What is going on in Prague?

[Alex 3,341]

When looking at the standings in the VHL right now all things look good, every team in a playoff spot has a winning record and the conferences look fairly even. However, there was one team who spent big in the offseason, and they seem to be struggling and find themselves 7 points behind a “rebuilding” team; what is going on in Prague!? At the start of the season, they we’re the 10^th ranked team in the VHL, a good step behind top contenders, but at the same time 1 step ahead of everyone else, including London.

 

Notably they do still have the VHL’s 3^rd best defense on paper, yet they have the 5^th most goals against through 28 games played. On the offensive side of things that’s where things seem to be going wrong, their forwards are just ahead of most rebuilding teams (ranked 10^th), and it shows as they have the 11^th most goals for. As for goaltending their starting goalie Ondrej Vencko is the 13^th best starting goalie, but does currently have the 11^th best SV%, which just isn’t good enough for a team with these aspirations. Lastly, Prague’s special teams have been abysmal with the leagues worth PK (4^th most PIM as well) and the 12^th best powerplay.

 

As for individual players only 1 player is actually performing as advertised, that being Matteo Steffano, who is currently Prague’s only player above a point per game. Other players just haven’t taken a step or fulfilled the role that they were brought in to do. Lucy Leitner a huge offseason acquisition is on pace for their worst season since their rookie campaign and Pan Daffleck just hasn’t progressed offensively despite being the 1^st overall pick 3 seasons ago. The player that was meant to lead their offense this season, Erik Thorvaldsson has been lackluster with only 12 goals and a total of 26 points in 28 games played. Of note almost the entire roster has a positive +/-, with the odd man out being the aforementioned Dafleck, meaning that special teams really is the issue for this team.

 

Now what can Prague do to bridge the gap to the playoff teams and catch London? Step 1 has to be addressing their goaltending by bringing in Roger Eagles from LA, however that would be expensive and at a minimum cost Prague their top 2 prospects. A better option could be trading for Ryan Artyomov from Chicago since they are retiring after this season which will just give Vencko that much more time to develop into a feasible goalie. As for their forwards, there’s two players that would help fill the gap, either Gustav Mathias who could be a good budget option, or Joshua Schwarzer who while more expensive would be a truly top end solution for the Phantoms that would breathe new life into their offense and special teams.

 

Can Prague still make the playoffs? Yes, but will it be an uphill battle 100% as with each sim the gap to the playoffs only gets more difficult to overcome. Keep in mind now that I've written this they will win their next 10 straight.

 

509 words

[Baby Boomer 815]

11 minutes ago, Alex said:

 a “rebuilding” team

[Lemorse7 1,048]

@Tetricide I wouldnt take that if I was you

[OrbitingDeath 3,303]

Prague has the OD hybrid era curse on their team

[JCarson 817]

Although it is hard to argue with the content of this article I don't think it takes into consideration one very important factor.  Simon is sometimes the great unknown.  Teams can be built in a manner that you think is going to act a certain way and them Simon comes along.  It appears that Prague is getting Analfisted by Simon.  Hopefully Simon turns it's attention elsewhere but who knows.  I wish Prague well but as long as Simon is focused elsewhere I am fine with it.

 

I give this article a 8 out of 10