Grading The Vendetta Sports 2022 Fantasy Hockey Rosters
Hockey Guy Trey is so back. He never truly left, just has been in hibernation waiting for hockey season. The real puck drop starts tonight so it’s time we go over all the rosters for the Vendetta Sports fantasy hockey league. Trey is only doing the site league this year, unfortunately, and the competition isn’t exactly strong. Anything short of a three-peat and the season is a failure. Nevertheless, let’s peep Hockey Guy Trey’s chances for the 2022 season while grading the other teams in the league.
Before I begin these rankings, let me just say effort is going to factor in. Are you trying to make trades? Are you watching the waiver wire? How did your team draft? Can you make adjustments? Did you read my posts? The end of the year standings may vary drastically from this list for those reasons.
10: Team Emma’s World (Emma Brown)
I actually really like Emma’s team. Her number ten rating has everything to do with the fact that I don’t believe she has the attention span to actually keep up with it. Her strategy (even if it wasn’t intentional. We all know the real reason for her picks) is correct. Has a really young team with a lot of upside. At least five of these players are going to be tremendous values.
Again, I actually really love this team. I love the Trevor Zegras pick at 72nd overall even if ESPN has him ranked 102. Zegras is now the face of the franchise after the retirement of Ryan Getzlaf. Think he will have a big year. The fact that Emma also got Troy Terry too is even better.
Will Jack Hughes prove to be a true air craft carrier? I think yes. The goalie trio of Jordan Binnington, Pavel Francouz, and Spencer Knight was so damn smart.
We’re still not answering the right questions. Will Emma keep up with it? Stay tuned to find out.
9: Team Herrick (James Herrick)
James’ team has some star power on it but there are too many guys I just wouldn’t have picked. Leon Draisaitl and David Pastrnak is a hell of a start at forward but there is a big drop off. I guess let’s start here; it would be easier to like Herrick’s team if he didn’t have six players from the Red Wings on it. Whatever you think of Detroit this year, having six guys from there team is at least four too many.
Herrick also has two of my don’t eat the cheese goalies on it so I just feel that he missed out on the high end value you need to win. While I don’t love this team, it reminds me of my team from the first year I played fantasy hockey. Time and effort can still win you the prize at the end but does Herrick have what it takes to learn hockey?
8: Cross Check Bagdonas (Chris Bagdonas)
It’s a team with some holes and question marks but there is a chance Bagdonas sported a contender. Cale Makar is a freak and any team that starts with him is a contender already. There are just a lot of questions here and we’re not sure which way they’re going to go. Just a team that has too much risk for my liking.
Will the Senators actually be good because Josh Norris and Tim Stutzle have to be. Can Vladimir Tarasenko really have another season like he did a year ago? Are we buying the Tage Thompson resurgence? Can Sidney Crosby be the best forward on a winning fantasy hockey team? Time will tell.
7: The Mighty Chicksters (Chickster)
Chickster did well. This is no slight to his team because I think it’s really good. I just think it has one major hole. He has seven goalies and I hate all of them except MAYBE one or two. I don’t necessarily hate them as real life players, you’re just banking on knowing when the Flyers, Ducks, and Sabres won’t lose. Hard to do. Plus, we know my distaste for goalie Bob. It’s a good team but the goalie situation here is make or break.
6: Toronto Stachews (Scott Logush)
Scott should be a fantasy hockey veteran at this point. This is now his third year doing it which is the same number as me. My favorite picks by Scott were easily the trio of Tyler Toffoli, Anze Kopitar, and Adrian Kempe. He got all three way too low compared to where they should have gone.
I just can’t have him higher than 6th because I worry about his defensemen and goalie situation. Moritz Seider was great as a rookie but was he worth pick 35? I’d argue yes but not this year. Scott also has Blackhawk stock and it’s smelly. Seth Jones and what is going to be a negative point machine in Petr Mrazek. I just hate Tristan Jarry and Darcy Kuemper plays in general.
5: Northampton Konkrete Kids (Chad Bauman)
Let me just say this. Chad drafted a hell of a team for a guy that doesn’t know anything about hockey. He was dealt the last pick and may have found a way to turn it into gold. To start that draft with Igor Shesterkin, Roman Josi, Jake Guentzel, Alex DeBrincat, Alex Pietrangelo, and Johnny Gaudreau is damn good work. Credit to Chad for building a rock core.
I might even rank Chad higher but is he going to dig into the waiver wire like Colson already has? I’m guessing no but Chad is going to be in the mix and that is a great outcome.
4: Team Valby (Colson Valby)
The Lightning homer made sure to get his fair share of Tampa players. If the Lightning are good (which they will be) then Colson’s team is going to be good. It might be good regardless. Even if you go beyond Kucherov, Vasilevskiy, and Point there are really great picks in here. I don’t like Winnipeg but I love Kyle Connor. Artemi Panarin is a point machine. Brent Burns and Devon Toews at the top for D men. It’s a good team and it would appear Colson wants to win so that already gives him a leg up.
3: Rocky Mountain Oysters (Jerry Walker)
Jerry Walker’s team is going to be hard to beat when it’s healthy. He’s got Gabriel Landeskog, Brad Marchand (thanks to a trade with me), and Charlie McAvoy chilling on IR. When those guys come off, it adds to a group that includes Nathan MacKinnon, Alex Ovechkin, Brady Tkachuk, and John Carlson. I also love his goalie group of Frederick Andersen and Marc-Andre Fleury. If Jerry even further strengthens the depth he has, then everyone really needs to look out.
2: Grit Per 60 (Andrew McGuinness)
I had the first pick. Andrew picked second and he probably snaked me about seven times so that should give you an idea of what I think of his team. His top five forwards are Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Elias Pettersson, Roope Hintz, and Robert Thomas. Yeah, pretty damn good.
The D core is also really strong. Andrew picked four different defensemen that I considered strong values (Dougie Hamilton, Zach Werenski, Thomas Chabot, and John Klingberg). The goalies are also strong with Juuse Saros (whom I love) and Connor Hellebuyck (whom I don’t love) but a really good group.
That’s not even including strong depth with Jonathan Marchessault, Nikolaj Ehlers, and potential breakout Matty Beniers. It’s no surprise our top hockey guy did well.
1: Icing Daubert (Trey Daubert)
The three peat is on. Season one was troubles coming. Season two was all about looking better in gold. We will see what season three has in store but I’m so damn excited for hockey season.
