S99 VHL Mock Draft - Top 10

[badcolethetitan 1,060]

S99 VHL Mock Draft - Top 10

 

Disclaimer: If you're looking at this wondering who Chicago is going to pick, I'm obviously not going to leak who and I will just be giving Chicago the highest TPE player in the class as of 5/3/2025, which is @Komrad.

 

 

Pick: 1st Overall

Selection: D - Krister Von Casar Tzesar - Projected 1st - @Komrad

Biggest Needs: Skaters

Description: The Chicago Phoenix despite not being the worst team in the league lucked out and secured first overall. It's fairly obvious which direction the team is going to go in, as they literally need anything and the top three picks in the draft are all defenseman *hint*. The Phoenix will be looking to add a nice piece to their prospect pool before the upcoming S100 draft where they'll shape most of their team moving forward for the rebuild. Regardless, there are a lot of great players in this draft and picking up Komrad would be a huge add to their team moving forward.

 

 

Pick: 2nd Overall

Selection: D - Titus Cunningham - Projected 2nd - @thadthrasher 

Biggest Needs: Skaters

Description: Things could already get interesting at pick 2, because Warsaw already has a franchise defenseman in Peter Venkman. However, with the top three in this draft being defenseman, I think ultimately they'll end up selecting another one to help round out the D core. They've got some prospects who are forwards and a very shallow D prospect core, so I think they'll lean defenseman. If they don't end up taking a D man, I think there is a very high chance that they'll take Igor Sokolov at 2nd, as he has history with Warsaw and he's also the best forward prospect in this draft. Regardless, Warsaw is starting to build up their team and should be able to start peaking in a couple seasons.

 

 

Pick: 3rd Overall

Selection: F - Igor Sokolov - Projected 4th - @Kisslinger

Biggest Need: Forward

Description: LA is at a spot where they are only a piece or two away from being able to slip into the playoffs and start making some noise. They've got a perfect chance to draft the biggest need for their team, a forward, and that so happens to be Igor Sokolov. LA already has a great young D core with Bubbles LaFleur and Mikko Tuomala leading the charge. On offense however, they really need a game changing forward that can help out Wally Lose, hence why I have them taking a forward. Unlike Chicago and Warsaw, LA is further along in their rebuild and could very well make the playoffs next season if they go out and buy. I also think this is the first pick in the draft that could end up being moved to another team come draft day as LA needs to start competing soon.

 

 

Pick: 4th Overall

Selection: D - Additional Pylons - Projected 3rd - @courtjestr19

Biggest Need: Everything

Description: Malmo is at the beginning of a rebuild and will most likely just take the best option available, that being Additional Pylons. Malmo already has Beketov in the system who is a great forward, so they could use a stud defenseman to help lead the charge defensively. This is a perfect pick for Malmo, as they're most likely going to have one of the top three defenseman slide to them at 4, leaving them with whoever is left over. Regardless, Malmo can start to build up a prospect pool moving forward in what should be a fairly long rebuild. However, with Lucy at the helm I'm sure she'll be able to get out of it and get Malmo back to their competing ways.

 

 

Pick: 5th Overall

Selection: D - David David - Projected 5th - @Knight

Biggest Need: Defense

Description: Vancouver lucked out with Prague being a lotto team and them having the 5th overall pick in the draft. With this pick, I have them taking a defenseman as Vancouver will need to fill their holes on defense in a couple of seasons. By the time David David is ready for the VHL, he'll have a spot on the team that lines up perfectly and this is why I think this is a fairly obvious pick. Vancouver could decide to go forward if they want, but I doubt it's going to happen as defense is needed bad in the long term for this team. David David will slot in great for Vancouver moving forward.

 

 

Pick: 6th Overall

Selection: C - Zara Wolf - Projected 6th - @Banackock

Biggest Needs: Skaters

Description: London has secured back to back picks in the draft and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if one or even both get shipped away to upgrade the roster now. They're in a spot where they can start competing in a season and I think these picks might be gone come draft day. However, if they do keep this pick, I think they'll go Zara Wolf as they'll need a center in a couple seasons with both of theirs retiring in a bit. Zara Wolf is a great fit for the team and should do just fine in London especially with the young core they have.

 

 

Pick: 7th Overall

Selection: D - Chase Breeze - Projected 10th - @C-Breeze

Biggest Needs: Skaters
Description: Again, back to back and I have London taking a defenseman. They're gonna need someone to fill the spot when Scrungle Bungle retires and their D core is a bit on the older side, so they can just pick up one right here. Chase Breeze is also a very active first gen and I think he is going to go higher than he's projected. He will be able to slot into the D core and make an immediate impact for London as they should be a playoff team by the time he is ready to play in the VHL.

 

 

Pick: 8th Overall

Selection: LW - Florida Man - Projected 9th - @Florida Man

Biggest Needs: Skaters
Description: Another pick that realistically will probably get traded, but if DC was to select I think they'll take Florida Man. DC at this point could use a D man, but with the D man being so far down in the draft I think they'll just end up BPAing a forward. Nothing wrong adding a solid forward to the prospect pool and potentially someone you could end up moving later on if the right situation arises. Like LA and LDN, DC is a team on the rise and I think they'll be buying this off-season, including potentially trading their pick away.

 

 

Pick: 9th Overall

Selection: RW - Boing Boing - Projected 7th - @slothfacekilla

Biggest Needs: Skaters

Description: Not much to say here, but Davos will be adding a nice forward to their group who is a first gen. I know Davos likes to select first gens and honestly, this is probably the best pick remaining at their selection. I think it will be a nice addition to the team, but they probably won't make that much of an impact until later in their career. Boing Boing is a great player and Sloth is a great member, but Davos is already stacked and seems to be for a while moving forward. Regardless, a good pick and someone that can help the team down the road.

 

 

Pick: 10th Overall

Selection: C - John Cowgill - Projected 8th - @FlyingWV

Biggest Need: Forward

Description: LA will be taking another forward at 10, but I wouldn't be surprised if also this pick is gone. They need to compete now and should probably look at moving this pick, but if not John Cowgill is a good addition to the pool. Another forward which LA desperately need and can make an impact down the line with Igor Sokolov. A good dynamic duo that could bring lots of offense to LA is something they should be ready for, because it probably will happen unless the pick is gone.

 

 

Picks I think have a chance at being traded:

 

3rd Overall: LA could look to add to their young core now and have lots of value in this pick. They can add a top tier caliber player to help them compete now, or add a younger piece with this pick. Regardless, high chance of being shipped off with lots of value.

6th & 7th Overall: Both picks that London owns and could either trade separately or package for a massive haul. The top 10 in this draft is fairly good and they can get players that can help them compete ASAP, including next season where they could punch very high into the standings depending on who they get in return for these.

8th Overall: Again like LA/LDN, DC can add to their team now. Their pick has value and can add to their young core in the push for the playoffs. I think they'll be able to add some top tier talent with this pick, even if it's only for a couple seasons.

10th Overall: LA can use this as well to add another player, however, it won't have as much value as 3rd and honestly, probably has a less likely chance of being moved. 3rd overall you can dangle in front of GMs and they'll want to pay up to secure a top 3 pick, but 10th is not as valuable of course. Regardless, you can still get a decent piece to help your team make the playoffs.

 

A week from now, we'll probably see at least 2/3 picks gone and in the hands of other teams, which will completely change the mock draft. However, that's what makes it all fun, because you cannot predict the unpredictable and it'll be very interesting to see what movement we have come draft day!

 

1500+ words

 

 

Edited Saturday at 06:11 PM by badcolethetitan

[slothfacekilla 138]

Very cool!  These mocks help me learn about team needs since I still feel pretty new to the league.  Appreciate you including Boing!

[Spartan 4,919]

You forgot to tell me who to pick  

[C-Breeze 172]

It's always great to see what other people are thinking about the draft! Thanks for taking us inside the process via an informative and well written article. That and cheers for the Breeze shout out!

[Florida Man 682]

54 minutes ago, Spartan said:

You forgot to tell me who to pick  

Trading for 1st overall to select FM2 is the most logical course of action 

[thadthrasher 1,772]

The fact that Cunningham isn't an automatic 1OA is heartbreaking.

[JCarson 826]

Draft predictions are always one of my favorite media spots (next to highly analytical novels) so when I see them I tend to use them for reviewing.  This one is arranged well, is well written and provides some good insight.  I do like the additional commentary (especially since this is early in the offseason) regarding potential changes due to trading of picks.  I don't expect that this will be what happens, it never is but you can tell the author put some thought into it.  Great work, 9 out of 10.

[dustywilson22 152]

Great work always love any content. May not have me on It, but it definitely helps to know what teams are in need of! 

[badcolethetitan 1,060]

23 hours ago, badcolethetitan said:

Picks I think have a chance at being traded:

 

6th & 7th Overall: Both picks that London owns and could either trade separately or package for a massive haul. The top 10 in this draft is fairly good and they can get players that can help them compete ASAP, including next season where they could punch very high into the standings depending on who they get in return for these.

 

 

 

 

 

There goes 6 and 7 overall for a "massive haul". Guess I knew?

[SMYLS4 235]

23 hours ago, badcolethetitan said:

 

 

Pick: 6th Overall

Selection: C - Zara Wolf - Projected 6th - @Banackock

Biggest Needs: Skaters

Description: London has secured back to back picks in the draft and honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if one or even both get shipped away to upgrade the roster now. They're in a spot where they can start competing in a season and I think these picks might be gone come draft day. However, if they do keep this pick, I think they'll go Zara Wolf as they'll need a center in a couple seasons with both of theirs retiring in a bit. Zara Wolf is a great fit for the team and should do just fine in London especially with the young core they have.

I didn’t realize I was retiring soon. I thought I still had 7 seasons. 

[badcolethetitan 1,060]

Just now, SMYLS4 said:

I didn’t realize I was retiring soon. I thought I still had 7 seasons. 

 

Pretty sure there was another one with 3 centers on the roster, don't know now as the season rolled over. And I was more talking about the S91. Obviously you are not retiring

[SMYLS4 235]

 

Just now, badcolethetitan said:

 

Pretty sure there was another one with 3 centers on the roster, don't know now as the season rolled over. And I was more talking about the S91. Obviously you are not retiring

Yeah one just retired and this is the others last season. I was just taking the piss

[badcolethetitan 1,060]

5 minutes ago, SMYLS4 said:

 

Yeah one just retired and this is the others last season. I was just taking the piss

 

London made some big moves though!

[SMYLS4 235]

Just now, badcolethetitan said:

 

London made some big moves though!

Yes we did. 

[Komrad 379]

having a chance of going first is a dream