Claimed:VHLM Head To Head First Round Centers

[Baozi 1,658]

S53 VHL Entry Draft Head To Head

www.VHLHockeyNews.com

 

With the conclusion of the VHLM 53 draft, we turn out attention to the early picks and head to head matchups in what will undoubtedly carry into their VHL draft resumes. This week we take a look at the four centers taken in the first round. Who do you think will be the best of the four this season?

 

 

 

Marc – Alexander LeBlanc(1) vs Fook Yu(4) Vs Shawn Gretzky(5) vs Pablo (7)

 

The first overall selection for the VHLM draft was Marc-Alexandre Leblanc. With the most training hours among the four, Leblanc also has the most diverse skillset currently. While he isn’t the best at any single thing, he looks to be a large part of the driving force behind Brampton this season with his versatility. He is more of a shooter than a playmaker but has strong technical skills in the faceoff dot and can play the two way game fairly well. His wingers are predicted to be Jakub Karlsson and Luigi Linguini a pair of raw developing scoring wingers. Leblanc will be playing in front of a heavy defensive corp of Jokinen, Skolov and Federov.

 

With the fourth pick, Ottawa picked up defensive forward Fook Yu. Boasting a powerful frame and the best skating ability of the four centers, he also is known for his strong faceoff skills and play in the defensive zone. A player that is strong in the trench battles and opening up ice for his teammates there is possibly none better of the three. Yu is joined by John Locke and one of De Rossi, Sharpe or Pablo as his wingers which could form one of the strongest forward lines in the league this season.

 

At the fifth pick, Shawn Gretzky also comes in looking to make Brampton look like the fool for passing him over with their pick. The most offensive orientated center of the four, Greztky has the most dynamic ability to drive the offense on Saskatoon. His skating is the one of the weakest of the four centers however and this may mean he will rely more heavily on his teammates to open up some ice for him. That being said, he will look to lineup with Hickey or Styles, both of whom have the ability to set him up for big players so finding chemistry early on could mean the difference in his draft rankings.

 

At the seventh pick is Pablo, whom is the most raw of the centers and thus far on the outside looking in when looking at the top slots for the beginning of the season. A playmaking forward, he might be stuck behind Fook Yu, at least to begin the season but he has the capabilities to be a top flight. It is currently unknown how his skills will translate to the VHLM but he projects to be an offensive forward.

 

Of those four, Fook Yu likely has the best situation to put up big points as he will get saddled with one of two scary wingers in Ottawa with either Locke or Sharpe. LeBlance will likely see the most playing time as a forward on his own team which could help drive his stats up but the lack of offensive forwards on the roster at this time barring any trades may make it harder for him. Gretzky has the ability and skill to put up more points than either of the other two centers if all the right pieces fall into play here for him as his skills as an offensive catalyst cannot be denied. Pablo might have the toughest time catching the others barring a surprise training camp that lands him in a favourable spot.

 

 

Edited January 30, 2017 by tfong

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

Fook Yu for the kind words, should be a very fun season

[Corco 1,237]

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