RHL16 was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the 'Hangers, who have had little success since prior to the league format change a few seasons back. Back in the traditional format, nearing the halfway point the Strap Hangers are hanging in there, 12-12-4, 3 points out of 1st in the Patrick Division with a game in hand. This year's team really only has 2 stars, Chris Pronger and Ed Belfour, both who will unlikely be back in RHL17. Coming over in a trade at the beginning of the season, the GM was mocked unmercifully for trading for this guy, who is overpaid but very talented. Pronger leads the team in points, 4 goals and 14 assists through 28 games, who is an offensive upgrade over the guy that was trade for him, Keith Carney. With finances tight they had to drop Ziggy Palffy, along with other salary dumps to get in the black, and they're still competing at a high level with Ed Belfour and his 2.05 GAA.
Come RHL17 the team should get better offensively with guys like Maxim Afinogenov, David Vyborny, Sergei Samsonov, and Chuck Kobasew all looking like 20+ goal scorers. The farm cupboard is bare however with only goalie prospect antero Niitymaki looking to crack the RHL17 lineup, so don't be surprised if by the trade deadline this team is out of it that they deal off free agents to be Roman Hamrlik, Ed Belfour, Chris Pronger, Jeff Halpern, Richard Zednik, and Darius Kasparaitis for some future help.
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