Hat Trick Padula – The main thing to watch here is that all of his star players are in for massive raises this season, or next.  Pat claims to not know hockey that well, but as long as he’s okay at math he should be able to make things work out… barely.  His healthy-looking bank account should help with that a bit.  Curious to see if he sits-Pat at the deadline because he's too scared to make moves or not.

Sheds and his Preds – In true Sheds fashion, this team is built mostly around defensiveness.  I do like the team, but playoff success will likely hinge on where Sheds finishes in the Pacific.  1^st ensures an easier opening-round opponent, 2^nd still gives him home ice where he’s been dynamite, but 3^rd means likely being on the road every round where he’s been rather underwhelming.

Eric’s still not singing the Blues – I thought Eric had lost a lot of firepower over the past year or two (which he may have on paper), but he’s put together a nice little season.  He’s really gotta tweak up that PP though, because if he can find some success there, that could put him into true contention.  Always seems to be competitive despite never mortgaging the future for the now.

Wild Al – When I think of ‘Homer’ GMs, there are several that jump out to me… but none more than Tony and Al.  That would be okay for Al’s BRHL team if the real-life Wild were actually good.  In the BRHL playoffs all you have to do is “get in” apparently, so I’d like to see him nab that final WC spot, but Al, you really need a sniper other than Kaprizov.

Asian the Past Sensation – It seemed as if Junya was set up for years of success with Shesterkin as the face of his franchise.  Although he is obviously a solid tendy, it appears that one epic season he had was a bit of an aberration to his norm.  Junya still has a roster littered with big names, but unfortunately, big contracts seem to be attached to all of them.  We'll see if the stereotypical Asians-are-smart-at-math narrative is true and he can maneuver his cap space to add needed pieces. 

Safari Joel – There always seems to be several solid young pieces in play, but not enough of them ever really take that next step, or all develop simultaneously.  He’s a guy who I’d love to see win the lottery, but in true Joel-fashion he’s playing himself out of that range.  It’s respectable of him not to go total tank mode like other GMs do, but is it smart?

Dr J Down Under – Make no bones about it, Dr Jordan is clear about his intentions this year.  He is tanking.  Which means that Eichel and Nylander are on the block in case anyone was wondering.  Because they haven’t moved yet, it appears he’s slightly more committed to getting top price for them than to actually finishing last.  If he gets Bedard though, maybe they remain Jets long-term.

Defensive D-Men Dave – One by one Dave has finally started moving out his middle-aged stay-at-home defensemen.   This is a good move by him as he has zero chance of competing anytime soon.  Chicago would be a fitting place for Bedard to obviously land.  Dave’s the type of guy who would put him on the block just to frustrate everyone to see if he could land like twenty 1^st round picks for him.