S68 VHLM Draft Review: Part 3

[Matt_O 897]

We return with part THREE of the VHLM draft review. Read part one here, and part two here. We looked at the Kings, Hounds, Aces and Marlins in part one. Today, we will be looking at the Wild, Lynx and the Storm.

 

 Saskatoon Wild 

Draft Class:

Nate Telker (C)- 26th overall

Fabio Jokinen (D)- 38th overall

Sade Taika (RW)- 51st overall

 

The Wild will follow up a season where they missed the postseason with another season that will likely end in a postseason miss. The Wild have very few assets to work with this season, with a really poor defense. Fabio Jokinen is a solid defenseman, but his low TPE total as a top pairing defenseman is concerning. They have two players above 100 tpe to work with, and both will likely be on the first line. The Wild don't look great this year, and unless they make some big moves, they will likely miss the postseason.

 

Best Pick: Nate Telker at 26

Ceiling: 8th seed

Floor: 11th seed

 

 Oslo Storm 

Draft Class:

n/a

 

They had no picks in the first four rounds, but will rely on Virgil Ligriv and returning players to carry the load. After last year's playoff run, they are in a transition year. Without any top end S69 picks, it seems they will have the next couple seasons to figure it out. I expect them to be able to make the playoffs this year, but not do much at all unless Ligriv can steal a series. Ryo Yamazuki II and Jaxon Walker will be the stars of the team, compliment with Mac Hooper and Danny DeYeeto as the key inactives to the team. Minnesota has a pretty solid team based on returning members, but their room for growth is very limited due to the inactives. Expect a good, not great, season for them.

 

Ceiling: 4th seed

Floor: 6th seed

 

 Ottawa Lynx 

Draft Class:

n/a

 

The Lynx had absolutely zero picks this year, trading everything to try to make a run in S67. That was successful, as they won the Founders Cup. Unfortunately for them, it looks unlikely for them to repeat this year. While the team is still solid, the team has next to no room for growth. All the actives have either hit or almost hit the cap, while the other high tpe guys are inactive. They don't have a goalie, which could really throw a wrench in their plans. Aamon Grim and Finnegan MacBurn are the only actives on the team,  and they both have already reached the 200 TPE cap. They will rely heavily on their top lines to keep them in games, with little depth and no goalie's posing a big problem. They are a similar team to Minnesota, but you take away the star goalie. 

 

Ceiling: 4th seed

Floor: 7th seed

 

Thats it for the VHLM Draft Review series! Thanks for sticking this one out. We will see you tomorrow with the first edition of VSN's Daily VHL report!

[Rayzor_7 741]

1 hour ago, Matt_O said:

Mac Hooper and Danny DeYeeto as the key inactives to the team

Both are actives

[Matt_O 897]

13 hours ago, Rayzor_7 said:

Both are actives

Actually? I should of realized with Hooper, but didn’t realize DeYeeto was around

[Rayzor_7 741]

10 minutes ago, Matt_O said:

Actually? I should of realized with Hooper, but didn’t realize DeYeeto was around

DeYeeto checks in when I ask or ping him in Discord because of a big game.