VSN Presents: S89 VHL Season Preview/Update

[Alex 2,876]

@leandrofg

 

Hi everyone and welcome to VSN’s S89 VHL Preview! This season could be an interesting one in both conferences as we should see an intense playoff battle in the EU and in the NA we could very well see Toronto return to the playoffs for the first time in a while! Also, sorry for the delay, I was away for the past few days and my laptop died.

 

North American Conference

 

#1 Vancouver Wolves 

Forward Rank: 2^nd

Defense Rank: 9^th

Goalie Rank: 5^th

Overall Rank: 1^st

Key Additions: Nico Pearce @Spartan , Brian Payne @Scurvy, and Reinhard von Kongming @Kylrad

 

The Vancouver Wolves enter this season as the top team in the league and have a very solid team from top to bottom. Prior to the offseason Vancouver already had a very strong roster complete with elite offensive options in Dogwood Maple @dogwoodmaple and Henry Eagles @Greg_Di! Not to mention top defensemen candidate Pierre Emile Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito on the blue line. We can look for Vancouver to be dominant in the NA and there’s no reason why they won’t make yet another cup run this season. Vancouver seems to have dropped the ball to start the season with a 4-3-0 start, but this could very well be a fluke as they have a +4 goal differential and should not be worried about the slow start one bit.

 

#2 Calgary Wranglers 

Forward Rank: 3^rd

Defense Rank: 5^th

Goalie Rank: 16^th

Overall Rank: 4^th

Key Additions: Rip Wheeler @ScottyP, and Halvar Torbjorn @Rayzor_7

 

The Calgary Wranglers are at a very interesting point in their window right now, with Daniel Janser @Daniel Janser set to retire and Leandro Goncalves @leandrofg , and Landon Wolanin @jacobcarson877 nearing the end of their careers as well. We should see a lot of movement in the coming seasons as they look to continue to be competitive with their remaining players which will be focused around Vincent Laroche-Gagnier @vincentlg2007, Phil Strasmore @Phil, and rookie goaltender Merone Dilson @MexicanCow123. This season we can expect Calgary to be near the top of the North American Conference, the big question mark for Calgary is on goal as they currently have the league’s worst starting goalie. Calgary has been good to start the season with a 5-2-1 record, this has been in large part due to their goalscoring.

 

#3 Seattle Bears 

Forward Rank: 1^st

Defense Rank: 13^th

Goalie Rank: 9^th

Overall Rank: 5^th

Key Additions: Daniel Weaver @ThePerfectNut, Sax Justice @Eso, Scoish Velociraptor Maloish @youloser1337, Rex Wolffe Gregor @oilmandan, and Cole Pearce @N0HBDY

 

Seattle has almost an entirely new lineup this season with only 4 forwards and 1 defensemen returning from last season, and while on paper their roster is very solid, the turnover could lead to some struggles early in the season as it could take some time for things to click. Offensively Seattle looks great, they have the leagues top offense built around Hulk Hogan 2 @Hogan, and Yaroslav Bogatyrev @Bojovnik, both of whom should have a great season. Seattle is always a top team in the league and should be again this season. Seattle picked up where they left off last season and currently lead the North American Conference with a 6-2-0 record.

 

#4 Los Angeles Stars 

Forward Rank: 6^th

Defense Rank: 6^th

Goalie Rank: 4^th

Overall Rank: 7^th

Key Additions: Jens Lekman @Bobcat, and Calix Pearce @Laine

 

The Los Angeles Stars are a very complete team this season and could very well be the most well-rounded team in the VHL, with their S84 and S85 draft picks hitting their prime at the right moment, LA could very well challenge any team in the league and really add a variable into the North American playoff race and they could beat any team we have listed above them. Los Angeles offense could be due for an incredible season with Nezuko @Baozi, and Sirdsvaldis Miglaskems @FrostBeard in the final season of their career we could very well finally see LA get the offensive output they have needed for several seasons. Los Angeles has had another strong start and look to challenge the top teams with a 5-2-0 record.

 

#5 Toronto Legion 

Forward Rank: 11^th

Defense Rank: 11^th

Goalie Rank: 10^th

Overall Rank: 12^th

Key Additions: Jimmy MacElroy @Xflexz, and Weenuk Warrior @KnightRiley

 

The Toronto Legion look to be done their rebuild and did so in a big way by trading for Jimmy MacElroy and building upon their young core of Jimi Jaks @kelvi, Mac Atlas @v.2 , and Bobby Bob @Baby Boomer. For Toronto to make the playoffs they will need Joel Castle @animal74 to stand on their head all season as the roster isn’t quite ready to compete with the top teams but could very well capitalize on being the best of the bottom 4 teams in the North American Conference, we can expect Toronto to make the playoffs for the first time since S84 this season. Toronto has had a tough start with a 2-3-3 record, Toronto has been keeping it close this season, and this could be a good sign as they have only been losing games by small margins.

 

#6 New York Americans 

Forward Rank: 12^th

Defense Rank: 16^th

Goalie Rank: 12^th

Overall Rank: 13^th

Key Additions: Biggie Cheese @a_Ferk

 

The New York Americans seem to be stuck in the middle of competing and rebuilding, the acquisition of Biggie Cheese was a needed addition for New York’s blueline, but it just doesn’t seem to be enough as they have the lowest TPA defense in the league. While New York does have some great offensive players in Napoleon Dynamite @thadthrasher and Svatopluk Puk @Otaznik, they lack overall depth. While New York could potentially end their playoff draught this season, it could very well be an uphill battle. We can expect New York to potentially buy this season towards the trade deadline or potentially go all in after the season. Either way New York is in great hands. So far this season, Svaltopluk Puk has been remarkable and already has 14 points, and New York currently is 6^th in the NA with 7 points.

 

#7 Chicago Phoenix 

Forward Rank: 15^th

Defense Rank: 15^th

Goalie Rank: 13^th

Overall Rank: 14^th

Key Additions: None

 

The Chicago Phoenix really just lacks top end talent and have been in a bit of an unlucky stretch which started with Bo Johansson @Shindigs going inactive, essentially sending the team into what will need to be a full-blown rebuild again. With that being said they are off to a good start with future number 1 defensemen Liv Slater @Subject056. Chicago could maybe challenge for a playoff spot it’s very unlikely, but they should be back to being competitive in not too long. Lastly, Chicago should be adding another strong player into the fold at the next draft as with a 2-5-1 record it looks like the tank is on.

 

#8 D.C. Dragons 

Forward Rank: 16^th

Defense Rank: 12^th

Goalie Rank: 11^th

Overall Rank: 16^th

Key Additions: Max Torq @Steve, and John Poremba Jr @CrlineDijohn14

 

The D.C. Dragons are improving each and every season and with their recent draft picks developing quickly and they already have what will be an incredible top 2 defensemen with Eric Queefson @twists and Mark Calaway @Beketov. While the team isn’t ready for playoff contention and still needs to fill several positions, D.C. is moving in a good direction. Goaltender Bubbles Utonium @fishy has been remarkable to start the season and without a doubt is the reason for D.C.’s 4-3-1 start.

 

European Conference

 

#1 Moscow Menace 

Forward Rank: 4^th

Defense Rank: 8^th

Goalie Rank: 2nd

Overall Rank: 2^nd

Key Additions: Jason @Jason kranz, Deron Nesbitt @AW13, and Clueless Wallob @DMaximus

 

Moscow has been a top contender since S79 and has not missed the playoffs once since then making the finals 5 times in those 9 seasons. This season they seem to be just as strong as ever with Tomas Sogaard, Ronan Lavelle, and Hammar Voss ready to carry this team right back to the finals. Moscow should very well be a top regular season team, although given their successes and shortcomings in their recent playoff streak nothing will matter for this group until the 73^rd game of their season. Moscow has been on fire this season and currently leads the league with a 6-1-1 record.

 

#2 HC Davos Dynamo 

Forward Rank: 5^th

Defense Rank: 3^rd

Goalie Rank: 6^th

Overall Rank: 3^rd

Key Additions: Skor McFleury @Alex, and Jack The Ripper @Ripper

 

Davos has had an interesting offseason that was completed with a blockbuster trade as they moved Kowalski and just about all their draft capital for Skor McFleury to round out their D-core. As far as the roster goes they do have 2 1000+ TPA forwards with Mason Jones @Masu Chan and Alexandre Leduc @Lemorse7, both of whom should improve over the course of the season prior to their retirement. Davos also still has maintained their forward depth with 5 forwards over 750 TPA. Defensively it’s very hard to not mention Jake Thunder @Thunder who is coming off of an incredible season and looks to repeat it in S89. Lastly, Lachlan Summers @kirbithan is looking to avoid a sophomore slump as they had a league best SV% last season. So far this season Davos is 6-2-0, and this has been in large part thanks to Pete Mitchell’s @Crstats23 and James Teekirque’s @Mongoose87 production. We can look for Davos to challenge Moscow all season for that top spot in the EU.

 

#3 London United

Forward Rank: 10^th

Defense Rank: 2^nd

Goalie Rank: 1^st

Overall Rank: 6^th

Key Additions: The Board Game Clue On Skates @MubbleFubbles

 

London has a very interesting roster make-up with 5 forwards, although they do still have 1.5 million in cap space and could have called someone up. Given this it is likely safe to assume that the hope is that they can hang around a playoff spot long enough that they’ll be able to bring in a 2-3 million dollar forward with retained salary to complete their forward core. Until then there will be a lot of weight on Jesse Teno @aimkin as they will need to shut down other teams if London is to have much success. This has held true so far this season as London is 4-3-1, however they are currently in a playoff spot and if they can maintain this decent pace they should be in a good place. With that being said, London has proved that it doesn’t matter where you finish in the regular season as long as you make the playoffs. This team poses a series threat to just about any team in the league.

 

#4 Prague Phantoms 

Forward Rank: 8^th

Defense Rank: 4^th

Goalie Rank: 3^rd

Overall Rank: 8^th

Key Additions: Jason Argos @Insypher, Matt Murdock @Acydburn, and Marcel Janser @Morcar80

 

Prague has been a very solid team the past few seasons, and on paper they look to be very good again, with elite offensive talent centered around Parry Laperriere @KaleebtheMighty and John Jameson @Frank, although they do lack offensive depth seen with other contending teams. On the defensive side of things Prague could just be one of if not the best in the league with the 4^th best defense and 3^rd best goalie in Matt Murdock. Currently, Prague is 7^th in the EU, but are tied for 5^th with a 3-4-1 record. The conference should be very close all season.

 

# 5 Riga Reign 

Forward Rank: 7^th

Defense Rank: 10^th

Goalie Rank: 7^th

Overall Rank: 9^th

Key Additions: Brian Kowalski @Wheaties, Larry Abass Jr @RileyL, and Vasile Lamb @dlamb

 

Riga has had a interesting offseason and managed to improve greatly in the short term all while improving their draft capital. Riga’s forward core is based heavily around S86 top draft pick The Frenchman @OrbitingDeath who is poised for a breakout season and could establish themselves as a top scoring option in the VHL. This season we expect Riga to make the playoffs, although it could be close between them and the other middle of the pack teams in the Conference. So far this season they have managed to pull ahead a bit as they currently have a 4-1-3 record.

 

#6 Helsinki Titans 

Forward Rank: 9^th

Defense Rank: 6^th

Goalie Rank: 8^th

Overall Rank: 10th

Key Additions: Chip Stone @DoktorFunk

 

The Helsinki Titans should be better right now with Daryl Dixon hitting their prime and a solid defensive core featuring Malum Maellard @frescoelmo, Kronchy Kardashian @Garsh and Mo Probert @Yahtzee. The one thing with Helsinki’s roster that could be improved is their forward core as it lacks depth and we learned last season GM @Rayzor_7 is not afraid to make mid-season trades and with $5 million in cap space that may just be what they are looking to do. Helsinki currently sits last in the European Conference with a 3-5-0 record.

 

#7 Warsaw Predators 

Forward Rank: 13^th

Defense Rank: 1^st

Goalie Rank: 14^th

Overall Rank: 11^th

Key Additions: Mikhail Kovalchuk @Banackock, Jani Karppinen @ShawnGlade, AK92 Wit da Hoodie @hedgehog337, Ed Nu @npuBeT, and Ryuji Sakamoto @der meister

 

The Warsaw Predators are mid-rebuild and have stocked up a lot of draft picks for the next two drafts. Ironically Warsaw does have the league’s top offense with AK92 Wit da Hoodie and Ryuji Sakamoto. Additionally, Ed Nu has had a great start to the season and has given Warsaw a chance to win every game against the odds. Warsaw projects as a middle of the pack rebuilding team but given how things have gone playoffs are very much not out of the question, this could be a very exciting team to watch.

 

#8 Malmo Nighthawks 

Forward Rank: 14^th

Defense Rank: 14^th

Goalie Rank: 15^th

Overall Rank: 15^th

Key Additions: Ivan Retoslav @eagle_3450, and Ash Sparks @DarkSpyro

 

Malmo has been in a rebuild for some time now, but they have a great group of young players and could very well make a shift to competing soon. Currently they are in fantastic shape with Logan Foley @WildfireMicro, Victor Jensen @Advantage, Yaroslav Trunov @qripll, Jacob Stone @scoop, and Reese McFleury @Spaz already on the roster. While this team likely won’t make the playoffs, we could be in for a great season from some of their young stars! Malmo is actually in a playoff spot right now and has been strong to start the season with a 3-4-1 start to the season.