Manhattan Rage Season 13 Preview
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Keenan
Registered S15, S16 and S28 Challenge Cup Champion
Last season the Manhattan Rage finished fourth in the East and continued their streak of not winning a playoff round. However players remained optimistic that their GM, diamond_ace would help the team that offseason. Their faith was rewarded in time. The first event of the offseason was the draft, in which the Rage added two players: wingers Karl Tony and Wowbagger the Infinitely Prolonged, Jr. III. After the draft, a blockbuster deal was anounced in which the Rage sent a pair of first round picks, aging vet Jardy Bunclewirth, and top prospect Nike Kickz to New England for superstars W Ivo Willems and D Jareth Sto Helit. The Rage weren't done, however, as they continued their retooling into free agency. First to sign was undrafted goalie Anthony Tremayne followed soon by C Jackie Lee. Following the signing a second deal was announced in which Manhattan sent a third round pick and former first overall selection Simo Hayha to the Texas Renegades for a second rounder and W Jan Benda. The Rage capped off their eventful offseason by signing superstar C David Winter and depth W Daniel Passarella. How do the Rage look heading into season 13? Let's take a peek:
============ CENTERS ============ DuJuan Cook #13 304 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/3G/4A/7Pts/16PIMS/-3 Career Stats: 50GP/3G/4A/7Pts/16PIMS/-3 Acquired: S12 Draft (8th overall) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): PA, SC Good Stats (80-89.75): SK, EN, PH Average Stats (63-79): FO Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, ST, DU, DF, PS Summary: Cook will start the season looking exactly like the player he was at the end of the previous season. While most of his teammates have been training for the upcoming season, Cook has been nowhere to be seen. Even if he had trained, though, he'd be slated for a third line spot. Right now his spot is in question, as the Rage have four capable third liners to fill three spots. If he doesn't return he could find his way to Detroit to help out the Falcons. Prediction: If he returns a third line spot will be waiting for him, otherwise I see him being sent down to Detroit. If he plays in the NWJHL I could see him performing pretty well, if he starts on the third line, on the other hand, I'd only expect around 12 points (5G, 6A). Toby Keith #69 209 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/2G/3A/5Pts/2PIMS/-13 Career Stats: 200GP/2G/47/9Pts/102PIMS/-87 Acquired: S9 Draft (39th overall) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): FO Average Stats (63-79): SK, EN, DU, PH, PA, SC, DF Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, ST, PS Summary: Keith will start the season in the same place he has started many seasons in the past: fourth line center. He will never be a star, but on a team like the Rage, he provides grit and occasional offense, even if he doesn't see more than 10 minutes of ice time a game. Prediction: Same old season for Keith, who should pitch in a couple of points (1G, 1A) along with about 20 PIMS. Jackie Lee #13 322 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/0G/0A/0Pts/16PIMS/-2 Career Stats: 150GP/0G/1A/1Pts/61PIMS/-7 Acquired: Free Agent (S13) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): CK, SK Good Stats (80-89.75): ST, FO, DF Average Stats (63-79): EN, PH, PA Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, DU, SC, PS Summary: Lee was acquired to bolster down the third line, and although he hasn't been a point producer, the team should have enough offensive firepower to make up for that. Lee should be a good defensive player, which is exactly what he was signed to be. Prediction: I'll be an optimist and predict 5 points (1G, 4A), but any offensive input is just a bonus from Lee, who will be relied on to play a defensive role on the third line. Jordan Nugent-Hall #19 836 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/21G/28A/49Pts/26PIMS/+13 Career Stats: 150GP/66G/79A/145Pts/71PIMS/+29 Acquired: S10 Draft (12th overall) Maxed Stats (99): CK, ST, EN, PH, FO, SC Great Stats (90-98.8): SK, PA Good Stats (80-89.75): DI, DF, PS Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): FG, DU Summary: Nugent-Hall was the Rage's leading scorer last season, and has been an amazing player since he first entered the league. This season he will remain with long time linemates Jordan McArthur and Yuri Kulikov as the second line center, which will give the Rage two deep scoring lines. Prediction: One has to wonder if the drop to the second line will hinder Nugent-Hall, but it doesn't seem like that big of a worry. He has built up considerable chemistry with McArthur and Kulikov, and the two should play very well together on the second line. I predict 52 points (27G, 25A). David Winter #17 1053 TPE S12 Stats: 51GP/18G/24A/42Pts/76PIMS/+15 Career Stats: 301GP/119G/155A/274Pts/477PIMS/+93 Acquired: Free Agent (S13) Maxed Stats (99): CK, SK, ST, EN, DU, PH, FO, PA, SC, DF, PS Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): Average Stats (63-79): DI Bad Stats (<63): FG Summary: Winter is the marquee free agent acquisition by the Rage this offseason. Winter not only brings over 1000 TPE and nearly 300 career points, but also playoff experience as a Challenge Cup winner (S10). Expect Winter to play a big part in the Rage's offense. Prediction: Winter will be centering the first line with newcomer Ivo Willems, and third year player Kyle Keenan. Winter should figure to have a good season surrounded by an elite talent like Willems, and a 500 TPE player like Keenan. I'll go big and say 60 points (27G, 33A). ============= WINGERS ============= Corporal Asstronaut #9 198 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/1G/3A/4Pts/10PIMS/-13 Career Stats: 150GP/4G/5A/9Pts/96PIMS/-51 Acquired: S9 Draft (60th overall) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): SK Good Stats (80-89.75): PH, PA, SC Average Stats (63-79): CK, EN Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, ST, DU, FO, DF, PS Summary: Asstronaut is very comparable to center Toby Keith, but with a slightly better scoring touch and less grit. That being said, like Keith, Asstronaut won't be seeing a lot of playing time being a fourth liner, but he should be a servicable option in the role. Prediction: Nothing to really go in depth about here, 3 points (2G, 1A). Jan Benda #41 329 TPE S12 Stats: 51GP/3G/5A/8Pts/24PIMS/+7 Career Stats: 151GP/6G/15A/21Pts/50PIMS/+21 Acquired: Trade (S13) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): SK, PA Good Stats (80-89.75): ST, EN, PH, FO, SC Average Stats (63-79): DF Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, DU, PS Summary: Benda should look for time on the third line, which is shaping up to be a defensively minded group that can put the puck in the net on occasion. Benda has proven himself a decent defender by putting up a +21 rating in a 3 season career (although he did spend time on a good team, so +/- might not be the best measuring stick). Prediction: Good defensive play and 4 points (2G, 2A) seems about right. Maybe he can put up a few more points if the third line finds some good chemistry, but I'm betting on 4 points. Cameron Gibson #28 237 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/4G/2A/6Pts/6PIMS/0 Career Stats: 62GP/5G/2A/7Pts/6PIMS/+1 Acquired: Waivers (S13) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): SK, PH, SC Average Stats (63-79): DI, ST, EN, PA, DF, PS Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DU, FO Summary: Gibson, a year removed from putting up amazing numbers in the NWJHL, is now faced with a dilemma. If he returns to activity, where does he slot in? Smart money would be on him spending anothe season in the NWJHL since he'd be better off getting top 6 time in the juniors over bottom 6 time on the big team. Prediction: He spends a season in juniors. If he returns to being active then he may have a cozy spot on the Rage next season. Kyle Keenan #26 504 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/7G/15A/22Pts/18PIMS/-3 Career Stats: 100GP/8G/25A/33Pts/48PIMS/-30 Acquired: S11 Draft (14th Overall) Maxed Stats (99): SK, EN, PH, PA Great Stats (90-98.8): SC, DF Good Stats (80-89.75): Average Stats (63-79): ST Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, DU, FO, PS Summary: Keenan has been a second liner on a team that was just out of a rebuild for his whole SHL career. Both of those things will change this season as he will be playing on the first line, on a team that looks to be a top 2 team in the conference. Prediction: Keenan will have the best year of his career to date. That isn't exactly a bold prediction as his previous best is 22 points and he never had linemates of Willems and Winter's calibur. I'll go for 33 points (8G, 25A). Yuri Kulikov #91 569 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/14G/27A/41Pts/0PIMS/+13 Career Stats: 300GP/114G/120A/234Pts/283PIMS/+9 Acquired: S7 Draft (21st overall) Maxed Stats (99): SK, EN, PH, SC Great Stats (90-98.8): PA Good Stats (80-89.75): ST, DF, PS Average Stats (63-79): DU Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, FO Summary: Kulikov has been a staple of the first line for many seasons in Manhattan. This season he'll be skating the second line, although the top two lines should see similar time on ice. As one of the oldest members of the Rage, one would have to wonder how much he has left in the tank before he decides to hang up the skates. Even if it's only 3 more seasons (when he hits regression) the Rage hope to get his name engraved on at least one cup before then. Prediction: Kuli will continue his wonderful play, although his numbers may drop a bit due to him not having to play as big a part in the offense as years prior. I still think he'll be good for about 36 points (23G, 23A). Jordan McArthur #23 546 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/10G/24A/34Pts/24PIMS/+12 Career Stats: 251GP/95G/150A/245Pts/185PIMS/-17 Acquired: Trade (S8) Maxed Stats (99): SC Great Stats (90-98.8): SK, ST, EN, PH, FO, PA Good Stats (80-89.75): Average Stats (63-79): CK, DF Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, DU, PS Summary: We've already covered Nugent-Hall and Kulikov so McArthur will be quite short, as they are in similar situations. However McArthur had quite a bit on his plate this past season and as such did not train as much as his teammates. He still has his spot on the second line though, and skating with JNH and Kulikov will only help his numbers. Prediction: Due to his (slightly) lower TPE count when compared to his linemates, I predict he'll have a little worse of a season. Somewhere around 30 points (10G, 20A) sounds about right. Daniel Passarella #23 546 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/0G/8A/8Pts/33PIMS/0 Career Stats: 200GP/2G/20A/22Pts/114PIMS/+5 Acquired: Free Agent (S13) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): SK, PA, DF Good Stats (80-89.75): CK, ST, EN, PH, SC Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, DU, FO, PS Summary: Pasarella should be starting the season on the third line, and should bring the most offense out of that group. But I will say it again, the third line should focus more on defense than offense as the first two lines should be able to take care of most of the offense. Prediction: I'm not going to drag this out any longer than it has to be: 7 points (1G, 6A). Wowbagger the Infinitely Proglonged, Jr. III #42 155 TPE S12 Stats: NONE Career Stats: NONE Acquired: S13 Draft (31st overall) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): PA Good Stats (80-89.75): SK, PH, DF Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, ST, EN, DU, FO, SC, PS Summary: He is most likely going to start the season on the fourth line, as he is inactive, and rather than put someone down there who may return to activity it makes more sense just to throw him down there for ~5 minutes a game. Prediction: 1 point (A), why the hell not? Karl Tony #12 165 TPE S12 Stats: NONE Career Stats: NONE Acquired: S13 Draft (18th Overall) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): SK, ST, PH, PA, SC Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): CK, FG, DI, EN, DU, FO, DF, PS Summary: Karl Tony will be heading to Detroit this season to increase his ice time and hopefully encourage him to be more active with his training. I could see him performing decently in Detroit, but he's not going to put up alarming numbers. Prediction: NWJHL, maybe 20 points (8G, 12A). Ivo Willems #83 879 TPE S12 Stats: 35GP/6G/14A/20Pts/25PIMS/+3 Career Stats: 135GP/69G/75A/144Pts/114PIMS/-32 Acquired: Trade (S13) Maxed Stats (99): CK, SK, ST, EN, PH, PA, SC, DF Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): DI, PS Average Stats (63-79): DU, FO Bad Stats (<63): FG Summary: Willems was one of the biggest acquisitions for Manhattan this offseason and will be skating on the first line. He leads all players from his draft class in TPE (2nd place: Jordan Nugent-Hall) and will look to bounce back from a subpar S12 and regain his rookie form. Prediction: Ivo will play very well with superstar David Winter and playmaker Kyle Keenan. I'll predict 52 points (29G, 23A). =============== DEFENSEMEN =============== Joe Badalato #34 227 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/0G/5A/5Pts/40PIMS/-14 Career Stats: 50GP/0G/5A/5Pts/40PIMS/-14 Acquired: S10 Draft (58th overall) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): CK, SK, ST, DF Average Stats (63-79): PA Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, EN, DU, PH, FO, SC, PS Summary: Badalato is entering his second season on the Rage back end, but this time he will actually have an active partner as early projections have him pairing with Meb Keflezighi. While Badalato may not be the most active guy, there are far worse options for a #6 D-man. Prediction: I'll say he repeats last season's performance, except with a higher +/- rating. Benoit Charlebois #14 540 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/1G/13A/14Pts/62PIMS/+7 Career Stats: 145GP/1G/36A/37Pts/125PIMS/-42 Acquired: S10 Draft (16th Overall) Maxed Stats (99): SK, ST, EN, DF Great Stats (90-98.8): CK, PH Good Stats (80-89.75): PA Average Stats (63-79): DI Bad Stats (<63): FG, DU, FO, SC, PS Summary: Charlebois is a defensive defenseman, so putting up a bunch of points shouldn't be expected of him, and with the talent of some other defenders on the team it isn't exactly needed as well. While he is good for double digit assists each season his value comes from the shutdown role he plays so well. Prediction: Charley won't score (just like in real life :lol but he'll put up his share of assists from the second pairing (0G, 18A). John Grossmann #13 628 TPE S12 Stats: GP/9G/22A/31Pts/77PIMS/0 Career Stats: 200GP/25G/68A/93Pts/544PIMS/-104 Acquired: S9 Draft (11th Overall) Maxed Stats (99): DF Great Stats (90-98.8): CK, SK, ST, EN, PH, PA, SC Good Stats (80-89.75): Average Stats (63-79): DI Bad Stats (<63): FG, DU, FO, PS Summary: Grossmann will be playing top pairing minutes with Mike Ochocinco, who for all intents and purposes is a very similar player. Both contribute quite a bit of offense and play a hard and physical game. Grossmann, the team captain, should have a very good year as one of the top defenders on the team. Prediction: This is a bit difficult to nail down, with Ocho and Sto Helit on the roster points from defensemen should be very well spread out. I'll still predict 27 points (9G, 18A). Meb Keflezighi #26 451 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/11G/20A/31Pts/55PIMS/+8 Career Stats: 149GP/11G/39A/50Pts/205PIMS/-30 Acquired: S10 Draft (GM) Maxed Stats (99): DF Great Stats (90-98.8): CK, SK, PH, PA Good Stats (80-89.75): ST, EN, SC Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, DU, FO, PS Summary: Meb stepped his game up big time last season and put up some very good offensive numbers. His reward? He's opening the season on the third pairing. This shouldn't bother Meb though, as he is a team first player and he can move up if anyone struggles. He should also see powerplay time, so he can still put up decent numbers all things considered. Prediction: I think he'll do alright, but not spectacular. A season with 12 points (2G, 10A) would be a good one. Mike Ochocinco #85 747 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/14G/26A/40Pts/68PIMS/-3 Career Stats: 358GP/45G/112A/157Pts/1144PIMS/+23 Acquired: Trade (S11) Maxed Stats (99): SK, EN, PH, PA, SC, DF Great Stats (90-98.8): CK, ST Good Stats (80-89.75): Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): FG, DI, DU, FO, PS Summary: Ocho was a huge part of the offense last season, but will it continue? Now the Rage have more offensive firepower so one would have to think that Ocho won't have to put up as many points, but I've been surprised before. That doesn't matter though as he'll skate the top pairing as well as being almost guaranteed a power play spot. Ocho has a good shot at pacing Rage defensemen in points this season, but it probably won't be as much as last season. Prediction: Like I said above, plenty of points, but not like last season's outburst. I'm expecting 33 points (12G, 21A). Jareth Sto Helit #84 728 TPE S12 Stats: 50GP/10G/23A/33Pts/46PIMS/-9 Career Stats: 150GP/15G/57A/72Pts/170PIMS/-84 Acquired: Trade (S13) Maxed Stats (99): CK, SK, ST, EN, PH, PA, DF Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): SC Average Stats (63-79): DI Bad Stats (<63): FG, DU, FO, PS Summary: Sto Helit is the final of the Rage's major S13 acquisitions and should bolster a blue line that last season was good, but not great; Jareth's presence definitely changes that. Slated to start the season on pairing 2 with Charlebois he should see most of the scoring chances from that duo. If the Rage start to struggle, though, moving Sto Helit up a pairing seems like one of the best options to stop that. Prediction: It's hard to get a good reading on Sto Helit. On one hand he's put up nearly .5 points/game in his career, but on the other his career was spent in offensively challenged Hartford. I'll predict 26 points (5G, 21A). =========== GOALIES =========== Eddie Fischermann #32 364 TPE S12 Stats: 8GP/2W/5L/1OTL/3.47GAA/.870SV% Career Stats: 257GP/109W/106L/34OTL/2.85GAA/.902SV% Acquired: Trade (S13) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): AG, RB, SC, HS, RT Good Stats (80-89.75): SK, EN Average Stats (63-79): DU, SZ Bad Stats (<63): PH, PS Summary: Fishermann is a backup, nothing more and nothing less. He is, however, one of the best backups (TPE wise) in the league. Prediction: He'll start and finish all 6 games in net that he is required to. If he plays well enough, he may even get a few more games to keep Heiss fresh for the playoffs. I could see him winning 4 of his starts, but I think 2 or 3 is more realistic. Josef Heiss #32 945 TPE S12 Stats: 42GP/24W/17L/1OTL/2.23GAA/.920SV% Career Stats: 181GP/67W/88L/13OTL/3.04GAA/.879SV% Acquired: S9 Draft (8th overall) Maxed Stats (99): SK, EN, SZ, AG, RB, SC, HS, RT, PS Great Stats (90-98.8): PH Good Stats (80-89.75): Average Stats (63-79): Bad Stats (<63): DU Summary: Is Heiss the next member of the 1,000 TPE club? It sure is looking that way. With the retirement of John McBride, and age catching up to Brandon Sawyer, is Heiss the next big goalie in the SHL? Heiss should have his best season of his career in S13, and should shatter his previous best in wins (24). Prediction: Expect Heiss to perform amazingly. Is a McBride award in his future? Most definitely, will he win one this season? Only time will tell, but I expect him to win at least 30 games. Anthony Tremayne #31 155 TPE S12 Stats: NONE Career Stats: NONE Acquired: Free Agent (S13) Maxed Stats (99): Great Stats (90-98.8): Good Stats (80-89.75): HS Average Stats (63-79): SK, RB, SC, RT, PH Bad Stats (<63): EN, DU, SZ, AG, PS Summary: Tremayne will spend most of the season in the NWJHL except for when he will be brought up to be Fischermann's backup on Heiss rest days. Nothing more to say about him. Prediction: I honestly don't expect him to see any playing time. Code: Words: 3591
RomanesEuntDomus
Appeals Committee S10 Challenge Cup Champion
All your pics are broken, but great read as always
Smirnov Light
Registered S13, S18 Challenge Cup Champion
Nike
SHL GM S22, S28, S40, S42 Challenge Cup Champion & Merica Lover
I like everything you wrote...but Keenan with only 33 points?
40+ this season and every season in the future :wub: Go get em fellas! Get a cup! Thanks Jove for my sig
Keenan
Registered S15, S16 and S28 Challenge Cup Champion Quote:Originally posted by OcAirlines@Apr 15 2013, 07:23 PMIt was like that at school for me, but I just checked at the gym from my phone and it works fine
OrbitingDeath
Donators S15 Challenge Cup Champion
Nice write up
Update Thread - Player Page Update Scale Former players: Ivo Willems (S9 SMJHL) (S10-28 SHL) Xander Green (S33-35 SMJHL) (S36-47 SHL) Vorian Atreides (S49-51 SMJHL) (S52-61 SHL)
RomanesEuntDomus
Appeals Committee S10 Challenge Cup Champion Quote:Originally posted by Keenan@Apr 16 2013, 02:47 AM I only see "user posted image" where the pics should be... And now that i think about it, I think none of your articles I've read recently has any pics, at least for me :unsure:
BigTittySmitty
Registered S17, S37 Challenge Cup Champion
great article..... but no pictures...
Tried opening the picture by link in another tab and got the following: This XML file does not appear to have any style information associated with it. The document tree is shown below. <error> <code>400</code> <description>malformed request url</description> <detail/> </error> <!-- mrs5.mobile.bf1.yahoo.com uncompressed Tue Apr 16 12:08:37 GMT 2013 --> Code: Credit to Wasty and Steelhead for the sigs - thanks dudes!
Aaron "AAA" Allen
Registered Posting Freak
RomanesEuntDomus
Appeals Committee S10 Challenge Cup Champion Quote:Originally posted by Aaron "AAA" Allen@Apr 16 2013, 07:31 PM Hm just checked, it works on my ipod as well, but still not on my PC... Looks like you used a weird mobile-only format :D
SensNation613
Registered Posting Freak
Prediction: Kuli will continue his wonderful play, although his numbers may drop a bit due to him not having to play as big a part in the offense as years prior. I still think he'll be good for about 36 points (23G, 23A).
Keenan did u fail 2nd grade math? :lol: But really great article man |
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