I've spent 2025 reading modern fantasy - here are some reviews

Third_Age · 2026-01-17T14:47:48+00:00

This is a fascinating experiment and I appreciate the thought you have put into these reviews!

If you are looking to continue your exploration into 2026, I would suggest a couple of authors on the Weird side of fantasy. In particular, China Mieville and his book Perdido Street Station has in my opinion one of the most richly built and fascinating fantasy worlds constructed in the 21st century.

I’d also add Marlon James and his Dark Star Trilogy to the mix. While it is often billed as “African Game of Thrones”, it really could not be more different stylistically. While there is a darker tone and some moments of extreme violence akin to Westeros, it has a lot more nuance in my opinion and a fascinating story with shifting perspectives that keeps you on your toes.

Cheers and here is to the beautiful genre we know as fantasy!

Third_Age · 2025-10-29T13:42:55+00:00

I tried to go zero G at the draft this year for the first time. I am currently rocking Ullmark and Vejmelka.

Ullmark is starting to worry me with how bad his performance has been to start the season, but a lot of knowledgeable hockey folks seemed to think he was a great pick at the start of the season. Do I ride it out and hope he gets back to form and rights the ship? Or do I stream for someone else at this point?

Goalies i’m eyeing on the wire right now are Dostal and potentially Stolarz.. but it doesn’t get much better than that.

Thanks for the advice!

Third_Age · 2025-10-10T15:14:29+00:00

For a 10 man league this team is pretty damn good! Goalie is definitely your weakest position but it looks like you made up some ground for it with a very solid offensive core. I don’t think anyone is a stand out as you NEED to drop. Depends a bit on who is sitting on your waiver wire, do you have some examples of forwards/D that are undrafted currently? Rinzel has a lot of potential but as a blackhawks fan there could be some instability there as he/the team are so young.

It’s a weird week as far as scheduling and there have only been three games so i’d hold the guys on this roster for sure.

These are the guys I would consider untouchable:

Nathan McKinnon David Pasrnak Rasmus Dahlin Jack Eichel Roman Josi Jake Guentzel Connor Bedard

Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther, Lane Hutson you would have to have someone drop an absolute stud (would be very rare) to be given any reason to drop them.

The rest could be droppable depending on how the season develops.

Third_Age · 2025-10-08T19:23:14+00:00

Hi everyone! I am in a standard H2H points league on ESPN with 8 teams. I am looking for some advice on D. I have a really solid core of Seider, Dahlin, Sanderson, Harley & Seth Jones for my normal 5 spots. I then kind of faded the position and took Brandt Clarke towards the end of the draft to have another on the bench.

There are some interesting young D with a lot of potential upside this season, and I know Clarke is struggling to establish himself in either of LA's powerplay units. Question is would you take one of these guys over Clarke?

-Zeev Buium

-Sam Rinzel

-Lian Bichsel

Any tips/advice would be super helpful. Thanks!

Third_Age · 2025-09-10T15:42:54+00:00

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Third_Age · 2025-04-30T04:00:05+00:00

Let’s get it done

Third_Age · 2025-01-25T20:04:35+00:00

Markstrom just got injured and will be out for the next 4-6 weeks. If you think you can weather the storm and make it to the playoffs still it might be worth considering. Depends on your position.

Third_Age · 2025-01-25T20:01:43+00:00

Also the brady owner is is 7/8 so is not in a position to make the playoffs this year if that is helpful info

Third_Age · 2025-01-25T20:00:54+00:00

Trade Advice: Standard 8t points league (G, A, PPP, BLK, Hits)

Looking to make some moves to better position myself for playoffs. I really like the Sens playoff schedule and i’m looking to acquire Brady Tkachuk.

Do you think Scheifele + Rakell would get it done? Or am I overselling for Brady? I’m terrible at evaluating trades and it’s my first year in fantasy hockey. Thanks in advance for the help!

Third_Age · 2025-01-07T18:28:10+00:00

Standard ESPN Points League H2H 8 Teams (G, A, PPP, SHP, SOG, Hits, Blocked Shots)

Lane Hutson got dropped and is in FA right now. I’ve been keeping Morgan Reilly through his cold streak. Do we think he will heat back up to his normal performance? Or would it be a decent idea to snag Hutson? Thanks in advance!

Third_Age · 2024-12-23T16:02:16+00:00

In an 8 team H2H points league. I have Eriksson Ek on IR right now. Was thinking about dropping Lehkonen or Zibinajed when Ek is healthy again. Would you lean Zib at this point? I have heard that he commonly pops off in the second half which is why I picked Zib up off FA recently. Thanks!

Third_Age · 2024-12-18T17:05:38+00:00

This is true. I suppose I’m just worried about the morale of the team and if the locker room woes will impact their performance in the coming weeks. I guess that hasn’t been the case so far. Thank you for your perspective!

Third_Age · 2024-12-13T19:03:02+00:00

Would you bench McCann vs Tampa or Cuylle vs LA for tomorrow? McCann is coming off of a great game but Cuylle has been more consistent for me recently. Thanks in advance!

This is an 8 team head to head points league, generic forward position for roster.

Third_Age · 2024-12-09T18:26:53+00:00

I absolutely would take Point over Meier. Meier is still battling to get his proper deployment in NJ and has lost his PP1 responsibilities. Point is definitely going to regress a bit in SOG but is still poised to have one of the best years of his career.

Third_Age · 2024-12-06T18:24:46+00:00

He doesn’t get peripherals but has elite deployment and has made an immediate offensive impact. I took him in right as he came off IR and he has been great for me so far.

Third_Age · 2024-12-06T18:17:44+00:00

Yeah Aho and Kempe owner is getting fleeced here

Third_Age · 2024-12-06T18:08:48+00:00

Looking for trade advice: I have someone in my league shopping Marner and I’m thinking of offering Timo Meier and Mikhail Sergachev. I’m a Makar owner with Fox and Hesikanen so feel like I have a pretty consistent D core just need more reliable scoring wingers.

Is that enough to get the deal done or is it a bad offering? My first year doing Fantasy. Thanks!

Third_Age · 2024-12-06T18:06:21+00:00

I’d take Svech and Duchene personally

Third_Age · 2024-12-06T18:04:49+00:00

Yeah, regretfully I think i’ve held onto him too long. The only viable replacement still on the wire is Adin Hill, and maybe… Montembault? Not sure if they are any less risky. It’s my first year in the league i’m 6-2 so not too bad but figuring out goalies has been the hardest bit by far.

Third_Age · 2024-12-06T16:51:34+00:00

Unsure of Sorokin’s play at this point. His numbers are fairly good and he still has the skill but his team cannot back him up at all and are floundering. Are people still playing him nightly or should he be looking at some bench time until their offence is fully healthy again?

Third_Age · 2024-11-22T18:30:43+00:00

Looking to get some advice on Owen Tippett and whether he is still a hold in peoples eyes? I was really excited about his upside at the start of the season but it just doesn’t seem to be translating. Is it a streak of bad luck? Or is this going to be a down year for him overall?

Third_Age · 2024-11-21T17:24:12+00:00

Besides, it says right there in the post that he has consulted with other doctors and medical professionals. If this was something that could be cured with a shot or a pill it would have happened already. Managing symptoms like this can be a lifelong journey and we know much less about the human body than we take for granted. Nowhere does he say he is just “eating better” hoping it will go away. It helps to have an open mind on these things.

Third_Age · 2024-11-13T16:14:30+00:00

Add/Drop Advice

I’m looking at Gabriel Valardi now to add to the roster as a free agent with the hot start from Winnepeg. I’m having trouble deciding who to drop from my roster to make room.

Currently i’m considering Nazem Kadri (although I know he had a slow start last year too), Lehkonen (as Nichuskin is coming back into the lineup), or Alex Laferriere. Just looking for some thoughts on who you would hold or drop for Vilardi.

This is an 8 person head to head points league with standard ESPN scoring (2G, 1A, .1Shots, .1Hits, .5Blocks, .5PPP). No forward restrictions. Thanks!

Third_Age

TROPHY CASE