Penetrators RHL15 season in review
The end of RHL15 marked the completion of the 3rd season for YDP. After two solid 57 point campaigns, YDP finished season #3 with a whopping 80 points, good enough for 5th place in the Premier Conference. Despite the measurable improvements, it was a season marked with inconsistencies. Inconsistencies that cost the team a chance to finish higher in the standings and make a strong push during the playoffs. Despite the upcoming expansion draft, YDP expects to field a competitive team in RHL16, one that will hopefully be strong enough to compete against the leagues’ elite.
Playoffs – Rating B
With only 1 playoff round of experience to draw from, YDP was very grateful in drawing the expansion Stingers. Despite losing defensive stalwart Rod Brind’Amour in game 1, the boys cruised to a 5 game series win. While no one expected a cake walk in the 2nd round, most observers will agree that this was a series played by 4 different teams as the Eagles dominated the first 2 to take a commanding 2-0 lead, but YDP came back and willed their way back into the series and eventually won in 6 games. The clock finally struck midnight in the 3rd round against the Reapers as the boys were dispatched quickly in 4 games thanks to the brilliant play of Roberto Luongo
Offense – Rating A-
How can one complain about having the 2nd best offense in all of hockey? The combination of Satan and Sakic terrorized goalies throughout the league finishing 3rd and 4th respectively in league scoring.
Defense – Rating B+
This is by far the deepest part of the organization and it really showed this year as the boys gave up an average of 24 shots a game. Robert Esche was solid throughout the season and really earned the #1 position. With as many as 8 serviceable defensemen at any given time, the coaching staff had the luxury of playing as many as 7 on any given night allowing each player to play a specific role.
Special Teams – Rating A
YDP had the best power play in hockey striking at an efficiency rate of 19.5% and was 12th on the PK at 85.4%, which resulted in a net gain of +29 (63 PPG & 34 PPA). The team also led the league in fewest penalty minutes taken and fewest PP chances given up.
Bottom Line – Rating C
While the team did increase revenues by $1M, the combination of a higher internal budget along with various signings, trades and taxes left YDP $5.3M in the red for RHL15. Despite this red ink, YDP is committed to fielding a competitive team in RHL16 as they currently have $28M in committed salaries (pre-expansion draft). With over $9M currently sitting in the coffers YDP is still in good financial shape for years to come. With any luck, a successful playoff run could easily see YDP surpass the $10M mark again.
Player Reviews
Satan (A+) 22.2 66 27 47 74 +18
Arguably YDP’s biggest free agent signing of the year, Miroslav earned every penny this season leading the team in scoring (3rd in the conference) while posting up a spectacular +18 rating. His efforts nodded him a spot on the Premier Conference All-star team.
Sakic (A+) 23.5 65 31 40 71 +18
The preseason acquisition of No ordinary Joe put YDP on the map. The franchise had shed itself of their penny-pinching reputation and landed that really big fish. Joe brought YDP’s PP right to the top setting many team records along the way. He finished 4th in conference scoring and earned a spot on the Premier Conference All-star team.
Brind'Amour (A-) 18.9 66 11 32 43 +7
The acquisition of Rod gave YDP the necessary assets to land Sakic. Brind’Amour has been nothing but brilliant as his role changes from game to game. While playing mostly against the opposition’s best, Rod is still able to produce decent offensive numbers as well as a respectable +/- rating. YDP’s hopes of a long playoff run was severely damaged when they lost Brind’Amour early in round 1.
Hannan (A-) 23.8 66 5 22 27 +5
Scott plays almost 24 minutes a night and is asked to defend against the world’s best night in and night out. With his hands he has no business racking up the offensive numbers that he produces. This warrior is definitely future captain material.
Ragnarsson (A-) 25.4 64 6 20 26 +6
While he owns the oldest everything on the back end, Rags was still able to put up 26 points and play well over 25 minutes a night. Magnus has hinted at retiring after this season, lets just hope its in a YDP uniform.
Tanguay (B+) 17.8 25 8 14 22 +12
I still can’t believe Alex is in a YDP uniform. Acquired during the season in a huge blockbuster trade from Indianapolis, Tanguay provided YDP with some secondary scoring and flexibility amongst its top 6 forwards.
Damphousse (B+) 18.0 66 23 31 54 +6
Wong convinced Vinny to give YDP a chance as a place for that last hurrah and boy did he take the season by storm. Not since his Sockeye days has Vinny racked up so many goals. The ageless veteran rode shotgun most of the year with Joe and Miroslav. His efforts were rewarded with a selection to the Premier Conference All-star team.
Bates (B+) 13.9 61 7 13 20 +5
Bates’s situation was similar to Fedotenko’s. However, the additions allowed Bates to focus solely on the defensive side of the game resulting in his best +/- rating since joining YDP. Shawn proved how valuable and versatile he was as a player by producing 14 points in 15 playoff games placing him 2nd in team scoring.
Souray (B+) 22.2 25 7 12 19 +6
The addition of Souray solidified YDP’s already powerful PP and allowed then to have two shutdown D on the left side. Souray continued his strong play in the playoffs by leading all YDP defensemen in scoring.
Morris (B+) 24.2 30 1 9 10 +9
Acquired from Grand Prairie, Morris was a horse on the point logging over 24 minutes a night, while leading all d-men with a rating of +9. With 3 more years left on his contract Derek will be a major part of YDP’s defense.
Lukowich (B+) 13.0 66 5 15 20 +8
The increase in firepower has allowed Brad to focus on his defensive game. As part of YDP’s 2nd PK unit Lukowich not only shuts down the opposition but has put up some decent numbers for only playing 13 minutes a night.
Esche (B+) 60 GP 33-20-6 2.39 GAA 0.900 SV% 8 SO
After seeing his ice time fluctuate over the last two years, Esche was finally given the reins as he was anointed the #1 keeper in Yellowknife. Robert played 60 games this season and posted career highs in wins and shutouts.
Sykora (B) 16.3 66 22 24 46 E
Petr contributed admirably with another solid +20 goal campaign, but was unable to carry this magic into the playoffs.
Letowski (B) 9.3 63 12 12 24 +11
One of the pleasant surprises of RHL15, Letowski produced some decent numbers despite playing only 9 minutes a night. His +11 rating was 4th best on the team.
Fedotenko (B) 9.2 66 12 9 21 +6
With the additions of Damphousse, Tanguay, Satan and Sykora, Fedotenko found himself relegated to the 3rd line and had his ice time significantly reduced. Despite these challenges he continues to work hard and was able to contribute 12 goals for the team.
F.Kaberle (B) 20.4 64 2 34 36 +1
Arguably the team’s most under rated defensemen. With names like Hannan, Ragnarsson and Souray floating about its easy for Frank to be lost in the shuffle, but this smart veteran continues to improve his offensive game while minimizing his defensive mistakes.
Rachunek (C+) 18.1 32 2 9 11 +1
With the upgrade in the team’s talent, Rachunek was relegated to the press box on most nights. With the upcoming expansion draft, it is hard to say whether he’ll be a member of YDP.
Moreau (C) 8.5 66 12 7 19 -10
After two spectacular campaigns with YDP, a lot was expected from the veteran. But the reduced role this year caused major inconsistencies in Ethan’s game. Despite these challenges Ethan was still able to produce fairly decent numbers from his limited ice time.
Modano (C-) 18.4 45 9 12 21 -3
Sometimes you’re the pigeon and sometimes you’re the statue. This year Mike is the statue. Modano failed to live up to this hall of fame status after arriving in Yellowknife. The normally a point a game guy saw his production reduced in half. Hopefully he’ll rebound in RHL16.
Orszagh (C-) 4.9 53 1 1 2 -15
Vlad has proven that he can produce in this league, but a diminished role really affected his play this season. He redeemed himself like a true warrior in the playoffs by producing 8 points in 14 games.
Kuba (C-) 11.7 7 2 1 3 -1
Acquired from Indianapolis, Kuba never really had a chance to showcase his skills as he was injured just days after the trade. Kuba will get every opportunity to play come RHL16.
Ima Dumass (CP)
2 Comments:
I personally blame the coach for the inconsistencies. My inability to claim a single point against Chris in our final 4 games really cost me the bye. Then Brind'Amour with his injury rating of 4 gets 40 days during playoff day 1 pretty much sealed my fate. With the new junior rules I have a tone of kids needing contracts so needless to say my accounting skills will be tested.
I still can't believe I finished ahead of you in the regular season... but you had the last laugh of course in the playoffs.
I still stand by the opinion that on paper, YDP should have been able to challenge for the title, just by depth alone when compared to the REA, DEF, etc...
Don't think it was coaching... the numbers just didn't mesh with eachother for some reason--same with the GAR.
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