VSN Presents: S97 VHL Season Preview

[Alex 3,264]

@LucyXpher

 

Hey everybody! Welcome to the S97 VHL Season Preview.  After another offseason, albeit quieter than usual, with only a handful of major trades, the North American Conference is still a bloodbath, while the EU has only 4 competitive teams.

 

North American Conference

 

1 - Vancouver Wolves

Forward Rank - 3rd
Defense Rank - 1st

Goalie Rank - 5th

Conference Rank - 6th

League Rank - 1st

 

Coming off a Continental Cup, it would make sense that the Vancouver Wolves are the favourites once again and by a considerable gap to the rest of their conference. The offseason saw some reshuffling due to cap concerns, with King Kisslinger and Erik Thorvaldsson going out, and all of Celise Pereira @asteria, Einar Mathiesen @xsjack, Scrungle Bungle @Novanod, and Eno Velvson @Nykonax joining the team. This accomplished Vancouver’s main goal of keeping their high TPA core intact, though it cost them some depth. Vancouver should cruise to the top of their conference this season, but the question remains if losing their depth will make a impact to their overall success?

 

2 - Calgary Wranglers

Forward Rank - 2nd
Defense Rank - 7th

Goalie Rank - 9th

Conference Rank - 3rd

League Rank - 6th

 

The Calgary Wranglers are essentially running it back this season as they made no trades of consequence through the offseason and had one call up with Wladyslaw Mintus @mintusaurus. They will be needing their top-end forwards to live up to their paychecks this season or it could realistically be over before the playoffs. This season, Calgary will have to prove that their regular season success in S96 wasn’t a fluke, and they will be looking to build off of their conference finals appearance last time out.

 

3 - New York Americans

Forward Rank - 4th
Defense Rank - 9th

Goalie Rank - 2nd

Conference Rank - 4th

League Rank - 7th

 

The New York Americans could very well be the big surprise of this season, their core is hitting their prime and they have the cap space to add towards the trade deadline. They swung big in the offseason, adding George Richmond @badcolethetitan and a backup goalie in exchange for the 2nd overall pick and Tommy Shelby. The trade does give them a true franchise center that will hopefully work hand in hand with franchise defensemen Callum Gary Yannick Janser @Daniel Janser, who is primed for a massive season. This should be an interesting one in New York as the team will be needing players to perform at high levels for them to have success.

 

4 - Toronto Legion

Forward Rank - 7th
Defense Rank - 3rd

Goalie Rank - 3rd

Conference Rank - 2nd

League Rank - 4th

 

The Toronto Legion are an interesting one this season.  S96 was an absolute failure by any measure, and with a new GM they swung big, adding Konstyantyn Shevchenko @der meister at the cost of their entire future. With that being said, most teams in the conference improved in the offseason, whereas Toronto really is no better than they were last season, which is the main reason why they are lower down then their rankings would suggest. Toronto really has only one more kick at the can before a massive rebuild process. This season is the definition of a all-or-nothing season for the Legion.

 

5 - Chicago Phoenix

Forward Rank - 10th
Defense Rank - 6th

Goalie Rank - 7th

Conference Rank - 5th

League Rank - 8th

 

The Chicago Phoenix had a small retool in the offseason as they had to bring in a couple players to replace retirements. Chicago’s season is fairly dependent on the performance of Ryan Artyomov @Enorama who could be an early favourite for the Shaw. The addition of rookie Boris Bone-Breaker @RileyL could be a huge one for Chicago as they will bring a massive physical presence to their blue-line. On paper, Chicago is fairly average, however, they do have 2.5 million in spare cap space to improve the roster as the season progresses.

 

6 - Seattle Bears

Forward Rank - 9th
Defense Rank - 8th

Goalie Rank - 1st

Conference Rank - 6th

League Rank - 9th

 

Once again, the North American Conference has 6 competitive teams, and with only 5 making the playoffs somebody will miss the playoffs. In all likelihood, the team that misses won’t be Seattle since they have been known to outperform expectations for some time.  As of right now, however, we do have them on the outside looking in. Seattle’s success will likely come down to the league’s top goalie in Giorgiy Costanzov @Mongoose87. Time will tell if the Bears can outperform expectations again and make the playoffs.

 

7 - D.C. Dragons

Forward Rank - 11th
Defense Rank - 11th

Goalie Rank - 10th

Conference Rank - 7th

League Rank - 11th

 

The DC Dragons are without a doubt the best team that is rebuilding and without a doubt would make the playoffs in the European Conference. They have a couple pieces starting to come together with Brandon Petan Jr @sadie and Youre Not Fucking Retiring @twists now on the roster, and Albin Aldgard @animal74 who will be in the VHL next season. The only real area for concern at this point in the rebuild is that they’ll need pieces to round out the roster and should be in the market for a top goaltending prospect that will develop with the team.

 

8 - Los Angeles Stars

Forward Rank - 14th
Defense Rank - 16th

Goalie Rank - 8th

Conference Rank - 8th

League Rank - 15th

 

The Los Angeles Stars right now are fairly confusing.  They appeared to be on their way out of a rebuild last season, and then at the last moment traded away all the assets that made them competitive and were then left with a handful of first round picks (which they used well), and a couple really bad contracts. This season will be terrible for LA as they find themselves well at the bottom of the conference, and with a confusing direction forward. The only bright spot at the moment will be Roger Eagles @Greg_Di as they’ll have to be absolutely elite for LA to win a few games.

 

European Conference

 

1 - HC Davos Dynamo

Forward Rank - 1st
Defense Rank - 2nd

Goalie Rank - 11th

Conference Rank - 1st

League Rank - 2nd

 

Last season’s European Conference champion, Davos finds themselves in a dead heat with Vancouver for the number 1 spot on paper, with a very small margin between them and a considerable gap to everybody else. Davos swung big in the offseason, adding Gianfranco del Rocco @Victor and Sunset Moth @McWolf via trade, THE MIGHTY ICE WIZARD @Royski in free agency, and Taavetti Jokinen @Ahma during the draft. Davos will lean heavily on their offense this season and we can probably expect a huge breakout season from Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica and Felicia Hardy @JCarson who will be looking to help carry Davos to the next level. The only real question mark is in goal with Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu, who is a step below other top-end starting goalies, but does have the support group in front of them to help them succeed. The sky is the limit this season for Davos, but by no means will it be an easy run.

 

2 - Moscow Menace

Forward Rank - 6th
Defense Rank - 4th

Goalie Rank - 13th

Conference Rank - 3rd

League Rank - 5th

 

On paper, the Moscow roster is very similar to Davos’s high end scoring and top defensemen, but lacking a true star goaltender. However, the Moscow roster should continue to improve quickly over the season, which should help propel them ahead of Malmo. The big question for Moscow is if Maverick Goncalves @leandrofg and company can fill the gaping hole left by George Richmond, who was traded to New York for the 2^nd overall draft pick. Assuming that they are up to the task, we could be looking at a 3^rd straight Victory Cup for the Menace. Also, the addition of a 4th defensemen will help move the needle significantly and should allow for them to contend at the top of the conference yet again.

 

3 - Malmo Nighthawks

Forward Rank - 8th
Defense Rank - 5th

Goalie Rank - 6th

Conference Rank - 2nd

League Rank - 3rd

 

The Malmo Nighthawks have probably the highest ceiling and lowest floor in the league. If things go right there’s no reason why they can’t compete for the Victory Cup or even finally win an actual playoff series, something they haven’t done since S87. A large part of Malmo’s success will come down to how well Lucy Leitner @LucyXpher can fill the gap left by Jacob Stone @scoop. With no notable prospects, high-earning young players, or draft picks and with three of their top forwards retiring following this season, it’s cup or bust in Malmo, likely with a massive rebuild right around the corner.

 

4 - Riga Reign

Forward Rank - 5th
Defense Rank - 12th

Goalie Rank - 4th

Conference Rank - 4th

League Rank - 10th

 

The Riga Reign had a weird offseason, trading out Lucy Leitner and acquiring Simons Worst Nightmare @zepheter. The main benefit of this is that Riga is now primed to add at the trade deadline, they could use their $6 million in cap space to make massive improvements and will still safely make the playoffs in a relatively uncompetitive European Conference. They should also be able to stay in the race for a top three spot thanks to Red Panda @Lemorse7 and their high-end forwards, specifically Severus Targaryen @Banackock who will be looking to duplicate last season’s successes, and Axle Gunner @Steve. It’s worth remembering that this Riga team is only 2 seasons removed from winning it all and, without a doubt, they know how to do it again

 

5 - Prague Phantoms

Forward Rank - 15th
Defense Rank - 10th

Goalie Rank - 14th

Conference Rank - 5th

League Rank - 12th

 

The Prague Phantoms are the first of four European Conference teams that are still in full-rebuild mode, however they are certainly on their way out. The addition of Erik Thorvaldsson @Tetricide makes a big difference this season, but with no notable forwards or top end, the trade does leave some question marks, especially because they do have two high end defensemen in the system already. It will be a long season for Prague, and they’ll likely make the playoffs, which they might not want to do at the cost of a better draft pick.

 

6 - London United

Forward Rank - 13th
Defense Rank - 13th

Goalie Rank - 15th

Conference Rank - 6th

League Rank - 13th

 

Similarly to Prague, London is also on their way out, but do have more notable young players already on their roster with Drosmis Sarkanis @Mr Bohannan, Alagsantere Groenvold @VattghernCZ, and Chazz Michael Michaels @Xflexz. Additionally, they did get the top two forward prospects in the last draft to round out their future forward group. London is going in the right direction and will be looking to add another piece in the S98 draft.

 

7 - Helsinki Titans

Forward Rank - 12th
Defense Rank - 15th

Goalie Rank - 16th

Conference Rank - 7th

League Rank - 14th

 

Of all the rebuilding teams, Helsinki probably has the longest road, with only one notable prospect in Hugh Neutron @Corco already on the roster and no other truly elite players in the system, they will have to continue to draft and develop players for at least two more seasons. On the positive side of things, they do have a mountain of draft picks to do it, including Malmo’s S99 1st which will likely at least be in the middle of the first round. 

 

8 - Warsaw Predators

Forward Rank - 16th
Defense Rank - 14th

Goalie Rank - 12th

Conference Rank - 8th

League Rank - 16th

 

Warsaw is already focusing on the S98 draft where they have 4 1st round picks, two of which could be in the lottery. As for this season, it will be a long one as Slava Kovalenko @OblivionWalker is realistically the team’s only bright spot.

 

Thank you for reading this season’s VHL preview and best of luck to everyone!

 

2017 words - Claiming as a media spot

Edited December 28, 2024 by LucyXpher

[N0HBDY 1,133]

Warsaw def making the playoffs dont worry

 

[Victor 11,037]

Time to put money on a Seattle cup then.

[Ahma 1,449]

[Banackock 8,146]

This just in: VSN once again predicts Seattle being bad just to be good.