HeadLine LGHL Season 31: Pacific Division

LGHL Season 31: Pacific Division - A review for each team in the LGHL as well as divisional predictions!.

Reference for Grades:

A+: Best in NHL
A: Best in Division
A-: Great
B+: Good
B: Average
B-: Average
C+: Below Average
C: Poor
C-: AHL caliber


PACIFIC DIVISION



Anaheim Ducks

Forwards
1. x1x Datsyuk x3x (LW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
2. Ya Boy Yahtzee (LW) V 3S 0R $4,750,000
3. CaLL Me Jakoo O (C) V 1S 0R $0
4. OBrien x 8 (C) V 3S 1R $2,000,000
5. Trobs (C) V RA 1S 0R $10,000,000
6. No Regretzkys AGM (RW) A 2S 0R $2,000,000
7. DeLong x 22 (RW) V RA 1S 0R $5,750,000
8. Girgss (RW) V RA 1S 0R $4,000,000
9. KosmicEA (RW) A RA 3S 2R $500,000

Defenders
10. Ca Na Da 4L (LD) A 2S 0R $1,000,000
11. Dav711 (LD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
12. l Chelios x24 l (LD) V RA 1S 0R $750,000
13. Odieeeeee GM (RD) V 1S 0R $0
14. Hungry Ducks (RD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
15. l Semp l (RD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000

Goalies
16. JDoolus (G) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
17. l Wall x 31 l (G) V RA 2S 1R $1,000,000

Spent: $34,250,000
Cash: $750,000

Jakoo has become established as one of the best owners in terms of talent and managerial skills combined. With that in mind he managed to get Odie to come in and make what could be the best management duo in the league in terms of thumb skills. The forward lineup is probably the most "staked" lineup I've seen since the S27 Winnipeg team. Kosmic is maybe arguably a second line player on most teams and he's their weakest player at 500k. Too many good forwards choices to list, everyone is great and has a partner with tons of chemistry. But I will mention that Yathzee is confirmed to have the ̶w̶o̶r̶s̶t̶ best contract on this team.

Defensively you immediately see Odie and know the top pair will be good. Dav has been proclaimed to be one hell of a d man buy people around the league and he'll get his chance to prove it. Canada and Semp as a second pairing is amazing at 1.5 million. They may not be the most offensive duo but they will absolutely shut down opposing teams. Chelios and Hungry Ducks are both great choices for 500k, and all they'll really need to do is manage their own end while the offense fills the net with pucks. JDoolus was one of the better goalies last season on a average LA team while Wall has had a string of fantastic seasons which will certainly continue on this team.

Offense: A+ Defense: A- Goalies: A-



Arizona Coyotes

Forwards
1. Lehkonen x 62 O (LW) V 1S 0R $0
2. Project EBZ AGM (LW) V RA 1S 0R $2,250,000
3. iAMoee (LW) V RA 2S 1R $1,250,000
4. Gilbzey GM (C) V 1S 0R $0
5. Sitful (C) V RA 1S 0R $11,000,000
6. T lR lM (C) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
7. dirtracer91a (RW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
8. l Sakic l (RW) V RA 1S 0R $750,000
9. Wesley Snip3zzz (RW) V RA 2S 1R $1,250,000

Defenders
10. DeeadIy (LD) A RA 2S 1R $500,000
11. goonderk (LD) V RA 1S 0R $8,250,000
12. JerseyDevils 27 (LD) V RA 1S 0R $750,000
13. Azkika (RD) V RA 1S 0R $1,750,000
14. BubbleKushZ (RD) V RA 1S 0R $2,250,000
15. UniqueSniperr (RD) V RA 2S 1R $500,000

Goalies
16. LEG3NDz R41Nz (G) V 2S 0R $1,250,000
17. Z3R0CR45H (G) V RA 1S 0R $500,000

Spent: $33,250,000
Cash: $1,750,000

The past season I was a bit disappointed with the Coyotes. They had potential and never really fulfilled it. This time around I think they got the right group of guys in to manage that should keep this team on track for success. A top line of Moe/Sit/Wesley should be quite the spectacle on offense. Sitful is one of the few people I'd ever consider to go that high and be a reasonable pickup with how important the center position is. And don't sleep on Ebz, Gilbzey, Sackic as a line either. They've been playing phenomenal defense in 19 so far and people have taken notice.

Goonderk was upset with his high price but he will be in good company if paired with Azkika on the top pair. BubbleKush and JerseyDevils also round out the top 4 quite well. Deadly and Unique are going to be a pair of question marks though, at least they're cheap. They could hold the team back though. Rainz has been with Slim for what seems like forever and for a good reason. He's reliable and will get the job done. Zero is going to need to show that S30 was a fluke and that the +3 GAA was just a case of being on a bad team.

Offense: A- Defense: B Goalies: B



Calgary Flames

Forwards
1. B00YA (LW) V No Contract (4.5 million)
2. lVlaT (LW) V 2S 0R $500,000
3. o WjD O (LW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
4. Bureee (C) V RA 1S 0R $750,000
5. l Miller 16 l (C) V RA 2S 1R $2,500,000
6. mayweddaa (C) V RA 2S 1R $3,000,000
7. Shid (C) V No Contract (500k)
8. x S m ii R k Y (C) V No Contract (7.25 million)
9. Tayyyzzzz GM (RW) V 1S 0R $0

Defenders
10. Brisan66 O (LD) V 1S 0R $0
11. Baby Shark Fin AGM (LD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
12. Bonez024 (LD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
13. TurboYuri (LD) V RA 1S 0R $7,500,000
14. Hammy x 27 (RD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
15. Merle (RD) V RA 1S 0R $3,250,000

Goalies
16. DeIosh (G) V 3S 1R $1,750,000
17. Tatar l21l (G) V RA 1S 0R $750,000

Spent: $34,250,000
Cash: $750,000

Brisan has finally returned to NHL ownership after a few seasons in the AHL. With that it looks like he dug out this team from a list he made that many seasons ago. Booya has been okay as of late, here's hoping 19 is a big improvement for him and smirky who will be expected to lead the top line with Tayz on the right side. Shid is a guy to keep an eye on, he could pan out as one of the better 500k forwards this season. The depth is questionable past those four though. I don't know if Mayweddaa is going to perform like he did last time as a forward in NYI, if he does well this team could make some noise.

Yuri is the top pair guy but who's number two? I really don't see it. You got a fair amount of 2nd pair/3rd pair guys who should do okay but nothing spectacular at first glance. I also don't see them being a major liability though, so you could call this defensive core "underwhelming". Delosh and Tatar have been around awhile and are both acceptable choices for the goaltending position.

Offense: B Defense: B- Goalies: B-


Edmonton Oilers

Forwards
1. BWZinc AGM (LW) V RA 1S 0R $750,000
2. ArMoRCoR13 (LW) V 2S 0R $500,000
3. Exxtralg (LW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
4. John Bri I 7 I (LW) V 2S 0R $6,250,000
5. BigJayAyotte O (C) V 1S 0R $0
6. NfldTim (C) V RA 2S 1R $500,000
7. R0tes (C) V 2S 0R $500,000
8. Xx LoL xX 9 (C) V RA 1S 0R $7,000,000
9. o KniGhtZ o (RW) V RA 2S 1R $2,750,000

Defenders
10. booondock88 (LD) V RA 2S 1R $1,000,000
11. CornwaIIace (LD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
12. xW 4 R D GM (RD) V 1S 0R $0
13. BacKLuND x 22 (RD) V 2S 0R $3,000,000
14. Dazwyy (RD) V RA 1S 0R $1,000,000
15. Redmile89 (RD) V RA 1S 0R $6,500,000

Goalies
16. l Murray x 30 l (G) V RA 1S 0R $1,250,000
17. Th3 l AnD 0n1y (G) V RA 1S 0R $1,000,000

Spent: $33,000,000
Cash: $2,000,000

The remnants of last season's cup winners made the move to Edmonton in the offseason. Something just clicked for them in the playoffs and they went from the wild card spot all the way to a game 7 finals victory. But with Bass and Devin gone the team does look a lot different. The top line of John Bri/LoL/?? is going to be interesting. You could also see Zinc paired with LoL. It's extremely difficult to predict the lineups for this team. Rotes is going to be even better this season and was a good pickup at 500k.

Ward and Redmile as a top pair is fantastic. Backlund is finally on a reasonable contract too and should fill the top four nicely with Boondock who will likely need the help. Cornwallace and Dazwyy on a bottom pairing will be interesting to watch, you could also see Boondock here. Murray and Connor are two starting goalies and both came at a pretty manageable price tag. They should be able to help out with the somewhat weak defensive depth. This is a team that kind of falls into the same boat as Calgary. And their games should be really good to watch for a divisional race.

Offense: B- Defense: B Goalies: B+



Los Angeles Kings

Forwards
1. Williams x12x (LW) V 3S 0R $1,000,000
2. WoollyDanimal12 (LW) V RA 2S 1R $500,000
3. Shockz O (C) V 1S 0R $0
4. Dev I4I GM (C) V 1S 0R $0
5. iTz x Luigi x (C) V RA 1S 0R $4,250,000
6. GucciRollie-Hype (RW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
7. justlax10 (RW) V RA 1S 0R $6,750,000
8. l Dangs l (RW) V RA 3S 2R $500,000
9. x Gallyy (RW) V RA 1S 0R $1,500,000

Defenders
10. HoT RiViT (LD) V RA 1S 0R $4,500,000
11. ImxMrxSoLoDoLo (LD) V RA 1S 0R $3,000,000
12. stay_at_homed (LD) V RA 3S 2R $500,000
13. CT 66 AGM (RD) V RA 1S 0R $3,250,000
14. Bomb2r (RD) V RA 2S 1R $4,000,000
15. BSditka42 (RD) V RA 1S 0R $2,000,000

Goalies
16. hgSparty (G) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
17. Slampsonn (G) V RA 1S 0R $750,000

Spent: $33,500,000
Cash: $1,500,000

Shockz makes his return to LA after many seasons away. He and Devin have created an interesting forward lineup with the top line being Shockz/Devin/JustLax which can compete with most teams no problem. Soy Los is in their AHL but at a steep price, so expect to see a big change if they can find a suitor for a big cap dump trade. Luigi and Gally are great depth choices but one came at a high price of 4.25 million. WoollyDanimal and Williams are the 2/3 LWs aren't all that impressive either.

Hot Rivit is still a reliable top 4 dman with Bomber being in that same boat. Neither are going to amaze you but they'll do what they need to do. SoloDolo is a good choice as well and will be a good pairing with Sditka or CT. CT is someone who I've never seen play defense, he's going to be a real wild card and they could really use him being a standout player. Sparty at 500k is a steal, but the PSN stats just didn't attract as much attention as it should've. Slampson is back in net and is also a steal at 750k. This is probably the best 1-2 punch in the Pacific division.

Offense: B Defense: B Goalies: A


San Jose Sharks

Forwards
1. VI17AIN O (LW) V 1S 0R $0
2. hatemakerr (LW) V RA 2S 1R $4,250,000
3. PoopinSince95 (LW) V RA 1S 0R $1,000,000
4. SchroyDaddy (LW) V 3S 1R $2,500,000
5. SweeT 9 LoU 84 AGM (C) V RA 1S 0R $7,250,000
6. BlG STlCK NlCK (C) V RA 2S 1R $1,750,000
7. DontEvenMaatta (RW) V RA 2S 1R $3,500,000
8. meka DVA meka (RW) V RA 2S 1R $1,000,000
9. WelcomeToTheWeb (RW) V RA 1S 0R $1,000,000

Defenders
10. LethaLMyke23 (LD) V 3S 0R $1,000,000
11. Tom 0 (LD) V 3S 0R $4,500,000
12. X R3G X (LD) V RA 1S 0R $1,000,000
13. Duggan GM (RD) V 1S 0R $0
14. Proud Gay Dad (RD) V RA 1S 0R $3,500,000
15. Stieny (RD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000

Goalies
16. F R i K S x 9 9 (G) V RA 1S 0R $1,250,000
17. PHJ314 (G) V 2S 0R $500,000

Spent: $34,500,000
Cash: $500,000

This is Sweet Lou's team, it was always going to be. I don't care that he has the AGM tag and was won through bidding. Joe/Hatemaker/Schroy is one of hell of a LW trio. You'll see Lou and Nick clogging the center of the ice defensively and provide the offense when needed. The question is the RW positions. Maatta as a top liner? Not that impressive. It doesn't get any better the further down you go. At least they're cheap.

Tom 0 and Duggan are an ESHL caliber pairing. PGD and Steiny are also great choices for 2nd/3rd pair RDs. On the left Myke has been reliable for many seasons and at 1m is still a steal. Reg is the question mark on defense, but that's okay with how well he's going to be covered with this defense. Friks is an elite tendy, and Lou actually paid more than 500k for a goalie! PHJ as a 500k backup is also a sensible choice.

Offense: B+ Defense: A Goalies: A-


Vancouver Canucks

Forwards
1. lxl MLGesus lxl GM (LW) V 1S 0R $0
2. Jumps x 66 (LW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
3. sbdr91 (LW) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
4. ZacKrell (LW) A RA 1S 0R $750,000
5. Duky (C) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
6. Ksw (C) V RA 1S 0R $1,500,000
7. Mr SaWse (C) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
8. PieR Talent O (RW) V 1S 0R $0
9. B0SS of B0SSES (RW) V RA 3S 2R $1,750,000

Defenders
10. Kbsmith37 AGM (LD) V RA 1S 0R $7,250,000
11. Chaskin12 (LD) V RA 2S 1R $1,000,000
12. Pattelite (LD) V RA 2S 1R $1,250,000
13. Vaporize 17 (LD) V RA 1S 0R $9,000,000
14. Chr1s (RD) V RA 3S 2R $750,000
15. Sucha Studnicka (RD) V RA 1S 0R $500,000

Goalies
16. Big Wet May (G) V RA 1S 0R $1,500,000
17. Huddy (G) V RA 1S 0R $500,000

Spent: $27,750,000
Cash: $7,250,000

Vancouver really needed to land a couple big forward pickups, and it appears they tried with their left over cap space. MLGesus will cherry pick for enough goals on the top line but put him with Ksw and BoB on a top line and it's very underwhelming to say the least. Most of the players are very cheap and good as depth players, but to make a 2nd line out of them is disappointing. I could see this team making a big move before the season starts.

They didn't skip on defense though as KBSmith appears to be back in NHL19 and paired with Vaprorize should be a lethal 1/2 top pair. Chaskin and Pattelite are great depth choices on great contracts. Same goes for the right side. They'll need to keep scores down if the current forward lineup stays the same. Big Wet May and Huddy is a decent 1/2. May coming off an All Star season for Pier in Montreal definitely made him a prime target for Pier's bidding board.

Offense: C+ Defense: A- Goalies: B



Vegas Golden Knights

Forwards
1. K1eetus O (LW) V 1S 0R $0
2. llTHEMVPll (LW) V RA 1S 0R $7,000,000
3. Woahmack (LW) V RA 3S 2R $3,500,000
4. boonsop (C) V 3S 1R $1,500,000
5. Naazzyy (C) V RA 1S 0R $2,500,000
6. ChrisBeezer (RW) V 3S 1R $1,500,000
7. Easy Macaroni (RW) V RA 1S 0R $4,500,000
8. Mole11 (RW) V RA 1S 0R $2,000,000
9. SurpriseMe22 (RW) V RA 1S 0R $1,250,000

Defenders
10. Eamonn (LD) V 2S 0R $1,000,000
11. JTRx91 (LD) V RA 1S 0R $1,500,000
12. xRICKOSHAY GM (RD) V 1S 0R $0
13. Its a Full Send (RD) V RA 2S 1R $2,500,000
14. Rocky9169 (RD) V RA 1S 0R $1,500,000
15. StealthyAdopted (RD) V 2S 0R $500,000

Goalies
16. Brumer l 30 l (G) V RA 1S 0R $500,000
17. l V a s l (G) V RA 1S 0R $1,000,000

Spent: $32,250,000
Cash: $2,750,000

The west coast dream team returns again for another run at playoff magic. Almost stunning the President's cup winners last season but falling short in a game 7 must've left a bad taste in Kleetus' mouth. No surprise here, more west coasters. Taking advantage of the fact that west coasters usually go cheaper he has a lot of quality forwards at reasonable contracts. Expect a top pairing of MVP/Nazzy/Macaroni (bring back the goal songs please). Boon and Beezer together has always been a good combo, and the rest of them fit in quite well.

Defensively you have a few east coasters in Rickoshay and Full Send being the top pair. I think it's going to be rough for them on west connections, granted NHL19 seems to be better for West/East gameplay. Past them is really a list of average players for their roles. Their prices are cheap and they'll do okay but nothing that really is going to impress. Goalies however could be a different story. Vas was an absolute beast last season in the playoffs and he should continue to dominate in NHL19. Brumer was a goalie during the merger seasons and we haven't seen him since. I feel like he could be a sneaky choice for someone in the know like Kleetus. Keep an eye on him.

Offense: B+ Defense: B- Goalies: B+


DIVISION PREDICTIONS

*NOTE: I will be doing a 5th post to show my predictions for who makes the playoffs in the wild card as well as a BOLD cup finals prediction*

Even after a good re balancing of the divisions it feels like all the owners decided to absolutely kill it in bidding. Anaheim are the obvious favorites for the division banner but after a likely number 2 in San Jose you got a whole list of teams who are easily interchangeable if one falters. I think that LA makes the move to bring up Soy Los and becomes the 3rd spot while Arizona has the talent on offense which I think puts them up there in the upper half. I slept on Vegas last time around and I won't again, I think their west coast magic continues for another season. Vancouver really needs some forwards, if they get those they'll be right up at the top battling with the Ducks and Sharks. Edmonton and Calgary are really in the same boat as Vegas. Good teams in a surprisingly tough division.

1. Anaheim Ducks
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Los Angeles Kings
4. Arizona Coyotes
5. Vegas Golden Knights
6. Vancouver Canucks
7. Edmonton Oilers
8. Calgary Flames​

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Same exact ranking as me for both divisions except for the yotes, lets see if you'll get shit talked like I did

 

Quack

 

great writeup taco, thnx for taking your time to do this

 

Quack

 

quack

 

Quack

 

Howl

 

Good job @Brisan66

 

Duggan is the 3rd line RD though......

 

interesting. Im not owning this season like last.

 

Ummmm ouch

 

Quack

 

Good write up Taco. I’m glad you’re not sleepin on these Yotes. @DeeadIy will definitely be holding our team back

 

Great stuff Taco, love to see it. I appreciate the kinds words as well!

 

Imagine

 

These nucks are making playoffs no matter what taco said and that the bottom line cause Pattelite said so.

 

Better start believing, friend

 

Future AHL G here