scotty 59 Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 (edited) Helsinki is on the clock VHL.com | Filed under: Helsinki Titans The S45 VHL Entry Draft is fast approaching, and with it, one of the most intriguing draft crops in recent memory will set their course towards VHL glory. It’s not just the prospects that will make headlines, however, as VHL organizations have long been anticipating this draft and jostled to acquire assets accordingly. Look no further than the lowly Helsinki Titans, the Finnish side with only 18 points to their name through 51 games played. While this season has long been considered a write-off for the Titans, fans and management alike have clung to hope in the form of the team’s eight picks in the top 20, including four in the first round alone. For a team with holes everywhere you look, it would be nothing less than a gross understatement to say that the S45 draft will make or break the franchise moving forward. Help for the Titans could come in the form of a slew of new players at a number of positions. The team will hope the lottery balls fall their way to earn the right to select high-profile defenseman Phil Hamilton, because after that, a whack of goaltenders saturate the list of best available players. Luckily for the Titans, goaltender just happens to be a major position of need. At this point, Greg Clegane looks like the consensus top goaltender in the draft and will be a likely target for the team with their second first round pick, by way of Toronto. If the team misses out on Clegane, fans can rest easy knowing that Ariel Weinstein and Sandro Clegane are both excellent ‘backup’ plans who also figure to find a home well inside the first round. For a draft that could be generational when it comes to netminders, a lack of firepower could be a telling narrative with the S45 crop. Only one forward, Kazakhstan native Evgeny Nezhmetdinov is ranked inside of the top 10, joining a quartet of defensemen. Moving into the next rung of prospects, Jace Hines could be a promising prospect but is at least a season away from contributing at the VHL level. Beyond Hines, there is little to look forward to in terms of sure-fire prospects up front. Could it be in the best interest of the Titans to consider moving picks to re-stock their cupboard for S46? It’s a question worth asking. The team is without a S46 first round pick which could be a major concern for a team that figures to be in the lottery once again next season. While they figure to address a number of needs with their picks in the S45 draft, there’s legitimate concern that they’ll be unable to find meaningful forward help. Roster incumbents Thomas Duddy, Souryuu Kaminogi, and Wolfgang Strauss are all solid pieces to build around, but is it enough? One thing is for certain. The Titans have some serious work to do. General Manager William Shaw holds some valuable chips heading into the VHL’s off-season and with some decent young assets in the fold already, pressure will be sky-high for Shaw to make the most of the off-season. If he’s unsuccessful, it could be the beginning of the end for Shaw, and the beginning of an even longer period of drought for the Titans. Edited July 30, 2015 by scotty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Victor 10,934 Posted July 30, 2015 Admin Share Posted July 30, 2015 You should check Cologne's roster for next season, there's a lovely playoff spot opening up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty 59 Posted July 30, 2015 Author Share Posted July 30, 2015 You should check Cologne's roster for next season, there's a lovely playoff spot opening up. Too much research, tbh. I'll be in the VHLM :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Victor 10,934 Posted July 30, 2015 Admin Share Posted July 30, 2015 so no research for the next 8 seasons then? TheLastOlympian07, Sixersfan594, Will and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fire Tortorella 2,653 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 I feel like I've heard this story about Helsinki before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Admin Will 4,660 Posted July 31, 2015 Senior Admin Share Posted July 31, 2015 If he’s unsuccessful, it could be the beginning of the end for Shaw, and the beginning of an even longer period of drought for the Titans. Already reached his shelf life tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Admin Will 4,660 Posted July 31, 2015 Senior Admin Share Posted July 31, 2015 And fuck you Riga and Cologne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munk 1,298 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Hey im a fwd this season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixersfan594 247 Posted July 31, 2015 Share Posted July 31, 2015 Content 3/3 - Very good article with flow, one thing I was thinking is that the Titans should draft BPA after the first few of their picks and then make trades if needed. The assets need to turn out into something so they might as well get a lot from tanking. Also forwards are very easy to come by so I wouldn't call the draft's weak forward core a potential Achilles heal. Grammar 2/2 - Very good Appearance 1/1 - Sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowboyinAmerica 2,887 Posted August 3, 2015 Share Posted August 3, 2015 Claimed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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