A One-Two Punch?

[bluesfan55 103]

Two days ago, Riga had 4 first round picks in the VHL Entry Draft, and they absolutely knocked all 4 out of the park. Two players, interestingly, were right wingers. Mikko Aaltonen, a speedy Finnish winger, was picked 4th, and brutish Icelandic wingman Arnor Sigurdsson went 9th. They should form a potent one-two punch on the right winger for Riga in the future. Sure, Edwin Preencarnacion is still with Riga, but once he retires, the two Scandinavians will be stars for the Reign. Aaltonen is a great all-round player with 80s in scoring (85), defense (81), passing (80), puck handling (80), and skating (85). He’s going to be a contender for Rookie of the Year on a Riga team filled with rookies (Sigurdsson, Helmsley, Hackett, Nielsen), and should see top six time on a line with Hunter Hearst Helmsley and Connor McDavid. Sigurdsson is more of a raw talent. His main attribute is scoring (90), and is a solid skater (75) with decent strength (73) and checking (70). However, he lacks passing (52) and defensive (60) skill, making him a bit of a liability in the defensive zone. Sigurdsson projects to be a top 9 winger on a line with Anthony Matthews and Gucci Garrop. And let us not forget Aron Nielsen and Apollo Hackett, who most likely be a pairing with 2nd line ice time. They’ll be a great pairing soon enough, and compliment each other well. Nielsen is more of an offensive threat (90 scoring), while Hackett is a shutdown defenseman who focuses on keeping pucks out of the net and playing the body. Look out for these two.

[GRZ 179]

lets tear it up