Russia's New Expansion Draft Options.

[Exlaxchronicles 415]

          PUTIN WELCOMES THE VHL TO RUSSIA
          ==================================

From the land that brought us video recorders, helicopter's and TV to a vast frozen country being famous for the Red Square, communism, Siberia and vodka, Russia welcomes the latest VHL expansion team the Moscow Menace ( should've been the Moscow Dynamo IMO )

After a 54 season absence from behind the former Iron Curtain, the Soviet bloc finally has a return of the VHL as the league has had an unprecedented growth of its members paving the way for expansion in the league.

Captaining the ship will be the VHL members one and only @Victor, a long time member of the league whom most know by name. I'm sure he's extremely excited to finally get behind the helm of a Russian club and lead the motherland to glory with dreams of bringing home the Founders Cup.

Starting next season each VHL club can protect seven players from their roster. So any seven from the league rosters can be exempt from the expansion draft.

After that's over then comes the S65 Entry draf t where Moscow's GM Victator has a chance to pick anywhere from 4 - 9 in the ensuing rounds, depending on how the draft lottery goes.

So let's take a look at which players each club will most likely leave unprotected.

 

                                Riga Reign
                               ==========

Team Riga have a pretty stacked roster and since only seven can be protected, there are a few potentials available for Moscow's GM to take a gander at so here are:

Anthony Dabarno - Right now he's on the roster but his ice time is limited to none right now. And from what I can tell, his development is slow.

Next is Kisshan Shan - He's in the line up but his minutes are regulated mostly to the third line, and at this point he appears to be down the depth chart.

Third up is Mikka Pajari - A regular in Riga's line up and is a solid player but he's proven he's not much of an offensive threat.

Fourth on the list is Joseph Bassolino - Yes he's their top D stud but he retires in two seasons. Whether or not Bass is signed to full term, excises his UFA option after S65 or the club leaves him unprotected due to cap space the possibility is there. He has retired I was informed. My bad.

 

                              Seattle Bears
                              ===========

GM Banackok has most of the team covered as the roster isn't stocked like Riga's but there are a few options for Victor to consider from my club so let's see:

I'm fuckin off to the pasture after these playoffs and Otto's skinny ass will be joining me a year later so theres a chance that Axelsson could be left unprotected once the expansion draft starts.

My goon teammate Mountain Thunderfist could also be left out in the cold. I don't keep track.of other players but I don't think he's active or has updated in awhile, so yeah he may be an option.

Lastly The Gucch maybe left out in the open due to Bana putting Sterling into protective custody as well. He's eager and happy to be in the line up and has a lot of potential but at this point it may be a numbers game.

 

                            Helsinki Titans
                            =============

Three Titan members of S57 will have rooms ready for them at retirement homes once this year is over so the GM has three less to worry about come expansion time. None the less GM still has to lock seven players to Helsinki, so these are the guys' that could be potential expansion picks:

First off is Joey Boucher - He has a decent build for the minors but as it is now he seems to be on the fringe with the Titans. I have no idea if he's trying to improve or is even active. Good chance he's not protected.

Up next we have is The Charm - With two years left on his contract and probable UFA after next year, they might make him expendable.

Lastly Id say is Paolo Nano - The reason being he seems to have a lower ceiling due to not progressing as much as the other defence men except for Boucher.

    
                                 
                             Quebec Meute
                             ============

With defence men Casey Jones and Colton Rayne packing it in come seasons end, Quebec only has two players who won't be protected so here's whom I think they'll be:

Toby Fitzgerald - Whom I think GM Beavis can easily replace cuz at present he's a depth D.

The other mention is Konstantin Mulligan -  He seems to not have improved much lately in his skills so he could be another let go.

 

                            Toronto Legion
                            =============

The Legion have an older club and a few will be swapping their Hanes for Depends once this years over. Warlock and Ball are coming into their final season next year and may UFA this seasons end so the club will be rebuilding through the draft.

There are a few players that could be not locked in when the expansion draft kicks in so here they are:

Lew Bronstein - As a solid depth player with good defensive and fore checking ability, his name could be available as a depth piece for Victor to look at.

Lavar Ball - Depending on whether he's still contracted with TO after this year, he could also be left unguarded. A solid player but for whatever reason his numbers have dwindled the past three seasons.

Adam Warlock - Same type of contract situation and he's steady but I see the Legion going with youth from this point on.

Lastly, Luke - Pierre Lespineau - Brunette - He could be left unprotected as well as Toronto may find a more well round defence man to fill his shoes.

                           
                           

                        
                          Calgary Wranglers
                          ===============

The Wranglers Brodeur will be chasing retirement once the season is done so their other goalie should be protected. The club will be looking to rebuild from this point on.

As for players GM will leave unguarded there are two, possibly three they may leave open to the expansion and here they are:

Karl von Moltke - I picked him as he doesn't seem to be progressing, so leaving him unprotected may pave the way for one of the minor players to move up to Calgary.

Next up is Aksel  McKnight -  He has one year left before he calls it quits and I don't know if UFA is in the cards after this season for him but he could be left open for cap relief.

Lastly I'll throw in Jason Canmore's name as well for all the same reasons as McKnight.
I can't see Calgary being very competitive next year so a retool should be in order.

 

                         New York Americans
                        ==================

The Americans have a smaller roster so there are only two players that will be unprotected and I think these two will be:

Joel Ylonen - Another player who could stand to keep working on his game. He's young and has a lot of time to improve but he just may be left open.

The other I chose is Scott Shawinganen - The guy is a point per game player and definitely has talent, but his progression seems to have stalled and from what I hear he's gone AWOL. Even so, he still has a shit load of potential but he may end up being let go due to his inactivity.

 

                                  HC Davos
                                  ========

There are a number of players on this club that will be left unprotected, namely seven of the fifteen so maybe GM Victor might find a diamond amongst the coal.

Starting with goalie  Cole Mertz - A numbers game here so pretty good chance he's not protected from the expansion draft.

Next is Elias Sobek - At this point in his career he has a season left and what you see is what you get. He is now a depth player.

Third up is a mouthful with Bastion Logan Mac Finsceal - Why is he even up with Davos? With 89 TPE his ass should be in the minors. Won't be protected but won't be picked either.

Paul Dimirio - Another depth player at this point and won't be protected. Pass.
 

                               In Conclusion
                               ============

Since I can't pick for the Victator as he calls himself, I'll give you a quick lowdown on which players I would look towards drafting:

1. NY's Scott Shawinganen - I see him as a sleeper pick in that he could blossom or dry up  bit it all depends on his attitude. The ceiling is high if he so chooses to reach it. I'd take a chance on him if was available because as it is he's a solid pick.

2. Riga's Kisshan Shan - Just because I'd be going with youth and this guy can still make a name for himself.

3. Seattle's Gucci Garrop - I'd grab my new team mate if he was there because I'm positive that he'll continue to grow as he matures .

4. Helsinki's Paolo Nano - Mainly as defensive depth and he may one day turn things around.

5.  Toronto's Lew Bronstein and or Luke Brunette - The former for his defensive acumen and the latter for his hard hitting keep it simple play.

6. HC Davos's Elias Sobek - for depth and he has some offensive upside.

So there you have it folks!

 

Word Count : 1575
Claiming for S64 Theme Week (6 capped/6 uncapped), and maybe for next week as well.
Drink beer.


 

              





 

Edited February 2, 2019 by Exlaxchronicles

[Nykonax 1,564]

40 minutes ago, Exlaxchronicles said:

should've been the Moscow Dynamo IMO )

HC Davos Dynamo

[Beketov 9,024]

42 minutes ago, Exlaxchronicles said:

Fourth on the list is Joseph Bassolino - Yes he's their top D stud but he retires in two seasons.

Bassolino retired.

[Exlaxchronicles 415]

8 minutes ago, Nykonax said:

HC Davos Dynamo

I know that homie

I stand corrected!

Edited February 2, 2019 by Exlaxchronicles

[Bushito 1,945]

Jason Canmore? lol. I’d have more value trading him to a contender I think

[Exlaxchronicles 415]

Yeah, I really didn't give my player picks too much thought. And yeah I agree with you.