dlamb

Washington, D.C. - The D.C. Dragons have a big decision to make as the Season 87 VHL trade deadline looms. The team currently sits 6th place in the NA Conference, 5 points out of a playoff spot. One of their biggest trade assets would be Vasile Lamb, who has been having a great season with 27 goals, 24 assists, (51 points) and 201 hits through 45 games, Lamb at the very least is in the Scott Boulet conversation and has proven himself to be a prime two-way player outside of Warsaw. On one hand, trading Lamb could seriously hurt the Dragons' playoff chances this season. He continues to be one of their best players night in and night out and the Dragons would be doing themselves no favours by moving him if they wish to make the playoffs this season. However, the Dragons must also not forget the fact that Lamb is a pending UFA and could walk to another team for nothing this offseason. With the Seattle Bears, London United and Malmo Nighthawks rumored to be interested in him, it is thought the Dragons could get at least a 1st-round pick if they do decide to trade him. Lamb has refused to comment on rumors of a possible deal for him, leaving the VHL fans of all teams to wonder and speculate about his future with the team. He did deny requesting a trade. Do they hang on to Lamb and try to make the playoffs this season, or do they trade him to benefit the team's future? Only time will tell what the Dragons decide to do, but one thing is for sure - the next few days before the trade deadline, no matter what does happen, will be big news out of D.C. Stay tuned for updates. The trade deadline is at 3pm EST this Monday, February 20th. (300 Words)

2: If you were asked to rename Davos’ VHL team, what name would you choose? Drop the HC and the alliteration, if I had to. I don't hate the overall branding, nor the logo. But if I actually HAD to, Davos IceBreakers or something to do with mountains or skiing would work. 3: What do you think of the Tarasenko trade? The Blues had to sell low due to the season VT is having this year, but the man is an all-star. They really got nothing great here, a bottom 6 forward, depth AHLer, 3rd rounder, and late 1st-rounder magic beans. We're going to see Vlad Gavrikov go for a price like that in a few weeks. Grim stuff in STL, but an absolutely beauty trade by the Rangers. Loving how that 1st line is looking. 4: What are your go-to Pizza toppings? Just a classic cheese and pep kind of guy. If it counts as a topping, I'm also a sucker for some BBQ sauce base. 5: Who is your favorite NHL player currently? Has been the same for 15 years or so - my captain, Patrice Bergeron. Growing up, he was someone I always pretended to be on the ice, caring just as much about perfect passing and responsible defending than scoring the most goals. A player nobody can hate. I will say that Tage Thompson on the Sabres has really become one of my favourite players to watch. 6: Which NHL team(s) do you cheer for? Sorry, but the Boston Bruins. My dad was, so I was bred as one. Can't stand the leafs and most of their fans, even though I'm local, so the Sabres also get some of my loyalty. 7: Do you have a guess for which NHL team gets Jakob Chychrun at the deadline, assuming he moves? With all the rumors that have been circling around, I'm guessing he goes to the Kings. Although the reports have been saying that Brandt Clarke and Quinton Byfield aren't going back, I could see a return along the lines of Vilardi+1st+Kupari+ make sense for both teams.

Claiming 02/19 for theme week, for a PT 02/26.

A fight in a game featuring the New York Americans and Vasteras IK, a historic rivalry. D.C Dragons star right-winger Vasile Lamb has proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the VHL. His physical, high tempo play on the ice has made him one of the league's top players, proved by his 5th place finish in the point scoring race last season, carried into this season despite a huge off-season move to the D.C Dragons. Regardless of his success, there's one thing that Lamb doesn't seem to have: a true rival. It's not for lack of trying, though. Lamb has faced off against some of the league's top players and teams of all time, but he's consistently come out on the better end of these tilts. Even his supposed "rivalries" seem to fizzle out quickly due to Lamb's superior skills. Take his "rivalry" with the HC Davos Dynamo, for example. Lamb has faced off against the David numerous times, and while Davos has had some success against other teams, they've never been able to solve Lamb, both on and off the ice. One anonymous Dynamo player was said to "breathe a sigh of relief" once the news dropped this past off-season that Vasile had inked a deal with the D.C. Dragons and would not have to deal with his brand of hockey as much, nor at all in the early playoff rounds. Lamb's dominance over Davos has essentially erased any chance of a true rivalry developing. The exact same can be said for most of the EU opponents, such as against the Moscow Menace, Malmo Nighthawks, and London United, all of which have felt the playoff wrath of Vasile Lamb and the Warsaw Predators. Dragons fans and management are looking forward to the same effect occurring over the next few seasons in the NA Conference, with Lamb saying in interviews that he loves playing against Seattle and Chicago, a comment that should worry both franchises. But it's not just Lamb's opponents who lack a rivalry with the star player. Even the Board of Governors seems to have overlooked him completely when it came time to award the Season 86 Scott Boulet Trophy. Last season saw Lamb place 3rd in the league in hits, 5th in points, and 2nd in goals, not to mention his never-relenting focus to become the GOAT of VHL two-way forwards. Despite this, the trophy was given to Calgary Wranglers Forward Daniel Janser. Many fans and analysts were outraged, but Lamb took it in stride, saying, "I don't need a trophy to know that I'm the best." Lamb seen wearing his trademark Pit Vipers during warmup against the Moscow Menace On a serious note, Vasile actually doesn't really have a true rivalry, as his predecessor Dakota Lamb once did. D Lamb had, for example, the Season 73 Draft Class, including the likes of Jeffrey Pines, Groovy Dood, and Matty Socks, who all fought tooth-and-nail until the bitter end for the class TPE lead, awards, and just plain compete to be the best of the class. However, despite being drafted 1st overall, Vasile has relinquished the Season 82 draft class TPE lead rather early to the likes of The Board Game Clue On Skates and Bo Johansson, so much so that you couldn't even call it a rivalry. I guess you could say that Vasile is taking rivalry applications, as it may be better for his ego to have someone specifically to compare himself to. (550 Words)

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@Deluca

first career point @Deluca!!!!

Welcome

1. Biggie Cheese is having a tremendous season so far, especially with how poorly we have been playing. Could Cheese keep up this amazing pace? Where would Cheese end in production at season end? Love to see him leading dmen currently, great player on a great organization. No reason he can't keep it up, and finish somewhere in the 110 point area. He's looked unstoppable offensively from the back end. 2. We're in 5th but also only 4 points out from 1st in the European Conference. What are your thoughts toward how we could takeover our conference? Nobody has yet to break out yet over here in the EU Conference, it just takes a streak and you guys could catapult to the top. I think you guys have the roster, just maybe need to make some tweaks in practice or coaching strategies. Just don't get too down on yourself in 5th, I would also get rid of the word "struggling" out of the locker room. 3. Currently we have 4 PPG players, which is less than previous seasons. How many players do you feel we will have reach ppg status at season end? Not many players off PPG as it stands. Could be as many as 7 to be honest, but 5 or 6 looks a bit more likely. I've never been a points guy though, so who cares. 4. What is the difference this season compare to last few seasons that have been a cause for concern? Like I said before, 4 points out of 1st, no need to use the word struggling or concern. Let the season play out, keep it simple. Once you get to game 55, 60, around the trade deadline, then you can start thinking if this roster is up for it or not. 5. We don't have a 1st round pick for S88 draft. Do we need one? Probably no need to sell a roster piece to do so, this draft is looking quite insane at the top end, but dies off hard. Skip it and come back next year. 6. How did you like the NHL All Star weekend? I've never been in the "ALLSTAR GAMES USED TO MEAN SOMETHING" crowd, obviously it's mostly for fun. There's really no way to make the players try, as they don't want to get hurt. But I enjoyed the tournament, finally the Atlantic got the W. Skills competition needs a bit of an overhaul though, get rid of the pre-recorded events, don't stop some events halfway through and go to another, and bring back the draft.

(ABOVE: Robert Wilk and Jason Cornier celebrate a goal in a 3-2 win over the CGY Wranglers) Washington, D.C. - The D.C. Dragons are coming out of the gate facing some struggles in Season 87, with a record of 8-10-5, placing them 6th in the NA Conference and 13th overall in the VHL. Despite some insane individual performances by starting goaler Bubbles Utonium, the team seems to be struggling mightily finding the back of the net as of late. Offseason-signee Vasile Lamb was quoted as saying, "We have the right skill on this team, but we need to find a way to work together as a group and consistently bring our best game. It's frustrating, but we have the ability to turn things around and make a run for the playoffs." It is rumored that GM Eno Rama has entered the trade market and will look to make a trade if it can help change the fortunes for this D.C. squad. The Dragons may be sitting below the playoff line after 23 games, sitting just 1 point behind the Chicago Phoenix, but there is still plenty of time for the team to turn it around and make a push for the postseason. They will need to focus on playing as a complete unit, both offensively and defensively, and find a way to come together as a team. The talent is there, it's hopefully just a matter of time before they put it all together. (225 Words)

1. GM Gagnon in an interview to LA Yellow Pages said that noone is safe when it comes to a roster spot and there is a potential for even a full rebuild. Do you believe that is true or do you believe that the roster is safe and the team is in a full competitive mode? Seeing as the team is currently fighting for the top spot in the NA Conference, don't think anyone needs to be worrying just yet. GM Gagnon is known to have a short fuse however, so an extended losing streak could see some player movement, considering LA's expectations entering the season. 2. Jason Argos was recently called out after he said he won't take any pictures with fans before the game as he believes that takes away his focus from the job itself. Do you believe this is the way to approach fans? Rightfully so he was called out. Players play for the fans, as the fans are the ones paying the bills. I can respect his focus on just simply playing hockey, but he needs to remember the amount of eyes on him at all times, and what an example should be. 3. Viking Brandy brand has been officially labelled themselves as the fan favourite drink for LA Stars supporters, have you ever tried it? Never, but maybe I will on a road trip to LA. May have to wait until the offseason though, don't like drinking in and around game days. 4. After the start of the season, have you pinpointed any real problems with our team already or do you think it is too soon to say if we are ready for playoffs or not? It is definitely too soon from a player and coaching perspective. There is a number of underachieving teams in the league right now, and there's so many more games to be played that nobody should be content with their league position. 5. LA Stars Goalie coach recently talked in an interview about how he has never had a chance to work with such an amazing talented goaltending duo as Art and Minion, how do you feel about our goaltending duo? I respect and consider Art one of the best goalers in the entire league. Don't have much of a scouting report on Minion, but my friends in the VHLE are telling me that he's a very talented goaler, and should be able to step into the VHL and hold his own, topping out as a 1B. Looks good now and for the future. 6. For many players on this team this season is a real chance to show how much they have progressed and if they are ready to take that next step into a true role of a superstar, do you believe it is important to see a progression in your career? Of course. Even players who march onto the scene with point-per-game or ROTY-level seasons, then can fall into the trap of getting down on themselves if they take a step back. Progression is easy to keep yourself motivated, but nonetheless you need to keep yourself in the right headspace.

@leandrofg

Purple looks great!

np

np

applying, but don't currently have any league jobs. probably disqualifies me.

fire them both my idea was good

Congrats!

Game Review: The VHL's opening night saw a match between European Division rivals HC Davos Dynamo and Warsaw Predators, both eager to start the season off on a high note. The game started with a power play goal from Jake Thunder for HC Davos Dynamo just 5:22 into the first, but Warsaw quickly responded with a power play goal from superstar forward Brendan Marner. In the second period, Warsaw took control of the game with a goal from Girts Galvins and continued to press the Dynamo defense and hammer pucks at Davos starter Xavier Booberry. HC Davos tried to mount a comeback, but couldn't get past Warsaw's IA starting goaltender Wumbo, leaving Warsaw 2-1 up after 2. In the 3rd period, Warsaw sealed their victory with two goals from captain Zach Kisslinger II and Johnny Xavier respectively, bringing the game to 4-1, where the score would stay. Wumbo had an impressive performance with 33/34 saves, securing the win. Xavier Booberry from HC Davos had 39/43 saves, seemingly keeping Davos within reach all night. The 3 stars of the game were Zach Kisslinger II, Biggie Cheese, and Johnny Xavier, all from the winning Warsaw squad. This was both teams' first game of the season and the Warsaw Predators made the statement on the opening night of the VHL that they are still among the VHL's best entering Season 87. (226 Words)

D.C. DRAGONS PRESS CONFERENCE Answer 3 for 1 TPE, Answer 6 for 2 1. What are your expectations for this season, and what do you think the team needs to do to be successful in S87? 2. Is there a specific moment or game in your VHL career that stands out to you? 3. What would you describe as your specific role and responsibilities on the D.C. Dragons roster? 4. After just a few sims, which team is the early favourite for the S87 Continental Cup? 5. I'm looking for suggestions. Is there a book or movie that you've recently enjoyed? 6. What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of hockey?

G - Bubbles Utonium donezo

Welcome!

D - Hari Singh Nalwa D - Tavish DeGroot @Triller