Early Prediction for the S83 VHLM Draft Winner

[Plate 386]

Holy crap is there a lot of great talent in this draft. When you're looking at really deep drafts and players that probably retain the value of a 1st rounder throughout the 2nd round and even early 3rd, you can only look at the teams with the most depth picks. First-round options are now so diluted with the amount of talent in this prospect pool that having three of them doesn't matter so much. 

 

Halifax might be loaded on 1sts, but as stated previously, it will be the 2nd and 3rd round picks that retain the most value. So while some people may think it's the 21st with their monstrous six picks in the first two rounds, I don't think they'll win the draft. 

You might make a case for San Diego. They also have three first-rounders and four picks combined in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but that isn't enough either. Again, because 1st round picks are diluted, these players will be worthless with this much talent coming into the lineups. 

My prediction is that the Mississauga Hounds, without a first-round pick, will win the draft. And for that reason specifically. Mississauga will be getting a couple (probably three) first-round talents without a single first-round pick. The sheer value of these selections means that they can trade up in the following seasons and accelerate their rebuild after only a season or two.