VanCanWin

It’s official. VHL Expansion is the number one trending topic on the forums this week and it’s not even close. 

Why is it trending? Well it’s clear, there is a ton of TPE whores so very desperate for that bonus TPE since it is what is called “theme week”.  I mean, why wouldn’t you write about it this week? It’s FREE TPE. Tell this to my Dutch roots and free is all I need to hear and I am on board! 

Why would VHL Expansion be the topic of them week? Obviously, it is because the league has decided to grow by two teams because of an influx of talented player and active members. Is an expansion draft something everyone wants? I’m sure it’s not, at least to those who don’t want to be chosen away from their current team but that’s why there are protection rules put in place so teams can protect their favourite players from being snagged. Unless Quik gets his way and the VHL undergoes an entire fantasy draft for the league. The thought makes me smile because of how absurd that thought really is. I mean how on earth is that a logical proposal other than for the day it’s happening which would be interesting, no doubt. The league would lose an insurmountable amount of high end talent who would retire so they could recreate. Yeah as I write this thought, I’m convinced Quik has a great sense of humour and that is all. 

Getting to this Expansion and the details. Do we even know any of this? Nope. All we know is that their are two new teams and two new GMs who will get to pick players from current teams this offseason. Details. Missing. 

Will i be selected? Or will ADV protect me too? I would hope so. Although with my track record of being highly underrated (3rd round pick 24th overall and already over 400 TPE?! Absurd.) maybe ADV should leave me unprotected because who would select me anyways right? Of course, I’m kidding though. Seriously @Advantage you better protect me. I think I’ve earned it.

How good will these new expansion teams be? Probably not good. Although it doesn’t take long to rebuild a team in this league. 3 seasons at most if the GM is any good? I can handle that. They will be attractive destinations for new players because of the sheer amount of ice time that will be available to rookies. All they need is a good locker room with some good drafting/development and we’ll have 12 competitive teams in no time.

Is Expansion good for the league? Well for all those complaining, there sure are things about expansion that aren’t our favourite or ideal. That said, expansion due to influx of talent is never a bad thing. A healthy league makes for a fun and active league and that’s the main reason I joined the VHL in the first place. So stop complaining and enjoy the ride. This league is going places. It’s fun, competitive, and growing. Not many simulation leagues can say the same thing. 

519 words.

Moscow 5-3

331 Vancouver

332 Riga

333 Moscow

334 Helsinki 

+1

Rachel Snype caught up with Van Lagen once again as his season begins to wind down. 

Rachel: Another season has flown by! Unfortunately it looks like Malmo will be missing the playoffs which means hockey will be done for you shortly. Can you share your thoughts on your rookie season?

Van Lagen: Yes, it is almost over already. It’s been a frustrating year for sure. I hope I can take this as a learning experience into the off season and regroup for next year.

Rachel: What exactly has been the most frustrating part for you?

Van Lagen:  Ice time, without question. I’ve played all year out of my natural position, getting third line minutes and spending most of my time out there on the penalty kill rather than in offensive situations which I am much better suited for.

Rachel: The top six was indeed crowded but there were all six good options there as well. What could your team have done different to give you more ice time?

Trevor: For sure. Every guy worked their ass off all year to earn minutes. All I know is I worked my ass off too. I put in arguably the most time in the gym working on my game. I’ve improved my skills as much or more than anyone.  I feel like I deserved a better chance to be an impact player this year already. That said, I’ll take everything as a learning experience into next year. We have a tremendous group of guys, a lot of depth, an an upside that makes us all excited for competing as soon as next season.

Rachel: What are the main areas you have improved this year and what is your development focus for the offseason?

Trevor: I’ve definitely worked a lot on my scoring (recently hitting 90) as well as my puck handling (also 90). I’ve improved a ton of strength (from 40 to 70) as well. Going into the off season I hope to make some gains in my skating primarily but also work on my defensive game to become that complete 2 way skilled centre I want to be.

Rachel: What are your expectations for next season in regards to ice time and role on the team?

Trevor: I expect a huge uptick in offensive ice time for sure. Top six minutes playing back at my natural position at Centre.  I would expect a huge role in our power play as well. 

Rachel: After a low point production this year by your expectations, do you foresee a much different year next season?

Trevor: Definitely. I always have high expectations for myself. If I get ice time and opportunity I think I can be much closer to a 30 goal scorer, point per game producer. Maybe some might say that’s some lofty expectations but that’s honestly what I believe I can produce as early as next season.

Rachel: That is high expectations for sure! Any other comments on your rookie experience in the VHL?

Van Lagen: It was definitely a challenge for me this year on and off the ice. I will only use it to motivate me to put more work in the gym preparing for next year.  

Rachel: Thanks again for taking the time with us Trevor!

535 words.

Calgary 3-2

291 Vancouver Wolves @ Calgary Wranglers

292 Riga Reign @ Toronto Legion

293 Malmo Nighthawks @ HC Davos Dynamo

294 Helsinki Titans @ Moscow Menace

19 minutes ago, Advantage said:

@VanCanWin with those new lines

Nice! I’m liking this!

Gold - Canada

Silver - Europe

Bronze - Asia

MVP - Ambrose Stark

5 minutes ago, GustavMattias said:

Soon? It's been happening before he was even hired.

How did he even get the job?

See link for original article.

https://vhlforum.com/topic/65273-hot-takes-with-van/

With the season unfolding well past the half way point and the contenders and pretenders have been all but sorted out, I bring you with me to revisit my hot takes from this past off season.

Hot take #1

Of the 8 picks Seattle will make, only 2 of the players drafted will still be on the team when they win again... in S68.

Not looking so hot on this one as they haven’t traded any of these players yet.  That said, they could be real contenders if they did though that probably wouldn’t be the smart play for the long run. 

Hot take

Not only will Nykonax fail to turn Mexico City around, but Mexico will finish DEAD LAST next season.  The locker room will be a mess with all the losing and Nykonax will be forced to trade whatever he has of value at the deadline

I couldn’t have been more spot on here. Mexico is indeed dead last and nothing says they will improve. I believe they have exactly ZERO active players. A mess. Pretty sure people will be calling for GM Nyko’s head soon.

Hot take

Lincoln Tate is only the 15th ranked prospect heading into the draft but clearly is better than that. Lincoln should be the number one pick on draft night! In 5 seasons, when a redraft media spot is published, Lincoln will be listed at number 1. There is a future spot reserved for Lincoln Tate in the Hall-of-Fame.

We all know how this one went. A shock to most of the world, Lincoln indeed was selected first overall. Lincoln has struggled a bit on the ice this season but is still earning like a champ and will be a star shortly, worthy of his selection.

To wrap, I am 2 for 3 with my hot takes with still a chance to go 3 for 3 (albeit slight chance as it looks now).

322 words.

Donated $20.

Player: Trevor Van Lagen

Transaction ID: 84404722BE415530

Claiming:

Doubles week

Doubles week

5 uncapped TPE

$1,000,000 player store

This is for S67

When one lives his or her entire life inside one country, one city, they grow a certain bubble around them inside which is all that is normal and feels like home to them. For this Ontario kid, growing up in the city of Toronto, Trevor Van Lagen had such a small bubble around him as this. Toronto was really all he knew.  Though his family moved once across the city, and Trevor was placed in a new school, among new friends, it was still Toronto. His family was still there. His old friends weren’t far away. So when Trevor was drafted in the VHLM to Halifax, it was a big change for him. Yet, he remaining in Canada. Same currency, family still relatively close by, so many familiarities for him that there was little adjustment needed. None of this could prepare him for that day that his name was called to be drafted to Malmo. 

He didn’t know anything about Malmo. Where was it? What was life like there? How would he ever see his family and friends so far away? What currency did they use? So many questions and no answers. While there was certain excitement to being drafted into the VHL to fulfill his childhood there was also a lot of uncertainty.

Soon after he was drafted, his family went with him overseas to help move Trevor to the city of Malmo. First impressions of the city were positive for him but when it came time for his family to head back to Toronto without him, reality began to set it. He was on his own. Now what? Trevor did the only thing that he thought could bring him that “at home” feeling — he went straight to the rink. No one was around except a few staff members but that didn’t stop him from lacing up his skates. This was his comfort zone and here on the ice, everything felt right.

Over the next few days Trevor visited the rink often but didn’t do much else outside of it. At the rink he met most of his teammates over these few days. It was nice for him that some of these were also his teammates and friends from Halifax and this would make the transition here much easier, he thought. 

While he had difficulty adjusting to life outside the rink he was hoping his transition to the pros would be smoother on the rink. Unfortunately, his career began with a seven game pointless streak as he struggled to find ice time. He began producing for a good stretch hitting roughly half a point per game until recently where he again is in a pointless spell, currently sitting at an astounding 14 games and counting. His ice time is still low especially considering 40% of it is coming on the penalty kill! This is something he never thought he would do as it just isn’t an area he has been put into before. 

Fortunately communication with his GM has been good as they’ve had a number if chats regarding ice time where he has been reassured of his place on the team for next season and beyond. Trevor our serious thought into requesting a trade to be moved back closer to home and to a team that could spare him some offensive ice time but recently has begun feeling more comfortable and at home with his team in Malmo. He is remaining dedicated to his teammates and the fans in Malmo who showed faith in him at the draft and allowed him an excellent opportunity to put together a great career. 

While it is looking like he will be spending the rest of this season as the third line wing, Van Lagen hopes to establish himself as a bonafide top two center on the team starting next season. Look out for him to be in contention for most improved player of the year in S68.

+1

Good luck man! Lack of ice time is definitely one of the toughest parts of being a rookie

9 minutes ago, Bushito said:

Correctly predict the 4 winners for 2 uncapped TPE

 

231 Moscow Menace @ Seattle Bears

232 HC Davos Dynamo @ Riga Reign

233 Calgary Wranglers @ New York Americans

234 Toronto Legion @ Helsinki Titans

 

@Members

231 Moscow

232 HC Davos

233 Calgary

234 Helsinki

Toronto 2-1

Legend stuff, my man!

1. If you're new to the league, are you enjoying it? What do you like and what don't you like?

It’s been a lots of fun. I like playing in the top league and competing against the best.

2. Tell us one thing about your team that other players may not know.

We are the future champs.

3. Tell us one thing about your player that other players may not know.

Going to be a top 5 player from the season 67 draft.

4. Take a look at some other teams' rosters--does your team have a shot to win it all?

Not this year.

5. If you were being traded to any other VHL team, but you were able to pick which one, where would you go?

I’m not sure I would have a preferred team.

6. If you could be drafted by any VHL team next season, where would you go?

i am drafted already.

Rachel Snyder of the Toronto News caught up with Malmo rookie Trevor Van Lagen and asked him about his rookie season and life in Malmo.

Rachel: it has been a while since we’ve had you on! How have you been?

Van: I’ve been great! Thanks for having me again!

Rachel: How has your first season been so far as a rookie in the VHL?

Van: It’s been so much fun and I have learned a ton so far! The league is so tough.

Rachel: What are your thoughts on your production for the team in your rookie season?

Van: I think I’ve been doing well, considering that it’s my first year here after making the jump following just one year in the VHLM. I started out slow but I’ve been consistent for the rest.

Rachel: You’ve been getting a ton of penalty killing time this season, which is not something that anyone would have envisioned for you as a player. How does this speak of your improvements on the defensive side of the puck?

Van: Honestly I think it speaks more about the depth of our team and our GM’s attempts at getting everyone some ice time. I have definitely improved a lot on the defensive side though as well so I have been embracing this challenge.

Rachel: What is your expectations for the rest of the season?

Van: I hope I can improve on my production pace and continue to contribute offensively and defensively for our team. This year is about development and getting ready for what I hope is a breakout year for me next season.

Rachel: we look forward to continuing to cover your career and hope to catch up with you again sometime!

Van: Thanks for having me, Rachel!

294 words.

+1

Just now, Da Trifecta said:

@VanCanWin that ship sailed many of years ago on here tbh lol. I'm just the cranky old guy here who likes to complain about almost everything.

 I couldn’t tell  

At least @Bruins10 laughed at all three posts I appreciate you making me feel good. That’s what’s most important to me on this site ?

Just triple posted a response to a useless argument... yup, I’ve had too much to drink

3 minutes ago, Da Trifecta said:

 

I don''t need people to take me serious on here lol. Those days are long gone.

Based on your posts above, I can see that people taking you serious is the least thing on your mind