VHLM Draft Grades (1-5)

[Pifferfish 597]

Today I'm going to be evaluating 5 of the 10 VHLM teams' drafts including picks and trades and coming to a final grade based on a multitude of factors. Let begin with last year's Founder's Cup Champions.

Philadelphia Reapers 
Grade C+
Picks: 43 Jason Lajeunesse Jr, 53 Shane Wardell, 63 Randy Bobandy, 69 Daddy Durkin. 
The Philadelphia Reapers only made their first selection at 43rd overall. That player and the three they selected after all had to immediately be cut for inactivity. While its possible they could have found someone to stick around, it definitely feels like @Lemorse7knew that the priority for this team would be in keeping momentum with returning players and adding via waivers. The team did make a splash by trading for a blue line stalwart in Elias Lampi but the price could be considered an overpay. This team managed their run last season with just Rex Wolffe Gregor and a waiver addition with only 4 games left in the regular season so they definitely have shown one star back there can get it done. Overall that trade was a good one for a franchise in win now mode. 

Houston Bulls 
Grade C-
Picks: 36 Grunkle Stan-dingyouup, 40 Chase Mclaughlin.
The Bulls and GM @AJW went into draft weekend with four picks including a 1st and 2nd but opted to trade those selections (which became Greg Hickman and Admir Bala) for three future 3rds and a 4th in S86. Grunkle has been a decent earner, showing a willingness to do more than just welfare since creation. Right now the build could be worrisome as it has holes, but I think the premier asset of this class was Chase. Rumor has it that Miami likes the kid and would love to add him to their roster. At present it seems like this could be another rough season for Houston hockey fans. Realistically with the moves made this wasn't intended to be a premier class for the franchise. Next season this grade should go way up. 

Las Vegas Aces 
Grade B+
Picks: 8 Reese McFeury, 22 Thor Odinson, 24 Tyler Swift, 50 Frank Forsberg, 52 Joshua Yun, 60 Josh Leblanc, 70 Snipe Show.
For our former reigning champs, this was their first draft since @Shindigsstepped down as General Manager. I must say that with limited capital new manager @Blazzerdid a wonderful job. The McFleury's are the most prolific hockey clan in the VHLM right now so grabbing one early, especially as a Defenseman was a clutch move. The trade made for that selection to be possible only cost Las Vegas a 2nd (became Jose Silva) and future 4th if I remember correctly. In the 3rd round, the Aces made two of the best picks in the draft. Thor has some play style issues but with proper coaching from this experienced staff he can be molded into a major contributor with his welfare plus earning. You know what came at a premium in this class? Defensemen! Blazzer added one of the sleepers of the draft with Tyler Swift. Reports say they interviewed poorly but the work ethic and earning for this player is big for building a winner. Based on their debut date and earning rate, they also may be a player in town for multiple seasons. Former coach, Woody Dickerson, had this to say on Swift: "Tyler is a quiet man, they mostly enjoy just listening to their cousin, Taylor's, music pregame instead of getting hype with the team. The guys know they are getting 100% effort on the ice even if that effort isn't shining through in the locker room the same way. Every player is different, and they are an important contributor. I wish them the best." If Blazzer can get some earning on Frank most specifically, that could become the sleeper pick of the draft. The only issue in sight is the volume if they can't get those later players to continue to contribute.

Mississauga Hounds
Grade A+
Picks: 11 Logan Foley, 18 Hannibal Barca, 21 Big B, 38 Steve Lattimer, 41 Austin Goulet, 51 Rich Richards, 61 Thomas Matthews, 68 Skor McFleury.
Wow, @a_Ferktook over a team in a downward spiral last season. After an 0-72 campaign they needed a culture shift in this locker room. The priority here was strong personalities off the ice more than on it. Don't get me wrong, a lot of these players will make a huge impact. Look at Hannibal Barca for an example. He possesses natural leadership abilities that can help get any waiver additions in line mid-season. In the Junior Showcase Tournament, he was very solid in limited action for the silver medal Brigade team alongside Austin Goulet. Austin wasn't able to make the same impact on the ice as he was unfortunately placed out of position on defense. Still he showed flashes in similarly limited action. Big B and Lattimer will be solid pieces as they should consistently earn.  The gem of this class will 100% be @WildfireMicro. Earning is great, great personality in the locker room per sources from the Pickles' in the Junior Showcase. Maybe the build could use some slight tweaking. Overall, this is a team captain type of player even with a leader as prolific as Barca there. Amazing work all without their own first which was owned by Ottawa!

Miami Marauders 
Grade B
Picks: 20 Jose Silva, 23 Swinsola, 48 Maxime, 58 Xiaoping Benguin Dinghao Aland.
This class has concerns which definitely reduced the grade. @nurxmay have over paid on their blockbuster trade of the draft. But at the end of the day the thing that matters is my opinion and I like this draft with such limited resources. For the trade, Nurx brought in a player who is an amazing locker room presence along with a late 2nd in this class. The price for that was a 1st (which became Reese McFleury), a S86 3rd (which became Tim Riggins), a future 3rd, and a future 4th. @Bobo Darius Marimoto II is a morale and leadership piece. According to a quote from the Miami GM, "[Darius] is probably the most active M locker room player in the league. And if not he is very close." This addition almost made me want to give the draft weekend for them an B+ or A-. I do have to be honest though. Swinsola is not the best earner. Maxime is new and we don't have a huge earning profile or activity log to really know what we will see there. Silva has been MIA (pun intended) for a few weeks of this offseason. Aland, I'm told, will become active again but the chance that he loses interest exists. With so few picks and so many risks, its a challenging grade to give. I'm putting faith in this General Manager to steer the ship and make the most of these selections this year. I'm a Believer in Nurx. 

1,150 words
week ending 11/13
week ending 11/20

Edited November 13, 2022 by Pifferfish

[AJW 2,196]

@UnknownMinion I think you did great. We now have a very promising future for the next two seasons and we already have a 7-1-1 roster heading into this season with more waiver players joining everyday. Last season was bad and this season might not look great, but it’s hard to always be great in a league where you keep players for only 1-2 seasons.

[Pifferfish 597]

On 11/12/2022 at 10:30 AM, AJW said:

@UnknownMinion I think you did great. We now have a very promising future for the next two seasons and we already have a 7-1-1 roster heading into this season with more waiver players joining everyday. Last season was bad and this season might not look great, but it’s hard to always be great in a league where you keep players for only 1-2 seasons.

Yeah, I think the two picks were solid just tough to grade a class so shallow very high. Your team didn't get immediately better off this draft but the future is bright in HOU.

 

[Pifferfish 597]

@BoboI edited this post, thanks for the inspiration on the Grade colors! Dope work on that vsn arty

[Bobo 514]

21 minutes ago, Pifferfish said:

@BoboI edited this post, thanks for the inspiration on the Grade colors! Dope work on that vsn arty

thank you sm!

[Pifferfish 597]

11/20