Claimed: Where will Aleksei end up? [1/2]

[Tyler 882]

 

Having spent his entire career thus far in Riga Slava Aleksei is a little new to the whole switching teams thing. The veteran defender is probably on the market and rumors are already swirling despite the season not being over yet. The two time cup champ would be an immediate boost to any teams blue line and could be had on the cheap due to being an older player who doesn't command name recognition the way others do. The Belorussian began his career as a winger but switched due to a positional need on the Reign so his abilities do reflect that. He might not be a great number one defenseman (as evidenced this season with Riga falling off pretty bad) but he would be a great number two on a team that can fit him in there. Let's take a look at a few of the possible destinations for him.

 

First, you have to determine what team has a need at the position. The answer as usual is pretty much everyone seeing as not many teams will say no to a player signed until he is forced to retire and who is still updating. Next you have to consider cap issues and if a team can afford to have a depreciation player on a big contract. And next, you have to consider if a team feels they have a chance to win anytime soon. Team's like Quebec or Davos could afford him but are unlikely to be winning anything in the next season so it seems like a waste of an asset for them. A team like New York seems already pretty set going forward and would probably prefer to shed salary or term rather then add it. 

 

The main teams to me are the Calgary Wranglers or the Helsinki Titans. The Titans are currently in the finals tied two to two with a real chance to pull off a stunning result against the equally shocking Seattle Bears. Aleksei could join the team next season and would be a great addition for a team that has a reputation as the problematic team of the league but one that should be a contender again next season. Ay Ay Ron and Aleksei would be a very solid first pairing that would rank among the leagues best next year and if it works out cap wise could make Helsinki a favorite heading in to next season.

 

Calgary is a little different. They probably won't win the cup next year but adding a player of Aleksei's caliber would certainly give them a more complete team that can pull off an upset. The experience of the player alone would likely make him worth it for the young Wranglers but this season showed what happens when you rely on Aleksei as a number one and that will no doubt be weighing on the mind of the Wranglers organization. If he goes to Calgary they would obviously be a playoff team next season with Riga selling pieces and could compete with any of the other teams in the tournament. 

 

There is still a possibility he could stay in Riga since there is nothing forcing their GM's hand at this point. Of course things change quickly in the VHL and it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him end up on any of the other seven teams come game 1 of next season. However, for my money Calgary or Helsinki make the most sense.

[boubabi 4,725]

Helsinki, where you can talk shit freely 

[Banackock 7,974]

11 minutes ago, boubabi said:

Helsinki, where you can talk shit freely 

He's active and a decent player

[boubabi 4,725]

Just now, Banackock said:

He's active and a decent player

ah shit, we only take inactive players in helsinki, right 

 

sorry, maybe next time 

[Beaviss 4,955]

you can come to Quebec for first pairing mins ?

[Tyler 882]

1 hour ago, Beaviss said:

you can come to Quebec for first pairing mins

 

and hurt a davos competitors draft stock 

[Beaviss 4,955]

46 minutes ago, Tyler said:

 

and hurt a davos competitors draft stock 

 

Touche 

[Exlaxchronicles 415]

9 hours ago, Beaviss said:

you can come to Quebec for first pairing mins ?

I second that.

[Banackock 7,974]

1 hour ago, Exlaxchronicles said:

I second that.

Wants to win prob tbh

[Beaviss 4,955]

4 hours ago, Banackock said:

Wants to win prob tbh

[Banackock 7,974]

4 minutes ago, Beaviss said:

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Review:

Reading this now, you went to Calgary and now are in Toronto. Too bad you won't have a last chance at a cup in Toronto. Although obviously you might get traded closer to the deadline to a contender.