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Baelor Swift · 02-22-2016, 06:54 PM

DO NOT GRADE

"It's not tampering if it's done publicly"

So, it's almost time to make a decision. Should I test? Should I re-sign? Testing has been my plan for a while now and at this point in time, UFA is likely where I'm headed. I've already been very sure of where I wanted to go back before the S25 Entry Draft only to realize I didn't do enough research, didn't explore enough alternative options, and ultimately had to make the difficult decision to tell my GMs that, yes, I wanted to come to your team so badly and now I don't see a future with this team. I felt like an asshole but, at the same time, it had to be done.

So where does that leave me? Well, I know what I want in a team. I want an active locker room. I want a locker room where there is actual chemistry, where everyone seems to enjoy themselves and have a good time. If I only came here to have a player in a fake hockey league, I'd just go play some chel or EHM. Less effort and I can play on my own schedule. Eventually, updating, writing articles, doing your league job, doing PTs, waiting for the regular season to start again, etc. just become laborious. It's at that time when it all comes down to the friends you've made here and if you like them enough to stick around. I know I certainly have made it over that initial hump but the one area I've felt a lack of connection is in my SHL locker room. So, I need to make a change. Now maybe I do end up back in Winnipeg but I don't think I've been there long enough to say that it's definitely the place for me. It's time to see what else is out there, something I regrettably didn't do before I was drafted.

Of course, I already have my pre-conceived notions about every team in the league. Some I view favorably and some I absolutely do not. But I am going into this with an open mind... As of Feb 22, here are the teams broken down into tiers. I don't know enough to make actual rankings so within each tier, teams are simply ordered alphabetically.

Tier 1
Dragons

:admirals:
Renegades

Tier 2

Tier 3

The reason I'm doing this is because I want to be able to make a fast decision and since I can't privately talk with teams right now, this is the best way of communicating. So, feel free to ask me questions or just tell me why I should (or shouldn't Smile

) ) come to your team!

February 23 Update **Alphabetical Order Within Tiers**

Tier 1

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

:admirals:
Riot

Tier 5

February 27 Update **Alphabetical Order Within Tiers**

Tier 1
Chiefs

Tier 2

Tier 3

Tier 4

Can't Sign
Wolfpack

:admirals:

March 3 Update

1.

- I want activity and if any team in the league has this, it's the Renegades. I would love to play and win with guys like Allen, Bottas, Durden, and Vliddy (along with many others) and I think Texas definitely gives me a great chance at a cup. But, this team isn't without its drawbacks. No matter how it's sliced, I will have a smaller role with this team than most others. And part of me wants a challenge, to work with a team to overcome obstacles and to grow together. This team? A championship is simply expected and anything short of that will be considered a failure. That almost feels like cheating.

2. Chiefs

- Here is a team that I think many were surprised was ranked so highly, at least initially. They have some pretty strong veteran talent combined with a solid core of newer players such as Andersson, Vilhjalmsson, Reay, Vader, Gerrard, and Windsor. In terms of team situation, even though it is markedly different from what Texas has, I consider it to be equally attractive. However, what keeps the Chiefs behind, for now, is the unknown that is their locker room. They certainly do not have the widespread forum presence that the Renes have and I would be interested to see the participation level in the LR of people I almost never see around.

3. Platoon

- The Platoon also have a solid roster but don't quite have the depth of other teams, which I think has hurt them over the past few seasons despite having plenty of high end talent. Like the Chiefs, they don't have a super strong forum presence although they also lack what the Renegades and Chiefs have - anyone I regularly interact with outside of the public forums. At this point, it's really all about determining the unknowns and while the Platoon are definitely one of my top options, I think they have more unknowns than other contenders for my services.

4. Dragons

- I understand that the Dragons have been involved in a crazy and hopefully successful attempted comeback in the Challenge Cup Finals but I've been a bit disappointed in their lack of interest. However, this is a team that, on top of being a strong team, has people I'd love to be on a team with. The biggest issues here, though, are a matter of role and if the team is even interested considering their insane forward depth.

5. Panthers

- Even though one of the biggest draws to this team was Bottas, I think they still have quite a bit to offer. It would be great to play with Kuddles and, together, help to get this team back on top. Plus, I think Wasty and Ragnar have proven to be pretty strong GMs and with every trade I see them make, I love their return. However, this team is a number of seasons away from being competitive and while the seeds of success are being sown, I'm not sure how long I'm willing to wait it out without a clear path in sight.

6. Riot

- A very similar situation to the Panthers. I would absolutely love to be reunited with Jesster but this team seems to be very much lacking in direction. While that's part of free agency - to find out what the plan is to regain relevance and how my player will be used - I like it when teams don't need to explicitly tell you how they're going from point A to point B because they've already made it clear through moves and overall attitude/character.

7. Jets

- Let me first say this - I am very appreciative of Leafs for making a move for me in an attempt to make a playoff push and I very much regret not being able to get it done. In an ideal situation, I would love to re-sign with a team that made that effort to add me. But after almost three weeks now, I have to say the overall team just isn't a great fit for me. This was not an easy decision to come to but it's one that I felt like I had to make.

8. Blizzard

- So, this team is pretty solid. They have a clear direction. And I think they have one of the best futures of all teams in the league. But from my experiences so far, I'm not sure this would be such a great fit for me personality-wise. I will be going into free agency with an open mind, however, and if any team is likely to have a drastic change in my rankings, it is Edmonton.

9. Stars

- This is essentially where my "will not sign" list starts. Not only is this a team that seems to put together solid rosters only to fall apart in the playoffs but I don't really see myself enjoying the LR here. Could change but unlikely.

10. Stampede

- While most of the reasons why I never ever ever wanted to go here have left the team or gone inactive, I have no confidence in their ability to ever be good within the next 10 seasons.

11. Rage

- This team is full of ghosts. Including their GM. Not interested in going to a team with a disinterested GM. That's a recipe for disaster.

12. Steelhawks

- Just no. This is just a very easy team to dislike and, for one reason or another, I've grown to really hate this team.

Merica · 02-22-2016, 06:56 PM

Would love to see you in Chiefs

.bojo · 02-22-2016, 06:56 PM

Nereus · 02-22-2016, 06:56 PM

tweedlebrumm · 02-22-2016, 06:58 PM

BasedMinkus · 02-22-2016, 07:00 PM

bbp · 02-22-2016, 07:03 PM

"I want a locker room where there is actual chemistry, where everyone seems to enjoy themselves and have a good time"

To be honest this is pretty much what the Renegades is all about.

Continuing with the trend of honesty.... a lot of the time i think you are a cunt.

But I've also noticed I actually like a lot of people I think are cunts when I get in an LR with them because they are real and don't pussy foot around.

So I hope you consider Texas.

.bojo · 02-22-2016, 07:08 PM

Bbp quit being a cunt. :ph34r:

PSA: joking

JPL · 02-22-2016, 07:10 PM

Whatever team I get drafted to in S29

~~bukss_a~~ · 02-22-2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:Originally posted by probablydrunk@Feb 23 2016, 12:58 AM

damn i wrote wrong WE :unsure:

Jesster · 02-22-2016, 07:12 PM

Dude reunite us. Riot

Allen · 02-22-2016, 07:14 PM

Quote:Originally posted by bbp@Feb 22 2016, 06:03 PM
"I want a locker room where there is actual chemistry, where everyone seems to enjoy themselves and have a good time"

To be honest this is pretty much what the Renegades is all about.

Continuing with the trend of honesty.... a lot of the time i think you are a cunt.

But I've also noticed I actually like a lot of people I think are cunts when I get in an LR with them because they are real and don't pussy foot around.

So I hope you consider Texas.