tinafrombobsburgers

Daryl Dixon has finished his time in the minors and is ready to move on to the next stage of his career. He had an exceptional season in Miami leading the entire league in points and goals. Unfortunately the ultimate goal of claiming the Founders Cup fell short but his season overall was a massive success. Now going into his VHL and VHLE Drafts, teams will be wanting to get to know the player before selecting him to their organizations and you’ve come to the right place. I will break down some pros and cons about Daryl Dixon to help with the scouting process.
 
Lets start off with the Pros:
 
1) Loyalty. This is a bit of a pro and a con but I will focus more on the pro portion of it right now. Dixon would like to stay long term with the team that drafts him. As long as the team has a good vibe and they continually push in the right direction then Daryl is going to want to stick around through the whole process. More on the con portion of this later.
 
2) Work Ethic. If you look at Dixons track record you can see that he does everything he can to maximize his training every week and does so to a point where it’s going to set him up to have a long and successful career. He’s training to be a physical scorer in the VHL and not be afraid to flex his two way game as the games get tough. If you want someone to count on to maximize their potential it’s Daryl Dixon.
 
3) Team Player. Daryl is the ultimate team player. His numbers may indicate otherwise as he carried the majority of the workload in Miami but as he moves up to the VHL and has to start from the bottom, he will be the first guy cheering on and supporting his fellow team mates. He wants to win at all costs and will sacrifice his own personal gain to help further the teams. 
 
Now that we’ve touched on some of the pros in Daryl Dixons game, let’s talk about the cons!
 
1) Loyalty!!!!??? As minor league teams found out the hard way, it is apparent that Daryl Dixon wants to play with his brother, Rick Grimes. His loyalty to Grimes is far greater than his loyalty to any team. It’s crucial that GMs know this bit of information because Dixon will request a trade or leave after his rookie deal if he doesn’t get drafted to play along side Grimes. 
 
2) Staying down. Daryl Dixon wants to stay down in the E for one season. This may be a pro and a con depending on how you look at it. He wants to marinate for a season so that he can continue to train. When he arrives in the VHL he will have a more dominant rookie season and will be able to help his VHL team more effectively. 
 
3) Vocal. Dixon isn’t afraid to share his opinion. Sometimes this can come off abrasive but it’s never meant to be that way. He wants everyone including himself to be the best that they can be. If you’re slacking on training or if a coach is putting out questionable line ups, Dixon isn’t afraid to step in and speak his mind. 
 
 
Any team that selects Daryl Dixon is going to be selecting a future superstar. If paired with his partner in crime Rick Grimes, a team will have a duo that has the potential to bring their organization a Continental Cup. The Pro’s heavily out weigh the cons with this player and I look forward to tracking the rest of his career.

S87 All-VHLM Teams 
 
Hello again folks, Todd Ripley here with an edition of Prospect Pipeline presented by VSN. Today I’m going to give you hockey fans the Way Too Early, S87 All-VHLM Teams!!! Right now there are currently 20 rostered prospects set to be in the S87 VHL and VHLE draft classes. 
 
Let’s start with some notable names that miss the list this year. Most of these names may be playing great hockey, but we just haven’t seen it long enough to cast any doubt or praise definitively on their games. Lets just get some quick thoughts on those players.
 
Felix Sobek- Being saddled with the task of being a star for a 0-63 team is tough. Its tough to really gauge the game of a forward who plays on a team that averages 50+ shots against per game. Felix did manage 4 points in his 9 games.
 
Tyler Swift- Swift immediately got 2nd pair minutes and has been all-in-all impressive. They’ve averaged .5 points per game over a 10 game stretch and been a major part of their teams postseason run. They do average the most penalties of the whole class. They have, however, also gotten the most blocked shots per game with 2 and the fourth most hits per game among the defensemen. 
 
Braeden Panarella- Braeden has been solid for the Reapers. He has worked hard to garner 2nd line 5v5 and powerplay ice time despite only appearing in 12 games thus far. Iit hasn’t translated to monster numbers and he does need to work on that 5% shooting percentage. He has managed to keep up clean hockey and not be a detriment to his team game after game.
 
The Rest- Whether it was a lack of games and opportunity or a lack of production just some names couldn’t make the cut. To those names, its okay… You still have so much room to grow and grind and this time next season I could be projecting you to go first overall. Keep up all the hard work.
 
 
With those mentions out of the way let’s get to the real list. 
 
The All-S87 VHLM 2nd Team 
F - OTT Yaroslav Trunov
F - SDM Steve Lattimer
F - MEX George Costanza
D - MEX Skor McFleury
D - SDM Jack Jeckler
 
Now for a little analysis. 
 
First off is the Otttawa Lynx’s Yaroslav Trunov. His shooting percentage is abysmal at 4.55% but he makes up for it with volume and solid defensive hockey. His trigger happy style has led to openings for teammates all over the offensive zone. Helps a ton that Trunov is a dominant physical presence in the defensive end to get those pucks off unsuspecting opponents. The plus/minus is currently negative but most of that has come by way of the tough series the Lynx are in with Philadelphia. 
 
Next interesting member of this group is San Diego’s Steve Lattimer. Lattimer was one of the most efficient offensive players of the S87 prospects. Why is he on the second team then? Well, his defense we can’t speak too highly of. He was a -8. Being a weapon on offense only works if you are scoring more than the other teams. 
 
Costanza was a very close candidate for the first team, but he just didn’t produce quite at the level of some Kings teammates. The main thing bringing him down is that +15. Weird to say but considering the +/- of his teammates, this leaves a bit to be desired. 
 
The most shocking part of the second team is the fact that Skor is here instead of fellow McFleury, Reese. I know, I know… Skor has a marginally better plus minus and takes way less penalties. Another factor is the lack of playoff production, being good in the games that matter most is important. It's early in the postseason but as of writing we haven’t seen it from Skor. 
 
Again, we find a Marlin with Jack Jeckler. I couldn’t believe the number this guy put up in 26 games. He hits and blocks shots in the top percentiles of this group of defensemen, part of that could be the situation but I’m not here to speculate whether or not top tier production is just a matter of situation. 
 
Now the moment we all have been waiting for…
The All-S87 VHLM 1st Team
F - MIA Mac Atlas
F - MEX Randy Bobandy
F - MEX Oreo McFleury
D - MEX Reese McFleury
D - HFX David Jokinen
 
 
Mac Atlas has not played quite as many games as most S87 prospects, but he has produced with limited chances. He is the only guy sniffing anything close to point per game numbers among eligible players. HE does a good job staying out of the box despite a willingness to throw his weight around. Can’t wait to see what Atlas does in round 2 of the VHLM playoffs.
 
Randy Bobandy’s game looks so much like Atlas but he was just slightly less efficient. The plus minus was a ton better but every Mexico City player in consideration was at least a +15. All that said, Randy is on fire during his debut run. I will also note that Randy is the sole reason these teams don’t have a separation of centers and wingers. A guy doing this well on the second team would have been criminal.
 
Here is the second McFleury to grace us with their presence on this list. While it's not quite on the level of Bobandy, Oreo is having a solid run. He has done well in the postseason and the only knock on him is that the points just haven’t come flying in like we expected.
 
Next the last McFleury before the machine broke, Reese. Reese’s shooting percentage is insane. Will it come down in the future? I would say probably. That said however, these teams aren’t about future projections, they are about what you are doing now. Right now, Reese pots the puck 25% of the times he shoots. That is amazing. The other reason we liked Reese better for the first team is his just all around better defensive presence. The penalties are a concern but those are just part of the game for guys who are willing to try and lay others out on the ice. 
 
The biggest surprise of the first team will end this piece. David Jokinen of the Halifax 21st. This player has been fantastic in his 24 appearances. 16 points, 75 hits, and 42 blocked shots. Those numbers are good for the second, first, and third best per game rates respectively among the S87 defensemen class. It did not matter what end of the ice Jokinen was on, he was having a major impact on the play. He also had the second lowest amount of penalties per game for this year’s defenders. Simply put, Jokinen is so far the best two-way defenseman in this group and it frankly isn’t close.
 
Writer: @Pifferfish
 
Mentions: @G2019 , @lilchrist , @ThatCasual , @qripll, @pugsood , @fonziGG , @Alex , @Uncommon , @v.2 , @AJW , @JB123 , @Spaz , @Ahma
 
 
VHLE Playoff Predictions
 
 
Last week, before the start of the playoffs, I was invited to write an article for this week's edition of the Prospect Pipeline magazine. Little did I know that the whole point of this was to jinx the Express.
 
To the predictions, we go! They were made by the Prospect Pipeline and the VSN team, so you already know they're not so good...
 
I, personally, didn't vote, so keep that in mind.
 
First up, we have the Wildcard Round. A matchup between the Stockholm Vikings and the Vasteras Iron Eagles, who have finished 4th and 5th, respectively.
 
Fortunately, we already know the result of this series, as the Vasteras team swept the Swedish team with two victories. The predictions, you ask? Well... they weren't correct.
 
The Prospect Pipeline and VSN teams voted in a landslide towards the Stockholm team. 9 votes were cast. All of them were for the Vikings.
 
So, we start blatantly wrong, and as the series has already come and gone, I will not bore you with a preview of the matchup.
 
As the Vasteras team advances to the semi-finals, they will meet the almighty Oslo Storm. The Norwegian side took the VHLE by storm this season (yes, pun intended), finishing at the top and with many players at the top of their respective categories.
 
We could share with you the predictions, but they were for an Oslo Storm and Stockholm Vikings matchup. Spoiler alert, we had Oslo beating Stockholm. And when this article was being written, Oslo had the advantage over Vasteras too. 2-0 is how the series is going. And the final result isn't going to differ too much. Chances are slim for the Vasteras team at the moment, but it's hockey! Anything can happen!
 
So, Oslo is doing everything right. We can't really point at something they are not. What about Vasteras? What would be the key to turning this series around?
 
Vasteras' Centers will have to step up to the task of going against spectacular players like Juan Sano III and Todd Cooke. Oslo has so many weapons on offense that these players' numbers may be overlooked, but their impact isn't. Vasteras will have to find a way to stop Oslo's offensive prowess to level the team's offensive output with their opponent.
 
This is easier to say than do, but that's the key for Vasteras.
 
In the second semi-final series, we have the 2nd and 3rd place teams on the regular season standings. The Bratislava Watchmen and the Cologne Express. As the series has already begun, we can share the result of 2-0 in favor of the Slovakian side. But although the result is the same, this has been a far different series than the former. A far closer battle that has seen the Watchmen take the victory by only one goal in both games.
 
The preview for this series is that we continue to see some great hockey on display. Some hard-fought games. And in the end, we know that a worthy winner will come out of it. 
 
Well, what about our predictions? 8-1. Only in favor of Cologne.
 
Remember when I wrote about how this article had been created with the sole purpose of jinxing the Express? Well... you might think we are at that point, but we are not there yet.
 
Let's move on with our predictions!
 
We are in the Renaissance Cup Finals. We have the first-placed Oslo Storm against the third-place Cologne Express. The two best goal-differential records in the league, but a clear victor of the regular season in the form of the Oslo Storm.
 
Looking at the pre-season power rankings, these teams finished exactly where the Prospect Pipeline team put them. But Oslo was the clear favorite since the beginning of the season.
 
Then, evidently, the predictions will mirror that favoritism. 
 
5-1... reasonable.
 
To Cologne.
 
You got it! Now, we're there! The Express was jinxed all the (rail)way through Europe.
 
Let's look at the teams and what a series between Oslo and Cologne could look like. Once you start analyzing both teams, you see some similarities in how they were built by their respective GMs. And in the end, it's not easy to extrapolate an answer on how one team has the edge over the other. 
 
Therefore we will have to wait and see, and that's the beauty of the playoffs. The best teams are here, and anything can happen!
 
Writer: @leandrofg
 
Philadelphia Reapers: An Underdog Story
 
Hello again readers, Todd Ripley here with some deep cutting analysis on a big time underdog in the upcoming VHLM playoffs. Philadelphia had the unfortunate scheduling of ending their year with four games in one week. Three of the top four teams in the whole league awaited them and this squad did not let the competition deter them. The Reapers snuck out of this gauntlet with a 1-1-1 record which while not totally impressive, shows the grit of this club against even the big dogs. Every contest here was decided by a 3-2 score. Let’s take it one game at a time and break down what happened on the ice.
 
Philadelphia first took on the Miami Marauders and the theme of this game was lockdown defense for Philly. They faced down 45 shots and had to endure six penalty kills. Most of the credit has to go to Evan Bihler but how about a quick shoutout for debuting rookie Tyler Swift. Despite being the the ice for both of Miami’s goals for, Tyler was left out to dry by Rex Wolffe Gregor heading to the sin bin a whopping three times. Locking things down when it mattered on those double shifted penalty kills was key to the Reapers success tonight. While Swift didn’t receive any of the three star honors, he gets a gold star from me after a promising start to what shapes up to be a good career. Also of note, the Reapers only needed 12 shots to thwart backup Justin Lion and the Marauders but still a solid showing overall.
 
In the first game of a season ending road trip, Philadelphia flew south to meet the Mexico City Kings in a back and forth affair. This game got chippy quickly. Mexico struck early on the powerplay after Gregor tripped Mediocre One ten seconds into the contest. Then later, the Kings found the twine after another penalty from another Reapers defender. This would be enough to seal away a 3-2 win for the Kings. The teams combined for thirteen penalties and three powerplay goals on them. 
 
In their final contest of the year with the 7th seed on the line, the Reapers had to face down the league leading Las Vegas Aces. This contest had everything a fan could dream of; back-and-forth offense, big hits, flashy saves, a bare knuckle fight and extra time. Let’s start with some positives for Philadelphia. Through two periods they contained a pretty high power offense to less than 20 shots. Despite having their two best defenders combine for 10 penalty minutes, they didn’t allow a single powerplay marker to the Aces. The team managed some contributions from Jeannot and Aky in the form of clutch passes that lead to the game tying goal. Overall, the first two periods looked like a well rounded club playing a tough game. The third despite mistakes was pure heart to push through and eek out that point for the 7th seed. While they couldn’t finish off the Aces, they showed that they are a team worthy of Founders’ Cup contention.  
 
Mentions: @Eb14, @lilchrist , @oilmandan , @Emperor_Fun, @Lucas anton, @Ben_Reformed .
 
VHLM Playoff Predictions 
 
In typical VSN fashion it is time to jinx some VHLM teams. It is playoff time in the M and teams are fighting for the Founder's Cup. Las Vegas is looking to secure the first ever three-peat in VHLM history while some teams are trying to break their curses or developing curses. Let's get right into these playoff predictions. All of the predictions were made by both the VSN and the Prospect Pipeline teams with voters asked to refrain from voting in matchups involving their teams.
 
(1)Las Vegas Aces vs (8) San Diego Marlins
 
Las Vegas wins series by vote 10-0.
 
Las Vegas is an easy favorite in this matchup with Lachlan Summers being the only hope of San Diego stealing this series. We have seen 8 seeds beat 1 seeds, but those 8 seeds were deeper squads. Unfortunately this San Diego team doesn't have the depth to compete against this Las Vegas squad.
 
(2) Ottawa Lynx vs (7) Philadelphia Reapers
 
Philadelphia Reapers wins series by vote 9-2
 
This Philadelphia team is the team to pull off the upset. They are facing the weakest defensive team in the top 4. The scoring depth Philadelphia possesses will lead this team to what could be a very close series edged out by Philadelphia.
 
(3) Miami Marauders vs (6) Halifax 21st
 
Miami Marauders wins series by vote 7-3
 
Miami holds onto one of the best forward squads in the VHLM, but defensively struggles. Bill Nye has become a stronger goalie as the season has aged, but has shown that he has weaknesses. Halifax is a very good squad who unfortunately fell apart late in the season to become the 6 seed. This will be a close series won be the deeper team. Depth goes towards Miami, but all games will be close with likely a nail biting 6 or 7 game series.
 
(4) Mexico City Kings vs (5) Saskatoon Hounds
 
Mexico City wins series by vote 9-1
 
Mexico City has rapidly become a top 3 team, but did not have the time to recover from their very slow start to climb up to their rightful spot. Saskatoon is a team that struggles heavily defensively and will allow shot upon shot to reign upon a MVP candidate in Alexander Minion. Mexico City should be able to take this series with ease.
 
Semi Finals
 
(1 Las Vegas Aces vs (4) Mexico City Kings
 
Las Vegas wins series by vote 7-5
 
This is a clash of titans in the 2nd round. Las Vegas won this regular season by a fairly wide 7-2 margin, but Mexico City has added greatly since these games concluded. It will be an exciting matchup from the first pick drop, but Las Vegas will succeed because of how strong their defense is. It will be close, but Las Vegas will win the series.
 
(3) Miami Marauders vs (7) Philadelphia Reapers
 
Miami wins series by vote 8-4
 
In all honesty Halifax likely is a better team than Philadelphia is. However, coming off a good upset over the 2 seed Ottawa Lynx it will be an exciting time in Philadelphia. If they can hold their momentum into this round Philadelphia can and will steal games. Offensively they are similar teams with advantages towards Miami, but defensively is where these teams differ with Miami being the much better team. Interestingly if Miami plays Ottawa they are playing a team they are cursed against. In franchise history Miami has never beaten an Ottawa team in a playoff series.
 
Finals
 
(1 Las Vegas Aces vs (3) Miami Marauders
 
Las Vegas wins series by vote 9-2
 
With a dynasty at stake Las Vegas can finish their three-peat. Against them a Miami team that before this season hasn't won a single playoff series since their championship run in S79. Las Vegas has similar depth offensively, but prospers defensively. Bill Nye likely will be a better goalie, but if Miami has hope of winning this championship they need their brother pairing of Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon to perform to the highest degree. In the regular season Miami did win the series 4-2, but all of these games were very early in the season which likely means they are outdated. In the end Las Vegas will win this series in what will likely be a 5 or 6 game series completing the three-peat.
 
Mentions: @Big Newff @Ricer13 @tinafrombobsburgers @kirbithan
@Mini Muu
 

1. It’s going to be a dog fight, thinking it’ll go 7 games hoping we come out on top!
 
2. Definitely! We were the superior team and we showed that!
 
3. Miami Vices pool side with Daryl Dixon. 
 
4. Vancouver Canucks 🥴
 
5. We gotta get past Philly or no one is winning anything im afraid. 
 
6. I really enjoy playing with everyone so far! Daryl obviously but I’d like to see Ben again 😉

Miami Marauders Press Conference 
Week Ending October 16th 2022
Answer 3 for 1 TPE or 6 for 2 TPE!
————————————————————————————————————————————
 
1. How do you think the second round will turn out?
2. We had a 1st round sweep were you expecting that why or why not?
3. What has been your favourite thing about your time in Miami?
4. What team do you think is the worst in the nhl this season?
5. Who from our team do you think will win playoff awards? 
6. Is there any players you would wish too play with next season? 

Only if caught 🤷🏻‍♂️

...how on Earth did we go from answer sharing being banned, then EXPLICITLY ALLOWED AGAIN, to this again, without notice and without anyone agreeing to it? Yeah, the trivia channel in the league server has always had its own set of rules, but let's not pretend like those rules have always extended outside of it.
 
Moreover, WHY IS IT SUDDENLY A MOD ISSUE? I'd like to see what sort of "punishment" exists for sharing answers. Can't wait to be punished as if I just said something racist on the forum because I told someone what an answer was instead of linking them to something that states the answer just as directly.
 
CONTEXT that led to the ban from 2 years ago being almost immediately revoked--I can't find the original post or the revision for some odd reason... 🧐
 
If anyone does find the original post, you'll actually find that I was initially in favor of banning answer sharing, despite being responsible for a very substantial portion of the league's trivia TPE at the time. I like to think I can admit it when someone has changed my mind, and I'll also say that my mind mostly changed later on for a lot of the reasons that @Victor mentioned in that linked post. 
 
 
And honestly, the fact that we've got people in here who have mod powers and are more or less mocking this post says a lot. Disagree with it if you want, but at least do it respectfully and provide reasoning for said disagreement. I don't think the point Sam made about hiding channels from mods or whatever does enough to justify the way this was handled (or even the fact that it's seen as something that needs to be handled in the first place), but at least it's a response and not a cool pickle GIF.
 
 
I'd find the irony of this combined with the rest of the thread funny if it didn't also concern something I tend to feel more strongly than others about in this league.
 
 
So yeah. I'm sure this will get laughed at as a "hands off muh freedom"-type post, but I really think it's a fair one to make. We're taking something that we never actually banned, turning it into a CoC issue, going behind someone's back to gather evidence that a rule that was never publicly extended outside the league server is now being broken outside the league server, and not taking what's ultimately a fair response to that seriously.
 
 
 
😏

I am filing a formal complaint against @Diland the moderator team. I expect nothing to be done with this but am posting just to have it out in the public as shared information.
 
    Today the league was put on notice for trivia channels being created and answers being shared amongst their teams. I personally was reached out to by Dil and he said I had been reported for having a trivia channel with answers in that channel. He asked if I could delete said channel and I responded with a GIF of Bugs Bunny saying “No”. Clearly, the GIF if commonly used in a joking manner but Dil did not take it in that way and said “Hm?” 
 
Side note: Dil also dropped a message in the VHL GM Corner and other GMs also responses JOKINGLY with a GIF that said “No.”
 
   Not soon after I have players saying Dil is asking them to screen shot our discord locker room to find evidence of this trivia channel. I personally think this is unethical and can cause issues amongst a team and members that aren’t warranted. Dil could have simply asked to come into our locker room, which he never did and I would have given him access to everything to look around. 

I don’t think anyone needs to get in trouble or punished. I just want communication to be much clearer especially when dealing with issues like this. I don’t want to feel like the mod team is going behind my back when they didn’t really put in enough effort dealing directly with me. I’m not totally innocent as joking about it may not have been the best approach and was clearly misinterpreted. 
 
Okay now go ahead and rip me apart.
 

 
 

Attention, Heavenly Seven: Ash Sparks
(written by @kirbithan)
 
The S85 VHLM Draft was a spectacle to behold. It boasted many talents and unexpected twists and turns. One of the most notable feats was that a total of seven goaltenders were selected in the draft’s first two rounds. This was unprecedented, but the goaltender class looked exceptionally strong. This season, many games in the VHLM have come down to how well these netminders performed, which aptly earned them the nickname of the “Heavenly Seven.”
 
Who are the Heavenly Seven? What are their stories? Could this be a nickname that follows this group for the rest of their careers?
 
In the first edition of Attention, Heavenly Seven, veteran VHL member @DarkSpyro - also known as Ash Sparks - is the man of the hour. Spyro has consistently updated his listeners about the Heavenly Seven and their performances on his podcast “Spyro After Dark” and is thoroughly invested in his player as well as the others within the Seven. 
 
Spyro also had a hand in creating the “Heavenly Seven” nickname. After browsing an article centered around the “Big Five” goalies before the draft, Spyro commented that the author excluded two goalies from the list and mentioned that he disliked the “Big Five” nickname. The author then replied, “How about the Heavenly Seven then?” Spyro embraced the Heavenly Seven and emphasized how much he adored the nickname. 
 
When he first joined the VHL in S68, his first player was also a goaltender named Jimmy Spyro. He notes that this was the “best time he had in the league.” However, after a while, he was on welfare and lost interest in the league before being roped back into it at the urging of his friends. He had an overwhelming urge to recreate as a goaltender and play in net again. Thus, Ash Sparks was born. 
 
Spyro’s nickname originated from his time as a goalie in roller hockey when he was around 9 years old. His goalie mask design had two purple dragons on either side, roaring fire past the cage to the chin. Then, the Spyro game was recently released for the PlayStation, so one of his teammates commented, “His mask is like a badass Spyro the Dragon... that’s it! You’re Spyro.” As Spyro’s team wore nicknames on the back of their jerseys instead of surnames, the moniker stuck for that season and the next twenty years. 
 
When it came to Ash Sparks, Ash was derived from the middle name of Spyro’s son “Asher,” but also represented Spyro metaphorically “rising from the ashes” to return to the VHL stronger than ever. Meanwhile, Sparks was also a reference to the video game that Spyro’s nickname originated from all those years ago. Sparks the dragonfly was a companion and protector of Spyro the Dragon, representing Ash Sparks as the protector of the crease and his legacy.
 
Spyro knew Ash Sparks could have been selected anywhere in the VHLM draft with how deep the goaltender class was. He was drafted 15th overall by the Halifax 21st and put up stellar performances after his team’s slow start to the season. He was delighted to end up on Halifax, as they were a team that started the season near the bottom of the power rankings with a lack of defense. It was the perfect place to prove his worth and showcase his skills to their fullest potential.
 
As of the publication of this article, Sparks is one of the best goaltenders in the league. He is more than pleased with his performance between the pipes: “My goal for this season? Prove I am the best, the true top dog, and that I am a force to be feared no matter who my opposition may be. A few more shutouts, finish with my team ready for the playoffs, and lastly win the Founder’s Cup.”
 
He is also an extremely active member of both the forum and his locker room, energized by his new player and the people he’s surrounded by. He made his return to the league with a podcast co-hosted with his friend @DoktorFunk. Not only has it been his main source of TPE, but it has kept him engaged with the VHL. “I have fallen back in love with the community and meeting new people always gives me motivation to keep being myself.” He makes firing up his teammates and getting them pumped for each gameday his everyday goal. 

Finally, Spyro was asked if he had any words for the other members of the Heavenly Seven, and he responded accordingly. “All memes made by me are not with ill intent, they are made out of playful love for our bond. We are all the Heavenly Seven and will forever be rivals, but I adore and respect all of you. Each time we step on the ice, I’ll meet you by the boards near the benches for some props and to wish you good luck, always be myself and friendly. . .but then after that until the final buzzer blows... I will be your worst nightmare. See you on the ice, my friends.”
 
--
 
Silly Season
(written by @leandrofg)
 
That's the nickname for the trade deadline, right? It's that time of the season when caution is sometimes thrown out the window. It could be a General Manager overvaluing their own team, which turns them into a desperate buyer. Or worse, a General Manager that undervalues their team and turns them into an eager seller.
 
Anyway, the silly season always comes and goes. And thankfully, we are always here to follow it actively. This season we were treated to a not-so-active deadline, but the trades that happened sure left us with something to write about.
 
Let's start with the VHLM.
 
It was September 26th. A week before the deadline and an emergency call placed by the season's start was answered. Finally, somebody answered the prayers of Ben McLaughlin, @Ben mclaughlin. It's been a turmoiled career in the VHLM for the Canadian. The quality seems to be there, but everything else seems to not be clicking for that player. After starting as a Free Agent pickup on a lousy Season 83 Kings team, they were traded to Miami to finish the season. At the season 84 draft, the Marauders used their time together to pick Ben. They still decided to trade them to Mississauga during the latter's S84 playoff push. A season later, Ben is on their third (and final) VHLM season, and they find themselves back in Miami. Three seasons of lackluster numbers, but let's hope this last chance to make a mark in the playoffs is taken by Ben!
 
Heads up! The 0-63 Mississauga Hounds prove that a roster limit must be imposed in the VHLM.
 
Then another trade happened. This one took a while! And it took that much because the Houston Bulls were on fire. They were burning so hot that I could almost feel them 8000 kilometers away. High on the standings and leading the league in goals scored, the Houston Bulls weren't selling until there was a tipping point in their season... which was expected to happen. And thankfully, for my personal predictor, this trade happened. Well, thankfully at 50% because I got the team wrong. Saskatoon did well and swooped in to trade for Reno Reinhold, @Reno. In their second and last season in the VHLM, the German powerhouse was on a tear in Houston. They have also started well in Saskatoon, but it is possible that the cold has got to them, and we still are to see the best they can do.
 
Last but not least, the team that started number 1 on everybody's Power Rankings, the Mexico City Kings. Well... were they in trouble early or what? When we expected them to thrive and take care of business, they managed to squander every opportunity. To their credit, they have managed to turn that form around. Now amid the race, we won't see them fight for top seeding in the VHLM, but that 2nd spot in the Western Conference is still there for the taking. The trade? Well, the irony. The Mediocre One, @RElblein, was the player chosen to be the spotlight of the deal. His hot start in Houston, Mediocre, has continued his not-so-mediocre effort to the season in Mexico. Could he be the one helping Mexico reach that elusive Founders' Cup?
 
It is time to level up. To the VHLE, we go.
 
We start with our own part-time sellers, full-time winners, Stockholm Vikings. Could this be a sentence trying to compensate for something? Yes, likely. Stockholm started the season with a new General Manager and the 7th spot in our Power Rankings. Where are they now? Fighting for 3rd. This trade for Loki Baker DMD, @Bayley, comes a week after trading Nagy Al to the Gladiators, but Stockholm is always looking for value. Baker DMD has been underwhelming in Geneva, and their start in Stockholm hasn't been the best. But what remains is that the Vikings are a winning team that could be getting better not only for the time being but for next season too!
 
Now let's talk about riches getting richer. Damn! Well, I can't be too mad. They did what I told them they should do in our first analysis during the last VHLM Illustrated. The Oslo Storm started the season as clear favorites, and their level of play has shown that. Dominating their opponents with an amazingly offensive display, they have been leading the VHLE in scoring since the start of the season. Defensively, they apparently thought they could do something about it. They looked towards the shops in Geneva and left with their plane chiming the excess weight warning sounds. Babushka, @BrutalBoost, and Quinn Clark, @axtron, have already found their place in Oslo, and we can only wait to see what they do in the remainder of the season.
 
Last but not least, our love affair. It's between Jason, @Jason kranz, and Cologne. Did you know that Eau du Cologne only has a 2-4% fragrance concentration? That would last you for about 2 hours of good smell. Cologne's love for Jason, though? Well, that remained for weeks. Four weeks would be accurate too! Welcome to another episode of word playfulness, and I hope to have not lost you yet. Jason started the season on a losing team. Istanbul was a loser on paper to start the season and turned to losers on the ice as soon as it was time for it. It wasn't long until the offers started pouring to the new GM, Kurt Janser, @Daniel Janser, who inherited a championship-winning depleted squad. Rome and Cologne were fighting for Jason, but only one could take him home, and the Gladiators won that round. The fight didn't end there, and after Rome's season worsened, Cologne approached with an offer for Jason. He can now leave his mark on the VHLE as he stands to graduate to the VHL next season. Could he help the Express find their path in the playoffs?
 
--
 
Early VHLM Playoff Predictions
(written by @kirbithan)
 
Welcome to Prospect Pipeline’s first round playoff preview and predictions! In this article, we will be breaking down the four potential first round playoff series after an incredibly hardfought season in the VHLM. The top three teams are essentially locked into their spots, but the lower 5 could fall anywhere in the standings. Without further ado, these are my predictions for the seeding and first round.
 
LAS VEGAS ACES (1) VS. PHILADELPHIA REAPERS (8)
 
This series could end up becoming extremely lopsided with the firepower that the Aces possess and they look primed to three-peat. The Aces’ Antoine Barksdale has produced over 90 points in 60 games, carrying a majority of the offensive load. Meanwhile the Reapers’ duo of Sunglasses Joyo and Care Bear have produced nearly 80 and 70 points respectively. They only have one defenseman and a weaker goaltender on their roster which hurts their chances of taking this series significantly, which will drop them to the 8th seed. That being noted, Las Vegas’ potent offense gives them the advantage in this contest and they should be able to come out on top against a feeble Philadelphia defense. 
(@CrookedAnt, @thecaringbear, @JetsGoalie101)
 
FINAL PREDICTION: Las Vegas takes the series in 5 games.
 
 
OTTAWA LYNX (2) VS. SAN DIEGO MARLINS (7)
 
Both of these teams took a step in the right direction, as they were the 5th and 9th seed last season. The Lynx won 4 of 5 matchups, vastly outshooting the Marlins in every game. Ottawa’s Sadie St-Louis and Brayden Albrecht have been on a tear with over 75 points each. This high-powered offense could potentially be the thorn in San Diego’s side. Vincent Laroche-Gagnier is the Marlins’ top scorer with over 70 points. Another cornerstone is Sjin, who they acquired from Miami. Since returning to San Diego, Sjin has put up 62 points in 55 games after a measly 3 points in 7 games with the Marauders. Goaltender Lachlan Summers will also have to stand on his head as he has done all season, with a .914 SV % and a 2.57 GAA to his name. Although both of these teams lack defensive depth, Ottawa has the slight advantage with their high-scoring offense. 
(@sadie, @Gage2, @vincentlg2007, @kirbithan, @Mint)
 
FINAL PREDICTION: Ottawa takes the series in 6 games.
 
 
MIAMI MARAUDERS (3) VS. HALIFAX 21ST (6)
 
The Miami Marauders have made a splash after finishing dead last in the previous season while the Halifax 21st maintain their position in the standings from last season. With the duo of Daryl Dixon and Rick Grimes putting up over 90 points each, they have generated a majority of the Marauders’ offense with great success. Halifax’s leading scorer is Bedirhan Paard, who has scored 74 points in his tenure with the team. They possess quite a few inactive players that will hurt them in this run while Miami has sufficient depth that puts them close to a complete roster. However, the 21st have an advantage in net. Miami’s starting goaltender went IA and leave them no choice but to start Justin Lion. This series could come down to the wire and swing in either team’s favor. 
(@Ricer13, @tinafrombobsburgers, @Emperor_Fun, @Bedirhan)
 
FINAL PREDICTION: Miami takes the series in 7 games.
 
 
MEXICO CITY KINGS (4)  VS. SASKATOON WILD (5)
 
Mexico City had one of the strongest rosters at the beginning of the season, but experienced an unprecedented fall from grace. Now, with the help of a few recreates, they look to make a deep playoff run and I predict they will finish as the 4th seed. The Kings also traded for The Mediocre One to round out their offense, who leads the league in scoring with an astounding 115 points. Oli McGee carried the Wild offense with 97 points in 61 games and could potentially be a player that turns the tide in this matchup. Another notable player on the Wild is goaltender Alexander Minion who boasts a .923 SV % and a 2.53 GAA. He will have to play exceptionally well against this rejuvenated Mexico squad. As it stands, Mexico City has the edge on paper with Saskatoon’s lack of depth.
(@RElblein, @Oli-La-Poutine, @UnknownMinion)
 
FINAL PREDICTION: Mexico City takes the series in 6 games.
 
On behalf of the staff at Prospect Pipeline, good luck to the participants in this year’s Founder Cup playoffs! The Aces look as strong as they did last season, but can anyone dethrone the reigning champs?
 
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Who knows what will happen?
(written by @leandrofg)
 
1. Oslo (= 1st) 
2. Bratislava (= 2nd) 
3. Cologne (= 3rd)
4. Stockholm (+ 7th) 
5. Vasteras (= 5th)
6. Rome (= 6th)
7. Geneva (- 4th) 
8. Istanbul (= 8th)
 
With 10 games left in the VHLE, we couldn't possibly have this list formed any other way. But let's elaborate differently.
 
The Contenders. Oslo and Bratislava.
 
The Pretenders. Cologne, Stockholm, and Vasteras.
 
The There's-a-spot-left-in-the-playoffs. Geneva and Rome.
 
The Red Wolves.
 
It was never expected to see the Red Wolves competing as they did last season. As their championship run ended, we could all see a rebuild was the next step for the team.
 
The Contenders were known from the beginning of the season. Oslo was built to win this season and could be for the next season, as JB's work is starting to be noticed. As long as John Frostbeard, @FrostBeard, stands at the helm of the Watchmen, they will always be favorites. His work this season shows that winning mentality. With aggressive moves in the draft and Free Agency, he has assembled a winning squad for the season and hopes for the future.
 
Cologne and Vasteras were pretenders from the beginning, but Stockholm has turned into a dark horse. Could we see the new GM @MubbleFubbles surprising the league? Cologne has been making moves to try and step ahead of the competition, but they have yet to pan out. Could they have taken a page of the Vasteras playbook and stayed calm and faithful to the process?
 
Geneva and Rome will give us the most pleasant fight for the next 10 games. If you're in, you have a chance. If you're out, you're forgotten. Rome started lower on the rankings and made the moves to be competitive but seems to have pulled out. They are now running with a winning streak. Could that give them the motivation to go after the better-rated Rush?
 
--
 
A General Manager Chronicle
(written by @JB123)
 
Coming into the season, Oslo had several prospects, among them Todd Cooke, Jon Webber Jr, Lorenzo Cobberson, Akio Suzuki and Brodie Landry III, ready to make the jump to the team. The draft was still yet to arrive, which would fill some key holes on the roster. @l1l krzy l9l had valuable input prior to draft night, and has only done more and more for the team as time has gone on, extending into an AGM role.
(@Webberj, @Hendrix Cobberson, @David Cobberson, @Erik, @Brodie_Landry)
 
As for the draft itself, the likes of John Jameson, Reid Johnson and Henry Tucker Jr were selected; Jameson would give us a proven scorer; Johnson, a top-four defender and promising first gen; and Tucker Jr, he would complete our goaltending duo with Sam Tombstone, one that we had full confidence in. Once the full draft was finished and we had drafted prospects we were excited about, free agency was just around the corner.
(@Frank, @TopTiddee2, @NSG, @samthemancub)
 
We were glad to extend Cobberson’s brother, David, in addition to inking FAs Gus Bentley, @boatsinking123, and Juan Sano III, @denns. Bentley I was already familiar with from when I drafted them in San Diego, and they had valuable cup experience, winning with Bratislava in S83. Sano III had a terrific career in the minors and solidified the team up the middle.
 
The season overall has had its ups and downs. There have been some win streaks followed by strings of going .500, which led myself and Krzy to bring in defenders Babushka and Quinn Clark from Geneva, who have given us more options to work with. Even through this season’s losses, it looks like Oslo has finally recovered from its rebuild. Not only has this season been an improvement over the past few here, but it has been an extremely enjoyable one with a great group of people in the locker room. It should be interesting to see how things play out down the stretch, to say the least. 

I swear I have seen this fellow in Mississauga

1. Even though it’s a shock to some it probably is better for the long term success of the league. 
 
2. Marauders. We that team!
 
3. the interacting with new members and seeing them grow!
 
4. Ryan Kesler
 
5. hockey/basketball/football/spikeball
 
6. unfortunately the mediocre one. But that’s just what I think, not what I’d bet on!

The background graphic is not mine! 
 
Miami’s top scorers to this point in the season! 
 

Lol

I was expecting walter white

1. No I think what we have built is sustainable because our core is just getting better with experience and age! 
 
2. Rick Grimes has had a solid start to the season! He wants to prove he’s worthy of the 1st overall selection and he wants to win in Miami!
 
3. Chemistry is very important and i believe it’s part of the reason Miami is off to such a strong start.
 
4. Consistency throughout the season but also dominance! I want Rick and Daryl to be the two best players on the ice on every given night. That’s what Miami deserves and what we expect from ourselves. 
 
5. 10/10. No complaints. This is where I wanted to be and this is where I was meant to be. 
 
6. I think we can make the playoffs and even contend if we keep grinding and finding that consistency that’s so important come playoff time. 

1. No I think what we have built is sustainable because our core is just getting better with experience and age! 
 
2. Rick Grimes has had a solid start to the season! He wants to prove he’s worthy of the 1st overall selection and he wants to win in Miami!
 
3. Chemistry is very important and i believe it’s part of the reason Miami is off to such a strong start.
 
4. Consistency throughout the season but also dominance! I want Rick and Daryl to be the two best players on the ice on every given night. That’s what Miami deserves and what we expect from ourselves. 
 
5. 10/10. No complaints. This is where I wanted to be and this is where I was meant to be. 
 
6. I think we can make the playoffs and even contend if we keep grinding and finding that consistency that’s so important come playoff time. 

1. Make the sexiest most badass player ever!
 
2. Maybe goalie for the heck of it but I’m happy where I am!
 
3. Might start slow as we build chemistry but won’t take long for us to become a powerhouse!
 
4. Just continue to be interactive! Play fun games, get to know your players and teammates! 
 
5. I expect him to gain a ton of experience and be one of the top players this season! Help Miami get back to the promise land.
 
6. Dary Dixon. Shooters shoot

The following players have been appointed captains of the team. 
 
C @Big Newff
A @KzooJohn
A @Rjdixon01
 
The rules for challenging for a captain position are as follows.
 
1. Only an assistant captain can challenge someone wearing the C.
2. When a challenge occurs both players will be notified if it has been approved.
3. Players can't be refused being challenged.
4. To win a challenge over the next week the GM and AGM will decide which player is providing more on and off the ice.
5 After successfully DEFENDING a challenge a player can't be challenged for 1 week.
6. After losing a challenge that player will either be placed as an A if they were a C or stripped of a captain slot.
7. After losing a challenge that player can't challenge the same player for 1 week.

1. Make the sexiest most badass player ever!
 
2. Maybe goalie for the heck of it but I’m happy where I am!
 
3. Might start slow as we build chemistry but won’t take long for us to become a powerhouse!
 
4. Just continue to be interactive! Play fun games, get to know your players and teammates! 
 
5. I expect him to gain a ton of experience and be one of the top players this season! Help Miami get back to the promise land.
 
6. Dary Dixon. Shooters shoot