scoop

Spartan if Malmo drafts a forward:
 
"However, their forwards might just be the strongest part of their team, with youngsters Viktor Jensen, Yasoslav Trunov, and Justin Williams already showing promise alongside the veterans in the group who are also just in the middle of their careers. Prospects Ronald Johnson MacWallace III and Savaisk Tzesar also appear on the cusp of making their pro roster, making the selection of yet another forward in the S90 1st round a bit confusing."

Spartan if Malmo drafts a forward:
 
"However, their forwards might just be the strongest part of their team, with youngsters Viktor Jensen, Yasoslav Trunov, and Justin Williams already showing promise alongside the veterans in the group who are also just in the middle of their careers. Prospects Ronald Johnson MacWallace III and Savaisk Tzesar also appear on the cusp of making their pro roster, making the selection of yet another forward in the S90 1st round a bit confusing."

1. Prague Phantoms
The Phantoms have not had a very active off-season, but that has not been a problem for them. Although they finished just fourth in the conference last season, they look primed to lead the way with all of the teams that were ahead of them looking notably worse. All of the key members from last season are returning for Prague, including arguably the best player in the VHL in John Jameson. They could afford to add a sixth forward to the roster, but the five that they have right now have this team looking like a deadly offense.
 
2. HC Davos Dynamo
Coming into the off-season, I honestly thought the defending champs might rank even lower than this. They lost Alexandre Leduc and Mason Jones to retirement, and several of the players who are still around have lost a lot to depreciation. They have filled the many holes that their aging forwards left on their roster, and while they are going to have the same issue again next season, they look fine for this season. Jake Thunder and Skor McFleury are both arguably top five defensemen in the conference.
 
3. Malmo Nighthawks
With Europe's top teams taking a step back, Malmo management saw this off-season as a good one to try to take a leap forward. They made three trades to acquire three players: Daniel Weaver, Henry Eagles, and Mo Probert. These moves have drastically improved the Nighthawk forward unit, which now looks like one of the best in Europe. Ash Sparks in net is a bit of a question mark, and I think many would point to him as a reason why Malmo should be lower. Although his numbers were very good last season, he is not among the most skilled goalies, so he will have something to prove this season.
 
4. London United
London is one of just two teams in Europe that currently has six forwards and fourth defensemen, and while this standard player count is not necessary to be successful, it does help, though that sixth forward is not a VHL-caliber player. Regardless, the reason they rank this high is Jesse Teno, who is no doubt the best player on the team. He has been a rock solid goaltender throughout his career, and there is no reason to think he will not keep it up. Molly the Cat will have to step up and lead the offense to better results than a season ago, or Teno's efforts may be wasted.
 
5. Helsinki Titans
The Titans had the worst record in the league last season, but with the players they had, they looked like they should have been better. They could easily end up near the bottom again, but on paper, I think they look fine. Daryl Dixon and Fuukka Rask were the biggest under-performers that they team was counting on in Season 88, and I think this season will hinge on them playing up to their expectations. The addition of Landon Wolanin, giving the team a proven top talent, makes it easier to place Helsinki this high on my rankings.
 
6. Riga Reign
If teams were being ranked on their best four forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender, the Reign would easily be second or third. Until Riga gets a couple more players on their roster, I have my doubts about how successful they can be, even though the players that they do have are great. The Frenchman has blossomed into one of the best forwards in the game, and any of their three defensemen could be the number one on several of the teams ahead of them. The Reign can easily shoot up the rankings if they just fill out their roster a bit more.
 
7. Moscow Menace
This is not the same Moscow Menace team that we have seen the last several seasons. They have seemingly opted to go for a bit of a retooling, trading away Ronan Lavelle, Tomas Sogaard, and Clueless Wallob in order to get several future assets. Even after shipping out three of their best players from the last few seasons, their roster is still fairly respectable. Do I think Hammar Voss and Jason can lead this squad to the playoffs? No, but I have seen stranger things. Voss is still one of the best defensemen in the league, and maybe he puts the team on his back.
 
8. Warsaw Predators
Warsaw was hands-down the easiest team to place in my rankings. There is really no explanation needed.

1. Prague Phantoms
The Phantoms have not had a very active off-season, but that has not been a problem for them. Although they finished just fourth in the conference last season, they look primed to lead the way with all of the teams that were ahead of them looking notably worse. All of the key members from last season are returning for Prague, including arguably the best player in the VHL in John Jameson. They could afford to add a sixth forward to the roster, but the five that they have right now have this team looking like a deadly offense.
 
2. HC Davos Dynamo
Coming into the off-season, I honestly thought the defending champs might rank even lower than this. They lost Alexandre Leduc and Mason Jones to retirement, and several of the players who are still around have lost a lot to depreciation. They have filled the many holes that their aging forwards left on their roster, and while they are going to have the same issue again next season, they look fine for this season. Jake Thunder and Skor McFleury are both arguably top five defensemen in the conference.
 
3. Malmo Nighthawks
With Europe's top teams taking a step back, Malmo management saw this off-season as a good one to try to take a leap forward. They made three trades to acquire three players: Daniel Weaver, Henry Eagles, and Mo Probert. These moves have drastically improved the Nighthawk forward unit, which now looks like one of the best in Europe. Ash Sparks in net is a bit of a question mark, and I think many would point to him as a reason why Malmo should be lower. Although his numbers were very good last season, he is not among the most skilled goalies, so he will have something to prove this season.
 
4. London United
London is one of just two teams in Europe that currently has six forwards and fourth defensemen, and while this standard player count is not necessary to be successful, it does help, though that sixth forward is not a VHL-caliber player. Regardless, the reason they rank this high is Jesse Teno, who is no doubt the best player on the team. He has been a rock solid goaltender throughout his career, and there is no reason to think he will not keep it up. Molly the Cat will have to step up and lead the offense to better results than a season ago, or Teno's efforts may be wasted.
 
5. Helsinki Titans
The Titans had the worst record in the league last season, but with the players they had, they looked like they should have been better. They could easily end up near the bottom again, but on paper, I think they look fine. Daryl Dixon and Fuukka Rask were the biggest under-performers that they team was counting on in Season 88, and I think this season will hinge on them playing up to their expectations. The addition of Landon Wolanin, giving the team a proven top talent, makes it easier to place Helsinki this high on my rankings.
 
6. Riga Reign
If teams were being ranked on their best four forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender, the Reign would easily be second or third. Until Riga gets a couple more players on their roster, I have my doubts about how successful they can be, even though the players that they do have are great. The Frenchman has blossomed into one of the best forwards in the game, and any of their three defensemen could be the number one on several of the teams ahead of them. The Reign can easily shoot up the rankings if they just fill out their roster a bit more.
 
7. Moscow Menace
This is not the same Moscow Menace team that we have seen the last several seasons. They have seemingly opted to go for a bit of a retooling, trading away Ronan Lavelle, Tomas Sogaard, and Clueless Wallob in order to get several future assets. Even after shipping out three of their best players from the last few seasons, their roster is still fairly respectable. Do I think Hammar Voss and Jason can lead this squad to the playoffs? No, but I have seen stranger things. Voss is still one of the best defensemen in the league, and maybe he puts the team on his back.
 
8. Warsaw Predators
Warsaw was hands-down the easiest team to place in my rankings. There is really no explanation needed.

1. Prague Phantoms
The Phantoms have not had a very active off-season, but that has not been a problem for them. Although they finished just fourth in the conference last season, they look primed to lead the way with all of the teams that were ahead of them looking notably worse. All of the key members from last season are returning for Prague, including arguably the best player in the VHL in John Jameson. They could afford to add a sixth forward to the roster, but the five that they have right now have this team looking like a deadly offense.
 
2. HC Davos Dynamo
Coming into the off-season, I honestly thought the defending champs might rank even lower than this. They lost Alexandre Leduc and Mason Jones to retirement, and several of the players who are still around have lost a lot to depreciation. They have filled the many holes that their aging forwards left on their roster, and while they are going to have the same issue again next season, they look fine for this season. Jake Thunder and Skor McFleury are both arguably top five defensemen in the conference.
 
3. Malmo Nighthawks
With Europe's top teams taking a step back, Malmo management saw this off-season as a good one to try to take a leap forward. They made three trades to acquire three players: Daniel Weaver, Henry Eagles, and Mo Probert. These moves have drastically improved the Nighthawk forward unit, which now looks like one of the best in Europe. Ash Sparks in net is a bit of a question mark, and I think many would point to him as a reason why Malmo should be lower. Although his numbers were very good last season, he is not among the most skilled goalies, so he will have something to prove this season.
 
4. London United
London is one of just two teams in Europe that currently has six forwards and fourth defensemen, and while this standard player count is not necessary to be successful, it does help, though that sixth forward is not a VHL-caliber player. Regardless, the reason they rank this high is Jesse Teno, who is no doubt the best player on the team. He has been a rock solid goaltender throughout his career, and there is no reason to think he will not keep it up. Molly the Cat will have to step up and lead the offense to better results than a season ago, or Teno's efforts may be wasted.
 
5. Helsinki Titans
The Titans had the worst record in the league last season, but with the players they had, they looked like they should have been better. They could easily end up near the bottom again, but on paper, I think they look fine. Daryl Dixon and Fuukka Rask were the biggest under-performers that they team was counting on in Season 88, and I think this season will hinge on them playing up to their expectations. The addition of Landon Wolanin, giving the team a proven top talent, makes it easier to place Helsinki this high on my rankings.
 
6. Riga Reign
If teams were being ranked on their best four forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender, the Reign would easily be second or third. Until Riga gets a couple more players on their roster, I have my doubts about how successful they can be, even though the players that they do have are great. The Frenchman has blossomed into one of the best forwards in the game, and any of their three defensemen could be the number one on several of the teams ahead of them. The Reign can easily shoot up the rankings if they just fill out their roster a bit more.
 
7. Moscow Menace
This is not the same Moscow Menace team that we have seen the last several seasons. They have seemingly opted to go for a bit of a retooling, trading away Ronan Lavelle, Tomas Sogaard, and Clueless Wallob in order to get several future assets. Even after shipping out three of their best players from the last few seasons, their roster is still fairly respectable. Do I think Hammar Voss and Jason can lead this squad to the playoffs? No, but I have seen stranger things. Voss is still one of the best defensemen in the league, and maybe he puts the team on his back.
 
8. Warsaw Predators
Warsaw was hands-down the easiest team to place in my rankings. There is really no explanation needed.

fight records
 
Kiss Kisslinger 3-0-2 Severus Targaryen 3-0-2 Grunkle Stan-dingyouup 3-0-1 Marty Byrd 2-0-2 Catia Goncalves 2-0-1 Joe Block 2-0-0 Jorji Costova 2-0-0 Baby Moo Moo 2-2-0 Conference Prince-de-Galles 1-1-2 Tyler Swift 0-1-4 Anthony Simmons 0-2-4 David Rashford 0-2-3 LeBen Aky 1-0-0 Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage 1-0-0 Simons Worst Nightmare 1-0-0 Sjin 1-0-0 Carson Walker Jr 0-0-2 Savaisk Tzesar 0-0-2 Xiver Ziller 0-1-2 Brad Marchand 1-4-0 Bryce tyrone Johnson 0-0-1 Mikko Borisyuk 0-0-1 Stan Par 0-1-1 Howdy Doody 0-2-1 Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish 0-2-1 Eno Velvson 0-1-0 Walter Fitzroy 0-1-0 Robert Boldy 0-2-0 Aurora Skylight 0-3-0

fight records
 
Kiss Kisslinger 3-0-2 Severus Targaryen 3-0-2 Grunkle Stan-dingyouup 3-0-1 Marty Byrd 2-0-2 Catia Goncalves 2-0-1 Joe Block 2-0-0 Jorji Costova 2-0-0 Baby Moo Moo 2-2-0 Conference Prince-de-Galles 1-1-2 Tyler Swift 0-1-4 Anthony Simmons 0-2-4 David Rashford 0-2-3 LeBen Aky 1-0-0 Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage 1-0-0 Simons Worst Nightmare 1-0-0 Sjin 1-0-0 Carson Walker Jr 0-0-2 Savaisk Tzesar 0-0-2 Xiver Ziller 0-1-2 Brad Marchand 1-4-0 Bryce tyrone Johnson 0-0-1 Mikko Borisyuk 0-0-1 Stan Par 0-1-1 Howdy Doody 0-2-1 Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish 0-2-1 Eno Velvson 0-1-0 Walter Fitzroy 0-1-0 Robert Boldy 0-2-0 Aurora Skylight 0-3-0

fight records
 
Kiss Kisslinger 3-0-2 Severus Targaryen 3-0-2 Grunkle Stan-dingyouup 3-0-1 Marty Byrd 2-0-2 Catia Goncalves 2-0-1 Joe Block 2-0-0 Jorji Costova 2-0-0 Baby Moo Moo 2-2-0 Conference Prince-de-Galles 1-1-2 Tyler Swift 0-1-4 Anthony Simmons 0-2-4 David Rashford 0-2-3 LeBen Aky 1-0-0 Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage 1-0-0 Simons Worst Nightmare 1-0-0 Sjin 1-0-0 Carson Walker Jr 0-0-2 Savaisk Tzesar 0-0-2 Xiver Ziller 0-1-2 Brad Marchand 1-4-0 Bryce tyrone Johnson 0-0-1 Mikko Borisyuk 0-0-1 Stan Par 0-1-1 Howdy Doody 0-2-1 Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish 0-2-1 Eno Velvson 0-1-0 Walter Fitzroy 0-1-0 Robert Boldy 0-2-0 Aurora Skylight 0-3-0

fight records
 
Kiss Kisslinger 3-0-2 Severus Targaryen 3-0-2 Grunkle Stan-dingyouup 3-0-1 Marty Byrd 2-0-2 Catia Goncalves 2-0-1 Joe Block 2-0-0 Jorji Costova 2-0-0 Baby Moo Moo 2-2-0 Conference Prince-de-Galles 1-1-2 Tyler Swift 0-1-4 Anthony Simmons 0-2-4 David Rashford 0-2-3 LeBen Aky 1-0-0 Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage 1-0-0 Simons Worst Nightmare 1-0-0 Sjin 1-0-0 Carson Walker Jr 0-0-2 Savaisk Tzesar 0-0-2 Xiver Ziller 0-1-2 Brad Marchand 1-4-0 Bryce tyrone Johnson 0-0-1 Mikko Borisyuk 0-0-1 Stan Par 0-1-1 Howdy Doody 0-2-1 Jebediah Big Ol Doinks in Amish 0-2-1 Eno Velvson 0-1-0 Walter Fitzroy 0-1-0 Robert Boldy 0-2-0 Aurora Skylight 0-3-0

It happens more than you'd think, probably. Just looking by draft class, you have to go back to S73 to find a draft class that had no players who spent 8 seasons with one team.
 
This list only contains players from the S73 to S81 draft classes, and does not necessarily contain every player from those drafts that spent 8 seasons with one team. In most cases, after I saw one player from a given draft class, I moved on to the previous season.
 
S81: Hulk Hogan 2, SEA
S80: Zach Kisslinger, WAR
S79: Papa Emeritus, MOS
S78: The Seabasstard, MOS
S78: Hard Markinson, MOS
S78: David Tavau, DAV
S77: Druss Deathwalker, MAL
S77: That Dude, LON
S76: Robin Galante Nilsson, VAN
S76: Jivere Zolnek, VAN
S75: Pistil Stamen, LAS
S74: Christian Mingle, CHI
S73: Groovy Dood, DCD
 
There are currently three S82 players who have played seven seasons with one team and are signed with that same team to play their 8th and final season in S90. There are another two who have played seven seasons with one team, but are currently free agents for their final season.
 
As for S83 players, we could potentially see the first players to play nine seasons with a single team since Sterling Labatte played nine seasons for Calgary from S1 to S9 (there were some players from S1 who played nine seasons due to when they joined and the VHLM not yet existing, but other than that, playing nine seasons was not a thing until just recently). The following players from the S83 draft have already played seven seasons with one team and could potentially play for two more seasons:
 
Scotty Sundin, CHI
Brandt Fuhr, VAN
AirRig GoodBrandSun, CGY
 
There are several other players from that draft who are still on their original team but can only play eight max seasons.

It happens more than you'd think, probably. Just looking by draft class, you have to go back to S73 to find a draft class that had no players who spent 8 seasons with one team.
 
This list only contains players from the S73 to S81 draft classes, and does not necessarily contain every player from those drafts that spent 8 seasons with one team. In most cases, after I saw one player from a given draft class, I moved on to the previous season.
 
S81: Hulk Hogan 2, SEA
S80: Zach Kisslinger, WAR
S79: Papa Emeritus, MOS
S78: The Seabasstard, MOS
S78: Hard Markinson, MOS
S78: David Tavau, DAV
S77: Druss Deathwalker, MAL
S77: That Dude, LON
S76: Robin Galante Nilsson, VAN
S76: Jivere Zolnek, VAN
S75: Pistil Stamen, LAS
S74: Christian Mingle, CHI
S73: Groovy Dood, DCD
 
There are currently three S82 players who have played seven seasons with one team and are signed with that same team to play their 8th and final season in S90. There are another two who have played seven seasons with one team, but are currently free agents for their final season.
 
As for S83 players, we could potentially see the first players to play nine seasons with a single team since Sterling Labatte played nine seasons for Calgary from S1 to S9 (there were some players from S1 who played nine seasons due to when they joined and the VHLM not yet existing, but other than that, playing nine seasons was not a thing until just recently). The following players from the S83 draft have already played seven seasons with one team and could potentially play for two more seasons:
 
Scotty Sundin, CHI
Brandt Fuhr, VAN
AirRig GoodBrandSun, CGY
 
There are several other players from that draft who are still on their original team but can only play eight max seasons.

It happens more than you'd think, probably. Just looking by draft class, you have to go back to S73 to find a draft class that had no players who spent 8 seasons with one team.
 
This list only contains players from the S73 to S81 draft classes, and does not necessarily contain every player from those drafts that spent 8 seasons with one team. In most cases, after I saw one player from a given draft class, I moved on to the previous season.
 
S81: Hulk Hogan 2, SEA
S80: Zach Kisslinger, WAR
S79: Papa Emeritus, MOS
S78: The Seabasstard, MOS
S78: Hard Markinson, MOS
S78: David Tavau, DAV
S77: Druss Deathwalker, MAL
S77: That Dude, LON
S76: Robin Galante Nilsson, VAN
S76: Jivere Zolnek, VAN
S75: Pistil Stamen, LAS
S74: Christian Mingle, CHI
S73: Groovy Dood, DCD
 
There are currently three S82 players who have played seven seasons with one team and are signed with that same team to play their 8th and final season in S90. There are another two who have played seven seasons with one team, but are currently free agents for their final season.
 
As for S83 players, we could potentially see the first players to play nine seasons with a single team since Sterling Labatte played nine seasons for Calgary from S1 to S9 (there were some players from S1 who played nine seasons due to when they joined and the VHLM not yet existing, but other than that, playing nine seasons was not a thing until just recently). The following players from the S83 draft have already played seven seasons with one team and could potentially play for two more seasons:
 
Scotty Sundin, CHI
Brandt Fuhr, VAN
AirRig GoodBrandSun, CGY
 
There are several other players from that draft who are still on their original team but can only play eight max seasons.

Jacob Stone has accepted a Signing Offer from Malmo:

S91: $3,500,000 (NTC)

S92: $3,500,000 (NTC)

S93: $3,500,000 (NTC)

S94: $3,500,000 (NTC)

S95: $3,500,000 (NTC)

@Greg_Di you helped me win my VHFL group in S88 now help me win a championship

Thus ends the third longest cup drought of all time.
 
Amazingly, Davos is now tied for the second most championships with 11 despite going 50 seasons (S39 to S88) only winning once. Really tells you how good the franchise was up to that point.

I knew that trades were coming and that we'd be saying goodbye to some of our teammates. Sure, it takes away some of the sting, but it doesn't make it painless. It does hurt, seeing Logan go. He's a great locker room presence; probably the best I've played with. The Bears got a good one. Damn, I might just have to be a Seattle fan when we're not playing against them. I'm sure gramps will understand.
 
My time with Logan goes back to my one season in Stockholm. I could immediately tell he was a great teammate. He was voted captain by the team, and it was very well deserved. When I was drafted to Malmo, I knew that might we get to play together again some day, since he had been drafted by them a season earlier. I moved up to the VHL in Season 88 and he was still down in the 'E for another season. He got the call last season, and when it came time to vote for captain, he was my pick again. With him gone, I'm not sure where my vote goes now.
 
Logan, I wish you and Izumi the best. Enjoy your time in Seattle. I don't know if we'll get to play on a team together again, so I'm glad you at least got to play your rookie season with the Nighthawks.
 
@WildfireMicro

I knew that trades were coming and that we'd be saying goodbye to some of our teammates. Sure, it takes away some of the sting, but it doesn't make it painless. It does hurt, seeing Logan go. He's a great locker room presence; probably the best I've played with. The Bears got a good one. Damn, I might just have to be a Seattle fan when we're not playing against them. I'm sure gramps will understand.
 
My time with Logan goes back to my one season in Stockholm. I could immediately tell he was a great teammate. He was voted captain by the team, and it was very well deserved. When I was drafted to Malmo, I knew that might we get to play together again some day, since he had been drafted by them a season earlier. I moved up to the VHL in Season 88 and he was still down in the 'E for another season. He got the call last season, and when it came time to vote for captain, he was my pick again. With him gone, I'm not sure where my vote goes now.
 
Logan, I wish you and Izumi the best. Enjoy your time in Seattle. I don't know if we'll get to play on a team together again, so I'm glad you at least got to play your rookie season with the Nighthawks.
 
@WildfireMicro

I knew that trades were coming and that we'd be saying goodbye to some of our teammates. Sure, it takes away some of the sting, but it doesn't make it painless. It does hurt, seeing Logan go. He's a great locker room presence; probably the best I've played with. The Bears got a good one. Damn, I might just have to be a Seattle fan when we're not playing against them. I'm sure gramps will understand.
 
My time with Logan goes back to my one season in Stockholm. I could immediately tell he was a great teammate. He was voted captain by the team, and it was very well deserved. When I was drafted to Malmo, I knew that might we get to play together again some day, since he had been drafted by them a season earlier. I moved up to the VHL in Season 88 and he was still down in the 'E for another season. He got the call last season, and when it came time to vote for captain, he was my pick again. With him gone, I'm not sure where my vote goes now.
 
Logan, I wish you and Izumi the best. Enjoy your time in Seattle. I don't know if we'll get to play on a team together again, so I'm glad you at least got to play your rookie season with the Nighthawks.
 
@WildfireMicro

@Greg_Di you helped me win my VHFL group in S88 now help me win a championship