Toronto Stuff [1/2]

[DollarAndADream 3,357]

The Tronna Legion

 

Season 56 was a big one for the Legion, and one in which left a lot of fans disappointed, but ready for coming future. They outplayed many times that analysts thought they would not, and wound up 2nd in the NA Conference, only to be eliminated in 6 games by the Calgary Wranglers, a team which was far below them in points. That is not to say it was a huge upset, however. Toronto and Calgary both had competitive matchups over the course of the season, which the Legion managed to squeak by with the better overall head-to-head record. Xander Finn was the big breakout star for Toronto last season as well, cracking the Top 10 in the VHL with 109 points. Talk about a welcome sight to a rebuilding team. But, Finn is not present very often in the locker room, so it is a little bit bittersweet you could say. The Legion had other players with great seasons, like Roman Sokolov and Bo Boeser, but aside from that, nobody truly shined over the league like Xander Finn, and he is an inactive. With all of this behind them, Toronto hopes to do better in Season 57.

 

At the conclusion of S56, two of Toronto's veteran wingers that they signed for S56 were forced to retire. Ted Doughty and AK47's careers are both over, and with that leaves a couple of voids on the Legion's forward roster. They still have youngster Daring Do, but she is not very present in training either, so there is much to be desired there. With high hopes and trust in Daring Do's agency, Toronto will welcome back her activity with open arms. Jean-Claude Girard is also leaving the team this off-season, and as a free agent could find a home on another team in the VHL, maybe a rebuilder.

 

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Although, in the recent VHL Entry Draft, the Legion brought in LW Phil Bennington. He will be pivotal in the future, and will likely be up in the VHL in this very season. He will get all the chances to become the Parechkin to Boeser's Molholt. Left wing was a clear need for Toronto at the draft, so it makes sense for them to bring home a future stud such as Bennington. Then, on top of that came Free Agency. In FA we saw 91 point player Luigi De Rossi sign with the Toronto Legion. This is a big acquisition, and we are sure that De Rossi can come up with great production for the blue and white. Maybe not 91 point numbers, but it is definitely possible, considering Xander Finn's 100+ point season in S56, and Boeser's production as well. After all this talk comes the possibility of RW Sami Zayn's signing. He is a FA that is currently up in the air, with many suitors looking for his services. Either he will bolster Toronto's FWD group, or sign somewhere else.

Edit: This just in, Sami Zayn has signed in Toronto, to play with the Legion! This gives the Legion six forwards to shuffle around and some good depth.

 

As far as defense goes, heading into Season 57, the Legion will obviously be relying heavily on defenseman Roman Sokolov. His 94 point campaign last season would be more than welcome to make its way into S57, and I predict he will do even better than that. With Dexter Lane and Sokolov continuing to grow, Sokolov will likely get even more minutes in the coming season, not unlike Quebec's 1-2 punch on their blue line that they relied upon to bring them to that S56 Continental Cup. Depending on how this off-season goes as well, there could be another defenseman acquisition through a trade. With Roman Sokolov at the blue line for the duration of the season, we know that he will be providing the forwards with ample opportunity to win games.

 

Then back in the net, we have once again, Torstein Ironside. He has been slowly improving at his usual pace, so he will be better next season. For whatever reason, his VHLM levels have never really translated over the VHL, where he has been quite average. He has many games where he keeps the team in it, but his consistency is the issue at hand. Torstein has slated to bring his game to a better level in Season 57 and onwards, and the locker room believes in him as well.

 

[Gudnason 607]

Six forwards? Guess no Rudi Ying for you!

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

Review

Toronto vs Quebec vs Calgary will be interesting to watch all season long. Toronto has Depth, Calgary has depth and Quebec as star power but no depth so it will be great to watch. Toronto is built well and everyone does want to play there because you are a great guy in general and getting the GM right is a great way to build a franchise. Good article.