The Biggest Reach in the S90 Draft

[Grape 680]

Oh, @FTK,my sweet sweet summer child. 

 

Xizer Zilla (retired)

Picked: 13th

Seasons: 1

Statline: 17G-22A-39P
TPE: 435 (21st in draft class)

 

Seen as a questionable pick at the time, yet still a better option than the lowly Obuz, Zilla would have an unimpressive career at the VHL level, retiring before making any legitimate impact. While they were a high earner, there were concerns that they would fall off, as that seemed to be the usual trend for the user. Great player for the lower leagues, but more often than not won’t be making an impact in the VHL. GMs may have thought this time would be different, but alas, peaked in the E. They came back with a new player and this time didn’t even break the M cap.

I guess in the end, this was a questionable pick.

 

Conference Prince-de-Galles

Picked: 14th

Seasons: 2

Statline: 18G-71A-89P
TPE: 605 (18th in draft class)

 

Given the “underrated pick” tag, that seems like a fair decision. They were, at the time, higher in TPE than horrid Bocage, and it was stated that Mr. Author would be content with swapping the selections, after all, they were the best option and Obuz was a reach. While their trajectory is that of a solid, middle level defenseman with a stable game, they lack the true franchise level that a team would be looking for in a scarce defenseman draft, with Obuz and Prince-de-Galles both being top 5 in the draft class. Not a bad pick, but I would not necessarily say better than Bocage.

 

King Kisslinger

Picked: 15th

Seasons: 3

Statline: 75G-127A-202P
TPE: 907 (10th in draft class)

 

This is probably the only player listed that I’d give the pass to. Kisslinger has stayed relatively close to Bocage in terms of growth, with a much greater offensive upside on a much funnier team in Warsaw. Based on some players earlier in the draft either taking a step back in their claiming or fizzling out entirely, Kisslinger was seen as a steal at the time, and has become one. If Moscow actually needed a forward here instead of snagging two earlier, Kisslinger could have definitely been the pick. As for Obuz, it’s already meme enough that Spartan will trade me to Warsaw. Swapping draft spots would basically be destiny.

 

Bruise Banner (IA)

Picked: 16th

Seasons: 1

Statline: 2G-8A-10P
TPE: 329 (31st in draft class)

 

Ottawa Lynx legend and seen as the greatest steal of all time, a true franchise cornerstone for Helsinki, Banner ended up not playing a single game with the Titans, instead going IA before reaching the E cap and becoming fodder for the abysmal S93 HC Davos Dynamo. Trajectory seemed good, and was a genuinely positive and engaging locker room presence, but sometimes real life gets in the way of things, as well as simply burning out. A bright VHL star, burning brightly and fizzling away in a flash.

 

and now, for the legend himself:

 

Obuz Schneider Canet du Bocage

Picked: 12th

Seasons: 3

Statline: 47G-109A-156P
TPE: 942 (7th in draft class)

Draft Selection: Bust

Gifs: On point
VHL channel: Spammed

Spartan: Annoyed

VHLE: Skipped

 

Perhaps one of the greatest draft busts of all time, beautiful, supple Bocage tops not just the listed competition, but a handful of other selections taken above him. If I decided to not miss out on over 50 TPE during my M stint so I could stay down for an extra season and avoid the E altogether, Bocage could have likely been a top 10 pick, not labeled a reach, and we would instead be talking about how the former Stolzschweiger trophy winner and 2 time Labatte trophy winner has led Moscow to their 3rd straight Continental Cup and has solidified Euron Leonidas as the best GM of all time, but alas. Fate had other ideas, and the Bocage yearned for the M one more time before they went off on their grand journey. Despite the immaculate success and growth that Bocage has had, Moscow management has acquired both the 1st and 2nd overall picks in this upcoming draft, and are ecstatic that Bocage no longer has a no-trade clause. With the 1st overall selection, they draft his replacement. The 2nd will need to be packaged with Bocage over to Warsaw for a conditional 4th. But for now, they stand as I guess an okay selection by Moscow and probably better than the other options.

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