So Now What Happens?

[der meister 3,197]

With both the VHLE and VHL Entry Drafts inching ever closer, Ukrainian winger Konstyantyn Shevchenko, most recently a member of the VHLM's Mississauga Hounds, has been starting to get some attention. Sources close to the young sniper indicate that he's received interest from multiple VHL squads picking in the top half of the first round. No surprise, really, given that he's arguably the top forward in the class, along with British winger Phil Sakic @Phil. Shevchenko has also reportedly received several interview requests from VHLE squads, though his draft stock for that particular league is somewhat up in the air.

 

For a top ranked prospect like Shevchenko, the likelihood is that he is drafted by a team undergoing a rebuild, which means the potential is somewhat high that he could make the jump directly from the VHLM to the VHL next season, bypassing the VHLE entirely. That fact might make it less likely Shevchenko is selected early in the VHLE Entry Draft, which makes it the true wildcard in the scenario.

 

One pundit, @CowboyinAmerica, revealed his VHL Mock Draft recently. For some reason, CIA has it out for Shevchenko on a personal level. I kid, I kid. What CIA projected is that Shevchenko is a viable draft selection anywhere in the top 5, depending on team needs. In this case, he was projected to be chosen 5th overall, going to HC Davos Dynamo. 

 

If this is indeed what comes to pass, that could lead to some interesting storylines with regard to Shevchenko's personal history, and his involvement in his parent's foundation, which aids refugees from Ukraine in escaping from the Russian invaders. The distance from Davos to Vienna, where he played in the Austrian ICE Hockey League, is a relatively short flight away. It remains to be seen if the close proximity of his parents and their work would have any affect, either as a distraction or a motivation, but it could be a story to follow.

 

Could Davos be Shevchenko's next stop?

 

The top of the draft is actually pretty fascinating, as there are budding superstar goaltenders in Roger Eagles @Greg_Di and Spider Panda @Ricer13, a stalwart defender in Ahsoka Tano @aimkin, and the pair of high-scoring wingers in Shevchenko and Sakic. The order of selections will most likely be up to the needs of the team picking, which is fairly unique when it comes to hockey, a sport where most people suggest simply drafting the Best Player Available. For the sake of thoroughness, the highest rated center is Shevchenko's Mississauga teammate Ozzy Batty @Ozzy Batty, who is projected to be a late 1st round selection.

 

An unidentified source close to Shevchenko has stated that the young sniper does not have a preference for which team drafts him, only that he wants to be a contributor and push for league titles. With likely at least another two weeks until the Drafts for both the VHL and VHLE occur, it will be fascinating to see if any teams make early plays to move up or down in the Draft order. The most recent NHL Entry Draft saw a number of teams exchanging first round selections before the day of the Draft, something relatively uncommon, as most teams tend to wait to see what players are on the board before making their move. But perhaps the VHL will follow suit after the Draft Lottery is conducted, which would only lead to more speculation heading up to Decision Day.