Expectations High in DC for S84

[Arce 755]

 

DC was put under a fascinating microscope in S83, as they had a a slew of changes and looking nothing like their S82 selves. Defenseman Ryan Vidot changed over to center to help jumpstart the offense. The Dragons then went out and acquired 3 defensive stars in Tui Sova in free agency, Corey Kitson in a deal with Vancouver, and finally trading for the one and only Poopy Peepants. DC also managed to pull in sniper Taylor Mourning in free agency to lead the DC offensive charge. Rookie Ronan Lavelle was set to make his VHL debut after spending the season before in the VHLE. And rookie goaltender Bubbles Utonium would take the reigns in between the pipes to hold down the DC fort. The Dragons were expected to be a middle of the road wild card playoff team. The Dragons were just that, but underperformed and got swept out 3-0 by the Chicago Phoenix in what many thought DC would win, or at least expected a tight series. The Dragons Achilles heel in S83 proved to me lack of offensive depth. Aside from their top line of Lavelle-Vidot-Mourning, there was no one they could count on. Even when they split up the lines to try to put talent elsewhere in the lineup, it could not recharge the offense. DC only had two players averaging at least a point per game in Mourning and Vidot. Sova shook off early season struggles, and rookie Ronan Lavelle just could never get it going. Poopy Peepants however managed to score a new career high in goals with 14! Rookie Bubbles Utonium put up an impressibe 2.73 GAA, and .916 save % in their rookie year. Once again the tides have changed for DC heading in S84, and the expectations are high. But why are they so high?

 

Revamped Offense

 

 

After getting swept out of the playoffs by their rivals, GM Eno Rama knew the offense had to be revamped. DC started the offseason off with a splash and made a deal for Moscow star forward Duncan Idaho in exchange for a slew of picks including DC's S84 2nd (Otis Boudreaux), S85 2nd, S86 4th, and forward Brian Schmigel. Idaho has shreded the league during his 7 season career, the last 4 seasons in particular. Over the past 4 seasons, Idaho has scored at least 103+ points and 52+ goals during all of those seasons. DC went to the right guy to solve their offensive issues. The only downside is Idaho's career is coming to an end, so DC will need to take advantage of this small window and go all in for the hardware at the end. Eno Rama has said the plan is to split Idaho, and Mourning in order to balance out the offensive firepower. It looks like Idaho will be playing with Ronan Lavelle who will looking for a huge bounce back sophomore season. Lavelle had an underwhelming S83 campaign registering only 40 points, and 14 goals after the expectations were high. Lavelle now has every chance to succeed playing with the league's finest. You could not ask for more. It looks like on the split end, the Vidot-Mourning connection will return. Both had success last season as DC's PPG players. Mourning will look to get back to his top 5 goal scoring ways. The Dragons have also called up Daniel Clarke, fresh out of Cologne to play a role in the offense. Clarke is ecstatic about the opportunity and will look to chip in as a supporting member of the loaded first two DC lines. Needing a 6th forward, DC found another support tole forward who fits their budget. DC acquired forward Benjamin Franklin Chang from HC Davos for an S86 DC 3rd rounder. Chang will look for a successful rookie campaign after a successful season with Vasteras down in the VHLE. Fun fact: Chang and Ronan Lavelle were line mates for the Mexico City Kings in the VHLM during the S81 season.

 

Defensive Maintenance

 

 

The Dragons will be bringing back the elite presence of Tui Sova, Corey Kitson and Poopy Peepants. The team lost the veteran presence of Frank Funk Jr to retirement, but he will be replaced by rookie Baxter Arcanum. The team has high expectations for the young defenseman who was apart of the VHLE champion Bratislava Watchmen squad. We will have to see how Eno Rama decides to pair the defensemen. Sova and Kitson started to wheel and deal offensively last season. After starting the season off slugging, Sova found his groove and almost caught up to being a PPG defenseman again. With the additions to the offense, Sova should thrive. The DC power play will look deadly with Sova at the points and Idaho now on the team's top unit. Corey Kitson will look to bring back his solid two way play, which was shown in his +/- rating and production on the scoresheet. Peepants more than doubled his previous goal total, but had a significant dive in his hit total in S83. Is Peepants becoming more of an offensive presence than gritty goon? We will have to see how the always interesting built Peepants does in S84, as you just never know. Could he hit 20 goals?

 

More Experience Now in Between the Pipes

 

 

Another big question for the Dragons in S84 is can goaltender Bubbles Utonium take the next step towards being an elite goaltender in the VHL? Their rookie statistics suggest they absolutely have the potential for it. Meanwhile 2.73 GAA and .916 save % is a very respectful rookie campaign, the expectation will be to improve these numbers and keep the Dragons in games they may be getting outworked. Utonium did this on multiple occasions in S83, as the Dragons got badly outshot, but the score was close due to their goaltender. It is suggested DC let this happen maybe too often in S83 and wore their goaltender down. Utonium is refreshed and ready to take on the task. They will be relying on the steady defense in front of them to help bail them out when needed. If Utonium can post up some top goaltender numbers, DC's chances of reaching the high expectation of being the North American Conference representative could be realistic. Faith in Bubbles is absolutely there, they have what it takes.

 

Word Count: 1057

Claim for Weeks Ending: 7/3, 7/10

[Arce 755]

Claim for week ending in 7/10

[Scurvy 1,488]

Review:  Well.......This has to be what I consider a perfect article.  You included detailed researched stats, player profiles, examples of what each player brings to the club, and talked about rookies and necessary additions to the club like the game changing addition of Idaho.  What I most loved about the article is the pictures separating the different posts with awesome graphics of your team logo and uniforms (*which are perfect).  As a graphic challenged individual I appreciate the effort.  Overall I only have one negative to say about this article, there is no picture of Brian Payne!!!   just kidding. Amazing read, thank you.  10/10

[AJW 2,156]

Your articles are so fun to read

[Arce 755]

Thank you guys! Appreciate you!

[N0HBDY 1,119]

Meanwhile expectations for Ronan Lavelle reach all time lows