Welcome to the Tom Fiddler first career Hat Trick and 1700 and general badassery presser.

Tom Fiddler recently scored his first career hat trick in a stunning display of offensive potency not yet witnessed from Fiddler, who has traditionally been a two-way forward specializing in getting pelted by pucks. With the injection of REAL talent on the blue line and in the net, as well as budding offensive talent from linemates Zoltan and Petrov, things are starting to fall into place. Yes, Tom Fiddler has finally emerged as the force of nature he was destined to be. He is currently on pace for a 77ish point season, and saw a single day in the top 10 point producers in the league.

Also, I would like to celebrate the 1700 milestone, an achievement I never really thought would come so early. Early in my career, when things seemed in doubt about my interest in the league, and later when I was traded to Tampa Bay, I had thoughts that maybe I would top out around 1800 TPE, or fewer, and be a "Generally average player who helps the team". Now it seems I've become quite the powerhouse for tampa bay, and I hope I can continue that moving forward, as regression is only a few seasons away. There is potential for Tom Fiddler to hit 2k, which is never something I thought was possible, due to missing so much TPE early. It's become clear that my consistent earning has put me on a trajectory that could see me break 2k TPE, if only very briefly before regression. I do hope this is possible, but if not, I won't be saddened. 1900 is quite good enough for this league, even 1700 where I stand now is giving me great results.

So I will open the floor to questions:

02-26-2021, 12:06 PMsteveoiscool Wrote: do you trust your eyes to dr rahmani?

Absolutely I would, if we needed eyes where we're going

02-26-2021, 01:00 PMgolden_apricot Wrote: shoes?

shoeths

02-26-2021, 01:21 PMpeej2189 Wrote: Who has the weirdest tape job on the team?

Michael fitted doesnt even use tape, he just takes 'er outside to his Ford Ranger 1995, puts it up on a block, spins the tires and grinds texture into his blade using the tread of the tires. Its known as the Pittsburgh Shuffle.

02-26-2021, 01:29 PMThatguy91 Wrote: S50 gang starting to take over, just in time for regression!

What does Fiddler attribute his sudden success to? Is this kind of production sustainable, will we be seeing this again and again the coming seasons?

Also, how many fingers am I holding up?

I attribute the sudden success to a few things. The biggest among them is our new blue line. It cannot be overstated how bad it was before with 4 IA defenseman under 700 TPE. Injecting rookies with 800-1000 TPE into the lineup really helps tremendously. They dont always contribute directly to the score sheet, but keeping the puck out of our zone gives me more time in the offensive zone to do what i do. Second is Zoltan and Petrov. While the Fitted-Fiddler-Ronlain line is undoubtedly better in terms of TPE, splitting our top end talent up a little bit helps our depth score goals and defend better. This means less work for me, which means a more rester center. It also means that we can win games if I don't get any points, as we have 2 other lines that are good enough to contribute to the score sheet. Lastly, we got Weaver. Weaver is a much stronger goalie than our previous IA goalie, and keeping those pucks out of the net lets us turn pucks back on the other team, and keeps our mental stats high.

I think it is sustainable. Our blue line is only getting stronger, my linemates and other teammates are getting stronger around us too. I never really dreamed I could score much more than a point per game, but maybe this super team will allow me to do something impressive

You are holding up 1 and a half fingers

02-26-2021, 01:45 PMslothfacekilla Wrote: How long do you think Fiddler will play for?

The plan is to play until i can create for Season 69, so about 20 seasons in total. Hopefully he will still be useful towards the end. I dont know if TBB will keep me around. As long as I get my cups, I wanna do whats best for the team, so at some point I wouldnt be surprised to see me flipped for picks

02-26-2021, 02:33 PMfishy Wrote: Seeing fiddler perform at a high level, do you think WBF made a mistake choosing hernadivic and okabe over fiddler?

Do you expect to win a Challenge Cup in TBB?

How do you think the league should rectify the Great Lakes division, which is likely to produce a 40-45 win team that misses the playoffs?

Can you leak the new TBB logo?

Do you think the way you’re being deployed is contributing to your success? Or is it more from the way TBB has added talent in recent seasons?

Are you #TeamPetrov or #TeamCuddles?

Congrats on your success this season, hope you’re able to continue as the season progresses

I don't think buffalo made a mistake at all. For all anyone knew, I'd be a middle-6 forward, and maybe I still would be if I were on buffalo instead of tampa (just in terms of roster talent). I think there were signs that pointed to potential inactivity, and I think getting value for me when I wasn't inactive is the right call. So when you're weighing all these options, I think im the odd one out. On top of that, I wasn't active in the LR really at all. Personally, it moved too fast for me as a new person. Maybe it was best for me to hang out in a dead LR in tampa and to build that into something more familiar lol. Lastly, I was negotiating as much money as I could, since I needed it and I think a team like buffalo was maybe looking for more bang for their buck for their prospects.

I do expect a challenge cup. Maybe this is the wrong attitude to have, but I don't think I'd have stuck around for 4 miserable seasons otherwise. I think the tear-down is unprecedented (to my knowledge), and for the length of time that we will be a "super team", we should get at least one.

I don't really know about a division swap. Maybe we ought to look at divisions and what their purpose is. In the NHL, divisions number 1 purpose is to limit travel. Teams play closer teams far more often than distant teams. And, secondary to that is to seed the playoffs by division. Furthermore, early playoffs series are more likely to be inter-divisional (except top and bottom seeds), so travel is limited more. This works really well when there's parity in the NHL. In the SHL, there is currently a lack of parity, and so we get stacked divisions. So maybe there's a format that works better for us as players and users that need not emulate the NHL.

TBB logo is a fish

In regards to my success, I can't say for certain how well dwight and trella are playing my line, but it would seem they deserve their fair share of praise for what's happening. I have decent line-mates, but as I mentioned earlier, I think having 6 non-IA blue liners makes a world of difference to the 22ish minutes I play a night. I don't know what specific tactics I'm using, but I do know I'm a Two-way forward and i've built myself as such. So lets say, even splitsies for credit lol.

I am and always have been #TeamFitted

02-26-2021, 02:37 PMtrella Wrote: tom fiddler for mvp if the cudas make a push and make the playoffs?

I don't want to delude myself into thinking one stellar season makes an MVP. Certainly, there are many strong players working for other teams. Someone on TEX or TOR for sure deserves some kind of mention. But, MVP would make me blush for sure.

02-26-2021, 02:48 PMACapitalChicago Wrote: Do you know what you signed up for?
What was it like scoring a hat trick?
Do you think you'll score another one faster than it took to score your first?
Do you only want to play against that opponent now?
How did the team react to your hatty?
Did you celebrate in any special way?
Will you score four goals next?
What's stopping you from doing it again?
Does Tampa make the playoffs this season?
How excited is the team to be fully active?
Is this the year the Tampa dynasty starts?
What can you tell us about potential rebranding schemes for the Barracuda?
Will you guys ever get Vice themed jerseys?
What about vaporwave?
What about reverse retro?
What would the above even look like?
How long will a Tampa dynasty last?
Who are your biggest rivals personally?
What teams do you dislike playing the most?
If you had to pick a different color scheme for the Barracuda what would it be?
What's your pregame ritual for Fiddler?
Pregame meal?
Warmup music?
Best music genre?
Favorite movie?
Favorite color?
Do you like or dislike the refs this season?
Best team to win the Challenge Cup in the past 10 seasons?
What do you think about fantasy?
Current best fantasy pick?
Who is the best user at fantasy?
Should fantasy award more tpe?
What about less tpe?
Should it be solely for money?
What do you think about a fantasy draft where you only have thirty seconds to make a pick instead of 18 hours?
You're halfway there already, did you know that?
You're a rather controversial figure on the forums, why?
Best idea you've suggested in your own opinion?
Worst idea in your own opinion?
What do you think about the current playoff format?
What's the best part of the SHL?
Worst part?
Are there things that should be added to the SHL?
What do you think of Carolina's current team?
What does Tampa need in terms of drafting for the next few seasons?
Does Tampa have any fun traditions?
What makes the Tampa LR unique in your opinion?
Best multiplayer video game?
Single player?
Favorite book?
Do you have a motto?
What do you think should be done about the goalie situation?
Do you think Toronto will finally overtake the Great Lakes division?
What job do you want most in the SHL?
What about least?
Best fast food joint?
Favorite meme?
What teams do you think will buy at the trade deadline?
What about sell?
GME to the Moon?
Do you have paper or diamond hands?
If you recreated, do you have any teams you specifically want to be drafted to?
Who's your Smash Bros main?
What advice would you give to people joining the SHL?
What do you wish you knew before making your player?
Which is better, deep dives or PGS?
Do you miss Play By Play threads?
Did you really think I wouldn't ask 69 questions?
69?

Do you know what you signed up for? What did I sign up for??
What was it like scoring a hat trick? It was like doing blow off of Cuddle's abs: an experience like no other
Do you think you'll score another one faster than it took to score your first? Oh good question. At this point, I'd think so. I have a number of two goal games this season. Just need Zoltan to pass better.
Do you only want to play against that opponent now? I dont even remember who it was but yes. Actually, I looked it up and it was MAN, a 6-3 loss. So no, probably not lol.
How did the team react to your hatty? The LR was going as nuts as one could possibly be in the middle of a work day. I think they all said they'd venmo me $20
Did you celebrate in any special way? Since I'm home alone, I did the ole "Two arms in the air" cheer and then immediately opened my strongest beer (New Holland Dragon's Milk)
Will you score four goals next? Oh gosh, i don't see how that's possible. Someone needs to completely rebuild their team and we need to play them
What's stopping you from doing it again? Zoltan, making just god awful passes and Petrov's ass stealing my goals.
Does Tampa make the playoffs this season? it's certainly possible. I'm hearing rumblings of a trade from NEW that could help us. NEW give us all sorts of problems though. It depends how much this trade impacts things, but signs are looking good so far. I think BAP looks stronger than their record too, they could punish us pretty good.
How excited is the team to be fully active? Man I don't know if people realize what the GMs, MCP, Fitted, Rankle, TomHanks, Matty, and I have been through to get to this point. We had an amazing few drafts and we worked really hard to pick players we were excited to share a LR with, and to be active down the road. We did so well, in fact, that we had hard decisions to make. we had hoped we would get ONE inactive out of the draft, but no dice. A good problem to have, but sad for us. I miss TURG.
Is this the year the Tampa dynasty starts? I think you need to be top of the division or win a cup to officially start a dynasty. Maybe S60
What can you tell us about potential rebranding schemes for the Barracuda? I'm not sure what I can say, but I will say we have new colors and a fish
Will you guys ever get Vice themed jerseys? I think we've mocked up some alternatives that are pretty close to this :eyes:
What about vaporwave? It was certainly on the board of a time
What about reverse retro? Probably not, that's up to teddy and FHM to actually show jerseys.
What would the above even look like? Either something Riot themed (barf) or a black barracuda jersey with the current logo, and a teal trim. Wouldnt look so bad.
How long will a Tampa dynasty last? Hard to say. Buffalo is certainly an indication that you can keep things rolling a long time. I'll be around at least 10 more seasons, and we've got much better players behind me. So i'm gonna say 50 seasons give or take.
Who are your biggest rivals personally? I think it's gotta be NEW. They give us the most trouble of any non-Great-Lakes team. They're a team we CAN beat but seems like we rarely do. Furthermore, we're close in terms of rebuild progress. For the next few seasons I think we will be fighting them for 3rd, if atlanta and manhattan stay hot.
What teams do you dislike playing the most? NEW, as before. They have our number and it always bursts your bubble lol.
If you had to pick a different color scheme for the Barracuda what would it be? I think a light pink and white would be dope
What's your pregame ritual for Fiddler? Lots and lots of hot dogs topped with cocaine and pre-workout. The team has to watch me do bumps off of them and then eat them.
Pregame meal? Umm, the hot dogs
Warmup music? A playlist of Meshuggah, Igorr, and Thank You Scientist
Best music genre? Progressive Metal, which is a huge umbrella
Favorite movie? Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring no contest.
Favorite color? Forest Green
Do you like or dislike the refs this season? YO FUCK THE PENALTYS
Best team to win the Challenge Cup in the past 10 seasons? I don't really know. Steelhawks?
What do you think about fantasy? Love it as a genre of fiction and a thing in the SHL. Ive got lots of data for it, you know. I'm pretty bad at it tho.
Current best fantasy pick? For me? FR Finn-Ryhs. Dude is killing it and is one of the only good picks I made
Who is the best user at fantasy? Feels like Dwight Knight is never wrong when I ask for advice. But, idk, hot dog?
Should fantasy award more tpe? No, I think its a good enough incentive and doesn't feel too bad to lose.
What about less tpe? I think its perfect
Should it be solely for money? Absolutely not
What do you think about a fantasy draft where you only have thirty seconds to make a pick instead of 18 hours? This might actually be way better for me lmao. I dont know how you'd even begin to schedule it.
You're halfway there already, did you know that? I couldve sworn I was done.
You're a rather controversial figure on the forums, why? I am? If I had to guess it's because I make no attempt at differentiating between when I'm having a serious conversation and when I'm just flinging shit at the comedy wall to see what sticks. Or maybe its because im hung and they're jealous.
Best idea you've suggested in your own opinion? 4th lines. Make it fucking happen! Runner up: IIHF Draft-kings fantasy.
Worst idea in your own opinion? I can't even remember all of my ideas at this point. Maybe letting players pick their roles?
What do you think about the current playoff format? Sort of talked about it above, but I think its mostly fine but mostly based on emulating the NHL when there's little point in doing so.
What's the best part of the SHL? Michael Fitted.
Worst part? Michael Fitted
Are there things that should be added to the SHL? I think this whole system could do with a major overhaul in terms of player data, updates, and interactivity within the league. But we havent the manpower or the money.
What do you think of Carolina's current team? I don't keep up on the team so much in terms of roster, but all of the players in the LR seem like pretty great dudes
What does Tampa need in terms of drafting for the next few seasons? Future picks? Backup goalie?
Does Tampa have any fun traditions? I really dig the rookie sigs rum_ham puts out, and also saying CHOMP.
What makes the Tampa LR unique in your opinion? I haven't been around the league much, tbh. If I had to guess, I think maybe there's this intentionality in terms of wanting what's best for the team over what's best for the player. Not that there are many LRs filled with selfish people, but I think most of the guys in the LR helped build the LR and there's this ownership to what it is, the same way we sort of owned Carolina when we got drafted there.
Best multiplayer video game? In terms of my play time: World of Warcraft. In terms of quality, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory
Single player? Lately I've been nastalgic for Half Life 2. I think people overlook it, but what it did for the FPS genre at the time STILL stands the test of time
Favorite book? I really liked Dune. Right now I'm reading Malazan, which is 10 books that are better than most things ive read, but my favorite from that series is Midnight Tides. The inspiration for it was "What if the Dakota tribe defeated the U.S. Army and what would it have taken?" The answer is chaos magic and demons.
Do you have a motto? If you don't regret nothing you might as well be dead.
What do you think should be done about the goalie situation? Idk, i like our current salve. Maybe it would indirectly alleviate the situation if we let skaters enhance their mental stats (baseline 10), so that more of our TPE was away from scoring and passing
Do you think Toronto will finally overtake the Great Lakes division? I could've sworn they already had
What job do you want most in the SHL? 4th Lines. I think people are massively underestimating how many people would be fine with earning minimum TPE and playing 4th line grinder.
What about least? Abolition of IIHF? I really enjoy IIHF.
Best fast food joint? Taco Bell, no contest
Favorite meme? That fucking blow-fish that moans when it eats
What teams do you think will buy at the trade deadline? All the great lakes teams except maybe toronto. Texas. Panthers maybe.
What about sell? NEW, MIN, WIN maybe.
GME to the Moon? I bought AMC at $15 so I'm just hoping I can make my money back some day lmao
Do you have paper or diamond hands? Traditionally paper hands, but I've been holding strong on Tesla and NIO and the results speak for themselves: down 20% overall.
If you recreated, do you have any teams you specifically want to be drafted to? Besides Tampa, either Calgary or Manhattan. Luke and Izzy are big draws.
Who's your Smash Bros main? Traditionally, Samus or Kirby. But, i like to go pretty random with it when I play with friends. I really like Ganon, Captain Falcon, and Ridley.
What advice would you give to people joining the SHL? Subscribe to the Player Progression forums, do fantasy for free money, try to get recruited for free money, and get involved in the discord.
What do you wish you knew before making your player? It's probably worth buying all the equipment even if it's just hitting and checking stats.
Which is better, deep dives or PGS? Havent done a deep dive, but I would imagine it's better since it makes you learn about history of the SHL. I do like PGS tho.
Do you miss Play By Play threads? Little bit, it was slow but exciting when done well.
Did you really think I wouldn't ask 69 questions? Yes, I did in fact not expect this.
69? Any time.

02-26-2021, 05:24 PMFitted2106 Wrote: Can I hvr a job?

GIVE FITTED A JOB

02-26-2021, 05:44 PMretuperkele Wrote: What feelings did these incredible achievements wake up in you, and how are you going to from such feels?

Feelings of pride and accomplishment. I will take these feels and digest them and poop out more goals!

02-28-2021, 05:12 AMFuzzSHL Wrote: @PremierBromanov

I tried reading through the questions that were asked, but, well, I see ACap got to your post.. Anywho. It feels like just yesterday that @trella and I were typing your name into the draft channel to bring you on board in Montreal. What an absolute steal in the 4th round, am I right? We didn't quite know what you'd become, but whatever our expectations were, you shattered them and continued to do so. Watching your career take off in Carolina and blossom in Tampa has been an absolute pleasure, the hat trick was long overdue. Congratulations man, here's to many more (just not against Los Angeles lol).

Over the course of your career here in the SHL/SMJHL, you've met and interacted with many people. You've won a lot of games and lost a lot of games. Within those interactions, the wins and the losses, the ups and downs, what is one memory that has stuck with you through all of it? On a separate note, when was the first moment that you realized that this site, this league, your player, were all becoming much more important than you had originally thought it all would?

Congratulations again, keep at it my guy.

Nothing really tops winning the 4-star cup and singing sweet terry guy into the voice chat. I think that moment, if no other, would've been the moment I knew this was something i cared about. Now, there was a sort of period of inactivity for me, and to be honestly I can't remember what it was about, or when. I just lost interest, but thankfully picked it back up.

Another memory that stands out is the first season I helped Tampa Bay with the draft (S55). We had this stockpile of picks that MCP nabbed us, and everything was basically leading up to the next 3 drafts at the time. It's like going on stage the first time, wondering if you really prepared well enough. Thankfully, Dwight and Trella have great insight into this league. Me and fitted scouted damn near everyone in the top 30 and I think the results speak for themselves. We had a few names on our list we really wanted and we managed to grab almost all of them. rum_ham was a tremendous 2nd overall, wearingabear, MCP, Jorec and TURG late in the first. Rippleluck and crutch too. All of these guys turned out to be great picks and although only half of them are still with the team, we still feel like they were tough decisions to make. We drafted so much talent in 3 drafts that we had the privilege to make those tough decisions.

If I had to pick another moment that made clear the importance of this league, I think graduating from Carolina and seeing all of the lovely messages S50 made in the LR to bid farewell. Many of us were new recruits, and there's no doubt in my mind that you and trella made something special out of that first draft in S49.

Ready for grading