A Look Back in History

In reviewing Tri-Hard!, I noticed that I never published my usual League preDICKtions. I only posted the Combine Results, which showcased my preDICKtions for the final League standings at season's end based on the Draft. I'll have to be more diligent next year in posting my annual League preDICKtions.

Aside, I was looking at the Combine Results last night and saw something peculiar. What did the Fucking Randy predict? Well, let's go back to October 6th, 2014 and see:

I had predicted a razor thin finish between Sitch and Burgs, followed by Safari, followed by Dick Burns and then Tree Bone. Hmmm... that sounds familiar doesn't it?

Adds McGuire: Phenomenal, Commissioner Randy. Spectacular insight. I agree 100% with what you just said. You brought up your preDICKtions way back in October before the season even started, and the actual final results don't lie. An oracle you are, Commissioner!

Thank you, McGuire. Now, for shits and giggles, I'm going to look back at the draft and highlight three absolute hidden gems.

JAMIE BENN (Safari, 7th overall) - What? This guy isn't a hidden gem. I know, but let me explain. Benn won the NHL scoring title this year, though Ovechkin finished with more fantasy points in Tri-Hard! Did any of you think that it would be Jamie Benn leading the NHL scoring race at season's end? I sure as hell didn't.

Safari, who was pissed that Sitch had taken Seguin in the first pick of the second round, retaliated by selecting Benn; the move ended up being a good one, as Seguin got injured during the season and allowed Benn to run away with the scoring title. Had Seguin been healthy, I think he could have challenged for the scoring title.

"It was a good selection (Benn)," said Safari. "Unfortunately, there were too many times this year where I benched him. I lost out on at least 50 fantasy points from benching the guy."

What a beaut!

JOE PAVELSKI (Safari, 27th overall) - Another solid pick by Safari, but he unfortunately cut him loose at the beginning of the season. Pavelski finished 6th in fantasy points by players (307.35), registering an impressive 37 G and 33 A playing for San Jose (remember when they were contenders?). Pavelski was subsequently picked up by Burgundy on October 26th, 2014; it was a huge cash-in for Burgundy and assisted in his rise to the top.

GO JOE!

PEKKA RINNE (Sitch, 55th overall) - For most of the season, Sitch was dummying the goalie statistics; the group consisting of Lundqvist, Rinne, Andersen and Crawford were all stellar and combined for an over 70% win percentage. Rinne, in particular, was a big part of that; he won 41 starts and collected 320.75 fantasy points, ahead of names such as Rask, Quick, Bishop and Crawford. Rinne and the Predators cooled off in the last quarter of the season, but Nashville still looks like a potential contender in the playoffs this year, so the late pick by Sitch was a true gem.

I don't understand what's going on here...

"What the heck?" said Dick Burns. "What about my selection of Carey Price? He finished first in goalie fantasy points!"

True, but he's not a hidden gem in my opinion. Carey Price is a household name; I was looking for unknown surprises. Sorry Dick, but you have no say in this. IT'S MY BLOG.

"Oh yeah, well... (grabs microphone) IT'S MY LIFE!"

Wise words, Dick.

(If any of you don't understand the IT'S MY LIFE reference, check your Facebook immediately.)