The S79 Wayyyy Too Early Mock Draft

[Spartan 4,402]

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new segment from the VSN Scouting Department! We're all still recovering from the thrills that were the VHL and VHLM draft in the past week, but the draft hype train never stops. As the S78 Draft closed up shop, the portal opened up the player listing for the S79 VHL Draft - leading @Patrik Tallinder and myself to get the hype going nice and early, with a wayyyyy too early mock draft.

 

While this draft class has only really existed for a few weeks, it has the potential to be a very strong class, featuring multiple players from high profile agencies, such as the commissioner's office, the recruitment team, and many other recreates. It'll certainly be a very strong top of the class, but the dropoff from the top players may not be as steep as the dropoff in the S78 class, making this a very exciting group to cover over the next season.

 

Before diving into the mock draft, I'd like to mention that this is merely a very, very early guess at how the draft will play out, as well as explain the rationale behind the order of the draft. I briefly conjured up a projected power rankings for the VHL, which is not the official season preview/predictions endorsed by VSN. The "Around the VHL" crew will be providing more depth into a season preview later this week. For now though, this article uses a very loose speculation of how teams will finish off the season. Enjoy!

 

1st Overall

 

 

RW - Tyler Reinhart - @Zetterberg

 

This is a relatively simple selection for the Vancouver squad that has committed to the retool. In a fiercely competitive NA conference, look for the Wolves to end up with the top odds in the lottery, and the opportunity to select the clear #1 prospect in the class - Tyler Reinhart. The smooth skating sharpshooter looks to become the next offensive juggernaut in Vancouver, as the franchise will be looking to replace Andrew Su, their former face of the franchise. Reinhart is not very physical, but more than makes up for the lack of physicality with silky-smooth hands and a fantastic offensive and defensive IQ, making him the surefire #1 selection.

 

 

2nd Overall

 

 

D - Poopy Peepants - @JardyB10

 

This may come as a mildly surprising selection to many, considering that Peepants is barely in the top 5 of the class in terms of TPE, but his earning and former reputation suggests that he could easily earn his way into the top 3. Moscow selected defenseman Hard Markinson with the 2nd overall pick in the S78 draft, but they could still use a 2nd high-ceiling defense prospect on their very young and unproven defense core. Peepants will be closely examined by many GM's over the course of the season, as they'll all like to know whether Peepants can develop into a top pairing role in the VHL.

 

 

3rd Overall

 

 

C - Jonathan Ori - @ROOKIE745

 

Malmo is in desperate need for a center, as current centers Kevin Sterk and Arthur Dayne are each within a few seasons of retirement, with no clear replacement in the Nighthawks' prospect pool. Recent S78 selection Nathanial Minion could surely grow into the role, but for now, his growth is a question mark and Malmo could look to Jonathan Ori to fill the void. Ori is a newcomer to the VHL and VHLM, only declaring his intent to participate in the league in the past week, but has already showed a massive willingness to learn - exponentially increasing his growth. This class is looking very thin for centers, with only Omi Aberg as the other center, so look for Malmo to fill a key hole while also selecting a premium position.

 

 

4th Overall

 

 

LW - Jerome Reinhart - @MexicanCow123

 

Davos follows a similar principle to Malmo at 4 overall and selects a position that fills a hole on the squad, while also selecting the best player available. Jerome Reinhart only declared his eligibility for the draft in the past week, but he comes from a very strong agency that managed the career of Jacob Tonn, the former star goalie for Seattle, Moscow and London. The only potential risk here is if Jerome wants to eventually play with fellow Reinhart, 1st overall selection Tyler Reinhart. That’ll be for the GM’s to evaluate and decide though.

 

 

5th overall (from CGY)

 

 

D - Erlantz Jokinen - @jRuutu

 

Fate is certainly on Seattle's side as they land yet another player from jRuutu's agency, one they are very familiar with from the era of Jim Bob. Like his predecessor, Jokinen brings a consistent two-way game to Seattle, looking to slowly develop his physical side as well. Seattle's largest weakness of the future is their aging defense corps, and Jokinen would provide a fresh new face to keep Seattle's window open for even longer (does Seattle even know what rebuilding is?) A familiar face at a position of need feels like a no-brainer - pencil in Jokinen to Seattle if Calgary's selection happens to fall between 4-6 overall.

 

 

6th overall (from NYA)

 

 

G - Papa Emiritus - @Beketov

 

This draft is really shaping up to be a dream come true for almost every team involved so far. Warsaw is fortunate enough to hold NYA's 1st round selection, while also conveniently being in the market for a new franchise goaltender with the retirement of incumbent starter Ajay Krishna approaching quickly. All the teams that have selected so far all have franchise goalies in place, or have recently selected goaltenders to be their franchise netminders of the future. Warsaw stops Emiritus' fall, and selects one of the best prospect goaltenders to come out of the M in quite a while - a truly fantastic pairing.

 

 

7th overall (from DCD)

 

 

RW - Taylor Mourning - @scoop

 

Prague barely misses out on selecting their replacement for Grekkark Gyrfalcon, but are awarded a very strong consolation prize in Tayor Mourning. Mourning would immediately slot in on either the first or second line and provide a strong two-way game, as well as consistent playmaking to set up the other shoot-first forwards - this could potentially be the replacement Prague will need for retiring star forward Thomas Landry II. Scoop’s development has shown consistency, and has continued to grow each week at a very high level. Expect to see this young man drafted in the top 10 on draft day for sure.

 

 

8th overall 

 

 

D - Lilith Lunar - @Lilith_Lunar

 

In what may eventually be perceived as a tad bit of a reach, Helsinki addresses the largest team need of defense, even if it means selecting a player above their projected rank. In a shallow defenseman class, new GM Frank Funk will need to decide whether to go with the best player available, or take a chance on the best defenseman available in Lunar. Another new entrant to the VHL, GM’s will be keeping an eye on Lunar to determine whether she can be consistent both on the ice, and in her development. Coming out of the gates swinging with very intense training sessions, Lunar could easily lay a serious claim to be considered a top 10 selection, but she’ll have her work cut out for her to prove that ranking.

 

 

9th overall

 

 

LW - Miroslav Tsarov - @PadStack

 

With the 9th pick in the draft, Los Angeles decides to take the best player available with Miroslav Tsarov. The Ukrainian winger will join a group of young forwards in LA, and he will get the chance to grow among the likes of wingers Trevor Wallace, Henri le Massif and Lenny Sanderson. This is a group with good potential, and they will have the abilities necessary to complement their elite center group. Tsarov earns around 8-10 capped TPE every week, making him a reliable option for the team in the future. He will need a season to develop after the draft in all likelihood, however he has the potential to be a real contributor in the VHL once he does get there.

 

 

10th overall

 

 

RW - Baby Bob - @Baby Boomer

 

Moving on to a first gen with quickly increasing potential, London picks up recent Mississauga draftee Baby Bob. Bob played 2 games to end S77, signing with Mexico City right before the season concluded. Although he didn’t record any points, he did show a lot of potential in those two games. With this selection, London gets a player with upside that is rivalled by few players that go below him in this mock draft. He could inject some youth into the United’s forward unit, and bring the scoring touch that he has been working on this offseason. This is a player who could quite possibly end up higher on this list by the end of this season based on his TPE earning resume so far.

 

 

11th overall (from SEA)

 

 

D - Bob Beach - @Big Bob

 

After grabbing a future first line center at 3rd overall, Malmo aims to add some depth to their blueline with Yukon’s Bob Beach. Beach is a smooth skater with a precise shot and a good mind for the game. He will have to compete with some quality prospects for ice time in the big league when he gets there, but there will certainly be spots available to replace some of the aging pieces of the team’s defense. Bob Beach is likely the best player available at this slot, and it would make sense for the Nighthawks to vary their picks a little bit in terms of position.

 

 

12th overall

 

 

G - Em Em Flex - @oilmandan

 

User oilmandan has long been one of the most dependable users in the league, always creating solid players with no streaks of inactivity whatsoever. This dependability makes him a very enticing option in the crease, as a goalie fallen inactive can seriously damage a team’s situation. Prague can absolutely count on Em Em Flex being their starter of the future, as they add another core piece to the puzzle after selecting Jerome Reinhart earlier in the round. Flex is a netminder with exceptional ability down low; His skating technique and rebound control allows him to direct play from the ice and cover the bottom of the net with ease.

 

 

13th overall

 

 

G - Emiko Spector - @Emi

 

This pick from Riga would mark the first time since S73 that two goalies were drafted back to back in the first round of the VHL draft, when Grekkark Gyrfalcon and Jean Pierre Camus went 6th and 7th overall. Emiko Spector is a goalie with stunning potential, capping out in the first week of her young career. She will have the chance to prove her worth in Halifax this season, where she will serve as the backup behind Jonathan Bustard. After an early retirement with her last player, Emi may find herself below Em Em Flex to begin the season, but that could always change when you consider the impressive TPE earning that has continued into her second career.

 

 

14th overall (from TOR)

 

 

C - Omi Aberg - @osens

 

This pick is an interesting one. It presumes that Aberg starts earning TPE like osens’ last player did, because he has only earned 2 TPE since recreating two days ago. Osens is a well-liked member in the community, and it would be no surprise if he was picked even earlier than this pick if he begins earning again. He would join Tyler Reinhart in Vancouver, possibly forming a future C-LW duo for the team. Aberg is a playmaker that makes the players around him better; Slotting him with goalscorers will almost surely boost the numbers of his linemates.

 

 

15th overall

 

 

LW - Jakub Brozik - @Wolverine

 

Chicago already has a very well-established forward core, and for this reason they can confidently take a bit of a risky pick to shoot for high upside to eventually replace some of the older forwards on the roster. User Wolverine has retired early multiple times in the past few seasons, but there is no doubting that he is an extremely active member with tremendous upside as a player. Perhaps Brozik will go the distance for a full career, and the Phoenix will be over the moon with this pick. Brozik has capped out for four straight weeks to kick off his new career, and he is looking to make an early impression with the Hounds after being chosen 25th overall in the VHLM Draft.

 

 

16th overall (from WAR)

 

 

RW - Luke Pastrnak - @GoldGear88

 

With their third and final selection in the first round of this draft, Malmo drafts Luke Pastrnak of the Mexico City Kings. Although Pastrnak wasn’t placed in a large role on the Aces last season, he did gain some valuable playoff experience on a 9 game run that was cut short in the second round. This season, Pastrnak will showcase his skills in a more prominent role with the Kings. If Malmo likes what they see, maybe he will land here at 16th overall.

 

---

 

Thanks all for reading this mock draft! Myself and @Patrik Tallinder will claim this for 2 weeks each.

[dlamb 1,326]

My boyyyyy @osens 

 

I expect @ajwllmsn to rocket up the ranks sooner rather than later. You have been warned

 

 #OTT2GUD

[mattyIceman 1,214]

For the first time in my tenure in VSN Scouting, I had nothing to do with this!  Great job you guys!

 

Also, don't count out Sunrise @Thunfish

Edited May 22, 2021 by MattyIce

[AJW 2,156]

1 minute ago, dlamb said:

My boyyyyy @osens 

 

I expect @ajwllmsn to rocket up the ranks sooner rather than later. You have been warned

 

 #OTT2GUD

very soon

[Viper 530]

28 minutes ago, Spartan said:

User Wolverine has retired early multiple times in the past few seasons

hehe

[ROOKIE745 604]

I'm kinda surprised I am that high up honestly, kinda expect to get passed XD I will say I wouldn't mind playing for the Nighthawks just because I love that logo so much!

[JardyB10 4,865]

Jesus, please don't pick me 2nd overall.

 

WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE LEARN???

[jRuutu 2,464]

Quote

Fate is certainly on Seattle's side as they land yet another player from jRuutu's agency, one they are very familiar with from the era of Jim Bob. Like his predecessor, Jokinen brings a consistent two-way game to Seattle, looking to slowly develop his physical side as well. Seattle's largest weakness of the future is their aging defense corps, and Jokinen would provide a fresh new face to keep Seattle's window open for even longer (does Seattle even know what rebuilding is?) A familiar face at a position of need feels like a no-brainer - pencil in Jokinen to Seattle if Calgary's selection happens to fall between 4-6 overall.

[PadStack 48]

Neat article!

[Thunfish 72]

20 hours ago, MattyIce said:

Also, don't count out Sunrise @Thunfish

Uh... I'm usually a third round pick, actually.

[mattyIceman 1,214]

16 hours ago, JardyB10 said:

Jesus, please don't pick me 2nd overall.

 

WHEN WILL YOU PEOPLE LEARN???

Not many teams will have the chance to have Peepants, that's why

[McWolf 3,115]

22 minutes ago, MattyIce said:

Not many teams will have the chance to have Peepants, that's why

I got many peepants at home. What of it?

[JardyB10 4,865]

30 minutes ago, MattyIce said:

Not many teams will have the chance to have Peepants, that's why

Everyone should avoid Peepants. It may feel nice and warm at first and seem like a good decision, but eventually you’ll be chafed and unhappy.

[mattyIceman 1,214]

@McWolf @JardyB10 I'm so confused...

[JardyB10 4,865]

1 hour ago, MattyIce said:

@McWolf @JardyB10 I'm so confused...

If peeing your pants is cool, then consider @McWolf Miles Davis.

[GoldGear88 18]