2017 MLB Fantasy Draft

It’s that time of the year again! Pitchers and Catchers Report in 4 Days and counting, which means spring training is just around the corner and baseball is officially on it’s way back. Which means your mlb fantasy draft is also quickly approaching… so let’s start mock drafting! Here are your top 5 picks:

MIKE TROUT (LAA) OF – Can’t choose anyone but the best player in baseball to go 1st overall. It’s rare that the best player in the game also happens to be the best fantasy player. 

KRIS BRYANT (CHC) 3B, OF – Coming off an MVP, World Series Ring, Blue Jays bias aside… I can’t think of a third baseman I’d rather have. He’s young, and he’s only getting better.

JOSE ALTUVE (HOU) 2B – He steals, he hits, he has power…and there’s not many 2nd basemen out there that can touch him. Position scarcity puts him in my top 3.

MOOKIE BETTS (BOS) OF – Mookie seemingly came out of nowhere to contend for AL MVP late last season, and he probably would’ve won it if Big Papi didn’t have his crazy farewell year. Look for him to improve on last season’s stats.

JOSH DONALDSON (TOR) 3B – Simply put, his last 2 seasons combined have been insane. He hasn’t shown any signs of regression, and should continue to smash, with Bautista continuing to bat after him. 

Super Bowl 51 Recap

28-3…I still can’t get over it. At the half, the Patriots had a statistical 4 percent chance to come back and win. And somehow they did – that is why I love sports. I said it in the week leading up to the Super Bowl, you just can’t rule out Brady & Belichick. But the big question that everyone has is… did the Patriots win this game, or did the Falcons blow it? 

Some questionable decisions were made when the Falcons were leading the charge in the 4th quarter. Specifically, why did they continue to throw it? Matt Ryan dropping back to throw the ball and getting sacked ultimately pushed him out of field goal range. Whereas if they chose to run the ball, like you’re supposed to when you’re leading by that amount, then they wouldn’t have continuously turned it over. It seems that ‘not running’ has delivered the Patriots their last 2 championship titles – Tom Brady is one lucky man but I guess you gotta be good to be lucky.

Brady comes out of this with his NFL Record breaking 5th Super Bowl title. So whatever your thoughts are on the guy, it’s hard to not respect him as the best ever. He truly had an MVP performance in this game: 466 yards and 2 touchdowns. All without his best receiver (Gronk). The scary part is, despite his age he doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. He once joked about playing until he’s 50, and I’m suddenly thinking that wasn’t entirely a joke. 

I’m not a Pats fan per se, but what we are watching right now is a full on sports dynasty; One that will go down in history. So if I can look back on this moment in time and say that I watched the best quarterback ever, and probably the best coach ever, win super bowl after super bowl… then I’m good with that. I’m ready to see another one… so… Lets Go Pats!

NHL 2nd Half Lookahead

As the Nhl’s unofficial 2nd half begins we take a look at where the Canadian teams stand and how they’ve performed so far this season. Compared to this point last year where 0 Canadian teams made the postseason for the first time in about 40 years…I’d say it was a pretty decent review…it’s Report Card Time!

The Ottawa senators have exceeded all expectations so far this season, all while doing so without some notable players: Craig Anderson has played in just 19 games due to personal reasons, Clarke Macarthur never played a game, and their highest paid player Bobby Ryan, has recorded just 19 points. But with all that, the Sens find themselves in 2nd place in the Atlantic Division, threatening for the Division lead. Watch out for the Sensations. 

Our next stop is in Oil town, where the young guns looks like they have arrived… with the added elite play of Cam Talbot, and solid offseason acquisitions that have seemed to have worked out (Lucic, Larsson), Edmonton finds themselves currently tied for 1st in the Pacific Division. The last time the oilers were in a playoff spot this late into the year, it was the 2009 season… it took a long time but it appears the turnaround has finally begun.

Next up… les Habitans. The Habs have cooled off a bit since their great start, but still remain in 1st place in their division and destined for a playoff berth. It’s been a tale of 2 seasons for Montreal, going 17-6-2 in their 1st 25 games, followed by 12-8-5 in their next 25, but it’s worth noting that no Canadian team has dealt with more key injuries. The expectations for this team are high, and their window to win is shrinking.

Leafs nation has to be pleased with what they’ve seen in the first half; Toronto’s kids have been dominating the league this season, exceeding all the expectations from experts to fans alike – who were preparing themselves for another top 5 pick. With Nazem Kadri playing the best hockey of his career, and Freddy Andersen earning every cent of his new contract, the leafs are threatening for a playoff spot… and would be in one if they hadn’t blown several winnable games this season.

Let’s head west to Vancouver, where the Canucks are, believe it or not, just 1 point out of a wild card spot. At one point this season there was a “willie watch” and a desperate cry from ‘nucks nation to start the rebuild. The Canucks have struggled to score this season and that may ultimately be their downfall. But for a team to make the postseason that many expected to finish as a bottom 5 team, they have to get some credit.

The Calgary flames enter the 2nd half clinging onto the last wild card spot, having lost 7 of their last 10 games, and scoring just 4 goals in 3 games on their last Canadian road trip. Unfortunately their big offseason acquisition of Brian Elliott has not panned out exactly as the flames had hoped. But after a 26th place finish last season, Calgary has exceeded some expectations and have shown flashes that they deserve to be where they are in the standings.

Last but not least, the Winnipeg jets, who have struggled all year with their goaltending woes. Hutchinson, Hellebuyck, and now the recently recalled Pavelec have all attempted to right the ship, and have all ostensibly come up short. The Jets have proven they can score goals, but not at the pace they let them into their own net; a minus 11 goal differential can be problematic. The Jets are the only Canadian team with an under .500 record, but like most, are still within striking range of the wild card.

2017 NFL Fantasy Draft 'Lookaheadge'

It’s never too early to look ahead to next season, especially if this fantasy season has been a bust for you. Well, for me it has and that’s why I’m planning ahead for next year. Here’s how it breaks down:

BELL (PIT) – The best running back in the game, who makes a ton of catches as well, hopefully not facing a suspension this season. He’s my number 1 overall pick.

BROWN (PIT) – Enter scene the best wide receiver in the game – who also happens to be on Pittsburgh. Brown is a stud who should go #1 or #2 in most drafts.

ZEKE ELLIOTT (DAL) – A sleeper no longer, Zeke Elliott is one of the best players in the game, playing with the best O-line in the game. Some may choose him over Bell, but he doesn’t catch as much.

DAVID JOHNSON (ARI) – the guy has over 600 yards receiving already – he may finish the season close to 1,000. Oh yah and he can run too. 

JULIO JONES (ATL) – It’s tough to put him above ODB but I just trust Matt Ryan over Eli Manning –either way you can’t go wrong.

ODELL BECKHAM JR (NYG) – Getting a player of this skill level at #6 is pretty amazing. You should be thrilled to end up with the #5 or #6 pick in your pool.

DEMARCO MURRAY (TEN) – He’s back, and no longer will fall into the later rounds. He looks like the D-Mar of old, and on an emerging Titans squad.

AMARI COOPER (OAK) – With Derek Carr becoming one of the elite QB’s in the game, getting his favourite target is essential.

DEANDRE HOPKINS (HOU) – If only he had a quarterback to throw to him, then he would be a top 5 pick.

MIKE EVANS (TB) – Wide Receivers are going fast and furious, and you can’t go wrong going with arguably the most underrated one in the league.

AARON RODGERS (GB) –I hate going with Quarterbacks so early, but you may as well reach for the best fantasy one in the league.

ROB GRONKOWSKI (NE) – If he’s healthy, he is the biggest game changer in the game.

JAY AJAYI (MIA) – the day of Jay has arrived. He should be a 2nd round pick you should be comfortable picking.

DEMARYIUS THOMAS (DEN) – Even without Peyton Manning, the dude still can catch.

TODD GURLEY (LA) – Last year he was a top 5 pick. He’ll drop a bit this year but he should rebound a bit.

JORDAN HOWARD (CHI) -  A full season as the number 1 guy in Chicago should give him 2nd round status without a doubt.

DREW BREES (NO) – Time to go with another QB, and it’s a toss up between Brees or….

TOM BRADY (NE) – No more deflategate issues that he has to deal with. He should be a monster with a full preseason and training camp this time around.

JORDY NELSON (GB) – Rodgers favourite target…and with Randall Cobb’s rapid regression, there’s no questioning this pick.

LAMAR MILLER (HOU) – He should explode next year. He got off to a slow start, unable to find the endzone – but next year should be a fresh start.

 

NHL 1st Half Thoughts

Sidney Crosby is still the best player on the planet

Can we please put this conversation to bed? For some reason everyone wants the new wave of young blood to take over the torch…but it’s just not happening…yet. Sid the kid (who is almost 30) had probably the best year any hockey player could possibly have: Stanley Cup, World Cup, and MVP’s in both tournaments. And he currently leads the league in goals in much fewer games than anyone else. 

But Connor McDavid is not far behind

Although Crosby isn’t ready to hand over the crown, in just his 2nd season, Connor McDavid looks like he’s right there and ready to grasp at greatness. Leading the league in points for most of the season, Connor simply looks a level above everyone he plays with / against.  When Crosbystarts to slow down, McDavid will be ready to be crowned for many different accolades. 

The Canadiens are coming out of the East

Last year the Habs suffered a huge loss with Carey Price going down for the season and simply could not recover – they promptly plummeted down the standings and easily missed the playoffs. This year, however, they suffered through the injury bug as well (Desharnais, Shaw, Markov, Galchenyuk) and have come through it looking no worse for wear. If the Habs took lessons from last year’s adversity, then they will have no problem getting out of the East Conference.

The Leafs are making the playoffs…next year

This team isn’t just exciting…they’re good! What the leafs lack in experience, they make up for in offensive upside. The Buds lead the league in most points among rookies with 118, the next highest team being the Winnipeg Jets with 43. They’ve blown too many games late in the 3rd period this year, but with valuable lessons learned, Toronto should be primed to take next step the following year. 

NHL Goalie Power Rankings

  1. Carey Price (MTL)
  2. Braden Holtby (WS)
  3. Henrik Lunqvist (NYR)
  4. Tuukka Rask (BOS)
  5. Pekka Rinne (NSH)
  6. Jonathan Quick (LA)
  7. Sergei Bobrovsky (CBJ)
  8. Ben Bishop (TB)
  9. Cory Schneider (NJ)
  10. Corey Crawford (CHI)
  11. Craig Anderson (OTT)
  12. Ryan Miller (VAN)
  13. Devan Dubnyk (MIN)
  14. Roberto Luongo (FLA)
  15. John Gibson (ANA)
  16. Cam Ward (CAR)
  17. Jake Allen (STL)
  18. Semyon Varlamov (COL)
  19. Jimmy Howard (DET)
  20. Cam Talbot (EDM)
  21. Martin Jones (SJ)
  22. Jaroslav Halak (NYI)
  23. Kari Lehtonen (DAL)
  24. Frederik Andersen (TOR)
  25. Matt Murray (PIT)
  26. Brian Elliott (CGY)
  27. Steve Mason (PHI)
  28. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG)
  29. Mike Smith (PHX)
  30. Robin Lehner (BUF)

NBA Top 20 Players Ranked

With all the drama surrounding Sports Illustrated ranking Demar Derozan 46th overall in the NBA, I figured I would give my own current power rankings. Take in mind this is pretty subjective and my opinion of some of these players change weekly, but this is what I currently have:

  1. Lebron James (CLE)
  2. Steph Curry (GSW)
  3. Kawhi Leonard (SA)
  4. Russell Westbrook (OKC)
  5. Kevin Durant (GSW)
  6. James Harden (HOU)
  7. Anthony Davis (NO)
  8. DeMarcus Cousins (SAC)
  9. Damian Lillard (POR)
  10. Demar Derozan (TOR)
  11. Klay Thompson (GSW)
  12. Kyrie Irving (CLE)
  13. Isaiah Thomas (BOS)
  14. Jimmy Butler (CHI)
  15. Paul George (IND)
  16. Blake Griffin (LAC)
  17. John Wall (WSH)
  18. Andrew Wiggins (MIN)
  19. Cj McCollum (POR)
  20. Kristaps Porzingis (NYK)

Super Bowl 51 Preview

It’s one of the most anticipated Super Bowls in recent memory, and for good reason. The Best Offence against the Best Defence is a matchup the seldom happens but when it does, it never disappoints…except when it does (see Seahawks vs Broncos Super Bowl). The Falcons lead the NFL with 33.8 points per game, while the Patriots have allowed the fewest: 15.6 points per game. 

This is a tough matchup; Every time I lean one way, I pull back the other way. This is Tom Brady’s 7th Super Bowl appearance, he knows what it takes to win….on the other hand, he’s missing his best weapon: Gronk. 

The Falcons have the best Offence in the league…but defence wins championships. Belichick is the best Coach, arguably ever….but he tends to cheat and who knows that he has up his sleeve this game. Julio Jones is the best player playing in this game…and he tends to disappear sometimes.I truly am torn on this decision… my heart says Atlanta, but my mind says never bet against Brady and Belichick. 

At the end of the day, what I’m really thinking is that after all that deflategate crap… Tom Brady is motivated and inspired. He’s determined to win the 5th title and receive the Lombardi trophy from Goodell in quite possibly the most awkward exchange ever. 

And for that reason I’m taking PATRIOTS (-3) over the FALCONS in Super Bowl 51.

Dark Side Picks 2017