Young Guns, Battle for the Stolzschweiger

[ColeMrtz 571]

     We sit just over halfway through the season, and the S69 rookie class is closer than most would have predicted. The top five players in terms of points sit just 6 points apart from each other, with many hailing from unexpected parts of the league. As it stands right now, let's break down each of the top 5 players and see who's having the best season.

 

1. Ryo Yamazuki II (NYA)

     Ryo was a part of the S68 draft class, and sits on top of the S69 rookie race with 24 points. Playing for the Americans, Ryo has had an impressive impact for the team, being involved in 27% of the teams total production. His offense isn't the only thing setting him apart, as he maintains the highest +/- of any of the "regular" players on New York (i.e. playing majority of the game). His impact in New York is undeniable, despite the team sitting just third from the bottom, and makes a strong case for the Stolzschweiger.

 

2. Cinnamon Block (PRG)

     Block is a true rookie being a member of the S69 draft class, the first overall pick, and also plays for a bottom 4 team in Prauge. Block has 23 points through these 39 games, made all the more impressive by the fact that they play the defensive side of the puck. Block's +/- and PIMs have a seemingly negative impact with the European program, sitting 9th and 4th respectively on the roster. However, Block also sits 2nd in hits and 3rd in shots blocked, which may be enough to bolster their case down the line.

 

3. Benny Graves (DCD)

     The best of the worst, DC is where Benny Graves calls home. His 22 points put him tied for 3rd on the roster, and his +/- is close to the top of the team as well. Being the second overall pick of the S69 draft, his going to DC helped aid him in making an immediate impact, and in doing so he's become one of the players to watch on the expansion team. It's also worth noting his -2 is the second highest of all top 5 rookies, being beat out by only fellow Dragon George Washington. Graves also has the most game winners of this list as well, with 2 goals when it matters. Only one other player has recorded a winning tally, once again falling to teammate George Washington. Graves game winning impact should bolster his case for the Stolzschweiger, despite sitting third on the list.

 

4. Jerry Wang (DAV)

     From the best of the worst to the worst of the worst, Wang sits 2nd on the incredibly shallow Davos roster. His 20 points account for nearly a third of the team's production, 32%, but an abysmal -15 makes that stat significantly less impressive. Perhaps the only redeeming secondary stat on Wang's resume is his 2 PIMs through the entire season. The only real shot Wang has at the award is if by some miracle Davos makes a turnaround before the end of the season, but things are highly unlikely to change.

 

5. George Washington (DCD)

     Washington scrapes the bottom of the top 5 with 19 points, but that's not all the GM centerman has accomplished thus far. His -1 is tied for second on the roster, and the highest on this list, as well as netting a game winner for his club. Washington was the early favorite, with a blazing hot start to the season. If he can find that pace again, he could easily become the favorite again to take home the Stolzschweiger.

 

596 Words