VHL Prospect Pools, Ranked

[JB123 722]

Hello everyone, 

 

Today I will be ranking the prospect pools of the VHL right now, before the draft. I'd like to make this a seasonal thing, since prospects will become players, new players will be drafted, etc. I am not here to criticize general managers or anything like that, I'm simply going to take an objective look at each team's position in regards to prospects. I understand that teams are in different places; some may have sold future assets to win now, while others may have an abundance of up-and-coming players. Without further ado, let's get into it! 

 

#16 - SEATTLE BEARS 

The Bears are an example of a team in win-now mode, winning five of the last ten Continental Cup Championships and being the runner-up (at least) this season. Because of this, though, their prospect pool is a bit weak. They only have the rights to two prospects, both inactive. However, they do have 5 picks in the first 3 rounds of the upcoming draft, including the Calgary Wranglers' first from the trade that sent Johnson and Lambert to Calgary last season. 

 

#15 - TORONTO LEGION 

It appears Toronto is now rebuilding. They finished 14th in the league this season after finishing 5th last. The Legion are without a first round pick in the draft, and only have two seconds. As for their prospect pool--not too deep. Their top prospect, Nikita Wolf, went inactive and didn't play this season. Only one of their prospects is on a VHLM roster; Mats Zucarello of the Las Vegas Aces. While Zucarello did lead the Aces in assists (50) and was second in points (85), they shouldn't be pro-ready for at least another season. The Legion are going to have to hit on both their picks in the draft if they want to restock their prospect pool. 

 

#14 - D.C. DRAGONS 

While D.C. is not in a dire spot by any means, they only have two prospects currently contracted to minor league teams. The good thing is, both of them are promising young players. Jannik Nylen of the Storm has developed into a top defender in the 'M and will play in the big league next season. Brock Hampton of the 21st had a 92 point season this season and looks to make the jump in the near future. They also have winger Jah Cool, who didn't play in the league this season. It doesn't look like Cool will be playing in the VHL this season, unfortunately. D.C. has only a 2nd in this draft, from Prague (as a result of the Brian Strong Jr trade). 

 

#13 - CALGARY WRANGLERS 

Calgary is in an interesting spot. They've built a good young core already, with several of their top prospects becoming regular contributors on the team. These include Season 78 1st overall pick Nils Tallinder and Season 77 7th overall pick Rolf Fizzlebeef Jr and 14th pick Joe Madison. Currently, the Wranglers have three active prospects in the system: Alex Johnston, Roberts Stutzle and Russell Dixon. Johnston was drafted 8th overall in this past season's draft. He looks to make his VHL debut in Season 79. Johnston lit up the 'M this season with the Reapers, scoring 118 points (59 goals, 59 assists) in 72 games. It looks like Johnston will be a star in the big league. Stutzle is their next best prospect. Drafted in the third round (44th overall) in the last draft, Stutzle managed 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 72 games with Miami this season. Stutzle should be ready for the VHL in a season or two. Last we have right wing Russell Dixon, currently of the Mississauga Hounds. Dixon had a breakout VHLM season this season, scoring 63 total points in 73 games (due to a trade). It is hard to tell when Dixon should be ready. 

 

#12 - CHICAGO PHOENIX 

Chicago has one prospect who will be a rookie next season, defender Vasiliy Grigorev of Philadelphia. In 72 games with the Reapers and Miami Marauders this season, Grigorev notched 96 points (23 goals, 73 assists) on the back end--pretty impressive. In addition to Grigorev, the Phoenix have the rights to three other active prospects, defender Julia Waffles of the Ottawa Lynx, center Cody Lachance of the Houston Bulls and left wing Brian Schmigel of the Saskatoon Wild. All were drafted in Season 78 and will spend another season in the VHLM to continue their development. Waffles scored 66 points in 72 games with Ottawa and had 104 shot blocks. Lachance scored 79 points for the Bulls. Schmigel had 52 points for the Wild this season. Chicago does have their 1st this season, and next. 

 

#11 - RIGA REIGN

The Reign have a great prospect in right wing Anze Miklavz, who fell all the way to them at 15 last season. Miklavz's development is excellent. Miklavz scored 74 points (36 goals, 38 assists) with the Bulls this season and had 10 more (2 goals, 8 assists) in 11 postseason contests. Defender Milk Jugs unfortunately went inactive for the time being. Jugs was a top ten selection last season. Miks Sunish, a forward, has been a VHLM star and will likely remain in the 'M for right now. Riga has a stable net for the foreseeable future, with Morgan Karlsson and Tobias Reinhart continuing their development. Karlsson is VHL-ready, winning 50 games this past season for San Diego and having a .903 save percentage, 2.52 GAA and 5 shutouts, tied with Papa Emeritus of the Rush for the league-lead. Reinhart won 23 of the 39 games he played in for Philly, posting an .888 save percentage and 2.81 GAA with a shutout.

 

#10 - WARSAW PREDATORS

Warsaw has two quality prospects coming up soon, Lynx captain Bogdan Trunov and S78 Founder's Cup Champion Tynan Sylvester. Trunov led Ottawa in goals (41) and points (80). Trunov has showed no signs of slowing down development-wise. Meanwhile, Sylvester had 36 goals as a defender for the Rush this season, and 97 points. Sylvester might not be ready for Season 79, but will be a force in Season 80 if that's the case. Beyond these two, the Preds have no active prospects or prospects playing with a VHLM team. 

 

#9 - HELSINKI TITANS 

The Titans will likely have one rookie on their roster next season in S78 1st round pick Damien Salducci. In all 72 games with the San Diego Marlins this season, Salducci scored 71 points (11 goals, 60 assists) as a defender. In 12 playoff games, Salducci added 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists). The pick acquired from Seattle in exchange for center Venus Thightrap was used to select Salducci last season. Beyond Salducci, a name that jumps out is Zarek Kaczka, of the Minnesota Storm. Kaczka recorded 95 points, including an insane 39 goals as a defender. Kaczka currently has 19 points in 12 playoff games. Another notable prospect of Helsinki is Aces winger Slick Dasher. Dasher scored 87 points (39 goals, 48 assists) this season with Vegas. The Titans also have goalie Luke Spinelli in the system. Luke is on the verge of going inactive, so it is unsure if he will return to the league. Spinelli has posted a 113-94-11 record in the VHLM, with a collective save percentage of .884 and GAA of 3.30 with 8 shutouts. 

 

#8 - LONDON UNITED 

London has a few prospects on the verge of coming to London. Ottawa Lynx right wing Shane Lazeski is definitely coming to the United in Season 79. Lazeski had 70 points (24 goals, 46 assists) with the Lynx this season. Lazeski's development is coming along nicely. Center Hendrix Cobberson of the Marlins had 38 points in 72 games this season and 6 in 12 playoff games. Cobberson is on the brink of coming up. Gabby Dugan, a winger from the Marlins, scored 37 points in the regular season and had 5 assists in the playoffs. Dugan should be a rookie for London with Lazeski. Dexter Vaughn, the star goaltender of the Minnesota Storm this season, is in the system. Vaughn went 47-13-4 with a .903 save percentage, 2.65 GAA and 3 shutouts. Vaughn won 10 games in the playoffs en route to a Founder's Cup Final Appearance. Another goaltender London has rights to is Bastian Greiss. Greiss might go inactive, but if not, will be a stud for sure. 

 

#7 - NEW YORK AMERICANS 

New York has the rights to San Diego products The Loch Ness Monster and Aldwin Craig. The Loch Ness Monster recorded 184 points in 216 regular season games over three seasons on the blueline and had 15 in 19 playoff games. Craig had 186 points in 216 games as well. Craig added 25 points in 19 playoff games. Both will play for the Americans in Season 79. Then there's 111-point scorer Craig Martin from the Wild of the VHLM. Martin could make the jump but may stay down too. Both Craig and Martin are left wings. 

 

#6 - PRAGUE PHANTOMS 

The Phantoms have two prospects who will definitely play up next season, along with a few others who will be in Prague soon enough. Season 77 3rd round pick Nicholas Mariani has proved to be a steal. In two seasons with San Diego, the left winger notched a grand total of 185 points, including playoffs (83 goals, 102 assists). Also in the system is Nathan Powers, Prague's 1st round pick last season. In two seasons on defense for Yukon, Powers scored 36 goals, 155 assists and 191 points (including playoffs). Another prospect to keep an eye on is Rush center Otto Numminen, potentially another gem not selected in the first. Numminen exploded this season as Yukon's #1 center, scoring 72 points (12 goals, 60 assists) in 72 games and 16 points (6 goals, 10 assists) in 17 playoff games. Numminen might not come to the VHL this season, but certainly will next. Alexander Rivers and Deke Rike, although selected later in the draft, are players to watch considering Rivers's consistency (48 points last season, 51 this season) and Rike's clutch playoff production (10 points in 10 games). 

 

#5 - MOSCOW MENACE

Moscow has two prospects who all but should be ready to compete at the VHL level next season, both right wings. Jaromir Lemiuex of the Yukon Rush had 108 points (41 goals, 67 assists) this season, and added 16 more in the postseason. Lemiuex continues to develop well. Mikey Markov of Miami had 69 points (36 goals, 33 assists) and should also be ready to go. San Diego Marlin Brent Skimmer had 66 points this season and 14 in the playoffs. Brent is another right wing and could be ready next season (S80). Duncan Montana, a left wing, is promising but whose activity has dropped off a bit as of late. The Menace have secured their future in goal, too, with Leroy Johnson slated to debut in Season 79. Johnson posted a 39-21-4 record for Saskatoon to go along with an .893 save percentage, 3.59 GAA and 2 shutouts. 

 

#4 - LOS ANGELES STARS

LA features one of the deepest prospect pools overall. Arvid Johansson could go inactive but would be a fantastic add to the Stars. Johansson scored at a point per game pace in the playoffs as a defender. Left wing Genghis Khan had 74 points (37 goals, 37 assists) for the Reapers this season. Prior to scoring 74, Khan had point totals of 103 and 94. Khan will be on the Stars' roster next season, barring any moves. Perhaps LA's most promising prospect, Henri le Massif of the Storm will be in LA next season too. Le Massif had 93 points (47 goals, 46 assists) in 72 games with Minnesota this season and 13 in 14 playoff games. Le Massif's development is top-notch. Defender Ron World Peace III, also of Minnesota, could possibly be in the lineup next season for LA. Peace could go inactive, but that is not for certain. Peace had 87 points in the regular season and 21 in 14 postseason matchups. Another Storm player (start to see the pattern here?), Jocke Jockesson, a defender, could be ready in Season 80. Jockesson had 95 points, including 89 assists this season. Jockesson had 12 points in the playoffs. Lastly, center Kman of the Reapers had 35 points in 72 games and 2 assists in 6 playoff games. Kman could go inactive. 

 

TOP 3!!!

 

And that is all for right now. You'll have to wait to see the top 3 prospect pools in the VHL! Sorry folks! Stay tuned! 

 

Word Count: 2079

Edited July 8, 2021 by JB123
Word Count

[diamond_ace 3,106]

4 hours ago, JB123 said:

Sylvester might not be ready for Season 79, 

 

[JB123 722]

3 hours ago, diamond_ace said:

I forgot I put that , I guess I just looked for TPA not TPE 

[JB123 722]

Claiming Week 2/4

[JB123 722]

Claiming Week 3/4

[JB123 722]

Claiming Week 4/4