RomanesEuntDomus 442 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 A Closer Look At The Cologne – New York Blockbuster It was the blockbuster that kickstarted the off-season. Only days after their cup-win the Cologne Express announced that they had reached a deal with the New York Americans and Nicolas Caprivi was right at the center of it. Caprivi had been one of the best players for the Express during their cup run, showing what potential he truly has for the first time since entering the VHL. After a rather pedestrian regular season with just 43 points (only 10 of them goals) in 72 games along with 91 hits, the German-Canadian center finished the playoffs 4th in scoring with 16 points in as many games. Still, the Express management felt that going in a different direction would give them the best chances to defend the cup in Season 43 so they traded a package that included Caprivi to bring in veteran superstar Xin Xie Xiao along with Christoph Klose. Xiao, one of the premier power forwards in the league over the last couple of seasons has not disappointed so far, since the trade he has put up 19 points in his first 12 games in an Express uniform while still racking up those hits like he has always done. Xiao is expected to only play one more season after this one, but for a team that is now at the peak of its competing cycle he seems like the perfect acquisition. Christoph Klose on the other hand is only a year older than Caprivi, which made some people speculate that the Express coaching staff had not been too happy with Caprivi recently. According to these sources they have been unhappy with either his play on the ice or his behavior in the locker room for quite some time now and had therefore been looking to swap him for another relatively young player. Neither the Express management nor the coaching staff were willing to comment on these rumors though, so we can't confirm them. Along with Caprivi, the New York Americans also received Godavari Yumalatopinto, Alistar Graves and the Express' first round selection in the Season 45 VHL Entry Draft. Yumalatopinto had been an integral player for the Express during their cup-run, providing vital depth scoring and a veteran presence during the regular season and following this up with a playoff campaign that saw him finishing 6th in scoring and among the best hitters. Due to his age and cap hit the Express decided to part ways with the veteran forward who is entering his last season in the VHL and so far "Yuma" has only played limited minuts for the Americans. But the veteran has made the best of his situation so far, putting up a very respectable 5 points in 12 games while averaging less than five minutes of ice time per game and being one of only two plus players on the Americans. Alistar Graves on the other hand was only a minor piece for the Express that they didn't mind parting ways with but who has found some decent success in a bigger role with the Americans. After just 12 games he has already surpassed his point totals from last season, putting up 10 points compared to 9 in Season 42. Yumalatopinto and Graves are likely not in the Americans' long term plans though and only getting Nicolas Caprivi doesn't seem like a great return for Xiao and Klose, which makes the first round pick that is also involved in the deal the x-factor. The Express will lose reigning playoff MVP and starting goaltender Martin Brookside as well as Logan Laich to retirement next off-season, but they still have plenty of pieces left which leaves them with a big decision: Will they go all-in once more to contend for another season or two or start a re-tool? It's a question that likely won't be answered for a few more months, but one that could be crucial for the Americans. If Cologne keeps contending and the pick turns out to be a late first rounder then the Americans will likely be seen as the losers in this deal unless Caprivi develops into a bona-fide superstar in New York. If the Express decide to re-tool on the other hand and maybe even miss the playoffs, then a lottery-pick might be on the way to the Americans, giving the team a great chance at a franchise caliber player. With the Americans likely to miss the playoffs this season, expect their fans (and maybe even their management) to direct their attention towards Cologne as the season progresses. What happens in Cologne over the next few months could be even more important for the future of the Americans franchise than what happens in New York... BOOM 1 Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/19836-claimeda-closer-look-at-the-cologne-%E2%80%93-new-york-blockbuster-final-66/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotAVHLM-GM 1,858 Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Should have named it 'A Kloser Look......' Great read though, and indeed interesting to see what happens, but I'm sure Devise has plans in mind. Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/19836-claimeda-closer-look-at-the-cologne-%E2%80%93-new-york-blockbuster-final-66/#findComment-215284 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Victor 10,943 Posted May 6, 2015 Admin Share Posted May 6, 2015 Cologne's fucked after this season tbqh Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/19836-claimeda-closer-look-at-the-cologne-%E2%80%93-new-york-blockbuster-final-66/#findComment-215491 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Baozi 1,658 Posted May 7, 2015 Moderator Share Posted May 7, 2015 I'm pretty sure I retire after this year. So yeah.... I ring be back next year. Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/19836-claimeda-closer-look-at-the-cologne-%E2%80%93-new-york-blockbuster-final-66/#findComment-215605 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DollarAndADream 3,356 Posted May 7, 2015 Share Posted May 7, 2015 (edited) Content: 3/3 - Good article. That trade was definitely a big one and it's been interesting watching how these players have been doing since going to their new teams. Grammar: 2/2 - "limited minuts" - minutesAppearance: 1/1 - Good!Overall: 6/6 Edited May 7, 2015 by DollarAndADream Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/19836-claimeda-closer-look-at-the-cologne-%E2%80%93-new-york-blockbuster-final-66/#findComment-215719 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachReilly 688 Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Claimed Link to comment https://vhlforum.com/topic/19836-claimeda-closer-look-at-the-cologne-%E2%80%93-new-york-blockbuster-final-66/#findComment-217743 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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