#7 - VonderKats
Marc-Andre Fleury
Tim Thomas might have really put a damper on this season (if there is a season) for the VonderKats, but that is no longer an issue. With Ryan Miller already in his back pocket, Erich made an offseason trade that saw Taylor Hall shipped out and The Flower brought in. This franchise has been one of the most successful in TOFHL history due to it's strong goaltending and scoring by committee and thats exactly what they are set up for again coming into the 2012-13 season.
People may just remember Fleury as the the goalie who fell coming out for a Stanley Cup final game (see here) or his playoff series against the Flyers where goals where being passed out like condoms at Cole's Halloween parties. But look again, you'll see that Fleury is on one of the best teams in the league and now has a solid backup to push him to new heights. Fleury finished last season just one win behind league leader Pekka Rinne with 42. With him and Miller manning the nets for the VonderKats, it's gonna be a tough go to beat them in any tendy cats.
What is their strength could also turn out to be their weakness as there are currently 6 goalies on the VonderKat's roster leaving less room for players. With their scoring by committee approach they will want as many forwards as possible to add up those player cats to be competitive on both sides of the puck. A trade might make sense here to eleviate a goalie spot and add a player, but with the season not yet started, this might just be a wait and see situation.
The VonderKats are a perennial force in the TOFHL as they have made the playoffs every year but one they've been in the league. They have their name on the TOFHL Cup (MesEx) and followed that up with a President's trophy the following year. It's interesting to note that this team was the most middle of the road team in terms of votes with just one falling outside the 4-8 range (10). With all the accolades this team won through the years it will be interesting to see if they can overcome the loss of great keeper in Tim Thomas and hold onto a playoff spot this year.
Tomorrow #6 is revealed, so that means our 2012-13 playoff group starts tomorrow. Where will you land?
-The Commish
People may just remember Fleury as the the goalie who fell coming out for a Stanley Cup final game (see here) or his playoff series against the Flyers where goals where being passed out like condoms at Cole's Halloween parties. But look again, you'll see that Fleury is on one of the best teams in the league and now has a solid backup to push him to new heights. Fleury finished last season just one win behind league leader Pekka Rinne with 42. With him and Miller manning the nets for the VonderKats, it's gonna be a tough go to beat them in any tendy cats.
What is their strength could also turn out to be their weakness as there are currently 6 goalies on the VonderKat's roster leaving less room for players. With their scoring by committee approach they will want as many forwards as possible to add up those player cats to be competitive on both sides of the puck. A trade might make sense here to eleviate a goalie spot and add a player, but with the season not yet started, this might just be a wait and see situation.
The VonderKats are a perennial force in the TOFHL as they have made the playoffs every year but one they've been in the league. They have their name on the TOFHL Cup (MesEx) and followed that up with a President's trophy the following year. It's interesting to note that this team was the most middle of the road team in terms of votes with just one falling outside the 4-8 range (10). With all the accolades this team won through the years it will be interesting to see if they can overcome the loss of great keeper in Tim Thomas and hold onto a playoff spot this year.
Tomorrow #6 is revealed, so that means our 2012-13 playoff group starts tomorrow. Where will you land?
-The Commish