Dangles13

The Saskatoon Wild are having a rough season but lately they have been turning things around. One of Seattle's top prospects, Otto Axelsson is currently finding himself in the midst of a resurgence. The slick Swede is leading the team in goals and is third on the team in scoring; Axelsson and Dragomir are finally clicking and making magic. The speedy pivot currently finds himself climbing the leader boards in the following categories: Goals - 10th with 17 Shots - 9th with 156 Faceoffs - 8th with 49.13% Hattricks - Tied for 2nd with 1 Penalty Shots - Tied for 1st with 3 We were able to catch Otto after a practice for a brief interview and the lad had this to say about his progress this season:

The Saskatoon Wild are not off to the best season. Currently, the Wild are doing all they can to stave off Ottawa as they try to avoid ending up in the basement. The Wild are actually not allowing too many goals to go in their own net considering how often they play without the puck. Sure, Saskatoon is allowing the second worst goals per game, allowing three goals to be scored each game but the fact of the matter is that they are top in terms of shot suppression. The Wild are allowing only 24.69 shots against and the Lynx, who they are chasing, are allowing 23.50. If the Wild are playing somewhat average defence then why are they so far back from the top teams in the league? Look no further than their paltry 17.69 shots per game; this mark is considerably lower than even the next place team, the Ottawa Lynx. Why is it then that the Wild don't know how to generate offence? Is that the team is just lacking quality players? According to the latest roster download for 2K's VHL game, the Wild are the third best team overall while boasting the three best players in the league with McDragon, Axelsson and Dragomir. How does a team with the top three players manage to not score? I am going to throw out a term that is hated by stat nerds the world round; chemistry. The Wild are a team that if fluctuating rather... wildly. Saskatoon loaded up recently for a big cup push and now are in the process of restocking the cupboards. Many players on the team have simply not played together for long and some are even learning new positions on the fly. Adversity such as this can certainly affect a players confidence and ease on the ice. I would like to take a look at the lines that Saskatoon currently sends over the boards. Line 1 Otto Axelsson - Veran Dragomir - Patrick Triscuit The Wild's top line features the two best forwards in the league according to 2K's last roster release and should be driving offence. The smooth skating Swede, Axelsson, and the Romanian sniper, Dragomir should be making sweet magic on the ice but it hasn't been the case so far. Recently, Saskatoon's coach threw young winger, Patrick Triscuit, on the line to add some energy and early returns seem to be working. The line has recently seen itself climb into the positive side of the +/- stat while also helping the team to get some wins. Line 2 Josh Stronk - Paul DiMirio Jr - Veikko Bjornberg Anchoring the second line is hulking centre Josh Stronk who is a much better skater than you might expect. Stronk creates a lot of space for his line-mates, especially Bjornberg who is leading the team in scoring. The Wild are very luck to have Josh fall into their lap and despite him only playing 5 games the returns have been huge. Bjornberg and DiMirio should develop into the top line for this team in short time. Saskatoon hopes that recent additions will push this team in the right direction, if not now then certainly in the future. The Wild could become sellers which would see a lot of young players thrust into bigger roles but I think that they can handle the rigours of pro hockey. Next week we may look at the defensive side of Saskatoon and see if we can find any positives or room for improvements. NOTE: Stats are from the old index.

What advice would you give a young player trying to find his way in the league? What separates Toronto from other teams in the league? Who is your favourite line mate you have ever had? Who is your least favourite line mate ever? Name a player you wish you could play with.

1) What are your goals this season? 2) If you had to pick a VHL team to be drafted too right now who and why? 3) VHL player you want to model your game after current or past? 4) What are your goals for your player in the VHL star? Role player? 5) Biggest thing you are going to bring to a VHL team when they draft you? 1. I want to be a consistent producer on the ice and a hard worker off of the ice. I would like to rebuild my reputation as a top prospect in this league. 2. I am currently on Seattle and I could not imagine being anywhere else. The Bears have been my family for so long that I can't picture myself elsewhere. 3. I have long admired Mattias Forsberg and I have learned a lot of things from him already in my short time with Seattle. I would like to be more of a passer than he is but I love the way he drives offence. 4. I wouldn't mind starting off as a depth player who can step up when needed but eventually I want to be a top line centre who is atop the leaderboards. 5. I am already drafted but I think the biggest thing I bring to a team is my friendly demeanour and willingness to help my teammates with whatever might be bothering them.

I seem to have taken this game off.

A win and I get to be 2nd star? What is this?

A win? Yay!!

1. What has been the most painful lesson you learned so far in life? 2. Can Billy develop into a power forward or will he be stuck in a pugilist role forever? 3. Anybody you wouldn't fight? 4. If you could fight anybody who would it be? 6. Can you count?

What? Two Ws? Fucking A!

I guess Vegas decided to be a little nicer this time around.

Nice to see a W finally!

@Higgins My build is not right in the sim. It should be like this: CK = Checking: 40FG = Fighting: 40DI = Discipline: 40SK = Skating: 70ST = Strength: 45PH = Puck Handling: 60FO = Face Offs: 40PA = Passing: 75SC = Scoring: 65DF = Defense: 70PS = Penalty Shot: 40EX = Experience: 40LD = Leadership: 40

Axelsson's Determined If you take a look back a couple seasons, you found a quick and determined young player. He came into the draft, started out fairly strong and had a decent name for himself. People didn't quite believe he was going to be a Gabriel Mcallister or even a Fook Yu for that matter, but people still believed that he had the potential to become something decent for any team that took him. Fast forward a single year, maybe even a couple week, and you witness a huge drop off followed by an exit from hockey. Last season(S38), he was excluded from the entirety of the season because no team found a use for him. He had completely fallen off the map, effort wasn't there nor made and he wasn't strong enough (or around enough) to find himself a playing roster spot on any VHLM team. This was alarming for him and any team around the league - VHL or VHLM. I hiatus was needed I suppose. I lost my way in the league and needed to get away to find it again. Luckily and fortunately, I found out I was traded to the Seattle Bears and have experience and comfortability with the team and management systems there. Just like the last time one of my players found their way there, they've really helped in getting me going and revitalizing my career and making me feel determined at wanting to succeed and become a good, quality like player. The last little while, I'll admit it has been pretty rocky but as of late, I've been feeling alive and really hungry. Whether it be in the Seattle locker room or playing down in the VHLM, I really want it this year. I'm excited for the rest of the year, but I'm really excited for the future for myself and my teams. Axelsson has made some pretty huge jumps this season. He's found his way back into the VHLM and is once again playing for the Saskatoon Wild. Despite the teams not so hot start, rolling 2-4-0 on the season, Axelsson has really started to show he could be here to stay. He's currently pumping int he TPE at a nice rate (a lot better than before) and has 3 points through his first 6 games with the team. A friendly note, we don't believe updates have gone through for the VHLM so this will be something to watch for young Otto in the near future. When asked about his goals this year and his thoughts so far on his and his teams performance, this is what he had to say: 3 points in 6 games isn't great, but it's a start. 2-4-0 is pretty much the same thing. We're not the strongest team out there so we're going to have to roll with the punches. Fortunately, we're a good group and we'll do what it takes to succeed or see as much positivity as we can. For me, my goal this season is a point per game and to elevate my play enough that it has a strong affect on my team. I'd like to hit the 30 goal mark, pop around 40 assist and break that 70 point plateau. I want to really bring my game so that I can show Seattle I'm ready to make a difference for them too. Claiming February 26th to March 4th, 2018

I'm just a ghost on the ice.

The Seattle Bears recently acquired young Swedish Otto Axelsson for a second round pick. Rumours are that management has asked the young pivot to plan on playing wing once he makes the jump from the Saskatoon Wild. From an outside perspective this makes a lot of sense as Seattle has a great one-two punch down the middle with Shawn Gretzky and Mattias Forsberg. A report from Sweden came out that supported these rumours as Axelsson gave an interview with a local paper from Falkenberg. Keep in mind that some words may get lost in translation.

Does Seattle have anything coming down the pipes that fans should be excited for? Who are the top 3 defenders in the league?

What does Dragomir bring to the Wild? What does Saskatoon need to do in order to win it all this season? What do you think your draft stock is?

Yup, Vegas just mean to everyone right now.

I'll take it.

Vegas kind of mean if you ask me.

F - Rudolph Schmeckledorph F - Jasper Canmore @MadMax @Bushito

Because I love you <3

D - Colton Rayne F - Peter Quill Sorry for being absent fellas.

I appreciate the interest fellas but I've gotta sign with Seattle. Bana keeps me active.

G - Torstein Ironside D - Felix Savard @Bushito