Bleacher Report Hockey League: News and Updates #2

In this second addition of Bleacher Report Hockey League news, we begin with major announcements coming from the commissioner.

Starting Next Season

-With regard to making this league as close as possible to the real National Hockey League, a keeper system will be instituted starting next year. Each team manager will be able to choose seven players on their roster at season's end to have on their team at the start of next season. They can choose any seven as the position does not matter. If Yahoo allows for that many keepers to be chosen, then that is what we will go with. If not, then you will only be guaranteed one of the players you chose, so make sure you be specific about which one that is come the season's end.

-Also, it is very easy in this league to tank intentionally when one realizes that they cannot make the playoffs. Because of that, there will be a draft lottery held where the bottom four teams will be put and names will be drawn out of a hat to determine the order. As for the top ten teams, they will be put in reverse order of their finish in the standings.

-We hope for all fourteen managers to return next season but because things come up in our lives that leave us with less free time, the following will happen if you cannot make it in. There were a few people that requested to be a part of this year's league but could not fit in. So if a newcomer joins, they will inherit a team of a non-returning manager. If there is more then one manager not returning, the team a person inherits will be chosen at random.

This Season

-Because when the league was created, something was clicked accidentally and because of that, the league will not start until week two, or the week of Monday, October 13. All stats recorded during week one will not be counted and your week two opponent is who you will start the season against.

-The trades also continue to keep coming and since the last article, there have been many. The most notable ones happened within this last week when Greg Caggiano traded Marty Turco to Matt Eichel in exchange for Pavel Datsyuk. The most recent one happened last night when Chris Hoeler swapped Paul Kariya and Joe Pavelski to Matt Eichel for Daniel Carcillo and Kyle Turris, as Hoeler continues to purge his team of all non-Rangers and non-Coyotes.

-B.R.H.L season opening matchups include:

• Greg Caggiano vs. Eric Kuzmiak
• Bernie Horowitz vs. Matt Eichel
• Alan Bass vs. Matt Ellenberger
• Bryan Thiel vs. Tyler Hill
• Chris Hoeler vs. Bret Bods
• Ken Armer vs. Chris Bouthillier
• Faiz Ali Verji vs. Jason Klau

I look forward to a great opening to the season and the hopes that all "Head Coaches" will stay active to make this the most fun and realistic fantasy league you've ever been involved in.

Sincerely,

Greg Caggiano

BRHL Article #1