A Way Too Early S94 Draft Preview

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This is a way too early look at the S94 VHL Entry Draft.

 

This is the sort of draft that teams look for when it comes to planning their franchises. Looking at S92, it was very top-heavy, with some explosive forward talent, and a pretty wide range of defensive options. Vancouver started their new era here, and landed 4 pieces that should look to make up their star power for the next half a decade. S93 will be a lot tighter. There isn’t nearly as definitive of a top-10 group, and a lot of unknowns. This is a great draft to be stocking up for with some centers and defenders lined up already, as there is a wealth of winger talent here to choose from. With the S90 and S91 drafts bringing in a new wave of goaltenders, there has been slim pickings over the last few classes. S92 through S94 look to be tilted in the direction of the skaters, with S94 being highlighted by what could be a legendary class of defenders.

Forwards make up half of the top 10 positions right now in the S94 draft rankings, led by Maverick Goncalves, with players like Maple Dogwood, Pombo and Wally Lose projected to be in the mid to late first round. Later arrival Krupis has the potential to make a dent in the rankings down the stretch, but will have to push past some of the other wingers who have had a few more games to establish themselves. The Phantom of the VHL and Pierre Marc Bouchard are of particular interest so far here, both looking to be promising long time staple centermen. The faceoff element doesn’t usually make a huge difference in the draft rankings, but with so few options, does a team reach outside of the rankings to secure a positional need?  

This class will likely be remembered however for its defenders. Jillian Woods and Felecia Hardy man the blue line in San Diego for the next few weeks, and have put themselves for now in the #2 and #3 spot, trailing teammate Goncalves, who starts in the top position. Toby Cook, Milo Fox and Lazlo Holmes have all shown promise and could each be considered top 5 picks depending on who is making those selections. Expect lots of movement as teams with a defensive need will have to place themselves in the position to secure one of the top 5 names in the draft. And for those holding top 10 picks in the draft, knowing that you may be handed a player better than their ranking may suggest gives you a lot of flexibility to accept whatever the draft hands you.

 

We have not yet seen all who will register for the draft, and there are many here that will rise and fall in the rankings, but for now, it is looking like a draft that could be remembered for some time, and may be capable of shaping a new era in the VHL altogether.

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