S68 VHLM Draft Review: Part 2

[Matt_O 897]

We return with part TWO of the VHLM draft review. Read part one here. We looked at the Kings, Hounds, Aces and Marlins in part one. Today, we will be looking at the rest of the VHLM, starting with the Houston Bulls

 

Houston Bulls

Draft Class:

Soren Jensen (LW)- 6th overall

Dagmar Havlova (C)- 17th overall

Jason Conners (LW)- 28th overall

Erik Summers (D)- 33rd overall

Milos Slavik (LW)- 36th overall

Elliot Porter (D)- 44th overall

 

The Bulls quietly had one of the best drafts in the league, even without a handful of early picks. They made good work of each and every pick they owned, with some great pickups including Erik Summers at 33 and Milos Slavik at 36. GM @FrostBeard also made good work of his early round picks, selecting returning members Soren Jensen and Dagmar Havlova in the first two rounds. Taking Jason Conners in the third is a risk though. He hasn't updated since the week of September 1st, which is a red flag for the Bulls. If he returns, they could be sitting in well for S68. If not, it hurts there chances at a title run.  That being said, they have many high TPE members returning, including Brodyn Capaldi, Khalabib Stiopic, and goaltender Sean McGee. The Bulls should be really solid in S68, and if Vegas goaltender Bruce Grimaldi goes inactive, the Bulls could give them a run for their money. If things go their way, the Bulls could find themselves in a contending spot.

 

Best Pick: Erik Summers at 33

Ceiling: 2nd seed

Floor: 4th seed

 

Yukon Rush

Draft Class:

Block Buster (G)- 8th overall

Nate Wright (C)- 19th overall

Sven Nyckel (D)- 41st overall

 

With only three draft picks, it's hard to really give Yukon a grade. They did well on this picks, picking up an elite goaltender in round one followed up by a potential number one center. Sven Nyckel in the fourth is a great pickup as well, to try to help out a defense that may need it. Even with two returners in Justin Rushmore and Andrej Petrovic, they still aren't a really great team. They have a few really solid talents, but the talent level really drops off. The depth on the team is really not there, with an ok first line, and then a poor second line. The same can be said about the defense, but they have goaltender Block Buster to bail them out. Yukon will rely heavily on their top guns this season, and I don't think it will work out well. Their goalie will be enough to get them into the playoffs but not much more than that.

 

Best Pick: Nate Wright at 19

Ceiling: 5th seed

Floor: 7th seed

 

Philadelphia Reapers 

Draft Class:

Jacob Perry (D)- 10th overall

Hiroshi Okada (C)- 21st overall

Peach Panther (RW)- 32nd overall

 

For the new GM @DMaximus, it was a really nice draft. Every pick was good, but I particularly like his last two picks; Okada and Panther. I know Okada from a separate sim league he runs, and Peach Panther of course is a recreate. Don't get me wrong, Jacob Perry is a good get at #10, but I like the value of his later picks better. Not only that, but many returners from last years squad will make this team a title contender. Case Martell, Bud Knight, Duncan Jeffers, David Lindberg, and Ricky Johnson all are returning players with at least 125 TPE. On top of that, Fang Flashback will be the star in net, with a really solid team out in front of him. They have no obvious holes, and can compete with Vegas for the top seed. While I think Vegas is a bit more talented, both teams are very similar. If Grimaldi goes to the VHL, Philly has the edge on Vegas. If not, it will be a tough battle.

 

Best Pick: Hiroshi Okada at 21

Ceiling: 1st seed

Floor: 3rd seed

 

Halifax 21st

Draft Class:

Liam Rooney (C)- 18th overall

Kim Jong Un (LW)- 40th overall

 

A quik but efficient draft for Halifax. Liam Rooney at 18 is a really nice pickup, filling out the number one center role with a late second rounder. Kim Jong Un is also a great pickup at #40, as the returning member Gaudette can be relied on to gain TPE. Even if he goes inactive, it is only a fourth rounder. Similarly to Philadelphia, they have many returners to the squad, such as Emil Passerelli, Papa Gage and Anton Edvin. They will need the inactives to step up if they want to make a run at the playoffs. Having no goalie does them no favors either. They will have to rely on a waiver signing or a trade to get a much needed goaltender. Halifax is a decent team, but don't expect much come playoff time.

 

Best Pick: Kim Jong Un at 40

Ceiling: 4th seed

Floor: 8th seed

 

That's it for VHLM draft preview part two! Check in tomorrow for the final installment, where we will look at Saskatoon and Minnesota (Ottawa had no picks this year)

 

[Erik Summers 451]

12 hours ago, Matt_O said:

Best Pick: Erik Summers at 33

Agreed