Marlins Gambled on Gamble

[Fradin99 96]

San Diego recently signed right winger Keegan Gamble as a free agent pickup two weeks into season 88. An even bolder move was to slot him into their top 6 after the departure of former winger, Cyrus Dallas due to forced retirement of inactivity. 

Keegan Gamble, or "Keegs" as he's been referred to around the locker room has already found his home in San Diego. All smiles no matter where he's found. The young forward immediately became one of faces of conversation around the room, going from guy to guy cracking jokes and telling stories. He seems genuinely happy to be there, and who wouldn't be? The Marlins are off to a great start and even by the numbers, have only gotten better adding this player. 

 

A smaller player, clocking in at around 145 pounds at five foot six. Relying heavily on his speed and puck handling to get himself where he needs to be. And this is reflected on his goalless start to his career. In six games he has 4 Assists and 0 goals, despite his 18 shots on net. Although he's not coming in and ripping holes through the back of the net, the Marlins second line is playing noticeably better since his addition. His ability to get up the ice and distribute to his teammates has created another reliable scoring centerman in the form of Joseph Neelson for the Marlins. Neelson has 5 goals in his last 4 games, now in a three way tie for first in goals at 12 for the team. Four of these Five goals were assisted by the new blood. 

 

The young forward at practice has also been skating with defenseman Fradin McGryer. The Alternate Captain running through one on one drills, defensive breakdowns, and how to cover for an out of position defenseman. The pair were also seen sharing tips on laying the body, which has been shown through the newbie laying 12 hits in his 6 games. The on ice leadership has taken a note of this player's offensive skills and have taken the initiative to mold him into a proper two way player to fit the Marlins play style. This years team under new management has made it clear from their play that they value the offensive and defensive skill of their players and choose to fully utilize that. Marty Byrd will often swap with a winger to put the puck in the net, using his long reach and hard play the defenseman has put the puck past the tender 10 times this season with 13 assists. 

 

A heartwarming thing you love to see in the VHLM. Players fully embracing a new member who took his first step into the water a bit later than the rest. With impressive goaltending on the season already, solid defensive numbers as a whole team and a big nod to the pair of stars on the blue line shaking things up in their own right, number 16 (Gamble) giving new life to this Marlins second line is only another gold star pickup for an impressive run by GM @Arce. If this is the talent this management can find in free agents, they're set up to have an excellent draft history in the coming years.

 

541 words for week ending in 4/23/2023