Yahoo Pro Leagues

[Tim]

What are your experiences with them? I've never done one or played with money before but I'm considering it now.

[Mike]

I've only played in one to date.

There are a few things I didn't like:

1. They use the Yahoo can't cut list. I don't like can't cut lists as they impose a double-penalty on teams with injured stars.
2. Trades can be protested to the Yahoo staff. They get the final say on whether a trade goes through or not and there is absolutely no explanation for the decision. It really feels like a man behind a curtain is saying VETO. And there is no recourse if the trade is vetoed or accepted. Yahoo has the final say.
3. At the time, Yahoo only offered Pro Leagues in the "head-to-head" format. I'm not a fan of that style of fantasy hockey as I believe (based on gut and factual data) that their playoff format is more luck-based than skill-based.

What did I like?

1. The draft was well-attended.
2. Nearly every team made at least 20 roster moves during the season.
3. Most managers remained competitive throughout the season.

Trades:

There were six trades consummated in our league. Two additional trades were vetoed by the Yahoo staff. These particular trades came in March when certain teams are in need of certain statistical categories. The trades that were vetoed looked like this:

Nash/Niemi for Gaborik/Luongo
Mike Smith for Ryan Callahan

[Rocketman9]

Not available in Canada!

[Tim]

I've only played in one to date.

There are a few things I didn't like:

1. They use the Yahoo can't cut list. I don't like can't cut lists as they impose a double-penalty on teams with injured stars.
2. Trades can be protested to the Yahoo staff. They get the final say on whether a trade goes through or not and there is absolutely no explanation for the decision. It really feels like a man behind a curtain is saying VETO. And there is no recourse if the trade is vetoed or accepted. Yahoo has the final say.
3. At the time, Yahoo only offered Pro Leagues in the "head-to-head" format. I'm not a fan of that style of fantasy hockey as I believe (based on gut and factual data) that their playoff format is more luck-based than skill-based.

What did I like?

1. The draft was well-attended.
2. Nearly every team made at least 20 roster moves during the season.
3. Most managers remained competitive throughout the season.

Trades:

There were six trades consummated in our league. Two additional trades were vetoed by the Yahoo staff. These particular trades came in March when certain teams are in need of certain statistical categories. The trades that were vetoed looked like this:

Nash/Niemi for Gaborik/Luongo
Mike Smith for Ryan Callahan

If I did do one it would be head to head so that doesn't affect me. I can see what you're saying about the playoffs being luck-based, but I think I would lose a lot of interest in a rotisserie league which they do offer this year. I don't like the idea of the yahoo approving or vetoing trades at all. I like that it would be more active, but all of my leagues are really active because if you're not, expect to be replaced haha. 8 total trades is really low. Every league I've been in has had at least 10 with most closer to 20.

[Tim]

Not available in Canada!

Are they available in Canada this year? That really makes no sense as you would think there are more fantasy hockey players there than any other country...

[Mike]

Not available in Canada!

Illegal in the following states (though I'm 99% sure Maryland reversed their policy on this recently):

Arizona
Illinois
Iowa
Louisiana
Maryland**
Montana
Vermont
Washington

**Update: It is legal for Maryland residents to engage in fantasy-sports-for-money ventures (the Yahoo website hasn't edited their list of states to reflect this yet).

Source: http://blogs.findlaw.com/tarnished_t...ue-prizes.html

[Mike]

...in a rotisserie league which they do offer this year.

That is great news for me. If we get a season, I'll likely be joining a few of these.

[Tim]

That is great news for me. If we get a season, I'll likely be joining a few of these.

They also have much bigger leagues this year money-wise. $100 entry leagues are available now. I'm not positive but I don't think that was offered last year.

[Mike]

They also have much bigger leagues this year money-wise. $100 entry leagues are available now. I'm not positive but I don't think that was offered last year.

Those $600 payouts look mighty tempting. You can be sure we'll be putting the FSI to work this season!