The Way Too Early Projections for Las Vegas

[McLovin 467]

The S89 VHLM season is officially underway! Players are looking to prove their worth to VHL and E teams, managers are looking to win glory in the Founder's Cup Final, and I'm back with my freezing cold takes! Today we'll be covering S89 projections for the currently rostered players in the Las Vegas Aces organization! We'll be covering stat projections for the season, as well as post S89 and even further predications for each player on the team at the moment! Without further ado, let's get into the nitty gritty.

 

Jeremia Barbaslov

 

Starting us off, we have winger Jeremia Barbaslov @Je Barbaslov, who is currently the highest TPE earning player signed with Las Vegas. Drafted 12th overall by Las Vegas in the S88 VHLM draft, Barbaslov is a dynamic two-way forward who throws shots on goal like no tomorrow, but can also lay the body on unsuspecting opponents. With an impressive 86 points in 72 contests with the Aces last season, as well as 333 shots on goal, Barbaslov is a lethal offensive threat that puts pressure on the defense and rebounds available to teammates. Having played 6 games this season, he's already amassed 27 shots, with a complementary 21 hits to go along with it. With 5 points in those 6 games as well, his offensive prowess will be a defining cornerstone to Las Vegas' forward core for the season, and it will be imperative to get him going.

 

Having been drafted 25th overall in the VHLE, and 30th overall in the VHL, Barbaslov has the potential to be a steal for Vasteras and Toronto, as they both own his rights in their respective leagues. An average earner, you can expect to see Barbaslov moving onto the E after this season, in which he's projected to continue his strong two-way game in a forward core that will definitely benefit from his presence. As his role in Toronto is much further out in the future, it's hard to say what their needs are going to be by the time he makes it to the pros, but expect him to be a fierce competitor for a roster spot in a system that has many, many winger options available to them.

 

Jeffrey Blake

 

Jeffrey Blake @ElementStyx9 has already had such a storied career in his short time in the VHL. He played his first two seasons in the VHL with the Miami Marauders and Philadelphia Reapers, where he lead the Reapers to the Founder's Cup Finals in S88. After he won the Cup in Philly, he was traded to the Aces in the S88 draft, to fill a gapping hole the Aces had in net, which has held them back in competition for a while now. Around this time, he also was selected by his future AGM in McLovin to represent Europe in the WJC. He was selected off loan from Canada as Karl Herzlich @LastGoon007, coincidentally his own tendy tandem duo in Philly, was the only available European goalie. Splitting time with Herzlich in the round robin, Blake was chosen to be the starter in the WJC Medal Rounds, where he absolutely carried Team Europe to gold. To say that big things are expected of him in Las Vegas would be an understatement. He has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, and thus far has proven he's the man for the job for the Aces.

 

With his accolades accounted for alone, Blake has got a strong case for becoming a full fledged starter for Bratislava or D.C, to which his VHLE and VHL rights belong respectively. He's moving onto the E next season, where he will likely take over the backup position for the time being. Despite the earnings difference between him and the current starter for Bratislava, a case can be made that he should be given starter reigns, or at least a large portion of starts in the S90 VHLE season for them. Looking ahead to his VHL career, he's got his work cut out for him, but should the situation of D.C's goaltending prospects not change, you can see Blake taking the backup role here in a few seasons, with a potential to become the full fledged starter around S93-95 give or take. The future is certainly bright for the Brick Wall of Sin City.

 

ShaunYoungca

 

ShaunYoungca @shaun1979 is next on our list, and he's a very interesting case. He's played next to his entire career with the Aces, with a brief stint in Houston before quickly returning to the fold of Las Vegas. In the three seasons he's played thus far, he's proven to be a capable two-way center, with a strong balance across the board in his game. Very similar stats to Barabslov this season, in which he's amassed 27 hits and 25 shots to compliment his 5 points in 6 games, he's a player Las Vegas is also going to need to lean on should they want to return to the Founder's Cup Final. Despite not being a big point earner, he's a player which can be trusted in a top 6 role, as well as the special teams to add a much needed gritty presence to the forward core. 

 

His projection into the future is also very similar to Barbaslov, with his rights additionally being in Toronto, as well as VHLE rights belonging to the Cologne Express. Youngca will be moving onto the VHLE next season as well, where I can safely predict that he'll be a hard hitting top 9 role player, filling in gaps in the special teams and keeping the other teams head on a swivel with his heavy body checking, and strong leadership on and off the ice. Again, while VHL predictions are difficult to gauge this early in a players career, expect to see a similar style with Toronto in which he might not be the biggest point getter, but a much needed scheme player to assist those top guns in being a physical presence and specialist in the PK. 

 

Walter Fitzroy Jr

 

The top pick of the Aces in the S88 VHL Draft, Walter Fitzroy Jr @Moon has an incredibly strong projection across the board. A two-way threat, Fitzroy Jr is going to be an absolutely lethal player in any role he finds himself in. PK, PP, 5v5, it doesn't matter. He will shut you down, and take advantage of your blunders by being a remarkably strong offensive presence. In the 6 games he's play so far this season, he's procured 6 points, including 5 assists, 11 hits and 12 shots blocked. As the only other defenseman on the Aces, the pressure on his shoulders is immense, but he has not disappointed in his stint with Las Vegas. He's projected to continue his point-per-game pace into the post season, where he will again be heavily leaned on to propel the Aces far into the postseason. 

 

As he has not been drafted to the E or VHL itself, nothing can be said about what he'd add to a specific team, but he's an incredibly strong earner who will likely go in a similar spot to his 4th overall selection in last seasons draft. His two-way game is very valuable to any team that picks him up, and should be a top priority for teams in the upcoming draft to pickup should they need a stud of a defenseman who will only get better every season he plays.

 

Maxim Anisimov

 

Maxim Anisimov @McLovin is an interesting case. Despite being a strong earner, he's actually struggled a bit in the opening games of S89. In the 6 games he's played, he's only brought home 3 points, including just one assist. Despite being labeled as a playmaker, he needs to find his game should he want to be taken high in the upcoming VHLE and VHL drafts. Should this happen though, he will be a much needed offensive threat for the Aces to round out the top dogs already listed. He hasn't played in international competition like most of the people already mentioned, but should he pick up the production, he's projected to be welcome help to Team Europe in future WJC and WC tournaments.

 

Being a rapidly growing player, he presents himself as a double edged sword. Yes, he will continue to grow at a significantly above average rate, but if he continues to struggle against similarly skilled players, his draft stock is expected to plummet, potentially out of first round selections despite being a top 5 projected pick in the two upcoming drafts he's eligible for. Again, should he tweak his game a bit, he could be a dark horse candidate for a steal for whatever team glances his way and picks him up. He's thrived in being underestimated however, with a strong performance in the rest JST run he had with the Steel. Keep your eye open on this one

 

Jeid Rohnson

 

At first glance, you wouldn't think too much of Jeid Rohnson @TopTiddee2. Drafted 32nd overall in the recent draft, he was picked up to fill out the second line center position while ShaunYoungca held the reigns as top center. That's changed however, as Jeid has exploded in production this season, with 8 points already in 6 contests. With a heavy lean on his offensive game, despite not being one of the higher skilled players, he's proven that skill isn't always everything, and that pure drive is enough to propel a player into the limelight and raise his draft stock. As a pretty strong earner, his skills will only improve as well, and he's projected to continue his production this season barring his line doesn't shift around too much as Las Vegas is hovering at a .500 record.

 

Looking forward, like Anisimov, he hasn't been drafted to a higher leagues team yet, but I can definitely see him becoming a player that teams overlook initially, but regret doing so later down the line as they notice how remarkable of a player Jeid truly is. Should he maintain his offensive production, he'll be a near shoo-in for Aces MVP this season, competing with the likes of Blake and Barbaslov who have nearly 100 more TPE than him. In the E and VHL, expect it to be a similar situation. He's going to be a good player for a long time, and should be another priority of teams looking to make a really safe pick in acquiring a depth player who will only improve.

 

Barry McOckiner

 

Despite his funny name, Barry McOckiner @LanerDUST is no joke. An almost identical situation to Jeid Rohnson, he's been a surprisingly good player for Las Vegas this season. Drafted 37th overall last year, he wasn't expected to be an impact player till next season. He's proven those doubters wrong however. In the 6 contests he's been in so far, he's already put up 7 points, including 4 goals on 22 shots. For a depth piece on the Aces, this is simply incredible production. As he is still relatively new to the M, he's likely going to spend another season with the franchise, in which he's expected to only amplify his already strong skillset.

 

Similarly to Jeid Rohnson, picking him up in the draft should be a priority for teams in leagues above the M. A depth piece with an offensive upside is always valuable to teams, and he should not be overshadowed by teams favoring pure skill over actual production. As mentioned before, he'll likely remain with the Aces for S90, but past that, see him being a strong addition to any team who picks him up, and wants a player who will only improve over time. Keep this guy on your radar as well, because he's going to be a fun player to watch over his career.

 

Jaja Dingdong Jr

 

Rounding out our evaluations, we have Jaja Dingdong Jr @Jaja Dingdong. Similarly to Barry McOckiner, he's expected to play for the Aces for at least another season past our current one. He's been a much needed depth piece to the Aces this year, being the blueline partner to Walter Fitzroy Jr. In his time with the Aces thus far, he's scored a respectable two points in six games. A relatively decent earner as well, should he maintain his game, he'll be a player the Aces lean heavier and heavier on as time moves forward. Potentially, even, being the Aces number one guy on the blueline for the S90 regular and postseason play.

 

Like Rohnson and McOckiner, teams should keep an eye out on this guy. Despite being a comparatively low skill-wise player, he's proven to be a necessary cog to the greater Aces machine. As mentioned before as well, he will likely be on the team for a while, in which he will be relied on for his strong defensive and special teams play. In the pros, expect him to be the same thing. A player you can lean on when it matters, and that he'll get the job done with his drive alone. Luckily for him as well, he's only going to get better, so he's going to be a very fun player to observe over the span of his long career!

 

 

 

That'll do it for our evaluation of the Aces roster for S89! Obviously as we made it further down the list, it became harder to determine exactly what is going to happen with some players, but this is a strong team with a tenacity to prove doubters wrong, and be the underdog that nobody expects to get the job done. This is going be a fun season for the Aces, and I, myself, cannot wait to see what these guys do over the span of their careers. It's a fun time to be a fan of us right now, so jump on the bandwagon if you haven't already. You'll want to say you've been a lifelong fan when we win every Founder's Cup moving forward from here

 

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