VSN Presents: S84 Update #1

[Alex 2,869]

@STZ

 

Hey, everyone, and welcome to the first of what could be a series of Season 84 VHL Updates, here we’ll take a look at how teams, and players are doing, and if teams are living up to or falling short of expectations.

 

North American Conference

 

 Chicago Phoenix 

Current place: 1st (3rd in league)

VSN Projected Place: 5th

X-Factor: Baby Bob @Baby Boomer (14 G, 18 A, 32 P)

 

Chicago has hit the ground running this season and a big reason for that is their offseason acquisitions in Baby Bob, Red Gaming @Lilpfigher, John Baard @Birdman, and Bob Beach @Big Bob. All of whom have exceeded expectations this season and have made Chicago look like true contenders. Leading the way for Chicago is the aforementioned Baby Bob, who currently has 14 goals, and 18 assists for 32 points (good enough for 3rd in the league). In addition to this Bo Johansson @Shindigs has stepped up big this season and currently sits 2nd in the league in assists and 3rd among defensemen for points. With that being said, we could expect Chicago to taper off a bit towards the midpoint of the season as their performances against other top teams have been lackluster at best.

 

 Seattle Bears 

Current place: 2nd (5th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 3rd

X-Factor: Hulk Hogan II @Hogan (8 G, 15 A, 23 P)

 

The Bears are back again this season and look just as good as previous seasons with solid goaltending from Dusty Wilson, and a very well-balanced offense with all of AJ Williams @ajwllmsn, Sirdsvaldis Miglaskems @FrostBeard, Hulk Hogan II, Nils Godlander @Moon, and Jonathan Ori @ROOKIE745 being above a point per game. Seattle’s offense has been a huge reason for their success as they currently sit 2nd in the league in goals for, with that being said, the retirement of Em Em Flex @oilmandan does hurt them defensively as they have allowed the most goals of any contending team, leaving a glaring hole that could be exploited in the playoffs.  

 

 D.C. Dragons 

Current place: 3rd (6th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 1st

X-Factor: Duncan Idaho @OrbitingDeath (13 G, 12 A, 25 P)

 

D.C. is doing their best this season to not be mid, so far they are succeeding at that and a big reason why is their physical style of play with Duncan Idaho and Taylor Mourning @scoop being 3rd and 4th in the league in hits and in a similar style to Seattle their offense by committee as 6 players are above a point per game. In stark contrast to Seattle, D.C.’s defense has been putting on a clinic only allowing 43 goals (2nd least in the league), led in big part by Tui Sova @v.2, and Poopy Peepants @JardyB10 who have become possibly the top defensive pair in the league. If D.C. can maintain this style of play, there is no reason why we shouldn’t see them at the top of the standings later this season.

 

 Calgary Wranglers 

Current place: 4th (8th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 4th

X-Factor: Saku Kotkakoivu @DollarAndADream (10 G, 14 A, 24 P)

 

Calgary is doing well once again this season, offseason acquisition Erlantz Jokinen @jRuutu is performing as expected and sits 3 points above a point per game. Additionally, Asher Reinhart @rjfryman has been playing well, rounding out their top defensive pair. Offensively, Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser has taken a step forward and for the first time in their career is well above a point per game alongside Kotkakoivu. Calgary is a very well-rounded team that will be a tough opponent for just about anyone this season.

 

 Toronto Legion 

Current place: 5th (9th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 2nd

X-Factor: Paul Atreides @Mr_Hatter (11 G, 14 A, 25 P)

 

The playoffs in the North American Conference are pretty well decided at this point with there being a 6-point gap between Toronto and Vancouver. Losing Aurlien Moreau has really hurt Toronto this season as they no longer have that number 1 defenseman. With that being said, their 4 defensemen are all between 550 and 600 TPA and earning quickly, come the playoffs this could be the VHL’s top defensive core. Additionally, Toronto has been getting solid goaltending from Oskar Lindbergh @Doomsday to keep them in each and every game. We should probably see Toronto climb to 2nd or 3rd in their conference as the season goes on and they should be a considerable threat to just about any team come the playoffs.

 

 Vancouver Wolves 

Current place: 6th (10th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 6th

X-Factor: Brandt Fuhr @Tate (0.926 SV%, 2.84 GAA)

 

With the playoff picture in the NA pretty well being decided, barring an incredible run from Vancouver, this team has the chance to play spoiler in the NA and could really make some interesting first round matchups and alter the standings of teams above them. With late additions in Aurlien Moreau @Frank and Brendan Telker @Telkster playing as well as they are, and solid goaltending Vancouver does have some bright spots this season. Vancouver will likely miss the playoffs this season but is on the right track to find long-term success.

 

 Los Angeles Stars 

Current place: 7th (15th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 8th

X-Factor: Callum Murray @Berocka (2 G, 15 A, 17 P)

 

Still being in a full rebuild, Los Angeles has started to make some steps forward. Players like Art Vandelay @Gustav, Brian Kowalski @Wheaties, and Callum Murray show that Los Angeles does have a bright future and will likely take steps forward in the coming seasons.

 

 New York Americans 

Current place: 8th (16th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 7th

X-Factor: Jerome Reinhart @MexicanCow123 (6 G, 12 A, 18 P)

 

New York’s perpetual rebuild is still ongoing, similarly to Los Angeles they do have some pieces in place that should start to be the future core. Specifically, Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito, and Augustus Kennedy @InstantRockstar. New York is slowly moving in the right direction and will likely look to the season 86 draft to build around their existing pieces.

 

European Conference

 

 Warsaw Predators 

Current place: 1st (1st in league)

VSN Projected Place: 3rd

X-Factor: Vasile Lamb @dlamb (8 G, 15 A, 23 P)

 

Warsaw being in first at this point of the season is truly impressive as Warsaw is currently running with only 3 defensemen and will likely be in the market for a 4th around the TDL. Hari Singh Nalwa @Dil has been carrying the load on the blueline and currently sits 6th in defensemen scoring. While Warsaw’s offense currently sits 3rd in the league with 63 goals, while their defense is league average with 49 goals against. As the season goes on, we should start to see Warsaw slow down a fair bit as 8 of their games to date have been played against non-playoff teams and their games against contenders have been close, typically ending in overtime or a shootout. The addition of a 4th defensemen would go a long way and could help in Warsaw’s eventual playoff run.

 

 Moscow Menace 

Current place: 2nd (2nd in league)

VSN Projected Place: 1st

X-Factor: Hard Markinson @STZ (11 G, 24 A, 35 P)

 

Moscow is looking to make their 5th straight final and with the dominant play of Hard Markinson and company there is no reason they won’t. At this point Moscow is the top team in the EU and has played significantly tougher competition than Warsaw, including beating Warsaw 8-0. Another reason for Moscow’s play of late has been Sergey Preobrazhensky @Bulduray_1 and Henri le Massif @Garsh, both of whom have picked up their offensive output with Duncan Idaho moving onto D.C. in the offseason. Currently Moscow has the top offense in the league by a considerable margin and a top-5 defense. At this point Moscow winning another Victory Cup isn’t even a question.

 

 Riga Reign 

Current place: 3rd (4th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 5th

X-Factor: Anze Miklavz @kelvi (11 G, 22 A, 33 P)

 

Possibly the team that has been hurt the most by Moscow’s dominance, Riga’s high-powered offense has been dominant this season with Miklavz and Alex Johnston @Alex being the only pair of teammates in the top-5 in league scoring. With that being said, Riga’s defensive play cannot be overlooked as they currently have the league’s top defense with only 42 goals against, all while having only 3 defensemen. Riga will look to add another defensemen with their remaining cap space, and once they do, they’ll be in great shape for another run.

 

 Helsinki Titans 

Current place: 4th (7th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 2nd

X-Factor: Nico Pearce @Spartan (15 G, 15 A, 30 P)

 

Helsinki is fresh off a disappointing season 83 and looks like a true contender. Nico Pearce is set to have a career season and currently sits tied for 1st in goals and is in the top-5 for points. Additionally, while Xavier Booberry’s @CowboyinAmerica play has taken a small step back from last season, they are still a game breaking player that can steal just about any game. Helsinki could surprise any team in the playoffs and should be a top team come the playoffs.

 

 HC Davos Dynamo 

Current place: 5th (11th in the league)

VSN Projected Place: 4th

X-Factor: Vinny Detroit @dasboot (9 G, 9 A, 18 P)

 

Davos’s start to the season was just about anything but expected as their offense has struggled from game #1, with that being said, Davos has had one of the tougher schedules to start the season and has been gaining some traction of late going 3-1-1 in their last 5 games. Offseason acquisition Mason Jones @Masu Chan and Vinny Detroit are both at a point per game and will be a big reason for Davos’s success this season, furthermore while some of the rookies on the team have been struggling to find success this season their production is improving and it’s only a matter of time until they hit their stride. We can expect Davos to be in a playoff race with London all season for the final spot and should they get some puck luck we could expect them to potentially climb out of a wildcard spot into the top 3 teams in the EU.

 

 London United 

Current place: 6th (12th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 6th

X-Factor: Cole Pearce @N0HBDY (0.933 SV%, 2.43 GAA)

 

London has taken a small step back this season, however Cole Pearce is not letting them fade out of the playoff picture and is without a doubt the top goalie in the VHL right now. Similarly, to Davos, goalscoring has been an issue to start the season with only 1 of their players (Matt Avens @Mr Bohannan) having a shooting percentage above 10%. London will likely make a playoff push this season, and as previously mentioned we should see them in a race for the 5th and final playoff spot.

 

 Malmo Nighthawks 

Current place: 7th (12th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 7th

X-Factor: Druss Deathwalker @animal74 (8 G, 9 A, 17 P)

 

This season is the end of an era in Malmo as physical cornerstone forward Druss Deathwalker will be retiring after the season. Currently Deathwalker leads the league in hits with 113 and has continued his solid offensive output. Malmo looks to be on their way through a rebuild with many of their players still being relatively young, Malmo is on their way to having a solid future core to build around.

 

 Prague Phantoms 

Current place: 8th (14th in league)

VSN Projected Place: 8th

X-Factor: Perry Laperriere (10 G, 8 A, 18 P)

 

Can you say rebuild! Jokes aside, Prague is doing a rebuild right, they have their franchise center in Laperriere, their future goalie with Clueless Wallob @DMaximus , and a figurative mountain of draft picks with 11 picks in the first 2 rounds of the next 2 drafts. In time Prague will find their way back to the top of the EU, but for now they will likely finish last in the EU this season.

 

[Frank 4,764]