VSN Presents: S97 VHL Trade Deadline Preview

[dstevensonjr 478]

Awesome graphic by @ace_five_!!

 

The trade deadline is this Thursday, and it's a great time to take a look around the league and see where everybody's at for this season! Today we're going to take a look at the standings, examine how the teams got to where they are, take a look at their cap picture, go over the rosters to find areas to improve, and see any moves already made this season. We'll go over everything by Conference standings. Contract information for players is based on full season value. Prospects from before S95 were not included in the list. Stats are up to date for Monday, January 20. Here we go!

 

North American Conference

 

 

Vancouver Wolves

 

1st Place

34-8-4

72 Points

 

Holders of the best goal differential in the NA Conference at +68 (170 GF, 102 GA), the Wolves have been scorching hot heading into the deadline, winning 8 in a row. Star defender Bollos de Trueno @Thunder and forward Logan Ninefingers @Scurvy have been the statistical standouts thus far for Vancouver. The Wolves have three expiring contracts on their roster in forward Eno Velvson @Nykonax (S90, $2.5m), along with defenders Einar Mathiesen @xsjack (S95, $1.5m) and Scrungle Bungle @Novanod (S91, $1.5m). Comfortably at the top of the Conference, it seems unlikely that Vancouver will be dumping any expiring contracts unless a player goes out the door to upgrade. The Wolves currently have $0.5m in cap space, so any upgrade will have to be on the smaller side on deadline day to maximize the space. It will be a draft pick needed to upgrade as Vancouver does not have any prospects in the pipeline to parlay into a new player. The Wolves hold DC’s 3rd round pick in S98, along with their own 4th. In the S99 Draft, Vancouver has Prague’s 1st round pick and their own 4th. The biggest need on the roster for Vancouver currently would be an upgrade to their depth forwards and defenders as they are very strong at the top of the roster offensively, defensively, and in net. Vancouver has not made a trade in-season in S97 after multiple moves in the off-season.

 

 

 

Calgary Wranglers

 

2nd Place

29-9-8

66 Points

 

The Wranglers currently look like the strongest challenger to Vancouver, sitting 6 points back in second place. Another very strong goal differential at +52 (168 GF, 116 GA), Calgary has fared well on both sides of the puck in the first 2/3 of the season. The strength of the Wranglers this season has definitely been their scoring up front, as they are bordering on six different forwards being at a point per game (currently five, Keegan Gamble @Keegan Gamble is 2 points away from ppg status). Calgary has five roster players with deals that are set to expire after this season: forwards Nikita Yolishev @Joel Main (S94, $1.5m) and Raimo Tuominen @SlapshotWrangler (S90, $5.5m), defenders Carson Tripp @Cartripp14 (S93, $2.5m) and Wladyslaw Mintus @mintusaurus (S93, $1.5m), and goaltender David Slezak @ShawnGlade (S91, $2.0m). Another strong contender, they’re unlikely to move out their expiring deals for anything other than an upgrade to the roster. That upgrade will be difficult to make, as the Wranglers have maxed out their cap space and would need to get creative to add. Calgary does have picks and prospects that could be moved out, holding three picks in the S98 Draft (VAN 3rd, CGY 3rd, CGY 4th) and four picks in the S99 Draft (their own pick in all four rounds). Defensive prospects Carl Erhardt @Elite Steel (S95, 299 TPE) and Jack Jack @Uncommon (S97, 232 TPE), along with forward prospect Joseph Poole @Itz_Viperz (S97, 227 TPE) could be used to facilitate an upgrade as well. The likeliest place that Calgary would look to upgrade would be on the blueline as the group has performed solidly but lacks a true number one. Calgary has not made a trade in-season yet this year.

 

 

 

Seattle Bears

 

3rd Place

30-16-1

61 Points

 

The Seattle Bears find themselves in between the top teams in the Conference and the teams that are battling each other for the wild card spots. A good week or two could push them into the top group in the conference, while a bad week or two could slide them down into the messy middle. The Bears, much like their place in the standings, hold a solid goal differential at +29 (153 GF, 124 GA) that is above mid-pack thanks to a balanced scoring approach from their forwards and defenders. Seattle has two expiring contracts heading into the deadline with forward Eric White Jr. @Mysterious_Fish (S90, $6.0m) and defender Rin Kagamine @Rin (S91, $2.0m). Seattle has some fascinating options with $3.95m in cap space and could afford to move out bodies to shuffle the roster or strictly add to improve before the deadline. They’re shorter on picks with a CHI 3rd in S98 and a DCD 3rd in S99, but do have a few prospects that could net a good return if they look to upgrade. RW CJ Daniels @xNJDevilsFanx (S97, 304 TPE) along with goaltenders Vladimir Trunov @qripll (S96, 459 TPE) and Chad Powers @Big_Dyl (S97, 357 TPE) are solid future pieces that could be counted on to come up soon, whether it’s with Seattle or somewhere else as part of a trade. Seattle’s biggest need heading into the deadline certainly looks to be on the blueline where they are thin behind the top two defenders. Seattle has already made a trade in-season this year, as they traded Marek Nowaczyk @Chillybro to DC, along with Seattle’s S99 1st and Davos’ S99 4th for Theo Allard @InstantRockstar and DC’s S99 3rd.

 

 

Toronto Legion

 

4th Place

27-17-2

56 Points

 

Toronto is currently at the front of the middle group in the NA Conference, although that spot in the group seems to be changing hands on a daily basis right now. They have climbed from 6th to 4th in the last few weeks but are far from clear of falling right back out of a playoff spot. A theme with the three teams fighting for two spots, the Legion have a decent goal differential at +16 (143 GF, 127 GA) that is largely driven by their balanced offensive contributions (the only team in the league with a full roster over 20 points each). Toronto does not have any expiring contracts for players heading to free agency this off-season (three forwards retiring), and heads into the deadline with $1.5m in cap space. The Legion are also shorter on picks to deal as they hold their 2nd and 3rd round picks in S99. Toronto also has forward prospects to trade in Inker Belle @WildfireMicro (S95, 422 TPE), Ethan Ashcroft @EthanSea611 (S97, 191 TPE), and ALTO RED @alto_red (S97, 169 TPE) should they choose to use the remaining cap space to upgrade the roster. The biggest need for Toronto to add is more mid-level scoring as the forward group is thinner behind the top two scorers as it currently stands. The Legion have not made a trade in-season this year after the blockbuster deal in the off-season with DC to acquire Konstyantyn Shevchenko @der meister and DB IV @wcats.

 

 

 

Chicago Phoenix

 

5th Place

25-15-5

55 Points

 

Chicago currently holds the final wild card spot in the NA Conference by a point, and are right in the mix to move upwards into a more solid playoff situation. The Phoenix have a decent goal differential as well at +13 (148 GF, 135 GA), which has been built on a foundation of solid goaltending and balanced scoring. Chicago is in a fascinating spot heading into the deadline and they have a whopping ten expiring contracts this off-season with players potentially headed to free agency. Five of the forwards in Ivan Ivanov @KmaddFPS (S91, $2.0m), Joshua Schwarzer @Velevra(S91, $5.5m), Spanish Moon Moth @Renomitsu (S91, $5.0m), Toby Kadachi @ROOKIE745 (S91, $4.5m), and Vanuza Kolesinska @chikn (S93, $2.5m) are expiring, as well as defenders Boris Bone-Breaker @RileyL (S95, $1.5m), Karol Lamb @dlamb (S92, $3.0m), Lionel Collberg @Masu Chan (S91, $3.5m), and YaBoi Oven @Doomsday (S90, $6.0m). The final player with an expiring contract is also likely the most important one, as goaltender Ryan Artyomov @Enorama (S90, $5.0m) is set to expire after this season. Chicago has $2.5m in space at the deadline, which gives them the flexibility to go in multiple directions. The Phoenix haven’t traded out many draft picks, holding their own S98 2nd and 4th round picks, along with all of their picks in S99 and the VAN 3rd in that draft as well. A handful of prospects in their development pipeline could give Chicago additional assets to move if they choose, primarily in net. Forward Avery Acres @Bravebulldogs (S97, 159 TPE) and defender Feka Ohi Kau @Hacob (S96, 320 TPE) compliment a trio of goaltenders: Dr. Victor von Doom @Garsh (S97, 360 TPE), RicerFourteen @Bombshuka (S96, 167 TPE), and Dustin Wolf @ElementStyx9 (S95, 108 TPE). Chicago’s biggest need heading into the deadline is at the top end of the roster, as the forward group lacks the top TPE leader that the other teams in the conference have. The Phoenix have not made an in-season trade yet this season.

 

 

New York Americans

 

6th Place

26-17-2

54 Points

 

The Americans are the third of the three teams that are currently fighting for two wild card spots, but are right there and have the benefit of a softer schedule remaining. New York has a decent +16 goal differential (136 GF, 120 GA), relying on the continued solid goaltending from the man of a thousand W’s @rory and good offensive contribution from their top forwards. The Americans have two forwards on expiring contracts that are potentially headed to free agency in Maxim Anisimov @McLovin (S90, $5.0m) and Wayne Gretzky @MubbleFubbles (S92, $5.0m). They hold $0.5m in cap space, enough to move out a body and add a player heading into the stretch run of the season. They also have the draft and prospect capital to do so, and are one of the more interesting teams to see what they do. New York holds their own 1st and 4th round picks in the S98 draft, and all four of their own picks in the S99 draft, plus the S98 CHI 1st to potentially use as trade bait for a bigger upgrade. The prospect pool is heavy on forwards that could move as well, with centres Big Macken Fries @YetiTaz (S97, 158 TPE), Jackson Jeannot @Lucas anton (S96, 284 TPE), and Jay Sikes @JaySmacksss (S96, 210 TPE), along with wingers Alex Versti @VOID Stiles (S97, 174 TPE) and Kirill Tyutyayev @ColeMrtz (S96, 113 TPE). Goaltender Pepe Silvia @STZ (S97, 306) rounds out the group of prospects who could be used as trade bait. New York’s biggest need is likely bringing up the floor for the forward group as they are thinner towards the bottom of the group than other teams. The Americans made a trade with DC over the weekend to acquire defender Joe Block @jblock3, adding a fourth defender to their lineup for the first time this season.

 

 

D.C. Dragons

 

7th Place

16-25-6

38 Points

 

17 points back of a playoff spot in the tough NA Conference, DC is likely the first team in the conference whose focus looks more to the future than the present. With a -37 goal differential (115 GF, 152 GA), DC sits well back of the playoff picture, largely due to the fact that they have been clearing bodies out for future assets between the past off-season and this season itself. With the deals made, the Dragons don’t have any players headed to free agency this off-season, but do have two players who are set to retire. If DC decides to send any more bodies out the door, it will be for more future assets to add to their impressive group of draft picks (three S98 1sts, four S99 1sts) and prospects. They’ve already graduated two players from the S96 draft class in Brandon Petan Jr. @sadie (653 TPE) and You’re Not Fucking Retiring @twists (568 TPE), and will add to that group next season with Albin Aldgard @animal74 (S97, 393 TPE) knocking on the door. DC has sent multiple players around the league this season, with Ben Laas @dustywilson22 going to Riga, Theo Allard going to Seattle, and Joe Block going to New York.

 

 

Los Angeles Stars

 

8th Place

8-32-4

20 Points

 

It’s been a rough stretch in Los Angeles, with a large part of the setbacks due to some unexpected retirements and inactive players. The Stars have an un-nice -69 goal (79 GF, 148 GA) differential this season, and have had a tough schedule with the hyper competitive NA Conference. Los Angeles has one expiring contract after this season in Nico Belique @Syzygy (S91, 448 TPE), and could look to move other players for more future assets. Heading into the deadline, the Stars have their own 2nd and 4th round picks in the S98 Draft, as well as their 1st, 2nd, and 4th round picks in S99. The outstanding S97 draft class that Los Angeles had is about to pay off, and they’re set to add multiple players to the lineup next season from that group-- on the blueline, Bubbles LaFleur @AJW (401 TPE) and Mikko Tuomala @flyersfan345 (383 TPE), as well as in net with Ricky LaFleur @DarkSpyro (404 TPE). The Stars haven’t made an in-season trade this year yet.

 

European Conference

 

 

 

Malmo Nighthawks

 

1st Place

36-9-1

73 Points

 

The top of the EU Conference currently belongs to Malmo, and it does so because the Nighthawks have been scorching hot, winning 13 straight games. The win streak has led Malmo to a nice VHL best +69 goal differential (163 GF, 94 GA), boasting the lowest goals against in the league along with the fourth most goals for. The Nighthawks scoring has been very balanced, nearing seven players with 50 or more points (Phillip Rave @tcookie is 1 away). Combining that with the solid goaltending from Lovstrom @Pifferfish has been a recipe for success in Malmo. The Nighthawks approach the deadline with zero players heading to free agency next season (three retiring forwards), and they have only $0.5m in cap space. There is still a bit of cap room for an upgrade should Malmo choose to do so, but it would require trading either of their forward prospects in Ty Duke @TheDuke (S94, 374 TPE) or Xhekajs Middletoe @Xhekajsleftankle (S96, 309 TPE) as they do not currently hold any draft picks. Much like other top contenders, Malmo’s biggest need is more about adding depth at the bottom of the forward or defense units than it is at the top. Malmo has not made an in-season trade this year after a couple of bigger deals in the off-season (including adding GM/Player Lucy Leitner @LucyXpher from Riga).

 

 

Moscow Menace

 

2nd Place

33-8-5

71 Points

 

Just two points back of the lead in the conference, Moscow held that lead for a long while to start the season until Malmo’s recent win streak. The Menace will look to re-take that lead as soon as possible, and they do so coming in with a very strong goal differential at +61 (174 GF, 113 GA). With three players in the top five in league scoring, it’s easy to see what the strength of the roster is. Moscow has just one player approaching free agency this upcoming off-season on an expiring deal, and it is forward Tommy Shelby @Will (S94, $2.5m). The Menace hold just $0.3m in cap space with the coming deadline so their wiggle room to make a deal is slim, but not nonexistent. Moscow holds all four of their draft picks in the upcoming S98 draft, along with their own 1st, 2nd, and 4th in the S99 draft. Combining that with a bevy of prospects, comprised of forwards Dart-For-Moderator @fonziGG (S97, 146 TPE), Ozzy Batty @Ozzy Batty (S95, 290 TPE), Seto Kaiba @Arce (S95, 100 TPE), and Spallsy McDavid @Lochlan Chisholm (S97, 224 TPE), along with defenders Cysteine @Bea (S96, 211 TPE), Elisa McMuffin @Ente2997 (S97, 176 TPE), Hank Smith @Jett88 (S97, 162 TPE), and Kazuma Satou @Spartan  (S97, 421 TPE). Should Moscow decide to use their remaining cap space to upgrade somewhere, they’ll definitely have the ammunition to do so. Moscow’s biggest need is theoretically in net, where they’re running one of the lowest TPE starters in the league in Deadpanda @Alex. They have proven that to not be an issue for them in recent seasons, and will likely not look to make any changes there this year either. Moscow could then turn to upgrade a depth piece if they choose, but they also feel pretty set. The Menace added Montgomery Burns @LastOneUp on the blueline from Warsaw.

 

 

 

HC Davos Dynamo

 

3rd Place

32-9-6

70 Points

 

The final team in the talented trio at the top of the EU Conference, Davos has quietly (a little too quietly, at least in terms of attention given to it) been on an 11 game win streak allowing them to keep pace with Malmo at the top of the conference. The Dynamo are breathing right down the neck of the teams in front of them, but are a small step behind the top two teams in terms of goal differential at +44 (161 GF, 117 GA). Davos’ high-flying offense is led by the two-headed monster at the top of the roster in Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica and Grimgor Ironhide @FrostBeard, and is a large reason why they are where they are in the standings. Davos has a trio of players set to enter free agency on expiring contracts in Grimgor Ironhide (S91, $6.0m), Sunset Moth @McWolf (S91, $2.5m), and Mina @Baozi (S91, $5.5m). The Dynamo enter the deadline with $1.0m in cap space and primarily have draft pick assets to improve the roster should they choose to do so. The S98 Draft sees Davos holding their own 1st, 2nd, and 4th round picks, along with the LA 3rd. In the following S99 Draft, Davos has their 1st and 2nd rounders, along with 3rd round picks from Helsinki, Los Angeles, and Seattle (as well as the SEA 4th). In terms of prospects, the Dynamo have forward Cody Cobberson @Hendrix Cobberson (S95, 176 TPE) as well as goaltender Brian S @Bigb33 (S97, 206 TPE). Davos’ biggest need entering the deadline is also depth as they could use the remaining cap space to raise the floor on the roster, especially up front. Davos has not made an in-season trade this year.

 

 

 

Riga Reign

 

4th Place

29-15-3

61 Points

 

The Riga Reign are caught in the middle in the EU Conference. They’ve started to lag behind the top teams thanks to the extended win streaks by two teams ahead of them, but they’re also comfortably ahead of anybody behind them that they could afford to do quite a bit of tinkering with the roster, lines, and strategies heading into the stretch run of this season. With a solid +25 (142 GF, 117 GA) goal differential this season, Riga has easily proven themselves as a capable team in the EU. Their task will be to put together a hot streak similar to the other contenders in the conference and make up ground to get back in the mix. The leader of that push will undoubtedly be perennial MVP candidate Axle Gunner @Steve, who once again leads the Reign in points. Riga sees five players entering free agency this upcoming off-season, made up of forwards Kimi Raikkonen @mattyIceman (S92, $5.5m), Severus Targaryen @Banackock (S90, $5.5m), and Tim Robinson @Tim Robinson (S95, $2.0m), along with defender Ray Stanton @horoscope (S93, $1.5m), and goaltender Red Panda @Lemorse7 (S91, $5.0m). The Reign come into the deadline with $3.025m in cap space and could afford to add a pretty significant piece to the roster if they choose to in an effort to push for the top of the division. Riga only hold their own 3rd round pick in the S98 draft, but they hold their full complement of four picks in S99, plus Davos’ 3rd. They also have prospects Laimdots Sarkanis @Anomalijs (S95, 156 TPE) and Zaps Cat @scudmuffin19 (S95, 309 TPE) that they could move to entice a team to send a player their way. Riga’s biggest focus at the deadline must certainly be improving the forward group, as they have already addressed the blueline with the Ben Laas trade from DC earlier this season.

 

 

Prague Phantoms

 

5th Place

15-26-6

36 Points

 

Prague finds themselves heading into the deadline comfortably in the second wild card spot in the EU, twelve points up on the first non-playoff team. Coming into this season, that was likely not part of the plan for the Phantoms, but the strength of their top two defenders has given some them solid play on the blueline and given them a shot at some craziness in the postseason. Prague has a -60 goal differential (99 GF, 159 GA) on the season, which is the best of the rest after the top four teams in the conference. They have two expiring contracts set to become free agents after this season, forward Bruise Banner @ctots (S90, $1.5m), and defender/GM player Erik Thorvaldsson @Tetricide (S94, $4.5m). With $21.5m in cap space heading into the deadline, Prague could be in a position to take on some money if one of the cap strapped teams needs to move a contract out to acquire another player. The Phantoms could also trade for a player with some term that is able to grow for them, given that they have their own 1st, 2nd, and 4th in the upcoming S98 draft, also holding Los Angeles’ 1st in that one. Prague currently has their own 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounders in S99, plus a Vancouver 2nd. The biggest needs to address for Prague are up front and in net. They have future pillars on the back end already, but could use more forwards and a goalie. The Phantoms have not made a trade in-season this year.

 

 

London United

 

6th Place

11-32-2

24 Points

 

London heads into the deadline likely hoping to move out a body or two for more future assets. Having lost six in a row now, their chance of getting the second wild card and hoping for a miracle is pretty slim. The United have a -60 goal differential (101 GF, 161 GA) on the season, and the standouts on the roster have been harder to find. Alexandros Mograine @sliceruser leads the team in goals and points up front, and Alagsantere Groenvold @VattghernCZ looks like a solid future piece on the blueline. London has three upcoming free agents with expiring contracts in Jacob Smith Jr. @jacobaa19 (S91, $2.0m), Steve French @Seabass (S93, $5.5m), and Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer (S93, $2.5m) that they could look to get an asset or two for. London could use more draft picks as well as prospects to add to their pipeline for the future to go along with forwards Cash Carti @v.2  (S97, 427 TPE) and Pelayo Bolivar @SMYLS4 (S97, 390 TPE), goaltender Chazz Michael Michaels @Xflexz (S96, 526 TPE) and the aforementioned Groenvold (S96, 644 TPE). The United have not made a trade in-season yet this year.

 

 

Helsinki Titans

 

7th Place

10-34-1

21 Points

 

Helsinki enters the stretch run of the season likely looking to add to their considerable cache of future assets, whether they are draft picks or prospects. The Titans will be firmly in the mix for the first overall pick in this upcoming draft, and could help their chances of winning the lottery by trading away anybody not in their long-term plans to weaken the roster for the stretch run of this season. Helsinki has a -65 goal differential (98 GF, 163 GA) in the top heavy EU Conference and has three forwards with expiring contracts heading to free agency this off-season. Maple Dogwood @dogwoodmaple (S94, $2.5m), Matthew Highmore @NineIQ v2 (S92, $1.5m), and UghSike @UghSike (S93, $2.0m) are all currently UFA’s at the end of the season as Helsinki continues to trend towards their younger players, and any of them could be traded to add a future asset. On the current roster, defender Hugh Neutron @Corco (S97, 494 TPE) has started the run of Titans draft picks making their debuts in the VHL and that will likely continue over the next few seasons. Helsinki hasn’t made an in-season trade yet this year.

 

 

Warsaw Predators

 

8th Place

6-36-3

15 Points

 

It’s been a rough season in Warsaw, but also one that has more of an eye on the future than on the present. The Predators have a goal differential of -102 (82 GF, 184 GA) and are now on a 10 game losing streak. Warsaw has already seen one S96 draft pick make their debut this season in defender Slava Kovalenko @OblivionWalker, and will look to see more previously drafted players make the jump as well. The Predators only have one expiring contract after this season in defender Kodie Curran @Battlepopcorn (S90, $2.0m), so they’ll likely have to move a player with term if they want to add any more draft picks to their already impressive haul. Warsaw stands to have four picks in the first round this upcoming draft (WAR, SEA, VAN, CGY), as well as three 2nds to attempt to rapidly add to their prospect group. The Predators have already made two trades this season, sending Baby Moo Moo @Elvis and Rin Kagamine to Seattle, as well as sending Montgomery Burns to Moscow.

 

 

Thank you for reading my breakdown, enjoy the stretch run of the season!

 

Thanks for the graphic, Ace!

Edited 9 hours ago by LucyXpher

[rory 1,957]

3 hours ago, dstevensonjr said:

New York Americans

 

6th Place

Might want to CHECK YOUR NOTES pal

[dstevensonjr 478]

8 minutes ago, rory said:

Might want to CHECK YOUR NOTES pal

Might want to check the notes at the top buddy. 

[rory 1,957]

4 minutes ago, dstevensonjr said:

Might want to check the notes at the top buddy. 

Do people actually read all of the VSN articles?