Ninetyfourgoalie 168 Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 European Conference Predictions: Season 42 This season is as wide open as any in recent memory. The most recent VHL powerhouses, the Americans and Reign, are beginning to falter with the Reign initiating what is amounting to a significant rebuild. In addition, the Express and Titans both improved in the goaltending department to bolster their already talented rosters while the four rebuilding teams, Davos, Seattle, Stockholm, and Toronto appear to be ready to push for a playoff spots. While both conferences will likely feature tight races from the very beginning on the season until the final buzzer of the regular season, the European Conference is far from a sure thing. 5. Riga Reign What a fall from grace after making the Continental Cup Finals the past two seasons and claiming one championship. Without a goaltender, it will be difficult to compete with the very talented European Conference, although that is not Riga's only issue. While they do have Brennan McQueen, arguably the best player in the European Conference, they simply do not have much outside of a strong first forward line. With the trading of Fjorsstrom and Villeneuve, their defense has been left extremely weak and without a goalie to bail them out, it shouldn't be too difficult for opponents to pile up the goals when they play the Reign. While their roster would normally leave them in a respectable position, parity has ensued in the VHL and it will not be to Riga's favor. 4. Stockholm Vikings The Vikings have put together a nice little rebuild with a tremendous defensive core. This team has a very bright future but will it be enough to earn a playoff spot in Season 42? Not likely. They managed to acquire Blaine Olynick who will give them a solid option in net while they wait for any of their plethora of goaltender prospects headlined by Jax Barnstormer to develop into strong VHL players. The biggest hit on the Vikings is their lack of depth and youth. Give this team a year to develop and fill out their roster and they will be a force to be reckoned with. For now, though, they don't pose a huge threat to some of the better teams in the VHL. Jack Kowalski and the Vikings have a solid team but can they put it all together and make the playoffs? 3. H.C. Davos Dynamo Coming off a weak Season 41, the Dynamo appear ready to go for Season 42. They've added a number of solid prospects over the past few drafts and with the first and second overall selections this year, they added forward phenom Bismarck Koenig and the top goaltender of the draft in Callum Sinclair. In addition, they were able to snag center Devin Sundberg from free agency and he immediately steps into the first line center role. This an extremely young and deep team that should be contending for a Continental Cup very, very soon. 2. Helsinki Titans The Titans were destined to be a powerhouse for seasons to come but those expectations have yet to come to fruition as we enter Season 42. They still have a strong group of players but with so many young teams knocking on the door, Helsinki's window is closing. But they finally addressed the Kimmo Salo problem by adding stud goaltender Mike Szatkowski Jr. and still possess a very strong group of players. Depth may be a slight concern but it is likely that will be addressed before the start of the season. The fight for the top spot in the conference will be an exciting one, for sure. The Helsinki Titans will be hoping Szatkowski Jr. can replicate his Season 41 performance with the Reign. 1. Cologne Express Like the Titans, the Express are a strong team who has had their fair share of regular season success only to see everything fall apart in the playoffs. And like the Titans, the Express made obtaining a goaltending upgrade a priority this off-season, picking up Martin Brookside from the Wranglers fire sale. Led by the top two picks of the Season 40 Entry Draft, Thomas O'Malley and Mason Richardson, Cologne has one of the best and most talented groups of players in the VHL and should be able to roll out two very strong lines. Backed by Brookside, the Express will be a force to be reckoned with and have a great chance to finally end their playoff woes of late. BOOM and diamond_ace 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyinAmerica 2,843 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I also put Cologne as my European prediction, was surprised at how many people put Helsinki. Think it'll be a good race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyinAmerica 2,843 Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Oh, and now let's grade Content: 3/3 - Solid breakdown of the entire conference. Good reasoning for placing each of the teams where you did, even if I would be surprised if Riga actually made it a race to not be in last. Grammar: 2/2 - Just one small mixup This an extremely = This is an extremely Presentation: 1/1 - Got it here. Total: 6/6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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