S68 VHLM Roster Analysis

[Erik Summers 451]

Las Vegas Aces

Overview

The Aces have one of the most interesting rosters in the VHLM. With ten picks in the first four rounds of the most recent VHLM dispersal draft, the Aces have put together a very exciting young group. Lead by a handful of veterans, this young team has a bright future in the coming seasons. The biggest question mark on Las Vegas's roster is in the net. Bruce Grimaldi, their only goaltender and third round draft pick, may be headed off to Prague to play for the newly-created Phantoms. This would leave a huge hole in the Aces' roster and cast serious doubt on their playoff chances this season.

 

Stand-Outs

Benny Graves - Benny was picked up by the Reapers two thirds of the way through S67, and was never able to produce a lot there. However, he trained a lot in the off-season and is looking to be one of the Aces's top recruits. This towering center could potentially see a point-per-game season this year and will be very exciting to watch.

 

Cinnamon Block - I'll put it this way. Cinnamon Block hits like a truck. Forwards that find themselves playing against the Aces this year are going to find themselves in a lot of pain the day after, that is for sure.

 

Blacker Velvet - Velvet and Block are such different players that it is hard to believe that they play the same position. While Cinnamon puts the hurt on opposing team's bodies, Blacker will be menacing goalies throughout the league. I think there is a good chance that Blacker Velvet may lead the Aces in scoring this year.

 

Prediction

The Aces are likely a playoff team and may even be a Founder's cup contender if they can get their goal-tending situation ironed out. Otherwise, it is going to be a long season of high-scoring nail-biters for Vegas's fans.

 

Halifax 21st

Overview

There isn't a lot of good things your can say about the Halifax 21st this year. Halifax has an impressive run in the playoffs last season, but almost every piece that got them there has moved up to the VHL. Combined with their lack of draft capital in this year's draft, the 21st's roster is looking pretty thin. This looks to be a rebuilding year, but I few it may take more than just one season to put this team back together.

 

Stand-Outs

Anton Edvin - The one bright spot on an otherwise decimated roster. Anton has been a leader on this team for many seasons, and it looks like he will be their leading scorer again this year. The biggest question for the aging Estonian is likely whether or not he will be able to continue at his peak performance long enough to see the Halifax 21st return to relevancy.

 

Prediction

Tanking for the lottery, baby! But in reality, I expect it to be a couple of seasons before we see Halifax return to the playoffs, let alone being talked about as serious Founder's Cup contenders.

 

Yukon Rush

Overview

The Yukon Rush made one major pick-up in this season's dispersal draft. The string-bean goalie, Block Buster, was one of the oddest players on the draft board this season. This 6'7'' giant is nearly invisible when he stands sideways, but he is poised to be an effective keeper this season. The offense, however, is a deep concern. The Rush have been lead for several season by veteran defenseman, Titus Stone, but Stone seems to have fallen off a cliff in S67. If he continues his drop-off, the Yukon defense might struggle to give their rookie goaltender a fighting chance.

 

Stand-Outs

Andrej Petrovic - The Serbian defenseman is going to have a lot of responsibility in both zones this seasons. The Rush are going to look good when Petrovic is on the ice, but his workload is going to be excruciating if they don't find some defensive support for him.

 

Justin Rushmore - The Rush's star left-winger scored 26 goals last season and he is likely going to lead Yukon in scoring this year. If this team is going to be able to mount a successful offense this season, it is going to heavily depend on this young American.

 

Block Buster - A rookie goaltender, Block is going to be see a lot of action this season. Although unproven, Buster looks to be a future star and we are excited to see how this season pans out for this freakish-looking goalie.

 

Prediction

With the infusion of talent in the goal, I expect the Rush to compete for a playoff spot. I think Yukon's fans are going to be in for a lot of low-scoring slug-fests, but I simply don't see them being able to pull together enough offensive production to make a deep run into the playoffs.

 

Ottawa Lynx

Overview

There is nothing more intimidating in the VHLM than the defense of the reigning Founders Cup Champions. There seems to still be some question about how many members of the Lynx's stunning question may get called up to play in the VHL, but as it stands, they look to continue their defensive dominance. Aamon Grim and Finnegan MacBurn both are looking at potential jumps to the major league, so Cody Parkey may have to make a return to his position in their top pairing. The biggest concerns facing Ottawa are their goal tending situation and their depth. The roster is extremely limiting and the workload is going to be very heavy on Ottawa's stars. However, if the team stays healthy, they look poised to make another good playoff run.

 

Stand-Outs

The Defense - It is honestly astounding what Grim, MacBurn, Parkey, and Amberback have been able to accomplish. Last season's Founders Cup success can be laid directly on the shoulders of this defensive core. However, with the potential losses this season, it stands to be see whether this team will be able to put up the same shutdown performance as last season.

 

Hunter Wagner - Ottawa's star winger actually took a bit of a step back last season offensively. However, I think the German is prepared to have a return to his previous form and put up forty to forty-five goals this season.

 

John Perdue - Perdue didn't have an impressive year in S67, but he is going to have to step up and lead this offense if the Lynx are going to be able to continue their success into the future.

 

Prediction

It would appear that Ottawa are going to be losing too many of the key pieces that brought them success in S67 to continue their dominance into S68. However, I do think they are going to pose a tough challenge for any team seeking to take the cup in the coming season.

 

Mississauga Hounds

Overview

Mississauga had a rough time in S67, but they made some key improvements in the recent dispersal draft. It is yet to be seen which league Balentine Kidd will be playing in this year, but if he stays with the Hounds, their offense looks set to do a lot of damage this season. Mississauga's largest hole in it net (pun intended). Any team is going to have a hard time putting together a successful season with Schweitzer in net. However, if the Hound's GM is able to sign a reasonable goaltender and add some extra depth, especially on offense, then Mississauga might just be able to look like a playoff contender.

 

Stand-Outs

Brock Louth - Brock played twenty three games with the Reapers last season and made a pretty good showing there, scoring ten points and putting up solid defensive stats. The Canadian defenseman is positioned to be a team leader, in the locker room as well as on the stat sheet.

 

Jerry Wang - Wang spent half of S67 in Halifax. His production there was decent for a rookie, but Mississauga is hoping to see a lot more production out of the winger this season. If Balentine plays for the newly formed D.C. Dragons this season, Jerry is going to have to lead the Hounds in scoring. Hopefully, he is up to the task.

 

Guy Sasakamoose - Paired with his fellow Canadian in the the defensive zone, Sasakamoose is a strong candidate for having a breakout season. If the Hounds are going to have a successful year, they are going to need guys like Guy to really shine.

 

Prediction

The Mississauga Hounds may be able to put together enough of a roster to make it to the playoffs and win a few games, but it looks like they are still a few key pieces short of taking a real shot at the cup.

 

Saskatoon Wild

Overview

There isn't a lot to say about Saskatoon. They missed the playoffs in S67, and with only one major acquisition in the recent draft, Ferdando Jokinen, it doesn't look like they will improve in the coming season. It is unclear what the plan is for the future in Saskatoon, but it looks like the Wild are praying for a good lottery draw in the next draft to begin their rebuild. We are only a few seasons removed from a Wild team in their prime. Hopefully it will not be long before we can see this storied franchise return to it's former glory.

 

Stand-Outs

Ferdando Jokinen - The young shutdown defenseman, this Finish rookie is looking to make a splash in the VHLM. He is likely to be the brightest spot on this otherwise dim roster.

 

Ondrej Ohradka - Ondrej led the Wild in scoring last year, and will likely reprise that role this season. He is going to get a little more support from the newly acquired Telker, so he may actually see his production increase slightly this season.

 

Nate Telker - The Canadian center may end up playing for the Moscow Menace before the season is over, but he is the one positive piece that Saskatoon has added to their offence this year. 

 

Prediction

Another team that is liking tanking for the lottery this season. The Wild will likely be looking to trade off some of their aging pieces to a team making a cup run in return for picks in the S69 or S70 dispersal draft.

 

Mexico City Kings

Overview

I can only say, I called it. Mexico City had the first pick in this years dispersal draft and they used it to fill their biggest weakness. Solomon Crawford, an American goalie, had a 0.885% save percentage in his 15 games with Las Vegas last season, but he has only continued to improve. Now, with solid defensemen, like Alyksander Hunter, in front of him, he should be setting his sights on Goalie of the Year for S68. The offense is a bit of a concern for the Kings, but with a couple of good additions from trades or waivers will make this team a real cup contender.

 

Stand-Outs

Alyksander Hunter - Another great Canadian defenseman, Alyksander lead the San Diego Marlins defense in S67. His continued improvement is one of the biggest factors that will elevate the Kings from being a playoff team to winning a cup.

 

Ryan Busser - Mexico City may lose Busser to the Riga Reign before the season ends, but hopefully, for the Kings' sake, he will chose to stay down until the end of this season. Ryan is the key to this team offense and losing him would be a major damper on the hype going into this season.

 

Solomon Crawford - Man, I just can not say enough about how good of a pick this was. Any success the Kings have this season should be credited to the expert management and talent scouts of this organization.

 

Prediction

I expect the Mexico City Kings to make a deep playoff run and, if they are able to fill a few key holes, might even be among the top contenders for the Founders Cup this season.

 

Minnesota Storm

Overview

The Minnesota Storm were unable to make any meaningful additions in this seasons draft, but they have maintained a strong core that nearly won the Founder's cup last year. Their success in S68 will depend heavily on which piece of last year's core stay in the minors and which ones get called up to the big leagues. One of the most important pieces that the Storm's coming season truly rests on is the goalie Virgil Ligriv. If Minnesota is able to talk him into staying in the minors, or talk the Helsinki Titans into leaving him in Minnesota, this brick wall of intimidation might just carry the Storm to another cup final.

 

Stand-Outs

Danny DeYeeto - One of the only defenseman in the VHLM to average a point per game in S67, DeYeeto uses his oppressive defensive prowess to set up much of Minnesota's offensive success. Though rarely scoring himself, he is responsible for more goals than anyone else on this roster.

 

Ryo Yamazuki II - If Danny is the most important part of the Storm's offense, despite being a defenseman, then Ryo is the most important part of Minnesota's defense, even from the offensive zone. The way these two players play off each other is a thing of beauty.

 

Virgil Ligriv - .902% Save Percentage in the playoffs. There really isn't much more you can say. That says it all.

 

Prediction

All three of my picks for the stand-out players on this roster might not spend the whole season in the minors. With them, the Storm are among the favorites for this year's Founder's Cup. Without them, they will be hard pressed to win a playoff game.

 

Houston Bulls

Overview

Now, I may be a little biased, but I truly believe that the Houston Bulls have one of the best rosters in the VHLM. It was a disappointing show for the Bulls in the S67 playoffs, but Houston scored big in the recent draft. The biggest piece of Houston's new roster is like going to be Soren Jensen, but they added a lot of gritty position players in both the offensive and defensive zones. The biggest need on this young roster is a strong shot, so you can likely assume that scoring will be a focus of this seasons practices.

 

Stand-Outs

Sean McGee - McGee had a great year with Houston last year, and although Riga claimed his rights in the recent draft, it looks like he will be spending another year with the Bulls. Given the additional support he will be getting from the newly added defensemen, the American goaltender should be able to build on everything he accomplished in S67.

 

Soren Jensen - This newly added winger was the one bright spot on an otherwise abysmal Mexico City roster at the end of last season, and, as it stand, he is going to be the Bulls' main source of offense early this year.

 

Khalabib Stiopic - Khalabib has a lot of new, young talent joining him this season. He is a bit of a veteran comparatively on this roster and he is going to have to be a leader in the locker room to cement this blue line as among the best in the league.

 

Prediction

As it stands, the Bulls have a top three roster, and if they are able to make a few trades or waiver acquisitions, they should be a favorite to win the Founders Cup.

 

Philadelphia Reapers

Overview

On paper, the Philadelphia Reapers have a top-three roster. Where some other teams have star power or flashy play makers, the Reapers boast an excess of depth at every position. You can expect Philadelphia's third and fourth lines to put up big numbers against outmatched opponents that have little to offer that deep on their rosters. I expect this team to see a lot of moves throughout the season as they try to sure up their few weak point by trading off some of that deep talent.

Stand-Outs

All of It - You really can't just pick one or two positions on this team. It would be a much shorter list to point out the weak spot than the strengths. You can expect Lindberg, Perry, and Jeffers to make it hard on opposing forwards while players like Bud Knight and Case Martell are what goalies see in their nightmares.

 

Prediction

As much as it pains me to say this, the Reapers are the only team that I fear might have a better shot at the cup this year than the Bulls. In the end, what decides this year's playoffs may be the moves these two teams make in terms of acquisitions throughout this season.

 

San Diego Marlins

Overview

Oh the Marlins. After getting swept in the first round of the playoffs last season, San Diego has nuked their roster and started with a ton of fresh talent. Well, fresh faces at least. Many of the Marlins recent pick-ups are largely unproven. This makes San Diego my pick for the biggest wildcard of the season. I lean towards believe that this team will have an almost carbon copy repeat of their S67 performance, but they could just as well miss the playoff entirely or end up in a cup final without shocking me. It will largely depend on their training staff's ability to cultivate this huge crop of youth.

 

Stand-Outs

Chad Gilbert - San Diego's first round pick in the recent draft is the only player I'm sure enough about to call a stand-out. The Marlins really liked what they saw from the American center last season, and rightfully so. If this team has any success this season, Chad Gilbert will be playing a huge role it making it happen.

 

Prediction

Roll a D20, 'cause I have no idea when it comes to this team.

 

 

 

 

 

I will be claiming this for the next four weeks. (Word Count: 2937)

 

6 TPE for the week ending on 9/15

6 TPE for the week ending on 9/22

6 TPE for the week ending on 9/29

6 TPE for the week ending on 10/6

Edited September 11, 2019 by Erik Summers

[FrostBeard 2,061]

This is absolutely brilliant, I do love the way the article is written, shows that there is clearly a lot of research done to make it work and in the end - this just shows your great dedication! Love it dude and happy to have you on Houston! 

[Rayzor_7 741]

4 minutes ago, FrostBeard said:

Love it dude and happy to have you on Houston! 

Agreed, amazing writing man.

 

(Can I have him?)

[FrostBeard 2,061]

3 minutes ago, Rayzor_7 said:

Agreed, amazing writing man.

 

(Can I have him?)

No.

[Jubo 1,839]

12 minutes ago, Erik Summers said:

All three of my picks for the stand-out players on this roster might not spend the whole season in the minors

Just for FYI sake; VHLM players are rarely ever called up and are currently capped at spending 200 TPE. They can earn past 200 but the remainder will be banked until they join their VHL teams the following season. Next season the cap is actually being increased to 250.

 

Great write up anyhow, you have been on the quik rise since joining the league only a week ago. Cheers!

[Erik Summers 451]

2 minutes ago, Jubo07 said:

Just for FYI sake; VHLM players are rarely ever called up and are currently capped at spending 200 TPE. They can earn past 200 but the remainder will be banked until they join their VHL teams the following season. Next season the cap is actually being increased to 250.

 

Ah, that is good to know. I saw that there was a thread for Call-Ups/Send-Downs, but that it wasn't supper active, so I wasn't sure how often that really happened. Thank you for your input, I have a lot to learn still.

[Nykonax 1,564]

1 hour ago, Erik Summers said:

Any success the Kings have this season should be credited to the expert management and talent scouts of this organization.

I agree

[STZ 5,376]

Great write up! Love everything you’ve done so far here keep it up!

[fonziGG 1,069]

17 hours ago, Nykonax said:

I agree

@Erik Summers is talking about motza

Edited September 12, 2019 by fonziGG

[Erik Summers 451]

Claiming for the week ending on 9/22.

[Erik Summers 451]

Claiming for the week ending on 9/29

[Erik Summers 451]

Claiming one final time, for the week ending on 10/6