, now that Chris has moved out of last place in points, he no longer has the best record. I'm sure my luck will change soon too.
Biggest disappointment: Paul Coffey is the latest crybaby to want to be traded to a "contender." Last I saw Hartford was in first place in the Northeast division. The Whalers either need to get a commitment from him to shut up and play or trade him.
Other notes: Robert Reichel is not, as noted at the draft, the sleeper of the draft.
12 Monkeys
Biggest Surprise: Steve Yzerman seems reborn since signing a new contract. He is the fourth leading scorer in the NHL. He is quickly reversing the thought that his career might be in decline.
Biggest Disappointment: Sergei Federov has not been producing like the fifth overall pick that he was. With trade rumors abounding, a change of scenery might be the best thing for him. Craig Janney also deserves mention, as he should be putting up better numbers playing with Roenick, Tkachuk, Gartner, etc.
Other notes: His defensemen lead the league in scoring. His lowest scoring defensemen (Eric Desjardins, 17 points) has outscored the highest scoring defensemen for three other teams.
Beaver Slappers
Biggest Surprise: It has to be a minor surprise that Peter Forsberg is leading the NHL in scoring.
Biggest Disappointment: As usual all of Rick's players are solid. The biggest disappointment for him is that he's behind by 24 points in the second period. It appears that he will not finish first for only the second time in eight periods.
Other notes: Recorded the highest score for a week (not counting the first week, which was really 11 days) with 53 points in the fourth week.
Plaindrifters
Biggest surprise: Brian Leetch is second in defenseman scoring behind Ozolinsh. This is despite a poor start and the Rangers recent slump.
Biggest disappointment: Nobody has been really bad, but I guess you should expect a little more than 3 goals and 6 assists from Sergei Zubov, especially when you consider the Stars' good start.
Other notes: Has experienced some tough luck with a 2-5 record despite second place in total points. Has scored 50+ two weeks and won both, but lost the other five times while generally posting respectable scores.
Fargon Iceholes
Biggest Surprise: Mats Sundin seems to have rebounded back to playing to the same high level of a few years ago.
Biggest Disappointment: Even before Pat LaFontaine went down to injury, he was not producing as expected.
Other notes: Recorded the lowest score for a week, with six points in the second week.
So there you have it. Hopefully we'll have another newsletter from Chris at the end of the period in two weeks. Until then, if you want to comment or complain about my analysis of your team or if you want to talk trade or if you have any suggestion regarding what you would like to see in the weekly stats, e-mail me at grantg@sprynet.com.
Other EFHL info:
Standings and total points
Player statistics by team:
| Tortured Souls | Cougars | Free Radicals | Ice Dogs |
| 12 Monkeys | Beaver Slappers | Plaindrifters | Fargon Iceholes |