Claimed:VHLM Top Defensemen Pt. 1 of 2

[evrydayimbyfuglien 600]

Top Defensemen Pt. 1 of 2

 

 

In the early goings of season 47, it's looking like there is some good competition at the defenseman position. The top four in points are Felipe Rodriguez, Tanner Hynes, Cian Mercer, and Black Velvet. All three have 20 or more points which is good for top 5 in the league.

 

In fourth with 20 points is Black Velvet of the Yukon Rush, a very dangerous offensive defenseman. He currently leads all defensemen in goals with 11, which is good for 3rd overall, and a whopping 75 shots. He has already had a 4-goal game this season and it's only 11 games in.  He's currently sitting at a +4 rating and shooting at 14.67% while playing about 29 or 30 minutes per game. More impressive still is the fact that he's leading the entire league in power play goals with 5. All of these stats come in just 11 games, one less than the others on this list. Velvet looks to be a top pick in the upcoming draft.  It has been rumored that he may be teaming up with John Sleeman and Felipe Rodriguez in Quebec City.  It would definitely create a lethal, young defensive core for many, many years.  Our scouts have noticed Black Velvet training a lot frequently and it appears he has been working on his skating skills, scoring, and his puck handling.  He looks to be working on becoming an even scarier defensive assignment for opposing teams.  He's one defenseman you do not want to let loose in the offensive zone as he'll make you pay, especially with the man advantage.  He's already proclaimed himself as the favorite to be taken first overall in next year's draft and with the numbers to back it up.

 

Next up, in third with 21 points, we have Cian Mercer. Mercer blasted into the scene late last season as a waiver pick up for the Season 46 champion Ottawa Lynx where he was teammates with Felipe Rodriguez. Cian was relatively quiet during the regular season but definitely turned some heads in the post season posting 8 points in 11 post season games while on the second pairing. Mercer impressed the Ottawa GM enough the first time around that he was selected by Ottawa in the subsequent draft. That pick has ended up paying dividends as Mercer is tied for first place in assists at 19. He's sitting at a +15 rating putting him in second place behind teammate left wing David Hamilton. He has 2 goals on 24 shots making his shooting percentage only 8.33%. I expect this to increase and when it does, he should be able to keep pace with the other leaders on this list. He's been spotted in the practice facility working on his passing ability.  He looks to be a pass-first defenseman who could be a great power play quarterback.  He is, or at least should be, climbing on almost every GM's draft board as a very promising and, more importantly, active defenseman coming up in the draft.

Next time we'll take a look at the other two defensemen on this list, Felipe Rodriguez of the Saskatoon Wild and Tanner Hynes of the Moscow Red Wolves.

 

(526 words)

Edited January 13, 2016 by evrydayimbyfuglien

[Higgins 3,618]

Thanks for the shout out, imagine those 3 D in Quebec

[evrydayimbyfuglien 600]

48 minutes ago, Higgins said:

Thanks for the shout out, imagine those 3 D in Quebec

Only issue would be who gets top pair?

[Kesler 1,514]

40 minutes ago, evrydayimbyfuglien said:

Only issue would be who gets top pair?

Roy lll and Holmes IMO.

[Higgins 3,618]

2 hours ago, Dewie said:

Roy lll and Holmes IMO.

 

Yea it's probably best if you don't draft Velvet, wouldn't want to see any success. Guess I'll be falling out of the top 4.

[Kesler 1,514]

4 hours ago, Higgins said:

 

Yea it's probably best if you don't draft Velvet, wouldn't want to see any success. Guess I'll be falling out of the top 4.

Since when have you seen success? Jokes you're coming to Quebec.

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

If Velvet goes to Quebec, that's going to be one scary D-core.

[CowboyinAmerica 2,840]

Claimed