Historical Challange continued 90's onwards

[lawrence97]

-A personalised challenge. I can not sign any player who has scored 100 points in an NHL season in real life.
-No defender who has scored 85 poitns of more in an NHL season in real life
-No Goalie restrictions
-Can not trade for any prospects, they must have signed an NHL contract(if they play in the AHL its fine)
-Trading set to very very very hard, and i will try to keep superstarsa on my team and not trade them away unless its realistic.

[lawrence97]

1989/1990 Pre Season

This is the situation at the end of the 88/89 season.

There will be a lot of moving parts, as Turcotte Thomas Clark LeClair & Thomas will all be promoted or traded. I will look to see if we can bring in anyone in, Trevor Linden espcially on the RW.

Brad Park retires as an immortal Ranger, and 23 year old Patrick Roy gets traded again, this time with a 1st Round pick, as Pittsburgh get him for a 27 year olf Chelios. Park is a 15 time nhl champion, 8 time Conn Smythe, 10x Norris trophy winner, and 17 time all star. This was at the same time as Bobby Orr. His line Cournoyer-Redmond-Unger-Lapointe-Park, was too strong for the NHL in the 70's. He plays from 1966/1967-1988/1989 for 1918 game and 2229 points.
Joe Juneau is released by the quebec nordiques at 21, but i cant sign him.

[lawrence97]

1989/1990 Draft

There is a lot of good players here. Super stars are Jagr Brodeur Alfredsson. First liners are Palffy Tkachuk and Ozonlinsh. Then there is a whole load of decent players. Geoff Sanderson is the player i really want. His speed game usually translates well in my teams. Ihave 11th pick(*stl) and 19th(nj). Now is a good time to see if i can trade some of my excess players for picks.

1-Brodeur(Hrt)-They now haev Sakic and Doug Weight, they should improve
2-Jagr-LA Kings-they are awful, Malakhov their best player till now
3-Tkachuk-NYI-Vanbiesbrouck, Selanne, Bossy, Sundin and Emerson
4-Glen Murray-Phil-Messier's team, Marcel Dionne stll playing but god knows why. Got 10 pts last year
5-R, Whitney-Mns-Our main rival of the 80's not the best pick. They are getting old
6-Alfredsson-VAN-previous Champs with Oates and Konstantiov
7-Palffy-Buf, Couldn't trade for this pick.
8-Straka-Cgy
9-Nolan-Tor
10-Osgood-Pitt
11-Renberg-NYR Still want Ozolinsh and Sanderson. Will need another 1st rnd pick.
12-Dunham-Win
13-Hathcer-Chi
14-Sanderson-Pitt(Damn)-So trade Turcotte&Thomas for Min rnd 1 next year.
15-Kidd-Was
16-D. Sydor-Phil
17-Nylander-Edm
18-McGilies-DEt
19-Ozolinsh-Nyr

I stil have Wendal Clark to offload, and i get Trevor Linden back, but i give up DAhlen and a 2nd 3rd and 4th rnd pick in later drafts, but he's worth it.

I will try and sign Sanderson at a later datem Possibly for Andreychuk.

However a very succesful draft, i have 2 1st rnd picks for next year, and picked up a defender to replace Reed Larsson in a couple of years time.

[lawrence97]

1989/1990 Season Preview

1st-NYR
2nd-Det-Big Trade Larry Murphy for Theo Fleury. Nasty top line of Klima-Gretzky-Bellows-Murphy-Fetisov-Hasek. They have Belfour as well, need to trade him for attackers now, as only young Amonte and Gary Roberts in the systems
3rd-Bos Hawerchuk, Makararov and Bourque. Traded 1st rnd pick for old Kent Nilsson
4th-Pitt-Turgeon is a beast, now have Roy in net, Jiri Lala a decent winger
5-NJ-Ronning-Kurri-Coffeyand Joseph in net, They shouldn't have traded Roy.


Other teams of Interest

Edmonton(9)-their Robitaille-Hull-Lemieux top line is top three in this game with the Cournoyer/Redmond years and the Hull/Mikita combo. But no defence still. Not much in prospect pool either.

Washington (7)-Janney, Cicceralli, Fedorov Pivonka, Vaive, Stevens and Leetch. Casey in goal, this team i think will be up there this year.

Winnipeg(8)-Barraso, Macinnis Kurvers Blake, Larinov, Krutov, and
Roenick.

Calgary(21)-NO goalteender is the issue, but Zubov, Galley, Stevens, Carson Loob, young Bure, this team will suprise i expect.

NY Islanders (13)- Had the best draft players of recent years, they have Selanne Mogilny and Sundin! Bossy is still good, no def but Vanbiesbrouck in net, this should be great to see.


As for us Cloutier is still great, and Steen really stepped up last year, Cam Neely just can't seem to get it going, Damphousse and Modano to step up in minutes this year. Looking forward to seeing my line of Modano Brind'Amour and Linden play together for years to come. Lidstrom not ready yet, But Yves Racine looks solid he will share time with Olausson.

[lawrence97]

1989/1990 Season

Disaster as Cloutier out for 4 months just before the season starts. Brind'Amour promoted to the team. Cam Neely will have to step up
Andreychuk/Steen/Neely topline, Richer/Nieuwendyk/Bondra 2nd line, and Damphousse-Modano-Kamensky 3rd line. This season is not going to be easy now.

14 games in and Steen is picking up the slack, Neely only a point a game. nieuwendyk playing well. Gretkzy and Lemieux on pace for 200, Gretzky started season on fire 36 pts in 12 games! Rangers 3rd with an 8-3-3 records, Washington 1st with a 10-1-1.

Half Way through, Lemieux is on pace to win the art ross, is 5 clear of Gretzky with game in hand. Detroit are joint top with us. Washington 6 back of us. We've had 3 major injuries, Racine, Cloutier and RIcher all injured for 4 months or more. But our team is playing well. Since Richer and we put Olausson in for Patrick, we've been best team in the NHL, and on pace for over 500 goals again. Cam Neely is on pass for 70 goals and has finally found his touch now having proper 1st line minutes. 10 players on course for 80+ points for us. Patrick will be traded at some point as he's 26 and doesn't fit our style of play. Cloutier will come back to 3rd line with Modano and Kamensky.

With the last quarter of game to go, we have a 4 game winless slide and drop 2 points behind Detroit, but 9 ahead of Washington. NHL is really now us verses Gretzky Detroit. Lemieux still has edge on Gretzky.
Nelly still on pace for 70 points, and we have 9 players at a point per game., Kamensky has stopped scoring since Cloutier came back, if he can start firing we can win the league.

We smash Hartford 14-3 just before all star break but Detroit drop a couple and we continue with a series of 10 big wins. Canucks finally put an end to that run, but we suddenly have daylight between us and Detroit and we end up winning the Presidents trophy. Cam Neely 80 goals, but finishes second to Brett Hull who has 83. Gretzky almost hunted down Lemieux, but lost out 204-202 in the Art Ross race. We finished top by 14 points hitting 130, our best season in a while. 22 50 GOAL SCORERS IS A NEW RECORD! 37 get 100 points. Steen is superb, getting 170 points. For us Bondra is a 50 goal scorer on the second line, he made the difference. 8 players get 80 points or more, Nieuwendyk and Damphousse stepping up. Think Andreychuk will have to go to third line next year to accomodate Modano.

With regards to my predictions

Calgary were the worst team in the league, i was well off them being a suprise.
Washington finished 3rd and Winnipeg 4th, i was right to expect them up there, and they'll be a threat in the final. However most signs point to a 3rd straight Red Wingers Rangers final

[lawrence97]

1989/1990 Playoffs

Richer is back and LeClair is the person who has to sit it out. Racine is out for months still, so back 6 picks itself. I'll have a tough call next year when Lidstrom comes up.

Round 1: Not an easy start, we have New Jersey who played us quite well this year, taking 5 points out of 16 from us, but most games were close. First two games are a blowout, but 1 by each team, two more high scoring games are shared, and we win a crucial game 5 in ot thanks to Steve Duchesne. Devils force another game 7...which we win 5-4/ In other series, Winnipeg stunned by the kings in 6, Edmonton out to the Canucks, but Detroit and Minnesota made it. We don't have an easy game, playing Washington next.

Round 2: Washington, led by Fedorov Scott Stevens Brian Leetch Craig Janney and Dino Ciccarelli. This will not be easy. So i put Cloutier back on top line. Another game 7, all home games were won, but we are out, 5-4 after falling behind 3-0 in the first period, a 3rd period come back isn't enough as Brian Leetch scores the 5-3 goal, and Bondra's reply isn't enough! Dissapointing!

Round 3: Detrroit looking ominous, they've lost 1 game so far in two series. They face Vancouver whilst Boston in 7 verses Montreal face Washington. Boston suprisngly beat Washington in 5 easily, and unsuprisngly Detroit do the same to Vancouver.


Stanley Cup Final: Gretzky Red Wings vs Bourque Bruins. 4 100 points scorers for Boston, in Bourque, Hawerchuk, Geoff Courtnall and Sergei Makarov. They finshed 5th with 95 points and +79 goal differential. Gretzky Red Wings, 116 points 117 goal differential, with Bellows and Klima joining Gretzky on 100 points. This series will come down to Bourque slowing down Gretzky.

Game1: Detroit 3-2 Boston. Boston play well in an even game, but can't light the lamp enough. Gretzky 2 assists.

Game2: Detroit 3-6 Boston. Boston dominate this one, 40 shots to 28. Bourque can def slow Gretzky, who gets 1 assist. Makarov and Hawerchuk are the ones dominating.

Game3: Boston 3-6 Detroit: Boston take the leadin the first period, and make it 2-0 early in the second, but Gretzky gets 3 points as the Red Wings score 5 in the 2nd, to take a 5-3 lead. Another Gretzky point gives them the 2-1 series lead. You feel Boston have to win hte next one.

Game4: Boston 3-5 Detroit. Detroit out shoot boston 30-20, and take a stranglehold, Gretzky gets a goal and an assist.

Game5: Detroit 3-4 Boston. Great win for Boston, even game at the Joe. 25-22 shots for Detroit, Red Wings ahead 3-2 after 2 periods with help from 2 Gretzky goals, but Boston score 2 in the third to win the game, guess who, bu Hawerchuk and Makarov getting them though.

Stats in the playoffs Gretzkyh has 44 points, Makarov and Hawerchuk 35 and 33. Can Boston win one at the Garden to get to game 7?

Game6: Boston 7-5 Detroit. Yes they can and what a game. Boston get out shot 51-35 but somehow win. They go 3-0 in the first period with Geoff Courtnall star of the show klima equalises. Then HAwerchuk and Lukowich with his 2nd of the game, makes it 5-1 Boston. This is where Detroit take over, and Boston barely has a shot in the next 10 mins. Gretzky and Roberts score to make it 5-3 after 2.Boston go 7-3 up with pretty much their only 2 atacks of the period, and despite 2 late detroit goals they win. Hasek has an absolute mare of a game.


Game7: Will Hasek bounce back, or will Ray Bourque get a cup with the Bruins?. GAME 7 is decided by the odd goal in 9. Geoff Courtnall followed by Sergei Makarov gets the bruins 2-0 after one. Detroit however STORMS the second period, with 4 goals. Gretzky has a goal and an assist. However Ray Bourque with a crucial goal gets them to withint one at 3-4 after 2 periods. Third period the ice is slanted towards the bruins net, but Dale Hawerchuk assisted by Makarov ties it! Geoff Courtnall is the man of the 3rd period, but in a bad way, he gives up two crucial penalties giving Gretzky two power play chances. He whiffs on the first, but not the second, he sets up Brian Bellows with 2 mins 19 seconds remaining for Detroit to win thier second cup with Gretzky! Ggretzky gets 49 points in the playoffs and a cert for the Conn Smythe.

Hart: Gretzky
Conn Smythe: Gretzky
Vezina:Barrasso (WPG)
Norris Al Iafrate for the Rangers!
Calder: Turcotte(MIN) Who i traded awy for ends up 77pts in 79 games!

Hart: Gretzky

[lawrence97]

1990/1991 NHL Draft

Big names here, Lindros, Forsberg, Niedermayer, Yashin, Khabibulin, Naslund.

Perfect Draft would be Niedermayer Khabibulin, Yashin and Kovalev.

Philadelphia have 2nd pick here so real chance of getting Lindros(who si edited to be long lasting and not injury prone). I have 15th and 21st pick. But i am trading James Patrick John LeClair and even Grant Fuhr if i have to. Yashin is predicted to go 6th. Patrick(4.5 star 26 year odl def) goes to Islanders(which is probably a mistakes, for thier 2 1st rnd picks this draft. I now have 5th and 9th.
I then Trade John LeClair 20 year old 4 star potential power forward, to Buffalo for this year and next years pick, plus my 21st pick and 1992 1st and Tommy Albelin. Gives me, 5th 8th 9th and 15th in draft.


1 Niedermayer-Hartford(i will tryr to trade for him at some point)
2 LINDROS TO PHILADELPHIA!
3 Forsberg-Buffalo
4 Naslund-Hartford
5-Yashin-NY Rangers
6-Rafalski-LAK
7-Stillman-Chicago
8-Kovalev-NYR
9-Khabibulin-NYR(Fuhr is out next year for picks)
nothing of interest, so i trade all of my remaining draft picks for Stl 1st next year as Pronger should be available.

[lawrence97]

1990/1991 Season Preview

Rangers first. Incidentally top rated players are Gretzky, Lemieux, Hull, Oates Sakic, then Fuhr! He will have to be traded as Richter ready to go and Khabibulin back up.

2-Pitt- P. Roy & P. Turgeon, same team as last year that finished 6th.
3-Det- Gretzky, Hasek Klima Bellow, Dan Quin Tony Amonte Larry Murphy Kasatonov and Fetisov. These guys are probably favourite as Gretzky has some cast around him now. 2nd last year
4-Boston. Hawerchuk, Bourque Makarov and a lot of good depth. Top team,. finished 5th last year
5-New Jersey, 8th last year. Again Kurri and Coffey, but thats its, doubt they'll be contending.

Others

Edmonton(8)- The fab four continue, but signed a decent Byakin to the defence. Puppa in goal, lets see if they can challenge
NY islanders(9) James Patrick is a big addition on their weak d line, but Sundin Selanne Bossy Kerr Trottier is a good mnix of vets and young superstars. Keith Tkachuk Kirk Maltby Brian Rolston all to come for them!
Hartford(16), should be interesting, now have Brodeur in net and Sakic up top

I have Buffalo and St Louis pick next year, they are rated 21st(last) and 14th. Fuhr will hopefull go at trade deadline to LAK for 1st rnd pick as Pronger-Demitra and Satan hopefully available next year,

[lawrence97]

1990/1991 Season

Modano to the top line, Andreychuk-Steen moved to 3rd line, whilst Damphousse and Nieuwendyk take up more ice time. Lidstrom takes Larson spot, as he's ready. Larson still world class, but he's the odd man out, will share time with Yves Racine, whose stats looks comparable to him.

1st quarter of the season

Mario Lemieux 59 points, Gretzky 41 but 3 games less played. Rangers 15-4-2, with Edmonton taking 2 games from us, but they are still on a 90 point season pace. Detroit Boston and Washington as expected just behind us. Chicago with Belfour who they got in a perfect trade with Detroit(Det got an excellent def in Kasatonov) and and excellent top line of Shanhan Shepperd Savard! Savard 29 but still excellent. They have the 3 esses. All on pace for 110 pts plus this season. They should be up there. As for us, despite the slip ups against Edmonton, we are scoring at a higher rate, and on pace for 550. Last few seasons have been an average of 460. my picks Buffalo are 20th and St Louios 14th, should be another excellent draft for me)


End of Season
Gretzky 219 pts, Lemieux 220 pts! Gretzky top scorer with 92 goals! We get 126 pts, with Detroit on 117. WEashington 110, and EDmonton 106. Quebec finished strong. In unwanted news Buffalo, St. Louis and Hartford all finsh in playoffs, I'll have picks 11, 10th and 6th i believe. That has not gone to plan. Phil Housley single handly getting Buffalo off the floor.

PLayoffs should be fun, hoping for a gretzky-Lemioeux rematch in the conference finals.

Washington and New Jersey will be tough outs for me again.

Halfway Stage

Goalscoring slows a little, now only on pace for 500. Looks to trade for Niedermayer, plaffy, Sanderson in exchange for Lang, Foote and Renberg and draft picks, but couldn't get any of them accross the line. Will try at deadline. Fuhr will also go then. Expansion draft coming up. Larson Cloutier and Steen will most likely be unprotected to save the youngsters.

Lemieux 112 points in 45, Gretzky 95 in 42. We are on 62, Washington on 59, Detroit 55 and Edmonton 56 who have stepped up these alst 21 games. Lets see if they can keep i up. Chicago have 52. Boston are on 45. We have really struggled against NJ, going 1-4 against them including a 10-3 pasting.


Trade Deadline

Scott Niedermayer for Reed Larson and Adam Foote. Larson not playing, Foote won't get game time. but this is a good trade for Calgary)
Zigmund Palffy for Renberg, 2nd and 4th rnd pick
Hartford 3 1st Rnd picks and i give htem Fuhr(They already had Roy)
Geoff Sanderson for Lang and 3rg, 5th and 6th rnd pick.

Leavers me with 4 1st rnd picks this year and nothing else

3rd Quarter

Richter is now p[laying most games as Khabibulin not ready yet. But have got team set up for expansion and solid picks for future. Will have 3 high draft picks next year again. We are now 11 pts clear of Detroit and Washington who are 2.3. Edmonton still leading their division by 4, but only on 74 points. Chicago in 4th with 75. Our scoring is still at the 500 pace mark. Lemieux and Gretzky on course for 200 with Lemieux ahead by 7 having 2 gp more

[lawrence97]

1990/1991 NHL Playoffs

Preview, Lemieux's edmoton who made 4 straight Conference finals in the 80's, have made 1st rnd exits last two years. Gretzky detroit have made the SC final 3 year in a row. 1988 was the only time they met in the playoffs, as the top 2 seeds in the West, this is the best chance we've had in the last 4 years of anoter match up of the 200 point superstars. In the league 35 100 points scorers and 15 50 goal scorers.

Rnd 1: Rangers -Penguins, RedWings-Blues, Oilers-Canucks. Oilers and Red Wings win in 7! We ease past in 5, Capitals thump Devils in 4!

Rnd2: Ranges-Capitals. We are after revenge after last years playoff defeat. They are a stacked front 5...Fedorov Ciccarelli and Janney, with Leetch and Stevens. Rest of the team is very solid defensively. They had best GA in the league, with Skrudland, Pivonka Troy Murray are a tough checking line. Detroit face the esses of Chicago, Oilers get the Jets, they have Larinov Macinnis and Roenick. Edm, Det and us all go 3-1 up...and Detroit and uis complete in 5, Edmonton loses at home but then wins away at the jets for a GRETZKY-LEMIEUX REMATCH.

Rnd3: Rangers get Quebec, that is the Yzaman-Gilmour two headed most, but not much else. Brian Propp got 100 points and 66 goals thank to them, but is getting old. They have had a charge since the trading deadline and finished 5th. All top seeds from the division make the final four. First the main event

Gretzky vs Lemieux part 2
Game1: 6-5 Red Wings, they get a goal a piece, but Detroit skates to a 5-1 lead and holds on

Game2: 10-4 Red Wings, 3 points for Gretzky, 1 assist for Lemieux, This game was 2-1 until the 14th minuted of the 2nd period, before Edm fall apart and concede 8 in 25 minutes. They'll need a hell of an improvment

Game3: 6-3 Red Wings. Detroit too strong, Lemieux just one ponit, Gretzky another 3, This game is tight, 2-2 after one. Gilchrist the only goal in the 2nd for detroit, Brett Hull equalises, but Murphy scores the go ahead goal with 4 minutes left, before 2 ENG seal the win for Detroit. Can Mario get going in the last game, he's been roundly outplayed by Gretzky in this and the last time they played 4 years ago

Game4: 8-7 Red Wings. Its a sweep, Mario has his best game with 3 goals and an assist, but its in vain, Gretzky 3 assists. IN a real tospy turvy game, Detroit go 4-2 up after 1 with two late goals in that period. They then go 5-2 up thanks to a powerplay goal from Kasatonov. Randy Wood assisted twice by Francis scores the goals to bring the score to 5-4 Detroit. 3rd period Mario Lemieux scores 2 in 5 to put Edmonton in the lead. That however wakes the Red Wings and they score 3 in the next 10 minutes to get 8-6 in front. Lemieux completes his hat trick, but its not enough, Detroit advances in a sweep4-0


Quebec are no match for the Rangers, and its another Rangers-Red Wings SC Final!

Stanley Cup Final
4th Final in a row for the Gretzky crew, 3 finals in that period for us. We've won 1, they've won 2.Detroit top 6 fwrds- Gretzky, Klima, Amonte, Bellows and Quinn with Hasek in goal, with Fetisov, Kasatnov Larry Murphy and Pat McLeod as top 4 d. McLeod, a journey man in real life, muich like my Yves Racine, has turned into an all star. He had 62 points in 68 games, was their best ppg defender! We will have a job scoring past Hasek and keeping Gretzky out. As for us Steen and Neely scored 159 and 144 points with Neely on 77 goals. Rest of the attackers Essentially got around 80 points each except Brind'Amour and Linden. Modano didn't do a geat job as top C, so he's been relegated to 3rd line, and we've played excellent hockey in these playoffs going 12-2. Detrolit took regular series match up 2-1 scoring 13 goals to our 12.

Game1: 4-1 Rangers. Modano and Bondra get a goal and an assist a piece to give us a 2-0 lead in the first. Kamensky and Bondra again make it 4-0 after 2, Gretzky scorless as Dan Quinn scores only goal to stop Richter getting a shut out.We out shoot Red Wings 38-25

Game2: 6-5 Rangers. 3-0 to Detroit who start fast, in the first 10 mins of the opening period. Gretzky getting a goal(his 15th), Steen get us on the board before the period ends. In the end Detroit get 3 shots, but the period ends with no goals despite the Blueshirts dominating. Hasek standing on his head. The third period however, is a 60 shot attempt slug fest with Detroit edging it slightly. However Hasek is not as good, Neely scores early to make it 3-2, but Murphy puts lead back to 2, with 10 to go. Rangers then score 2 in 3, Olausson and Cloutier, before Lamb scores. Andreychuk equalises with 90 seconds to go, only his second of the playoffs, and we go to ot. Stephane Richer wins it 30 seconds later.

Gretzky has 36 points this playoffs so far, Lemieux in the first two rounds went crazy and has 42. Steen has most for us with 25, but we have almost the entire team with 10 points or more after 16 games

Game3: 11-1 Rangers. Well that was unexpected. Hasek has a nightmare 6 goals against 25 shots, Essensa does no better 5 goals against 19 shots. First two periods Rangers outshoot Detroit 34-11, Andreychuk the hatrick, Bondra and Modano 2 each. However we've been here before, and lost a SC final 3-0 up. Gretzky did get an assist, not that that will be any comfort to him

Game4: 4-3 Red Wings. No sweep, and i'm already nervous. Rangers win first period 3-2 But a goal in the 2nd by Bellows, and Quinn in the 3rd gives Red Wings the win, Gretzky 2 assists. Hasek 39 saves, shots fairly even 42-38 for us. God knows what the score would have been if Hasek and Richter weren't the netminders.

Game5: Rangers 4-2. The Cup is ours! Olausson and Brind'Amour make it 2-0 early, Bellows from Gretzky make it 2-1 after 1. Barber equalises in the second. Rangers have dominated play but can't get much past Hasek. Third period is much more even, but old stager Cloutier, with his 11th scores thed go ahead goal with 4 to go! Racine gets empty netter with 10 seconds to go! If thats Cloutiers final game for the blue shirts what a way to go! He's 35 next year, with an expansion draft. He'll very likely be unprotected by us. He is 5th all time on the Rangers point list, and stas below

[lawrence97]

1990/1991 Post Season

Hart Trophy: Wayne Gertzky
Conn Smythe: Ruusto Rustolainen
Calder: Jaromir Jagr-Kings(Macleod nominated!)
Norris:Brian Leetch(Was)
Vezina: Rick Warmsley(Bos)

Mario Lemieux was Ted Lindsay(players mvp)

Trades, Hartford send 17 yhear old Naslund to Min for 31 year old Gartner. Nothing else of note till the Expansion Draft.

[lawrence97]

1991/1992 Expansion and Draft

Pronger, Gonchar, Satan Demitra, Koivu and Arnott in a pretty poor draft it has to be said are my Targets. Kariya and Tim Thomas are best players. My gambit on the Sabres finishing last backfires and get the 7, 9, 11 and 22 picks.

1-Pronger-San Jose(damn)
2-Kariya--Philadelphia have Lindros and Kariya.
3-Peca-Calgary
4-Thomas-Minnesota
5-Gonchar-Montreal
6-Satan-NY Islanders
7-Demitra-NY Rangers
8-LaLime-Vancouver
9-Koivu-NY Rangers
10-Carey-NY Rangers
22-Valeri Bure-NY Rangers

First draft i've missed, i have plenty of depth now to surive the expanion drafts, Pronger is one to see if i can trade a la Niedermayer, Satan likewise, but I'l take Koivu and Demitra that'll be a decent line.


Expansion Draft
Can save 16 Skaters, and 2 Goalies. anyone under 20 is safe, which means Cloutier only player i lose, Ruuttu Ulanov and Beranek are my reserve players, happy to lose them so they get game time elswhere.

San Jose has a top line of Cloutier and Nilsson, with Roloson in goal.

No interesting trades, we move on!

[lawrence97]

1991/1992 Season Preview

Blockbuster in first week of July. Brett Hull is offere sheeted by the Red Wings, and Edmonton can't match! Red Wings are just a force now. Edmonton matches offer Sheet for Francis. I fear Lemieux's cahnces for a cup are over for a while.
Dumb trade by Penguins, Pierre Turgeon, 21 treaded for Larson 34! Flames are now a goalie away from a super team. They have turned Scott Niedermayer in Adam Foote and Pierre Turgeon. I am definatley regretting that trade now.

Canada beats Russia 4-1 to win Canada cup. They went 6-0, one 'close' game in the quarters agaisnt sweden 3-2, where they outshot them 44-21. Lindbergh has had some amazing games in his career. Two Stanley Cups and a Vezina, and he almost knocked Canada out of the Canada Cup.


Team rankings

1: Rangers
2: Red Wings I think that Grettzky-Hull -Klima, Quinn-Bellow-Amonte with Murphy Kasatonov, Fetisoc and Macleod, and Hasek in net is the favourite this year.
3:Hartford!-Sakic-Gartner-Weigh-Hartsburg-Fuhr/Brodeur. Overrated! But still a top 10 team.
4:Penguins: Roy and Larson, i don't think they'll be top 10
5:Capitals: This team will Leetch and Stevens on D, Fedorov Janney and Ciccarelli on attack

Other

Edmonton: Oh Oilers! Michael Nylander makes the team but he's no Brett Hull. They've lost a significant piece. They'll struggle this year
Devils: Coffey Gary Suter and Kurri give an excellent top line, but they don't have depth.
NY Islanders. Selanne Sundin and Mogilny top lines, Kerr Tkachuk Bossy Emerson are all 4 star players. This is the team to watch. James Patrick and Vanbiesbrouck in net, give them a Rangers feel! Satan Rolston Maltby Stu Barnes still to come.

Flyers have Messier Lindros and Lanny McDonald for a whole knew legion of doom.

Calgary, oh my, Rw-Hakan Loob, Pavel Bure, C- Turgeon, Carson Craven, LW Stevens, def, Zubov, Chiasson and Halley. Straka Peva Sullian Foote, Legace and Quintal all to come through. This team will be up there soon.

I trade Ruuttu to San Jose for their goalie Roloson, as Khabibulin not ready for back up duties just yet.

Our team is very strong, Andreychuk and Steen are now on 4th line and youngsters ready to take over.

Petr Nedved is in for Cloutiers spot. Line 1 of Damphouse Modano and Neely need to pick up the 100 point plateau. Whilst Nieuwendyk, Bondra and Kamensky 2nd line. Richer, Brind'Amour and Linden are a great 3rd line, with Steen Andreychuk showing Nedved the way on the 4th line.

Niedermayer and Ozonlish ready for action soon, Duchese and Olausson will be traded for draft picks end of the year. Ruostsalainen is our Captain so i will not trade him as he is a 2 time Conn Smythe winner. He will be same as Reed Larson, he will only be traded if he can't make the team.

[lawrence97]

1990/1991 Regular Season

First 21 games into the season, and we are flying. Mike Modano is now an elite level player, and our players are now hitting thier potential. We are on pace for140 pts. However Detroit and Washington are still within striking distance, having played games fewer. In the scoring race, Lemieux 49 in 20, but Gretzky flying 59 in 19. Him and Hull are devestating.Both us and Detroit on pace for over 500 goals this year. Only the 60's blackhawks got close to 500 for a computer ran team with 480.

Half Way
We have gone on a tear, and putting distance on all other teams. Bondra can't get going, but everyone else can 8 players on coures for 100. 5 players on 50 though Detroit have fallen off a bit, and on coursed for 450 goals rather than 500 though Gretzky on course for a record 230 points though, Lemieux 170.

3rd Quarter
Gretzky on course for 230 still, Lemieux 196. CAm Neely has 73 goals.
We are on 111, Detroit 88, but Edmonton with a stunning run are on 86. Washington also on 86 as the top four teams. Edmonton have made one minor trade, but are playing a lot better than expected. We have 7 players on course for 100.

End of Season
Cam Neely ends up with 96 goals, but second to Gretzky 100! Gretzky shatters record for points though with 233 and Lemieux on 233. Neely gets 178. 7 of our players get 100, pushing the number to 42 who get 100, and22 get 50. We storm to 523 goal snad 147 pts. Capitlas, Red Wings and Oilers next best. Capitals acutally played very well against us. They will be tough in the playoffs. Detroit end up on 454 goals.

[lawrence97]

1991/1992 Playoffs

We could get part 3 of Gretzky-Lemieux in the playoffs as both won their divisions. But would be a shock to see anyone other than Detroit in the SC Final. East should be the winner of a Rangers Capitals showdown. For info. Gretzky now 4th on all time point list. 600 behind Cournoyer at age 31. He should overtake in 3 or 4 years. Has a decent chance of finishing with 4000 careers points. That what happens when injuries are mimnal in this universe.

Rnd1: We actually have a tough opponent. Isalnders are stacked -Selanne, Mogilny, Sundin Bossy Tkachuks, Babych ,Patrick and Vanbiesbrouck. How they only got 82 poionts is beyond my. Their defence underperformed, Mogilny and Selanne scored 146 and 148 points! We win in 5, but two 5-4 games at their place incl;uding one in OT tells of a much closer series. Calgary with Pavel Bure scoring 64 goals and the other team stacked with young talent is out 1st Rnd. All major teams get through.

Rnd2:Washington. This team scares me, Leetch 121 pts, Cicarelli and Cassels the othe 100 point scores. Fedorov Janney get 90 point, and they still have Stevens adn Tikkanen doing the defence work. These teams finished 1 and 2 in the lge and in the regular season the teams went 3-3.Washington win first two, before we get on the board. Wshington goes 3-1 up before we win game 5. They have a chance to knock us out in game 6 at their place, but lost 4-3 in OT! In a game they dominate, Al iafrate being it to 3-2 in the 2nd. Cam Neely with his 2nd of the game equalises on the PP. Petr Nedved the unlikely hero with his first goal of the playoffs. Real hero is Richter. Game 7 is a blowout 7-3 win for the Rangers!


Rnd3: Hartford shock Boston, but we do indeed have Gretzky vs Lemiexu Part 3! Quickly on Hartford, they have Sakic, Brodeur.Fuhr Hartsburg Doug Weight Mike Gartner, buit werfe 11th on 86 points in the regular season. We shouldn't ahve too much trouble

Gretzky vs Lemieux part 3

Two previous playoffs have been one sided. 4-0 and 4-1, with Lemieux getting outscored, This year it should be even worse, as Hull joined the Red Wings from Edmonton. Yet Edmonton rebounded with their joint best point finish of 112. Here's hoping they can do it. Somehow Hebert will have to outduel Hasek!

Game 1: He does! Edmont 6-4 Detroit, just the start they need, Luc Robitaille is first star with 3 assists, Lemieux 1 goal, Gretzky also 3 assists. Oilers limit Red Wings to 26 shots!

Game2: 4-1 win for Detroit who even the series, Gretzky 1g 1a, Lemieux pointless.

Game3: Big game this one, you feel edmonton have to win...but they don't 5-2 for Detroit. Gretzky 4 assists, to Lemieux 1g.

Game4: Must win now....AND THEY DO! 6-4 win again. Robitaille 4 pts, Lemieux 1 assist, they hold off the Gretzky(1g 2a) comeback to tie the series

We sweep Hartford very easily, and await the winner!

Game5: 10-2 Detroit! Edmontons biggest game of the year and they crumble! Gretzk 2g 3a, with Hull the same whilst lemieux 2 assists.

Game6: What on earth did we just watch! 11-6 win for Edmonton for a game 7 decider! 1st star was Doug Crossman! The onyl trade Edmonton made and he gets 3 points.3 points for pretty much everyone in this game. However this game is nuts. 1st period, Crossman opens the scoring after 2 minues and assists for Dalgarno in the last minute. Only problem is Detroit score 5 inbetween! The series was over and i had to re-write this! 2nd period 13 shots for Edmonton and 7 goals! Hasek is only pulled after the 9th goal! Goals are shared all around. after that carnage its 9-5 Edmonton! 3rd period is a dull 3 goal affair. Lemieux got 2 g 1a and Gretzky 2a. What a game

Game7: This needs a fitting game to end the series, can Edmonton win it!? It can't start off any better, Robitaille 5 seconds in! Karpotsev then makes it 2! But 4 minutes later it 2-2 with goals from Klima and Gretzky. Are we on for another cricket score? The period calms down and in period 2, Astrakantsev(nope me niether) scores the go agewad goal and Elik scores half way through from Robitalle and Lemieux! Can edmonton hold on. They manage the rest of the period and they have a 4-2 lead going into the 3rd. Edmonton manage 5 shots on goal in the 3rd, as Detroit send in everything! Bellows scores early from Gretzky and Tod Gill is foreced to take a penalty, The oilers hit the post twice! and can not break through, Edmonton hold on for the shock win! Gretzky has a ridculous 50 pts but is out of the playoffs. Lemieux has 27! But its Edmonton!


Stanley Cup Final Edmoton vs Rangers
Steen promoted to first line again for playoffs, and has 26 points Richer 21, but going with a Modano-Brind'Amour top line agaisnt Lemieux to try to stablise. Steen and Neely can hopefuilly clean up on the power play and against their 2nd line.

Game1: Lemieux is neutralised, but Edmonton's second line which has Ron Francis, gets the first goal! Gil then scores with Lemieux and REobitailles only point. Cam, Neely from Steen gets us on the board to make it 2-1 at the interval. He then equalises, only for Francis to feed Douris for a 3-2 lead at the 2nd for Edmonton. Edmonton area outplaying us, but Richter is making the saves, Richer with his 13th equalises, and then Brind'Amour from Modano wins it for us with 5 to go! Edmontons second line was on the ice for all 4 of those goals! Edmonton 1st line had a lot of shots, not sure our tactic is sound, but we'll take the W!

Game2: A close game with 32 shots each. First two periods are low scoring, a Rod Brind'Amour is all that seperates us. This line is doing well keeping Lemieux off the scoresheet. In the 3rd period, Neely makes it 2, before Francis assists Douris to keep it close, before Ruotsalinen on the PP and Bondra make it 4-1. We then do stuipd mode and take 2 penalties in the last 2 minutes, giving Lemieux a 5-3 for 1 minue 20, which Elik from Lemieux proceed to score 10 seconds later, and then another goal (Dalgrano from Francis) 30 seconds later on the 5-4. That makes it 4-3 There's still 90 seconds to go but we hold out! This game bar that madness worked to a tee. Now we head off to Edmonton where we dont have last change,

Game3: 7-2 Thumping! 1-1 after the 1st Richer and then a Elik from Robitaille and Lemieux. Richter keeps us in it as its 11-2 shots for Edmonton Al Iafrate opens the scoring in the second before Lemieux equalies, and then Steen from Iafrate and Bondra makes it 3-2. 3rdf Period we outshot them 14-10 to make the shots 32-27 for Edmonton, but we score 4, Modano Lidstrom Steen and Iafrate! Richer is the man of te series so far, but i doubt he'll get the Conn Smythe he deserves!

Game4: Fully expect a sweep here but no, EDmonton win 4-3. Roberge makes it 1-0 in the first and in a second dominated by the Rangers Mario Lemieux shows up with a goal and an assist, to give the Penguins a 4-1 lead. Crossman got the other goal for Edmonton, whilst Neely 15th had temporariyl tied it. Yves Racine made it 4-3 at the end of 2. 3rd period, no scoring, and in fact Edmonton get 15 shots to our 8 to make the shots 34-32 in our favour. Suprised by that, game especially after our dominant 2nd period.

Game5: Oh boy was this another classic... Brind'amour, Riucher and Brind'Amour again make it 3-0 after 10 of the 1st. Drossman and Nylander get 2, before Richer with his second late on makes it 4-2 Rangers after 1. The teams then trade goals in the third, Bondra, Ruotsalinen and Nieuwnedyk for us, and Elik and Nylander for them. Its 7-4 into the 3rd. We've been the better team. 3rd period and its ALL edmonton, Robitaille and Francis score from Lemieux, to claw to 1, Andreychuk with a huge goal with 10 to go gives us a 2 goal lead. Lemieux 4th assist of the night for Elik makes it tight again, but Richer with the hat trick goal and his 17th of the playoffs finally ends the goals and we win the Stanley Cup with a 9-7 win! Rangers go 2 in a row for the first time in 10 years

Richer and Steen had 30 and 31 points Richer 17 goals, behind Robitailles 18/ No one got close to Gretzky 50 pts!

Awards

Hart: Gretzky
Conn Smythe: T. Steen (NYR)
Calder: Dennis Holland (SJS)
Norris: Brian Leetch (WAS)
Vezina: Kirk McLean (PHI)

[lawrence97]

1992/1993 Expansion Draft and Amateur Draft

The League grows to include the Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning. I have Hartfords pick, but they finished 11th, and that will be slim pickings. Bad news is the expansion draft. have a lot of good players, that i can't all protect! Andreychuk, Steen and Racine. I can only lose two players, and its Racine and Andreychuk. But Steen is traded anyway as Yashin is coming through and no space on the roster for him. Ozolinsh takes Racine spot with Niedermayer coming throug next year. I have a real selection headache now thou as Palffy is also ready to come up, Kamensky is the odd man out and I'll trade him with Steen adn Roloson in the draft otherwise i'll loes them in next years expansion

Draft

Not a gret draft St. Louis Bertuzzi, Allison Mccabe adn Deadmarsh wi th a lot of solid Goalies. I have 14th pick, and there's not much in the next draft either. So i trade

Satan from Islanders to Steen. Steen 1261 pts in 1088 games with 2 150 points seasons, and his 170 is the highest any centre scored for me.

Pronger from San Jose in return for Kamensky and Roloson

Kamensky 26, had a 100 point season and had 427 pts in 504 games for us. Excllent FA pick up for us.


Draft
1 St, Louis-Tampa Bay fitingly!
2 Bertuzzi-Ottawa
3 Morrison-St Louis
4 McCabe-San Jose
5 Allison-Montreal
7 Daigle-Calgary
11 Langenbrunner-LA
12-Deadmarsh-NYI
14-Victor Kozlov NY Rangers
Not much else in this draft. Kozlov will be a useful trade piece at some stage.

Trades
No major trades

[lawrence97]

1992/1993 Season Preview

1-Rangers
2-Detroit- everyone 28 or older except Amonte, Zhitnik and Holik, no scorers in farm system.
3-Hartford-Sakic is superb, as is their goaltending duo of Fuhr/Brodeur, Weight, Gartner and Muller are excellent. Not an elite team.
4-Tor, LaFontaine and Chelios(traded for last year, but lost Reechi) Overated
5-NYI-They are ready to contend now. Especially as i just gave them Steen. Selanne and Mogilyn are at their peak, its 92/93!

Others
EDM-Acquired Sandstrom for Nylander, team lacks depth
WSH-This team should be number 3. Fedorov Leetch Stevens Hextall Janney and Ciccarelli with good defensive forwards
CGY-Bure-Turgeon-Zubov-Stevens-Foote-Galley-Sullivan-Peca -Straka. Just a shame they have no goaltender at all. Manny Legace still in minors and no where near ready.
CHICAGO-They should be number 4, Sabard, Shanhan Sheppard Tocchet, DSesjardins LIdster Hatcher and Belfour in net.

My TOP 5
Rangers
Red Wings
Capitals
Blackhawks
Islanders

Let see how the season rolls. Its Modano's team now.

[lawrence97]

1992/1993 Season

Target this year is to get Richer 100 points after his near Conn Smythe performance last year. Brind'Amour Bondra Olausson and Duchesne all promoted to top 2 lines. As they've played supporting roles last few years.

Yashin is already a beast at 18, and he goes straight onto the 3rd line and a little bit of powerplaytime. Richer-Modano-Neely is my top line. Richer is ranked 4th on lw, Modano 4th best Center, and Neely 2nd best Rw behind Hull. They should really light the lamp for us.

They take a few games to get going but that line is solid. We go 16-5 in first quarter, but Detroit and Edmonton are ahead with records of 17-4-0 and 15-3-1.

Halfway through Gretzky has 125 points, just insane. Rangers 34-8-0 for 68 With Red wings Islanders and Oilers all within 5 points.

3rd Quarter, Gretzky 178 points Lemieux 158. Rangers 105 points 10 ahead of Edmonton Detroit and Islanders. Rangers on pace for 580 goals. Richer, neely Linden and Bonda all on pace for 50+. Modano and Neely on pace for around 140/150.

End of season, and Gretzky has a slow end, gets to 218, 32 off the pace he has first half of the season. Lemieux another 200 point season. Rangers top with 136 pts, Calgary overtake Edmonton 115 to 109 points, Washington 114, Islanders 113. The young Flames and Islanders are now contendors. Chicago was the dissapointment. The nhl ranking of Toronto and Hartford, both top 4, were 8th and 15th. 46 100 point players, 9 are mine! And 18 50 goal scorers i get 4 of them! Rangers 567 goals, Detroit 422, Roll on playoffs, which will be keenly contested!

[lawrence97]

1992/1993 Playoffs

Round1: Biggest match up is Islanders Capitals, both of who can win cup. We get LIndros/Messier/Kariya line of Phiuladelphia. Only Lindros gets to 100 points. Detroit have a bannan skin opponent in Chicago who underpeformed in the regular season. Us Detroit Calgary all win in sweeps. Edmonton 2-2 with Kings, whilst Islanders Washington also ties at 2. Edmonton go out in 7, Washington win in 6.

Round2, Washington again! Fourth year in a row we meet in rnd 2, we've won 2. Hartford and Boston are in other division final, which is the weakest in NHL by far. We edge Washington in 6 despite Leetch and Fedorov's bes efforts.

Round3: In the conference finals in the west, the yuoung Flames led by Bure and Turgeon, face off against the juggernaut Red Wings. Calgary had 4 100 point scorers in Bure Stevems, Carson and Zubov. Turgeon on 97. They have threats everywhere. Detroit, lef by Gretzky and Hull, are just as deep, this should be fireworks! We get Hartford for second year in a row. Theyve yet to win a game against us i believe. they have Sakic and Kirk Muller, with Doug weight and Gartner on line 2. No great def but a Fuhr/Brodeur combo in goal. Calgary defeat the Red Wings in 6.

Stanley Cup Final Rangers won regular season match up 2-1.

Game 1: Bure puts the flames 1-0 after one. Palffy equalies, before Jan Larson of cgy and Duchesne of the rangers make it 2-2 at the end of the second. Jimmy Carson give the flames the lead 5 minutes into the 3rd, but Yashin score after 10, and Bondra wins it with 6 mins to go. Rangers in control it has to be said. Tabaracci does well saving 41 out of 45. He may well be the weak link in this team.


Game 2: Richer again showing up in playoffs, leading us with 23 point, just ahead of NIeuwendyk, i'm rolling all four lines evenly. Bure leads the way with 29 for the Flames. Gretzky top with 41. 2-0 to the Rangers, in a shock low scoring game, pretty sure thats a record, Bondra and Nedved with the goals!


Game3: A must win for Calgary, and a 1st period dominated 14 shots to 5 by the rangers leads to a 1-0 courtesy of Nedved. The next period is evenly fought, but Turgeon equalises, and Beafait gives them the lead. Nedved with his 2nd goal, and 3rd straight in the last two games ties it at 2, Jan Larson with his second of te series, makes it 3-2 calgary, before Ruotsalainen tries it at 3m 2 mins before the interval. The 3rd period Calgary out shoot the Rangers 14-11 and its they who get the only goal to trim the series to 2-1. Jimmy Carson with his 13th of the playoffs

Game4: The Rangers offence has dried somewhat in these playoffs, so i go back to the first three lines getting 18 mins each, Nedved is promoted to the third line for his last two performances. Yashin to the 4th line. it backfires spectacularly! One goal for the rangers, which came when they were 5-0 down in the 5th. Bure, Zamuner Sweeney and Stevens had made it 4-0 by the second period, Galley a 5th, Neely for us, and Craven with the exclamation mark goal for a 6-1 win. That was a shock!

Game5: Rangers back at home and do not want to go into Calgary down 3-2. I stick with the 3 lines, and this time we give Calgary a pasting. 8-1. Bondra and Bassen leave it at 1-1 after 13 mins of the 1st period, before Nedved and Palffy make it 3-1. Richer, Iafrate Rusto(2) Richer add the other 5 goals!

Game6: Well so much for low scoring. Bure with 1 goal and 3 assists Carson with 2 g 1 a, and we get thumped in Calgary again, 11-4! Our team is playing incredibly badly just at the wrong moment

Game7: And Rangers win, in a bizaare series, as its our turn for a thumping 9-2. Bondra with a hat trick, as a 5-0 first and a 4-1 second makes the 3rd period academic. Richer leads us with 30 points. Bure gets 35.

This is our 4th championship in 5 years. Islanders and Flames should be decent opposition for a few more years. But i fear we may be too strong with Pronger and Niedermayer coming through. Another expansion draft is coming, and we'll most likely lose Rusto and Duchesne.

Hart:Gretzky
Conn Smythe:Ruotsalainen
Calder:Paul Kariya-Philadelphia
Norris: Al Iafrate
Vezina-Hasek (Detroit)

[lawrence97]

1993/94 Draft and Expansion Draft

Chicago sent Shanahan to the Islanders for James Patrick. Weird trade as Islanders don't need forwards but do need def. However Shanahan is younger, and Bossy is 36 and not the player her way. Gives them a fearsome young top 6, of Tkachuk Selanne Mogilny Rolston Shanahan and Sundin!
Playoff rule change to my favourite which is seeding per conference bar division winners.

Not sure what the rules are for the expansion draft, as there are 2, and first one most of my team isn't even elligble and they can all be protected. So many good goalies in this expansion draft that Curits Joseph isn't even picked! He should have been though, Dafoe and Potvin are decent goalies to have!

Main Amateur Draft

I have Hartford 13th overall pick and i also have mine. I do however have an excess of players.

Def
Pronger not ready, but Niedermayer is and Steve Duchesnse is odd man out

GK
Only have 4 goalies on the book. Carey will be traded another year.

Off
Koavlev is promoted, Koivu Demitra and Satan in reserve. Damphousse is out.

Draft: Kiprusoff, Elias are superstars of the draft. Some good D, with Boyle and Jovanovski and Visnovsky. We are entering dead puck era, this is probably another era where i can easily dominate, especially when Gretzky retires.

I trade for 2 Penguins Pics-which is probably a mistake as i have lots of strong teams in my division now. Washington NYI and Pitt all have strong teams now. Leaves me with 9th 12 and 13th pick

1-Souray-Fla
2-Doan-Ana
3-Jovanovski-Ott
4-O'Neill-Stl
5-Elias-Tampa
6-Boyle-Mon
7-Sykota-San Jose
8-Smyth-Van
9-Vishnovsky-Rangers
10-Kiprusoff-Que
11-Theodore-Que
12-Hejduk Rangers
13-Vokoun Rangers

16 Drury-LAK

I wanted Kiprusoff-Elias-Boyle, and i got Vokoun-Hejduk-Vishnovksy.
Not a bad draft, but could have been better. I may well look to tade for those three players once they sign NHL contracts.


The third draft is all about Anaheim and Florida giving back some players to the 3 recents nhl teams, San Jose Ottawa and Tampa bay after the 2 drafts. Those terams get two players each

Florida choose to let Potvin go back available which is just crazy! Would have kept him over Healy but hey ho