S90 VHLM Team Rankings

[Grape 528]

The new season is on the horizon, and while there is still some movement across the rosters, most are pretty much set for the start. There was a fair bit of turnover in the front offices in the M, with the league introducing four new GMs to take over some teams, with a bit of a blend of experience, in both actual management, and the VHL in general. We had a fairly interesting draft, with one of the more stacked goaltending prospect pools in recent memory, all but guaranteeing the IA goalie rule to be suspended for this season (hopefully indefinitely). With all that being said, let’s evaluate how each team looks jumping into season 90.

10. Ottawa Lynx

FD Ranking: 10th (0.167)
Goaltender Ranking: 9th (81 TPA)

Biggest Need: Defenseman

 

The Lynx were hit with a major wave of inactivity over the offseason, losing most of their would-be returning roster, and only coming into the draft with 2 players on the roster. There was also a bit of a scramble nearing the draft getting pick compliant which came down to the wire and cost them some depth picks both in this draft and in future ones. While they were able to restock a bit in the forward position, their defense position is very weak, which is out of character for Ottawa, who usually heavily targets the blue line in the draft. As of now, they only have one defenseman on the roster. While the one D system has shown some success before, it isn’t something you’d want to bank on. Ultimately, this season will come down to how they play on the defensive side of the ice, with having one of the lowest TPA goaltenders as well as a thin blue line.

 

9. Houston Bulls

FD Ranking: 9th (0.286)

Goaltender Ranking: 8th (108 TPA)

Biggest Need: Defenseman

 

Houston came into this draft with iirc zero returning players and came out with a strong forward group, ranked fourth in the league. Because of their situation, they were only able to focus on one position, completely neglecting their blue line. They do have the perfect amount of skaters that, if willing, they could put two of their forwards on the blue line to at least help on that side of the puck, although that would not be ideal. Houston has historically been able to create strong offensive forwards and I feel that this season will be no different. Their success will rely upon what they do to address their lack of defensemen. 

 

8. Philadelphia Reapers

FD Ranking: 8th (0.422)

Goaltender Ranking: 6th (135 TPA)

Biggest Need: Defenseman

 

Philadelphia was able to roster arguably the best team for two seasons straight and will be paying the price for that this season, with a large fall from the top. Their roster pretty much had to be completely rebuilt from the ground up and now appear to be much weaker than previous seasons. With only one blue liner on their roster and a pretty thin forward group, they appear to be very similar to Ottawa, albeit a bit further down in development, and in that sense will not be particularly competitive. There is also a bit of a controversial player on their roster, having brought in Dylan, famous for his Juan Ceson player and, after the rule change, pretty much retiring after every season without really doing much. It hurts a bit to have to roster and play a person who more than likely will claim very little and recreate at the end of the season, or possibly even halfway through, but if that’s what he wants to do, so be it. As for the team, waivers will really be the only chance this team can put up a fight.

 

7. Halifax 21st

FD Ranking: 3rd (0.639)

Goaltender Ranking: 10th (0 TPA)

Biggest Need: Goaltender

 

Halifax is arguably a team that should be ranked much higher, near the top of the league. They boast the second best forward group and while they only have one defenseman, that defenseman is one of the few capped blue liners in the league and Halifax is more than able to make the one defenseman system work. They had a really strong draft and from the looks of it, this appeared to be the Halifax team to finally make a push and actually win something. The issue, however, is in net. Last season, their goaltender went inactive, and while during the season you can retain an inactive goaltender so long as you drafted them, the next season is deemed a clean slate and you need to acquire a new tendy. No problem, they did so in the draft. Sure they aren’t at starter level yet, but they should be serviceable enough, right? Well, they would’ve, but for whatever reason they retired. Now the team is stuck with an empty net one day before the season starts. Luckily, there are a ton of backup goalies on teams that I feel that teams would be more than willing to move. It just hurts to have to give up assets on something you thought you had secure. As of now, this is where they sit. If they do make a trade and acquire a goaltender, they’ll jump up.

 

6. Las Vegas Aces

FD Ranking: 7th (0.489)

Goaltender Ranking: 3rd (157 TPA)

Biggest Need: Forward

 

Vegas was one of the few teams that were able to solidify their blue line at the start of the season, having a decently deep and strong blue line. Their forward group is decent enough, although they aren’t very far along in development, which drags them down to eighth in the league in regards to that position. Overall, the team is decently well-rounded and while I don’t see them as being one of the top teams in the league, so long as development and activity go well they should be a decent middle team this season.

 

5. San Diego Marlins

FD Ranking: 6th (0.519)

Goaltender Ranking: 4th (155 TPA)

Biggest Need: Forward

 

San Diego had a bit of a slow start to this season’s draft, but still went out and made some strong acquisitions and have built a rather strong team. They’ve gone up and gathered up all the Reingaards in the league as well as a couple other players. Defense and goaltending is solid, but like Vegas, their forwards need a bit of development to go from that competitive level to actual contender.

 

4. Miami Marauders

FD Ranking: 5th (0.531)

Goaltender Ranking: 5th (143 TPA)

Biggest Need: Forward

 

Miami is yet another team pretty similar to San Diego and Las Vegas. Strong defensemen and goaltending, weaker at forwards but still decent depth-wise. Their defense does lack the depth that the other two teams have, but the high TPA of their players makes up for that. Just like those other two teams, additions or strong growth will be needed to really push them to contender level.

 

3. Mississauga Hounds

FD Ranking: 2nd (0.647)

Goaltender Ranking: 2nd (169 TPA)

Biggest Need: Defenseman

 

Mississauga is one of the few teams that will jump out the gate and be near the top of the league for at least the first half of the season. The majority of their players are well along their development, most being well over halfway to the cap. As of now the only question mark on their team is on the blue line, with one of their two defenders being a new create who has yet to apply their TPE. That usually is a bad sign but they haven’t been around for long enough for that to be relatively concerning, but something to keep an eye on at least. 

 

2. Saskatoon Wild

FD Ranking: 4th (0.618)

Goaltender Ranking: 1st (199 TPA)

Biggest Need: Forward

 

Saskatoon (somewhat selfishly) hoarded an absolute truckload of picks and because of that was able to draft and put together the biggest roster in the league, with 9 forwards, 4 defensemen, and 2 goaltenders. Defensively and in goal, they are already at an elite level and will absolutely bully teams early on. Forward wise, they are a bit more scattered developmentally, with most players being somewhere in the 100s but a few being below the three digit mark. While those players do bring the rating down a touch, so long as they develop, this team has the potential to be the top team in the league.

 

1. Mexico City Kings

FD Ranking: 1st (0.719)

Goaltender Ranking: 7th (132 TPA)

Biggest Need: Forward

 

Mexico City comes into this season with the majority of their roster already in the 100s TPAwise  and makes them arguably the most developed roster in the league as of now. Coming out of the gate and pretty much throughout the entire season, this team will be near the top of the standings. The only concern I really have for this team is in forward depth. With three forwards, what happens if they don’t click as a line? If they can’t produce together, the team will struggle. Also, what happens if one goes IA? It is not unusual for a team to lose a player or multiple due to inactivity. Losing any forwards without increasing the depth will be catastrophic for a Mexico City team that looks to compete.
 

(1558 Words)

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