VattghernCZ

Side note:
 
If anyone likes this, they will NEVER get another sig from me!

@MexicanCow123
 

 

Former executive David Knight @Knight sits far left on the panel as he discusses why no one is worthy of winning his award. 
 
It's almost a week away from trade frenzy season in the VHL with the trade deadline looming large and many teams with big decisions. Some teams in clear rebuilds will have to decide on the fate of their older players and teams looking to compete but who have underwhelmed will look to add to their mix. We'll examine the top sellers and buyers as well as the top trade chips on the board and three potential deals we could see play out.  
 
 
Top 5 Sellers:
1. Calgary Wranglers
@leandrofg's Calgary Wranglers have been the surprise of the VHL this season after a few seasons of Simon utterly screwing them over, they we're probably due for some sim luck despite entering either a retool or rebuild depending on how you want to look at it. Calgary still boasts some strong players in their prime and have a ton of prospects and draft capital. They're number one as a seller on our list because despite David Slezak's @ShawnGlade amazing season so far we're not sure it holds up over the long haul unless their earning significantly increases which it hasn't even after the hot start. Wranglers traded away Merone Dilson @MexicanCow123 who is putting up impressive numbers in London this season, the only replacement in the system is Slezak who doesn't seem like a long term solution if history is any indicator.  The Season 95 draft has two top goalie prospects in Roger Eagles @Greg_Di and Spider Panda @Ricer13 both can easily be considered franchise goalies but are likely seasons away from making an impact. This is the main reason we have Calgary as the number one seller on our board, they have a ton of assets and likely a bright future but they're exceeding expectations and some times it's best to sell an asset at it's highest point and Calgary has a few that would garner a ton of interest. 
2. Helsinki Titans 
@samx went full scorched earth last season selling off some of their top players to Seattle at the deadline and that continued into the off-season. Safe to say Helsinki is in a full rebuild but does still have some trade chips they could sell off if they so choose and a lot of them are quite attractive to contending teams. What appetite does Helsinki have to continue trading players remains to be seen. But we know they've been a player in the past at the deadline so they'll be a team to keep an eye on. 
3. D.C. Dragons 
@FrostBeard's Dragons are much like Helsinki entering a full rebuild this past off-season and likely looking to recoup more assets for retiring players. Who will be available at the deadline remains a mystery but D.C. seems primed to sell off a few players and continue building up their prospects pool after many seasons of contending. 
4. HC Davos Dynamo 
@Alex tried to load up this off-season but without a true number one goalie pivoted back into another transition season for their rebuild, with likely another top 4 pick in the upcoming draft. They have some depth players they could sell and Alex has always been extremely active on the trade market. The recent re-signing of Grimgor Ironhide tells us that Davos is looking to compete sooner rather than later, but I think the trade deadline will be more about building up assets. The real leg work will come in the off-season where Davos will likely have the same game plan as last off-season but hopefully with a few more moves reaching the finish line. 
5. New York Americans 
@STZ's Americans have gone through a bit of a rough patch here and that's pretty much the only reason they're on this list. On paper they have one of the strongest rosters and they're certainly a mix  of young and old so they're not screaming for a rebuild or re-tool. I have them as dark horse seller since I feel like they won't want to miss the playoffs and sit on their hands. They have a few older players who might fetch a nice return at the deadline. But I believe in the end they'll be buyers as the time to win is now and in the next few seasons. 
 
Top 5 Buyers: 
1. New York Americans 
What a nice transition from number five on our sellers list to number one on our buyers list. As I stated above, the time to win is now. New York is currently running a roster with five forwards and are projected to have 4 million in deadline cap space. That's more than enough to add a significant piece. Will that be the only move they make? 
2. Riga Reign 
@Lemorse7 has been aggressive early in his GM tenure, he made it clear this off-season and with his early season acquisition of The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath  that the time to win is now. We also don't have much of a track record to go off of so It'll be interesting how much more buying he'll be comfortable with. Riga has an astounding 9.3 million in deadline cap space. That's enough to do a lot of damage. But the question will be if there is enough sellers and are they selling what Riga wants to buy?
3. Vancouver Wolves 
A team trying desperately to win now and not sacrifice the future completely. Vancouver made an early season deal with Riga to improve the future of their center position with Pierre Marc Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito and picking up Martin Kemp @leafsman who has fit like a glove among the forwards. The Wolves much like the Americans are in need of a forward currently running with only five. The issue is assets. Vancouver doesn't have much draft capital after an off-season spending spree. They also only have top prospects in Trueno @Thunder who will be the future of the Wolves blueline alongside Galvirovs @Girts. As well as the newly acquired Bouchard, neither prospect will be traded. The only question mark is in goal as Vancouver will have a decision to make and Soju could shake lose if the right offer is made. In the end the likely outcome is a depth forward at minimal cost to Vancouver or standing pat. 
4. London United 
@jacobcarson877's United are primed for another run to the finals, hopefully with a better outcome this time around. A team who should probably be higher on this list just based off aspirations alone as well as their need for a blue liner and projected 8 million in deadline cap space. Combine all those things and London could make a huge splash at the deadline. The only issue is an aging roster and not a lot of assets aside from their 1st round pick in Season 96 as well as some lesser picks in both 95 and 96. While a trade of London 1st for one or two elite players would make for a great headline it's the less likely scenario for the United. We expect London will take the measured approach and use one of their later picks to pick up a 4th defensemen and call it a day by not sacrificing their future and lessening the length of the inevitable rebuild. 
5.  Calgary Wranglers 
Much like New York was a dark horse seller. Calgary will be a dark horse buyer. With a ton of draft capital and no expectations, Calgary could easily improve their roster and see how far Simon is willing to take them. 
 
 
 
VHL Top 15 Trade Chips Board: 
The trade board is determined by likely hood of the player being moved combine with the talent level of the player. A player could be less likely to be traded but is considered to be of a higher talent than the rest so that places them higher or the board and vice versa. 
1. S96 London 1st
2. Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler
3. Adi Dassler @BOOM
4. Lucas Grey @emidas
5. Jens Lekman @Bobcat
6. Keita Kourou @woog
7. Jarkko Laakkonen @Xdjk93
8. S95 Mal 1st (Owned by Riga)
9. Moritz Stauffer @GoodLeftUndone
10. Yaroslav Trunov @qripll
11. Soju @Frank
12. S95 New York 1st
13. S95 Chicago 1st
14. Ellis Woolfenden @D3X 
15. Keon Jeannot @Lucas anton
 
 
 
Four Potential Deadline Deals:
If these happen I get full credit. 
 
 
To Riga :
C - Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler 
D - Jens Lekman @Bobcat
 
To Calgary :
S96 LA 1st
S95 Mal 1st
S95 Cgy 2nd
 
Why does either team do this? Calgary decides to sell high and accumulate as much draft capital as possible, they'll be absolutely stacked in the future. Riga continues their aggressive pursuit of glory and trades not one but two 1st round picks for their coveted franchise center signed long term. Riga fans rejoice over the though of Tuominen and Frenchman down the middle headed into the playoffs. On top of that they also add some high end defensive depth with their insane amount of cap space. 
 
 
 
To London:
D - Eurydyka Sklodowska @diamond_ace 
 
To D.C. :
S96 PRG 3rd
 
Why does either team do this? London fills their need on defense, while they would likely want to aim higher it's the best they could do without giving up that coveted 1st. D.C. sees potential in a Prague 3rd being closer to a late 2nd and feel there is enough value to move on from Sklodowska. The two teams also have a recent history of trading so likely an easy line of communication. 
 
 
To Chicago :
LW - Adi Dassler @BOOM
 
To Helsinki :
LW - UghSike @UghSike
S96 Chi 2nd*
*Becomes S95 Chi 1st if Dassler signs an extension with Chicago. 
 
Why does either team do this? For Helsinki it's simple they continue to grow their asset pool and build for the future. For Chicago they're definitely buyers but need pieces that can make an impact now. Chicago was able to acquire quite a few higher profile players at a lesser cost this off-season so the price paid here might be more palatable and gives the team a real win now mentality instead of a wait and see with some of their prospects. 
 
 
To New York :
RW - Catia Goncalves 
 
To Calgary :
S95 NY 1st
S95 NY 2nd
S96 NY 2nd
 
Why does either team do this? Both teams reluctantly accept after fierce negotiations. New York who has been a more conservative buyers bites the bullet and gets a forward who fits in seamlessly cap wise and is young enough to justify the high cost. Calgary makes this deal after finding the market for both Tuominen and Goncalves are too strong to pass up. Also @leandrofg decides Calgary's future is worth the risk of sleeping on the couch. 
 
 
 
If you got this far thank you for reading this trade deadline primer, please direct your nasty comments to @Lemorse7 the mastermind of this article. 
 
1823 words

Why part 2? Well, a) my eagerness to earn TPE lead to me writing the Career Task immediately when I was eligible to, which means it only covered the first half of Kerr's career, and 2) it's easy to write and I want TPE. And now, when Kerr unofficially announced his retirement after the current season, is a good time to look what he's done in the second half of his 8-season career.

Of course, a major change between the first and second half of Kerr's career is the team he's played for. After 3 seasons with Vancouver, he was awarded an A on his chest, which sealed his fate as a Wolf (as it usually does) and he was traded to London a year later after his then-best year, with 2 years left on his contract, as 120% accurately described by @Gaikoku-hito, the Wolves AGM (https://vhlforum.com/topic/141862-the-curse-is-real/)
S91 – New Career Year
 
In London, Kerr's task was simple – but far from easy – to replace Igor Molotov as the United's top center. And he immediately clicked with Leonard Triller and Molly the Cat, as both Triller and the Cat have recorded over 100 points for the first time in their career, with 24 goals, 103 points and a Beketov Trophy for Triller, and 52 goals and 107 points for Molly the Cat. While Kerr was just slightly lacking in the production department with „only“ 44 goals and 52 assists for 96 points (all three stats were his new career high), but was winning faceoffs and puck battles with a respectable rate, and complimented his wingers' dynamic offensive abilities with physicality and two-way game, as he lead the team with 197 hits and lead the forward core with 37 shots blocked. The top heavy London (46 points gap between 3rd and 4th highest scorers) finished 4th overall after the regular season, but the lack of depth proved fatal in the Euro finals, where Helsinki dispatched of them easily in 5 games.
S92 – A slight step back...in the regular season
Individually, S92 was Kerr's worst season since his sophomore year, with only 37 goals and 43 assists for 80 points. The top end scoring really took a dip in the S92 London, as no United hit 100 points or 40 goals. But unlike the previous season, this year's squad had depth. The 4th highest scorer on the S91 United was Lloyd Braun with 50 points. This Year, 6 London players scored more than that. In the postseason, unreal goaltending by Jesse Teno (ultimately the Kanou winner), elite top end scoring along with the depth carried the United all the way to game 7 in the finals, where they came short. Kerr struggled to score goals, with only 8% shooting percentage, and recorded just 8 goals and 26 points in 22 games, but at least still brought his signature physicality with 50 hits.
S93 – one for the ages
No idea what happened with Kerr. Maybe he switched from Bernard lager to Svijany lager. Or maybe the pressure of needing to step up because of Molly the Cat retiring brought out the best of him, but he had a good season. Like...really good. New career highs across the board. (Kevin Brooks Trophy winning) 58 goals and nice 69 assists for (Mike Szatkowski co-winning) 127 points to go with 247 hits, but only 29 shots blocked. I guess you can't block shots when you always are in the offensive zone doing hockey magic with Triller. And the dominance carried on into the postseason, where the United fought their way into the finals...again. But lost...again. This time, it was to the Bears, Kerr's former rivals from his Vancouver days. Kerr scored 12 goals and 27 points in 16 playoff games and was a Kanou nominee – ultimately it was his teammate Lloyd Braun (7 goals and 23 points as a defender) who won it.
S94 – will Kerr get his cup?
A very strong start by the United, and a decent start by Kerr. Still scoring goals (2nd on the team with 22) and hitting people (2nd on the team with 113 hits). The team looks great with 4 players over a point per game, and with Merom Dilson in the net stepping up after Jesse Teno called it a career. Kerr has been in the VHL finals 3 times already, but with no Cup to show for it. Will he make it 4 finals appearances in 8 seasons (with a final appearance in both VHLM and VHLE)? Will he break what seems to be a curse and end his career with a Cup celebration? We'll see.

Why part 2? Well, a) my eagerness to earn TPE lead to me writing the Career Task immediately when I was eligible to, which means it only covered the first half of Kerr's career, and 2) it's easy to write and I want TPE. And now, when Kerr unofficially announced his retirement after the current season, is a good time to look what he's done in the second half of his 8-season career.

Of course, a major change between the first and second half of Kerr's career is the team he's played for. After 3 seasons with Vancouver, he was awarded an A on his chest, which sealed his fate as a Wolf (as it usually does) and he was traded to London a year later after his then-best year, with 2 years left on his contract, as 120% accurately described by @Gaikoku-hito, the Wolves AGM (https://vhlforum.com/topic/141862-the-curse-is-real/)
S91 – New Career Year
 
In London, Kerr's task was simple – but far from easy – to replace Igor Molotov as the United's top center. And he immediately clicked with Leonard Triller and Molly the Cat, as both Triller and the Cat have recorded over 100 points for the first time in their career, with 24 goals, 103 points and a Beketov Trophy for Triller, and 52 goals and 107 points for Molly the Cat. While Kerr was just slightly lacking in the production department with „only“ 44 goals and 52 assists for 96 points (all three stats were his new career high), but was winning faceoffs and puck battles with a respectable rate, and complimented his wingers' dynamic offensive abilities with physicality and two-way game, as he lead the team with 197 hits and lead the forward core with 37 shots blocked. The top heavy London (46 points gap between 3rd and 4th highest scorers) finished 4th overall after the regular season, but the lack of depth proved fatal in the Euro finals, where Helsinki dispatched of them easily in 5 games.
S92 – A slight step back...in the regular season
Individually, S92 was Kerr's worst season since his sophomore year, with only 37 goals and 43 assists for 80 points. The top end scoring really took a dip in the S92 London, as no United hit 100 points or 40 goals. But unlike the previous season, this year's squad had depth. The 4th highest scorer on the S91 United was Lloyd Braun with 50 points. This Year, 6 London players scored more than that. In the postseason, unreal goaltending by Jesse Teno (ultimately the Kanou winner), elite top end scoring along with the depth carried the United all the way to game 7 in the finals, where they came short. Kerr struggled to score goals, with only 8% shooting percentage, and recorded just 8 goals and 26 points in 22 games, but at least still brought his signature physicality with 50 hits.
S93 – one for the ages
No idea what happened with Kerr. Maybe he switched from Bernard lager to Svijany lager. Or maybe the pressure of needing to step up because of Molly the Cat retiring brought out the best of him, but he had a good season. Like...really good. New career highs across the board. (Kevin Brooks Trophy winning) 58 goals and nice 69 assists for (Mike Szatkowski co-winning) 127 points to go with 247 hits, but only 29 shots blocked. I guess you can't block shots when you always are in the offensive zone doing hockey magic with Triller. And the dominance carried on into the postseason, where the United fought their way into the finals...again. But lost...again. This time, it was to the Bears, Kerr's former rivals from his Vancouver days. Kerr scored 12 goals and 27 points in 16 playoff games and was a Kanou nominee – ultimately it was his teammate Lloyd Braun (7 goals and 23 points as a defender) who won it.
S94 – will Kerr get his cup?
A very strong start by the United, and a decent start by Kerr. Still scoring goals (2nd on the team with 22) and hitting people (2nd on the team with 113 hits). The team looks great with 4 players over a point per game, and with Merom Dilson in the net stepping up after Jesse Teno called it a career. Kerr has been in the VHL finals 3 times already, but with no Cup to show for it. Will he make it 4 finals appearances in 8 seasons (with a final appearance in both VHLM and VHLE)? Will he break what seems to be a curse and end his career with a Cup celebration? We'll see.

So time for his younger brother Faulk to recreate 😉

Why part 2? Well, a) my eagerness to earn TPE lead to me writing the Career Task immediately when I was eligible to, which means it only covered the first half of Kerr's career, and 2) it's easy to write and I want TPE. And now, when Kerr unofficially announced his retirement after the current season, is a good time to look what he's done in the second half of his 8-season career.

Of course, a major change between the first and second half of Kerr's career is the team he's played for. After 3 seasons with Vancouver, he was awarded an A on his chest, which sealed his fate as a Wolf (as it usually does) and he was traded to London a year later after his then-best year, with 2 years left on his contract, as 120% accurately described by @Gaikoku-hito, the Wolves AGM (https://vhlforum.com/topic/141862-the-curse-is-real/)
S91 – New Career Year
 
In London, Kerr's task was simple – but far from easy – to replace Igor Molotov as the United's top center. And he immediately clicked with Leonard Triller and Molly the Cat, as both Triller and the Cat have recorded over 100 points for the first time in their career, with 24 goals, 103 points and a Beketov Trophy for Triller, and 52 goals and 107 points for Molly the Cat. While Kerr was just slightly lacking in the production department with „only“ 44 goals and 52 assists for 96 points (all three stats were his new career high), but was winning faceoffs and puck battles with a respectable rate, and complimented his wingers' dynamic offensive abilities with physicality and two-way game, as he lead the team with 197 hits and lead the forward core with 37 shots blocked. The top heavy London (46 points gap between 3rd and 4th highest scorers) finished 4th overall after the regular season, but the lack of depth proved fatal in the Euro finals, where Helsinki dispatched of them easily in 5 games.
S92 – A slight step back...in the regular season
Individually, S92 was Kerr's worst season since his sophomore year, with only 37 goals and 43 assists for 80 points. The top end scoring really took a dip in the S92 London, as no United hit 100 points or 40 goals. But unlike the previous season, this year's squad had depth. The 4th highest scorer on the S91 United was Lloyd Braun with 50 points. This Year, 6 London players scored more than that. In the postseason, unreal goaltending by Jesse Teno (ultimately the Kanou winner), elite top end scoring along with the depth carried the United all the way to game 7 in the finals, where they came short. Kerr struggled to score goals, with only 8% shooting percentage, and recorded just 8 goals and 26 points in 22 games, but at least still brought his signature physicality with 50 hits.
S93 – one for the ages
No idea what happened with Kerr. Maybe he switched from Bernard lager to Svijany lager. Or maybe the pressure of needing to step up because of Molly the Cat retiring brought out the best of him, but he had a good season. Like...really good. New career highs across the board. (Kevin Brooks Trophy winning) 58 goals and nice 69 assists for (Mike Szatkowski co-winning) 127 points to go with 247 hits, but only 29 shots blocked. I guess you can't block shots when you always are in the offensive zone doing hockey magic with Triller. And the dominance carried on into the postseason, where the United fought their way into the finals...again. But lost...again. This time, it was to the Bears, Kerr's former rivals from his Vancouver days. Kerr scored 12 goals and 27 points in 16 playoff games and was a Kanou nominee – ultimately it was his teammate Lloyd Braun (7 goals and 23 points as a defender) who won it.
S94 – will Kerr get his cup?
A very strong start by the United, and a decent start by Kerr. Still scoring goals (2nd on the team with 22) and hitting people (2nd on the team with 113 hits). The team looks great with 4 players over a point per game, and with Merom Dilson in the net stepping up after Jesse Teno called it a career. Kerr has been in the VHL finals 3 times already, but with no Cup to show for it. Will he make it 4 finals appearances in 8 seasons (with a final appearance in both VHLM and VHLE)? Will he break what seems to be a curse and end his career with a Cup celebration? We'll see.

Why part 2? Well, a) my eagerness to earn TPE lead to me writing the Career Task immediately when I was eligible to, which means it only covered the first half of Kerr's career, and 2) it's easy to write and I want TPE. And now, when Kerr unofficially announced his retirement after the current season, is a good time to look what he's done in the second half of his 8-season career.

Of course, a major change between the first and second half of Kerr's career is the team he's played for. After 3 seasons with Vancouver, he was awarded an A on his chest, which sealed his fate as a Wolf (as it usually does) and he was traded to London a year later after his then-best year, with 2 years left on his contract, as 120% accurately described by @Gaikoku-hito, the Wolves AGM (https://vhlforum.com/topic/141862-the-curse-is-real/)
S91 – New Career Year
 
In London, Kerr's task was simple – but far from easy – to replace Igor Molotov as the United's top center. And he immediately clicked with Leonard Triller and Molly the Cat, as both Triller and the Cat have recorded over 100 points for the first time in their career, with 24 goals, 103 points and a Beketov Trophy for Triller, and 52 goals and 107 points for Molly the Cat. While Kerr was just slightly lacking in the production department with „only“ 44 goals and 52 assists for 96 points (all three stats were his new career high), but was winning faceoffs and puck battles with a respectable rate, and complimented his wingers' dynamic offensive abilities with physicality and two-way game, as he lead the team with 197 hits and lead the forward core with 37 shots blocked. The top heavy London (46 points gap between 3rd and 4th highest scorers) finished 4th overall after the regular season, but the lack of depth proved fatal in the Euro finals, where Helsinki dispatched of them easily in 5 games.
S92 – A slight step back...in the regular season
Individually, S92 was Kerr's worst season since his sophomore year, with only 37 goals and 43 assists for 80 points. The top end scoring really took a dip in the S92 London, as no United hit 100 points or 40 goals. But unlike the previous season, this year's squad had depth. The 4th highest scorer on the S91 United was Lloyd Braun with 50 points. This Year, 6 London players scored more than that. In the postseason, unreal goaltending by Jesse Teno (ultimately the Kanou winner), elite top end scoring along with the depth carried the United all the way to game 7 in the finals, where they came short. Kerr struggled to score goals, with only 8% shooting percentage, and recorded just 8 goals and 26 points in 22 games, but at least still brought his signature physicality with 50 hits.
S93 – one for the ages
No idea what happened with Kerr. Maybe he switched from Bernard lager to Svijany lager. Or maybe the pressure of needing to step up because of Molly the Cat retiring brought out the best of him, but he had a good season. Like...really good. New career highs across the board. (Kevin Brooks Trophy winning) 58 goals and nice 69 assists for (Mike Szatkowski co-winning) 127 points to go with 247 hits, but only 29 shots blocked. I guess you can't block shots when you always are in the offensive zone doing hockey magic with Triller. And the dominance carried on into the postseason, where the United fought their way into the finals...again. But lost...again. This time, it was to the Bears, Kerr's former rivals from his Vancouver days. Kerr scored 12 goals and 27 points in 16 playoff games and was a Kanou nominee – ultimately it was his teammate Lloyd Braun (7 goals and 23 points as a defender) who won it.
S94 – will Kerr get his cup?
A very strong start by the United, and a decent start by Kerr. Still scoring goals (2nd on the team with 22) and hitting people (2nd on the team with 113 hits). The team looks great with 4 players over a point per game, and with Merom Dilson in the net stepping up after Jesse Teno called it a career. Kerr has been in the VHL finals 3 times already, but with no Cup to show for it. Will he make it 4 finals appearances in 8 seasons (with a final appearance in both VHLM and VHLE)? Will he break what seems to be a curse and end his career with a Cup celebration? We'll see.

1. An improvement to our penalty kill would be good, we can't let opponents score once in 4 attempts, especially when we have goons like Wanker on the team.
 
2. That's a tough ask. We can certainly score more goals than they can, but we're allowing too many shots, which leads to too many goals against, even with great goaltending. I wouldn't bet on us in this.
 
3. I had the chance to GM Mograine in JST, I believe in them, even though the development hasn't probably been as smooth as expected. But the top prospect has to be Hugo Boss.
 
4. He certainly has the skill to do so, no doubt about that. But ultimately, someone has to be converting those chances for him to record assists, I'd say there's a 40% chance.
 
5. We're a playoff team, but I don't really think our current position can predict our playoff success. Malmö has had our number all season long, which is scary, but we've proven ourselves in the playoffs time and time again. Yes, we can do it! Last season's Kanou winner and runner up are still on the team.
 
6. I'm so bad at this! Maybe because I'm too lazy to think haha. I don't know, the "the" in the middle?

Nice, thank you mate! I love that the United jersey has this serious London vibe unlike my gfx, and that you respected the player number. Great job!

Ryan Artyomov @Enorama, Wann Kerr @VattghernCZ, King Kisslinger @Kisslinger
 
          

Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123 is showing doubters what's good. The biggest question mark about the S94 United was always going to be the goaltending. After soon-to-be Hall of Fame goaltender Jesse Teno @aimkin announced their retirement, many fans forecasted the end of London's Cup window. Even after Merome Dilson, a former Aidan Shaw and Scottv Campbell winner, joined the United, there were doubters. With .93 SV% in his first 19 games in blue&red, it's safe to say he's been doing his best to change their mind.
 
Leonard Triller @Triller is taking the spotlight for himself. You'd have a hard time finding a more underappreciated player than London's captain, arguably the best playmaker in today's VHL. He's built his career on doing what true leaders and exceptional players do - making players around him better. Even when it meant to be in someone else's shadow, he's always put his team before him. But in the seasons he actually led the team in scorint, he didn't get much attention when it comes to leaguewide recognition. However, this year, he's putting the United offense on his shoulders and is showing everyone he truly is one of the league's best.
 
Sjin @Sjin is a two-way beast. Someone should contact the Merriam-Webster people, they need to put Sjin's name next to "late bloomer". Joining the league in S91 after 5 full seasons in the M and a season in the E, Sjin really broke out in S93 with 41 goals and 92 points. So far this season however, he's been taking his game to completely different level. On top of team-leading 16 goals, he's also recorded 22 shot blocks in as many games to go along with 60 hits. Any GM would trade their immediate family for a 2C like Sjin.

Merome Dilson @MexicanCow123 is showing doubters what's good. The biggest question mark about the S94 United was always going to be the goaltending. After soon-to-be Hall of Fame goaltender Jesse Teno @aimkin announced their retirement, many fans forecasted the end of London's Cup window. Even after Merome Dilson, a former Aidan Shaw and Scottv Campbell winner, joined the United, there were doubters. With .93 SV% in his first 19 games in blue&red, it's safe to say he's been doing his best to change their mind.
 
Leonard Triller @Triller is taking the spotlight for himself. You'd have a hard time finding a more underappreciated player than London's captain, arguably the best playmaker in today's VHL. He's built his career on doing what true leaders and exceptional players do - making players around him better. Even when it meant to be in someone else's shadow, he's always put his team before him. But in the seasons he actually led the team in scorint, he didn't get much attention when it comes to leaguewide recognition. However, this year, he's putting the United offense on his shoulders and is showing everyone he truly is one of the league's best.
 
Sjin @Sjin is a two-way beast. Someone should contact the Merriam-Webster people, they need to put Sjin's name next to "late bloomer". Joining the league in S91 after 5 full seasons in the M and a season in the E, Sjin really broke out in S93 with 41 goals and 92 points. So far this season however, he's been taking his game to completely different level. On top of team-leading 16 goals, he's also recorded 22 shot blocks in as many games to go along with 60 hits. Any GM would trade their immediate family for a 2C like Sjin.

A fitting name for an antitrophy

A fitting name for an antitrophy

Not yet.
 
Unless there's a Corey Perry or Marian Hossa-type award for most finals appearances without a cup.
 
We could call it the Wannkerr Trophy.

London United Presser week ending June 9 2024
 
1. How are you feeling after a hot start to the season for London?
2. We have two United in the top ten in scoring! Does Triller or Kerr sneak up into the top 5 before the TDL?
3. Who in your opinion is Londons biggest European rival?
4. Triller takes the team out for breakfast as he soaks in his final season with his teammates. Where is he taking everyone?
 
5. If you went to London for a day IRL, what is one snack you’d want to try?
6. Who’s winning the Stanley Cup final? Florida or Edmonton?

I don’t remember who recommended it, maybe @Gustav  2-3 years ago when I bought it, but I’m just beginning The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. 

@Scurvy

1. @Grape (GM)
F - Jeff Lewis
F - Jarmo Ruutu
F - George Richmond
D - Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage
D - Leif Reingaard
G - Olober Syko
 
2. @VattghernCZ
F - Axle Gunner
F - Daryl Dixon
F - Catia Goncavles
D - Bobby Bob
D - Kronchy Kardashian
G - Merome Dilson
 
3. @OrbitingDeath
F - Wann Kerr
F - Owen Lazaro
F - Grimgor Ironhide
D - YaBoi Oven
D - Fradin McGryer
G - WWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWW
 
4. @Will3
F - Ronald Johnson MacWallace III
F - Severus Targaryen
F - Spanish Moon Moth
D - David Jokinen
D - Callum Gary Yannick Janser
G - Ash Sparks
 
5. @Scurvy
F - Harry Callahan
F - The Frenchman
F - FISTED ANALLY BY A CIRCUS MONKEY Analfist
D - Mark Calaway
D - Liv Slater
G - Joel Castle
 
6. @xsjack
F - Maxim Anisimov
F - King Kisslinger
F - Jimi Jaks
D - Jacob Stone
D - Skor McFleury
G - Lachlan Summers

As presumably a non-teen beginner, I'd look into 2-cyl 650s, maybe something along the lines of a Kawasaki Ninja 650 or Kawa Z650 (extremely similar bikes, but the Z is naked). Or a liquid cooled (2007 or newer) Suzuki Bandit 650 as imo the ultimate second hand beginner bike. But I might be biased, I used to ride a naked Bandit 650 lol.
 
Those engines have fairly linear, beginner friendly power curve with quite some low rev torque, and not enough power to get out of hands if you're not an idiot. They may be boring for a thrill seeker with some experience, but they'd make lovely commuters even for those riding an R1 on days off lol.

Great leadership group! Lets GO!
 
Glad the season started, Gavilrovs was getting a bit short tempered not being allowed to check anyone through the boards in practice, although he did check Rip Wheeler into the bench his first day in Vancouver.