> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Wednesday's FTB: The End of the Beginning - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/wednesdays-ftb-the-end-of-the-beginning/ - Published: 2016-09-14T10:00:08.000Z - Updated: 2016-09-14T10:00:08.000Z - Description: WCH news, NHL predictions, NSA spies. Er, I mean, nothing. - Author: Acting the Fulemin - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:27 The final three WCH pre-tournament games go today, beginning with the Czechs taking on Team North America at 3:30 PM, and continuing with Sweden-Europe at 7:00 PM and Canada-Russia at 7:30 PM. We'll have a full preview later this morning, as well nafio's WHW links and a piece from Lord Captain Commander Wheeler. #### ICYMI [Species: WCH Recap - Team USA Defeats Team Finland 3-2](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/world-cup-of-hockey-recap-team-usa-defeats-team-finland-3-2/) The Finns didn't come ready to play and couldn't make the comeback. [Elseldo: The 1996 World Cup of Hockey](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/tv-review-orchestrating-an-upset-the-1996-world-cup-of-hockey-nhl-network-originals/) Seldo reviews the NHL Network doc on the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, where Team USA shocked Team Canada. The American "beat-'em-in-the-alley" strategy is not a new one. [50 MC: Why Your Team Sucks - Carolina Hurricanes](https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/why-your-team-sucks-carolina-hurricanes/) Carolina are the ultimate just-part-of-the-furniture team for me. They don't stand out in my mind at all for the past five years. #### Links [MLHS: The Toronto Maple Leafs' Penalty Kill](https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2016/09/13/toronto-maple-leafs-systems-analysis-the-penalty-kill/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) MLHS looks at how the Leafs' surprisingly effective PK worked. We might miss Michael Grabner more than you expect, y'know. [Today's Slapshot: Three Quality NHL Players That May Not Impress Next Season](http://www.todaysslapshot.com/one-timers/three-quality-nhl-players-may-not-impress-next-season/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Zdeno Chara's really slowing down, which makes me feel old. I remember when he was the most dominant defender in hockey. Sunrise, sunset. [DGB: Ranking Team North Americas Throughout The Years](http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/world-cup-of-hockey/goes-brown-team-north-america-years/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) DGB made Team North Americas for previous Canada and World Cups. This is the most popular gimmick the NHL has introduced since 3 on 3 OT. [Fear the Fin: The Case for Russia](http://www.fearthefin.com/2016/9/13/12896478/world-cup-of-hockey-2016-the-case-for-russia?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Look, we tried capitalism, and it hasn't worked. Let's collectivize the means of production and see what happens. [Habs Eyes On The Prize: Team USA Preview](http://www.habseyesontheprize.com/2016/9/13/12711864/2016-world-cup-of-hockey-united-states-usa-team-preview-roster-x-factors-max-pacioretty-schneider?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) I think USA is nearing the point of being underrated. Their forward group is still very deep and they're likely to get good goaltending. The fifth-or-sixth-best team can still win a short tournament. [Blueshirt Banter: NHL 17 Review](http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/2016/9/13/12864154/ea-sports-nhl-17-video-game-review?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) If they can't lower the rankings because it'll hurt the players' feelings, can they at least give me the option to bell curve them over a wider stretch? It drives me nuts that everyone in the goddamn league is between 80 and 86. [Locker Room Hero: How Good Can Matthews And Co. Be?](https://lockerroomhero.com/2016/09/14/how-good-can-matthews-co-be/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) I wrote something like this for tomorrow, and of course now someone beats me to it. But it's a quality look at how we might expect the Leafs to improve next season as their percentages get better. [Sabres T25U25 #15: Rasmus Asplund](http://www.diebytheblade.com/2016/9/13/12896802/top-25-under-25-15-rasmus-asplund?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Man, Asplund is a really neat-looking pick at 33rd OA. Please work out, Yegor Korshkov. I need it. [Jets T25U25 #21: Jansen Harkins](http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2016/9/13/12903094/winnipeg-jets-2016-top-25-under-25-21-jansen-harkins?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Remember back when we were ranking Rinat Valiev 21st? We were so young and innocent then. [Devils T25U25 #15-11:](http://www.allaboutthejersey.com/2016/9/13/12896592/the-2016-aatj-top-25-devils-under-25-the-middle-of-the-pack-15---11?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) The Artists Formerly Known As In Lou We Trust do their T25 rankings in bunches. Note: I played a Be A GM mode as the Devils in NHL 13, and I can report Scott Wedgewood is never going to get better. Sorry, Devils fans. As always, feel free to add your own links.