Dangles13

Otto Axelsson Forward Assists Points

Las Vegas Aces Ottawa Lynx Yukon Rush Oslo Storm

Rush 3-1

"Captain Obvious", a well earned moniker

Are you sure you didn't count your NHL18 wins in there?

1. What happens in a seven-game series between the Rush and the Aces? 2. What has been the hardest part of the season for you? 3. If you could be any kind of animal which would you pick and why? 4. Favourite pre-game meal? 5. Do you party after the games or do you wait for off days?

Being called into my former general managers' office last week put me into a state of anxiety and fear, so this week when I was called into my new coaches office I was scared, to say the least. The same warm rush of blood crept onto my face as I started nervously perspiring, my feet felt like anchors as I forced myself down the hall and towards the coaching offices of the facility. I thought for sure that everyone in a two-mile radius could hear my heart hammering against my chest. I have not been playing great since I got shipped from the Wild to the Aces and I knew I was about to get benched or worse, "can a team ship me back like a defective part" I asked myself in my head. I came to the door to the coaches office which pulled me from my daydreaming, my greasy hand fumbled with the doorknob, I was in no hurry to enter this room and discover my fate. Ominously, the old wooden door creaked open revealing a room that was dark except for an old lamp that sat upon an old wooden desk. I had a coach one time tell me that mood lighting was key to all interactions between people; the dark and foreboding nature of the singular incandescent bulb sent my anxiety into high alert as I struggled not to faint. "Otto, you look terrified, have a seat before you fall over please" boomed out the coach. I was shocked as he looked genuinely concerned for me, perhaps he was not about to "tear me a new asshole" or whatever it was that McDragon had told me I was in for. "Son, you should relax. I didn't call you here to make you feel bad, I want to make sure everything is ok with you" the coach said in a much more gentle tone. I was able to convince myself to relax a tiny bit, "what do you mean am I ok" I questioned of my coach. "Are you fitting in alright? Is anybody giving you a hard time? Do you not like my coaching? I just want to see if we can't work together to bust this slump you seem to be in since becoming an Ace". Finally, I was able to ease my nerves. "uh, well... I don't know coach. I feel like I was supposed to be a big part of this team and so far I have let everyone down. I don't know what to do, I feel like the more I try to do the worse I play". Coach smiled and said "well naturally Otto, you're a competitor and you want to win. You gotta stop putting so much pressure on yourself and just let the game come to you though. I have been looking over a few things and I have some things that I need you to work on over the next few weeks. I have some drills that we can do together as well to get your skating and positioning better, can you handle this Otto"? "Oh for sure coach, I really want to help us win and I will do whatever you need. Thank you for believing in me, I had kind of lost my way the last few weeks. You will see a new Otto very soon"! I proclaimed as took the binder from his hands and rushed out of the room, filled with excitement.

The early days in Las Vegas were not kind to Otto Axelsson. The forward who was supposed to be a huge injection of offence into the lineup struggled mightily early on. Six games and zero points for Otto made it appear like the Aces made a huge mistake on their deadline gamble. Since then, the coaching staff worked with the young Swedish man on a few aspects of his game and the results have been great. Eight games later and Axelsson has potted three goals while also dishing out five apples to his teammates. The rough defensive play that saw Axelsson hemorrhage goals against has been replaced by smart reads that lead to goal scoring opportunities; minus five in the first six games has turned into plus six over his last eight as the game seems to be slowing down for Otto. The coach has taken notice of Axelsson's improved play as well. No longer is Otto stapled to the bench until the stars are too tired and need a break. Axelsson is getting tapped on the shoulder more and more as the coach trusts his player to get the job done. Otto has gone from 13 minutes a night to over 20 now and last game the Swede logged over 25 minutes!

More like... bad win.

Back on track!

About time Axelsson does something.

3 goals on 6 shots in the second period.

What is this?

Boy, did you get hosed. Axelsson is garbage.

Thank you.

VHL Player Name: Otto Axelsson NHL(etc) Render Name: Elias Lindholm VHL Team Name: Seattle Bears Desired Text/Sub-Text: Otto Axelsson Preferred Colors: Make it sexy like I know you can Anything else?: Thanks in advance!

In a recent trade, the Saskatoon Wild traded stars Otto Axelsson and Dragon McDragon to the Las Vegas Aces. The Wild received a 1st, 2nd and a 3rd round pick for the two studs and looks poised to kick off the rebuild in good fashion. Since arriving in Las Vegas, Axelsson, the young Swede has been underwhelming, to say the least. Despite the Aces going 4-2 in the six games since the trade, Otto has so far managed exactly zero points. An ugly -5 over that span certainly is reminiscent of Otto's early career struggles when he fizzled out of professional hockey for a season. Has Axelsson lost all confidence? Was Axelsson just a byproduct of a good system in Saskatoon or was he carried by far better players? The pivot has been a ghost out there and the coach has reduced his minutes to a lowly 13 per game, 15 less than he was logging when he had Dragomir on his wing. Perhaps this is just a case of a player needing to find chemistry with new linemates and over time the forward will come into his own and show the same dynamic playmaking that he exhibited with the Wild.

Las Vegas Aces [5] Yukon Rush [6]

Oslo Storm Las Vegas Aces Yukon Rush Las Vegas Aces

"Could you come into my office Otto"? are the words I hear from the doorway after our latest team meeting. Right away I get nervous and I can feel my face flush; I don't do well with authority figures and the General Manager is the top dog in the organization. Reluctantly, I gather myself and prepare for the worst. Somehow, my boss is already down the hall and sitting comfortably in his chair despite being in the doorway of the video room two seconds ago, his "magic" abilities add to my anxiety and even though I know I am being foolish I can't help but to shake a little. A thought pops into my head, maybe I can spin this into my favour if I strike the first blow. "C-c-c-coach says I have been playing well lately, he says I am much better now. I have been scoring well and playing with confidence and he has given me more minutes. Veran and I are making good plays and finally have chemistry sir. I am sorry for whatever I have done." I stammer this out with far less confidence than I had planned on. A smile spreads across the GM's face and I know that I have done it now, he thinks so little of me now. "Sit down son" he says while his hand gestures to an open chair. As I take the proffered chair I hear a noise behind me and I see McDragon stride into the room. Dragon is the opposite of me, he is calm and full of swagger; every inch of this man exudes charisma and excellence. "Oh great timing McDragon, sit down beside our nervous friend please". The man who holds my future in his hands looks back from Dragon to myself in a calm and calculated manner before he proceeds. "Otto, you have indeed been playing very well lately and I am proud of you for that. You've overcome a lot in your young life and I am glad to have had you on this team. However, other teams have noticed how good you have become as well and have been making offers for you. Earlier today I moved Dragomir and Stronk to the Rush... I guess you should know that we are rebuilding now and it doesn't make sense to keep the pair of you. Las Vegas has put together a substantial offer for you two and I am going to accept it." Dragon and I share a look, the Rush are the best team but the Aces are not far behind them and this is a great opportunity to play championship hockey. My anxiety melts away and turns into excitement, I am still shaking but for a different reason. "When do we leave"? I ask and McDragon grunts, indicating that he would like to know as well. "You have to leave quickly actually, I have your plane tickets right here as you will both be playing tonight. Pack your bags and say your goodbyes but your car will be here in 2 hours and if you are late you will send a bad message to your new teammates. I am very grateful for everything you boys have given this team and I am sad to see you go. Best of luck and try to win a championship"!

1. What are your thoughts on being traded recently? 2. What, if anything, do you miss about the Wild? 3. Can you tell us about the early differences between Saskatoon and the Yukon? 4. Do you have any new thoughts on your draft stock? 5. What is your favourite pre-game meal?

Splitting us up was a mistake.

I feel like this game was closer than it needed to be.

We win but I suck.

Hey, now I can be mean with Vegas.