This is definitely not the same old VHLM

[JCarson 727]

Time marches on and brings Season 96 of the VHLM along with it.  With only 14 games left in the regular season it is a great time to stop and look at what has occurred so far, how the VHLM is shaping up for the playoff and finally how that will play out for the Mexico City Kings.   

 

With the collapse of the VHLE which resulted in many players stepping back into the VHLM everyone expected this season to be different.  And without any level of surprise the expected has become reality. Yet I am not sure anyone could have predicted how odd of a season it would be.

 

First thing to note is that the VHLM is experiencing a massive division in game results.  The Eastern conference is excelling, with even the last place team having a positive goal differential.  Oddly enough the last place team in the East is tied for points with first place team in the West. Only time will tell if this is a one season glitch due to the makeup of teams or if this will be a longer standing pattern where one conference is notably stronger than the other.  My prediction is that it will take a season or two to redistribute players throughout the league and that over time a shift will occur in managing players who earn at lower than max levels.  This will allow those players to play 2-4 seasons with a team making for a longer impact on a franchises’ performance over time. 

 

Second item to note is the impact of goaltending on the VHLM.  In my opinion the fact that we have goalies with above 200tpe builds now competing with Players with below 200TPE builds is creating a significant impact on the scoring in the league.  I haven’t done any statistical analysis on the topic, but my gut feeling by looking a the number of shutouts this season so far and comparing it against the entire season 95 shows an increase impact by goalies on the league. Again, it is another topic that needs to have further analysis over time, but I expect that the VHLM GM will be positioning for the stronger goalies each. Season. 

 

Third, and I can’t prove this, but it feels like the interactions between GM this season are significantly lower than in prior seasons.  In some ways I think that is good as we have had no arguments over minor rule interpretations, but also in some ways worse as there has potentially been a lower sense of engagement than in prior seasons.  I may be reading too much into this and it may be that GM’s are spending more time with their players, or there are less questions as GM experience increases but to me it feels like potentially lower engagement. 

So, with all that said how do I think it will impact the Mexico City Kings.  I expect this season we will fall into a playoff spot and hopefully do well in our first round showing.  I expect that the success of our goaltending will be key.  If we can get a few good defensive games, we should come out on top.  Looking farther out I am already working on a plan for offseason, potential trades, draft priorities and seriously considering picking up an AGM to assist in the locker room. 

 

So those are my thoughts, we will see how everything works out or doesn’t work out and go from there.  One thing is for sure, this is a new VHLM.

[LucyXpher 1,420]

Personally, having more players has kept me more busy with my team, but the trade deadline did feel particularly quiet this season.  Maybe it’s also just the time of year?  Or maybe GMs are nervous to overpay or undersell?  It’s kinda hard to read the value of a player right now as we’re all still kinda feeling each other out

[Gustav 6,428]

2 hours ago, LucyXpher said:

Personally, having more players has kept me more busy with my team, but the trade deadline did feel particularly quiet this season.  Maybe it’s also just the time of year?  Or maybe GMs are nervous to overpay or undersell?  It’s kinda hard to read the value of a player right now as we’re all still kinda feeling each other out

 

I think it's a lot of the fact that no one is really sure yet what's worth what. You kind of have to guess, and over time that part will adjust itself.

 

I'll also note that with fuller rosters and longer player tenures, things in the M are just less volatile and I'd expect less perceived immediate need to go all in or tank.

 

 

3 hours ago, JCarson said:

Second item to note is the impact of goaltending on the VHLM.  In my opinion the fact that we have goalies with above 200tpe builds now competing with Players with below 200TPE builds is creating a significant impact on the scoring in the league.  I haven’t done any statistical analysis on the topic, but my gut feeling by looking a the number of shutouts this season so far and comparing it against the entire season 95 shows an increase impact by goalies on the league. Again, it is another topic that needs to have further analysis over time, but I expect that the VHLM GM will be positioning for the stronger goalies each. Season. 

 

This is something I was worried about from the start and we'll have to see whether the situation is livable and just happens to be a bit different or whether we should look into some sort of mitigation strategy. I don't have all the answers for what that might mean but it's certainly something that's been on my radar.

[LucyXpher 1,420]

9 minutes ago, Gustav said:

 

I'll also note that with fuller rosters and longer player tenures, things in the M are just less volatile and I'd expect less perceived immediate need to go all in or tank.

This is by far my favorite part of the E being gone.  The M feels a lot healthier now because of this and even weaker teams can feel competitive because of the fuller rosters