FALL 2006 PREVIEWS
Darcel will continue to consist of a 5 team 12 game regular season. The playoffs are as follows: Elimination game (4 vs. 5) and the Semi Finals are 1 game playoff. The finals will also be 1 game, but it will consist of 3 periods each 30 minutes long with a 5 minute intermission between periods.
The New NHL is followed by the new Darcel.
Even though we have the cleanest league that is not good enough. There have been changes to reduce the number
of teams and players and eliminate some of the people who don’t want to play
the game as it is intended….competitive fun!
The players will be expected to have regular attendance, control their
sticks and keep their mouths shut! The
referees have been instructed to enforce a zero tolerance policy. If you cannot live under these conditions do
not play.
This season all 5 teams are closer than ever, making the
rankings a very difficult task to do.
Now to the previews (last seasons rankings turned out to be 100%
accurate):
GM: Steve C.
Scouting Report: Pure scorer with speed, endurance and loves to play with a short bench. The leading scorer of the league since his arrival.
Team: This team is a mix of returnees from last season’s championship squad (Bitta, Peter M, Pardip B) and the Orangemen who finished near the bottom last season (Conrad, Bassi, Helder, Nayyar, Mike W) and Jamie P (Maroon) rounding out the group. Can these Sharkmen deliver? Look for Bitta S, Mike W and Steve to carry the offense with solid contributions by the supporting cast.
Weakness:
Speed and balance – at least half this team is considered average to below average in speed. Combined with lack of balance, will this team put all their eggs in one basket or spread out their stars to eliminate the gap?
Overall: This season the Sharks will not repeat (as very few teams do)….Ranked # 4
GM: Gary J
Scouting Report: Speed, skill and can dangle! Is looking to come back from a terrible experience last time he was a GM.
Team: This team’s forwards are all about speed….Gary, Jay D, Craig L all have it and can score with the best of them. Add rookie speedster Ameet and Chris H you have skill and speed upfront unmatched….The defense will be much less mobile. Raja S is top notch but lacks the big shot from the point. George K will provide the shooting but speed is average at best, Adam P and Parm D will offer size in front of Ralph P who is very active in the net.
Weakness: Outside of their top unit this team has no big threats to score. If someone can contain their stars, this is a very beatable team. However, that task will prove easier said than done.
Overall: Will be challenge for top spot, number # 1 is what they will achieve (but it will not come easy).
GM: Shane M
Scouting Report: Worked his way back from major knee surgery to be a force again. Still the best motivational and organized GM by far.
Team: This team features #1 pick Matt T who can do it all. He will have new comer Phang To on his wing who has a cannon…will be a dangerous duo. Richard K and Rick O will round out the forwards with (as always) solid contribution. Defense is abundance on this team with Shane, speedy Mike E, Rookie John To (who also is very quick), veterans Peter A and Frank S who can play up or back. Manny M will have a solid season in the pipes as he will finally have a defensive minded squad in front of him.
Weakness: This team has limited scoring threats and will rely heavily on rookie contributions. If the secondary scoring does not come or the rookies cannot adjust to the rink game…it can be a long season.
Overall: This team will be destined for the middle of the pack, however beating the top teams and losing to the 5th place team is something this squad is capable of doing…Ranked # 3
GM: Bob G
Scouting Report: Bob is a solid 2 way D-Man who provides stability and leadership. He is making his GM return…the last time he managed; his team went to the finals.
Team: The team of balance. The forwards are balanced with speed (Sean, Richard) and playmaking skills (Tony, Raidel) add Solid Irfan to the mix and you have the only team in the league who can attack you with 2 equally solid number 1 lines. The “D” is balanced with speedy Ravi U joining Bob and veterans Kumar and Ranbir rounding out the mix. Goaltender Turab B will have a solid season coming off a solid provincials.
Weakness: This team lacks the go-to guy on the backend. There are no Pronger types here who can dominate offensively and shut down stars, they will have to play D like a committee. Also, there are no big shooters on this team. Although there is lots of scoring, no big outside shooters.
Overall: The Devils will be good enough to score & defend against anyone on most days... Ranked # 2
GM: Gurwinder S
Scouting Report: Gurw. Is coming off a terrible season which included yet another injury for the star. He will be replaced until mid season when he makes his return to lead the charge.
Team: The Orangemen have a lot of veteran leadership in Jude, Vinder, Balraj, Naveed and Imtiaz who can also contribute on the floor. Craig M, Deepu K and Adam R will provide speed, energy and scoring for this group. This team will have the most fearsome shooters of any team in the league. As Jude, Imtiaz, Craig and Gurw can all let it fly. Goaltending will not be an issue with Amelio playing solid.
Weakness: All of their shooters (forwards) like to play the same position. How will they adjust? How will this team adjust to having an inconsistent line up until Gurw returns from injury? Will the top end players be able to support the weaker players on this team and avoid being exposed?
Overall: Can challenge to avoid the elimination game but inconsistency will cost them…Ranked 5th.