Grading Picks 1-10 of the S90 VHL Draft

[FTK 49]

My rankings on draft selections will be determined by a color code, followed by a description of my view of the pick to hopefully give each selection a unique flavor. As a bonus, I will be doing a “who I would have selected” at the end of every pick. Without any further delay, let’s review the first half of round one of the S90 VHL Entry Draft!

 

(PART ONE OF TWO)

 

Green - Good Pick

Blue - Underrated Pick

Purple - Certified Steal

Yellow - Questions, but a good player

Orange - A Reach

Red - A bad selection situationally 

 

1st Overall - YaBoi Oven, Helsinki Titans

@Doomsday

 

Who could argue with YaBoi Oven going first overall? Not only does this selection suit a need for the Titans as a frontline franchise defenseman, but any team in the VHL would be more than happy to have a defenseman prospect on Oven’s level in their pool. An expected first overall pick, in terms of position and overall I view this as a good first overall selection.

 

Who I would have selected - YaBoi Oven

 

2nd Overall - Walter Fitzroy Jr, Toronto Legion

@Moon

 

This isn’t exactly unexpected. Moon is the GM of Toronto and thus you get a franchise defenseman who is willing to stay long term, as long as Moon remains employed in Toronto. Fitzroy will be a good player, but I can’t am not a fan of GM’s making slight reaches to select their own players. Still, Fitzroy will be a good player in Toronto. 

 

Who I would have selected - Axle Gunner

 

3rd Overall - Ryan Artyomov, Chicago Phoenix 

@Enorama

 

I don’t think I can overstate how awesome this pick is for Chicago. With recent GM turnover, the new leader of operations in Chicago certainly smashed their first pick. Artyomov will be an excellent goalie in the VHL, and will be key in Chicago regaining contention and making a push for another cup. Artyomov is also probably the best selection in terms of suiting team needs so far as well. Just an awesome pick all around. 

 

Who I would have selected - Ryan Artyomov

 

4th Overall - Axle Gunner, Moscow Menace

@Steve
 

A near 100 point scorer in the VHLM with the Philadelphia Reapers, Gunner is a borderline steal for me. I wouldn’t exactly call 4th overall a drop or decline however. Gunner is a center, and figures to play for Moscow sooner rather than later, where he will be a steady contributor in Moscow’s retool. Another excellent selection, but it’s hard to mess up a top 5 selection.

 

Who I would have selected - Axle Gunner

 

5th Overall - Maxim Anisimov, Warsaw Predators

@McLovin
 

I may have been higher on Anisimov than others viewing the draft, but I see this pick as an absolute steal. While Anisimov may not be as valuable defensively as a Center or Defenseman, he was by far the best winger prospect in this class. I think Warsaw nailed this pick, and are setting themselves up with a surefire hardware candidate season in and out. 

 

Who I would have selected - Maxim Anisimov

 

6th Overall - Raimo Tuominen, Calgary Wranglers

@SlapshotWrangler
 

While I like Raimo Tuominen as a prospect, and I agree he should have been a top 10 selection, top 5 is just a small reach for me. I don’t see him being the best positionally or overall at this point in terms of the draft. While I think Calgary is getting an excellent player, they could have almost certainly traded down a few selections and got the same player. I will be excited to see Tuominen in Calgary, but that doesn’t change the fact that he was just slightly overdrafted in my opinion. 

 

Who I would have selected - Jarmo Ruutu

 

7th Overall - Catia Goncalves, Riga Reign

@cLoWn
 

While I have some question marks regarding Goncalves, I do think she will be a good player for the Reign. Similar to Tuominen, I saw Goncalves as a top 12-15 prospect, with 7th being just slightly early for my taste. Regardless I do think the Reign are getting a capable player and a solid prospect to build a young core up with. 

 

Who I would have selected - Jarmo Ruutu

 

8th Overall - Jarmo Ruutu, Moscow Menace

@jRuutu
 

The Menace had an amazing draft. While Gunner may be the best prospect overall selected to Moscow, in terms of pure value I think Ruutu has a case for one of the best in the first round in general. I had Ruutu as a top 5 selection, so while seeing him fall to Moscow was a surprise, it is a welcome one! Spartan is once again assembling a young capable core for the Menace’s retool. 

 

Who I would have selected - Jarmo Ruutu

 

9th Overall - Jebidiah Big Ol Doinks in Amish, Malmo Nighthawks

@hylands
 

I think picking up Jebidiah/Hylands is a sneaky hood move for the Nighthawks in their quest for a bounceback to competitive hockey. I think at this point in the draft most of the top end talent had seeped out in terms of the quality selected in the top 5, but Jebidiah is an excellent defensive prospect. I can’t decide if this was a draft fall or the perfect spot for Hylands to end up at.

 

10th Overall - Martin Kemp, Riga Reign

@leafsman

 

Another reach for the Reign. I would have been fine with a Kemp selection at 10, but doubling down on first round wingers when two amazing centers were available is very questionable for me. As previously stated for Goncalves, Kemp will be a good player, it’s just all about fit and the scheme in Riga for me. 

[Ricer13 2,796]

Nice write up! Good thing Tuominen is making the move to C to become our franchise centre!!!

[FTK 49]

Good move! Definitely increases his value for me