9. (222 Words, +4 TPE)
I think overall this was a pretty good spread, as many of these players wouldn’t have made the team in a more conventional format. While I do think it takes away spots from more deserving players, I do like that it at least gives each locker room someone to celebrate from the year before. That said, I don’t think there is any need to include a 2nd player just for the sake of including them. The fact that every team gets to be represented is already the main point of the boon, and really adding a second player doesn’t enhance it all that much. Rather, I think it’s still more proper to give the spots to players who have had seasons deserving of being invited, and while that will disproportionately be the best few teams in the leagues, that doesn’t mean they should be celebrated any less. Overall, I think things work out best in the current system, where every team will get some form of representation, while still giving out as many as deserving spots if possible. If anything I would argue we should lean the other way with this, as invited a player from say a team of sub 1,000 TPE players just doesn’t make any sense compared to a 3rd or 4th best player on a league leading team.

13. (221 Words, +4 TPE)
There is no bias argument to be made for Ju-gong winning any awards this season. Perhaps the run away worst performing goalie in the league, the odds have been stacked against them for the entire 66 games. With a very young core protecting a very young goalie, it was always natural that a lot of goals would be flying into the net. Still, leading the league in losses and goals against – while also leading the league in saves – paints a pretty good picture of how futile Ju-gong was at stopping the endless barrage of shots coming towards the Montreal net. In this case something along the lines of 'The Getting Shelled Award' would be the most fitting, but more than a right, I see it as something more of a privilege. In this case the winner of said award should be given several things, first and foremost a therapy dog that is allowed to come out on the ice during breaks to cuddle and hold. Other benefits that could be included should be the best parking spot in player parking to leave the arena faster than anyone else, along with potential contributions to future therapy sessions. With all of this included, we can do a number to help the sanity year to year of the winner of The Getting Shelled Award.