2015 Disk Rating Project Begins!!!

The 2015 Hockey Disk Player Rater website is back up and running with all content updated for the 2014-15 NHL season.

The website can be found here:

Player rating project


If you're visiting the website for the first time, there's a simple registration process you'll be required to complete. Typical stuff, nothing funky. After that, you'll see two player "cards" appear on the screen, along with a question above them. The questions are all comparative in nature asking things like "Who is the better defender?" "Who is faster?" You click on the icon for the player you believe to be the correct answer. There is an option called "I don't know" if that's the one that suits you the best. and then the screen reloads with a new set of players and questions.

Each person rating is asked to submit roughly four thousand ratings. That sounds like a lot, but with most ratings taking just a few seconds, you can bang out a few dozen in just a few minutes. The site is set-up to allow people to return over and over again to continue rating players. It's important to understand that the project will accept ANY level of contribution a person is comfortable providing. There is a nifty section that shows your progress and the overall project's progress as well.

 The more people that participate in this project each year, the better and faster we get to see the new disk! As the APBA Sim Hockey Community endeavors to keep this game we all enjoy so much alive and healthy, this is a way that all APBA-ers can contribute.

Jump in!

UPDATE FROM THE SIBERIA ICE CATS...

McDavid set to wear the Icecats Blue, White and Silver!

With the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, all of the talk has been about the next "generational" talent, Connor McDavid.  McDavid has the skill set that sets him apart from other star players who were drafted before him.  According to one of the greatest players to ever
lace up the skates, Wayne Gretzky, "He’s as good as I’ve seen in the last 30 years, the best player to come into the league in the last 30 years, the best to come along since (Mario) Lemieux and (Sidney) Crosby. He can definitely change a franchise’s fortunes."

The rebuilding Icecats are in need of such a talent to be the cornerstone of the franchise.  GM Silvio Saouaf took over a team that was average in the standings, bleeding cash and had a weak prospect pool.  When asked about this, GM Saouaf had this to say, "It was tough to tear down the team, but the team was never going to compete as constructed.  These past 2 seasons have been hard on our team and especially our fans, but hopefully our fans see hope with a much stronger pool of prospects including Sam Bennett, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brett Ritchie, Madison Bowey, Jake McCabe, and the soon to be drafted, McDavid.  Our goal is to build a perennial contender, such as Copenhagen and Fort Erie, and that has to start by having a deep pool of home grown talent."

GM Saouaf did say that he received some very strong offers for McDavid, and had a difficult time turning those offers down.  "A generational talent comes along every 10-20 years, so when you get the opportunity, you grab it and hold on.  It is easier to build a team around a generational talent than
to acquire one."

It appears that GM Saouaf is set to call McDavid's name on the podium on July 1st.

UPDATE FROM THE SPRINGFIELD HOMERS...

Springfield Homers not feeling at home?

By: John Arbuckle, Sports: Springfield Today

  As the Springfield Homers embark on a new season it appears that it will go as rocky as expected.  The team took its chances last year in an attempt at a playoff berth and failed and now find themselves in the unenviable position of missing the post season and also not low in the standings in terms of a lottery pick.

  GM Aaron Stacey has had an uneven term over his years in the league but now appears to finally tearing down the team in an effort to build for the future.  It is expected that more than half of the active roster will not be with the team next year as numerous UFA's will be released and a variety of players have already been moved. 

  Fan favorite Brent Burns was expected to sign with the team but some confusion in the team office resulted in Burns declaring himself an UFA and today was dealt for a prospect. Resident whipping boy Phil Kessel has also been moved in what is seen as a cost cutting endeavour, bringing in rising star Nichuskin may soften the blow but he is years away from having an impact.  Gone too is Kris Russel, dealt to favorite trading partner Fort Erie.  It is expected that Marc-Andre Fleury will 

remain with the team but players such as Jaromir Jagr, Martin Brodeur, and James Wisniewski will be hitting the free agent 

market.

  It is safe to say that last year didn’t go as planned for Springfield and the result is significant turn over on the roster going into next year.  With all the new faces expected next year it will be a wonder if the Homers will even feel at home in their dressing room.

[Update: 04/21/2015]

  It has been announced that the team is now actively shopping recently resigned David Krejci, it appears the trading of Burns was the final straw as Krejci has formally requested to be moved.  It will mean yet another change in the dressing room but could create opportunity for some younger players to step in. 

Debut "Around the CCHL" post...

What every team is shooting for...

Random Notes: 4/16/2015:

*The 2015 NHL Playoffs began last night and 16 teams believe that they have a shot to win the Stanley Cup. Indeed, they do. Of course, some teams like the Rangers or the Blues probably have a much better "shot" at winning the Cup than the Penguins or the Jets do.

*There is less pressure on the Penguins this year than there has been in a long time. No one expects them to push the series with the Rangers to six games, let alone come out with a win. All the pressure lies with the Blueshirts this series.

*Speaking of the Pens, after an almost comical last 4 weeks to their regular season where injuries, a maxed out salary cap, ineffective play all over the ice and a must win game 82 against the worst team in the league (Buffalo) many eyes are looking at the off-ice names when it comes to changes. Head Coach Mike Johnston is safe, General manager Jim Rutherford is not.

*My pick for the Finals? St. Louis and the New York Rangers, with the Blues winning their first NHL Championship.

*CCHL wise...

*Hard to see a quality GM and good guy in Johan Eriksson leave us. Eriksson always had a quality team on the ice except when he was rebuilding. Johan was also helpful to the entire league by creating our annual regular season schedule and by compiling the popular NHL Actual statistical reports. Good luck, Johan!

*All indications suggest that the Siberia Ice Cats will announce that Connor McDavid is their first selection and first overall pick in the 2015 CCHL Entry Draft in late June/early July. McDavid is a generational player and should prove to be a worthy cornerstone of the Cats franchise.

*Speaking of the upcoming CCHL Entry Draft, if you haven't begun to do your draft research, you should get started. This draft is considered a deep one and the NHL caliber talent available may last into the third round this year.

*Currently the 22 CCHL teams are hard at work deciding who to give contracts to and who to say goodbye to. RFA resigns are due to the league office by 6:00am Dayton time on the 20th of April.

*UFA Resigns are due to the league office by 6:00am Dayton time on April 27th...

*Its never a bad time to thank all the guys who help the CCHL in some way or another. Thanks go out to:

Bobby Nichol- League Finances
Matt Young- Prospects, Prospect reserves and draft picks
Blake Wendt- League artwork
Jason Mote- Assistant Commissioner

*IN CLOSING....

This blog has been set up to serve as a central location for all league articles, previews, predictions, etc. Keep in mind, that you can earn money (from $150K up to $1.5M) depending on how many articles a GM submits. (Articles must be at least 250 words to qualify for the bonus program...)

If you decide to write an article, write it up however you wish. You can use a standard email, or a word processor, notepad, etc... Send the article to me at my usual email address. I'll format it, probably do so light editing and formatting and post it here on the "Around the CCHL" Blog. I'll send out an alert to the rest of the league that a new article has been posted. Matt Young will track these article submissions for the annual Bonus program payouts.

It's easy money, gang...


Till next time!

Bill Corfield
GM/Dayton Musicmen