As Trade Deadline Looms Playoff Races Still Open

[Devise 4,475]

The VHL trade deadline is upcoming, on June the 5th this coming Wednesday. The current standing race in the league shows that there is still some races very much alive and open in the parity filled league, despite a few teams having locked themselves firmly in some positions.

 

Helsinki and Riga seem to be for sure standing in a league of their own, not just in terms of their own conference but also the league. The Titans have only given up 10 losses all season, and sit at an astounding 74 points despite the fact that Riga is the only other team above 60 in total points. Even then the Reign only have 62, with the next closest team the top NA seeded Calgary Wranglers with 59 points. While Helsinki and Riga are for sure locks for the playoff spot in Europe, the question will remain over Davos who sits at 53 points. They have a solid but not o overly comfortable lead over the 4th best team in Europe, the Malmo Nighthawks who only have 47 points. But Davos also has to contend with the possibility of crossover, in which case the 4th best NA team the Toronto Legion who currently sit at 49 points. 

 

One could argue that the 3rd playoff holder in Europe may have to contend with any of the NA teams, as Calgary only has a 5 point lead over New York who has 54 points. Vancouver, also looking behind them with 51 points has Toronto right on their heels. 

 

Realistically speaking, team wise, we still have lots of races going on. The inevitable race to the top of the NA conference, something the Wrangler seem to have a solid shot at in the moment. As well as the he races to secure both the second playoff spot in the conference, and then likely a 5. team wild scramble for the final two playoff spots that could go to any of Vancouver, New York, Toronto, Davos, and Malmo. while one of those three NA teams is likely to secure the second playoff spot, it still leaves open the reality that 2 competing teams are unlikely to make the playoffs. 

 

With so few points separating some of the teams, the heads up matches, the easiest schedule, back up games, there are lots of things that could and will factor in to who is going to make it and who isn't. We'll have to stay tuned post trade deadline to see which team of active members or teams in this instance will be faced with the disappointment of missing the playoffs. 

[Victor 10,940]

Unreal disrespect shown to the league's most entertaining team.

[Devise 4,475]

20 hours ago, Victor said:

Unreal disrespect shown to the league's most entertaining team.

 

To be fair to Moscow, somehow you are both the leagues highest scoring team (by 2 goals over HSK) and also have given up the most goals by a large margin. TBH with the exception of HSK high goal totals haven't really been resulting in a lot of success. Parity may end up turning us into the NHL, in which case there is a chance starpower means less in this iteration of VHL. 

 

That said at least overall goaltending has improved even if slightly is a little more consistent for TPA ranges.