New York S70 Outlook (AKA, Why FAs Should Sign Here)

[CowboyinAmerica 2,840]

 

S70 New York Americans: The Rebuild is Over

 

Season 70 is shaping up to be a big one for the New York Americans, who are looking to jump into the upper echelons of the North American conference and the VHL. Some would argue that they’re already there – a late-season run had New York third in the conference, and they almost took out the eventual champions Seattle in the first round of the playoffs.

 

But now, the team is ready to make a leap. The young roster is starting to come into its prime, and – with filling a few holes – may be better than you remember. Haven’t paid attention to New York in a few seasons? Here’s an unofficial look at what they’ll be rolling out onto the ice next year. And a note: These TPA totals will also be their TPE totals as well, since not a single current New York player is old enough to be in depreciation. And these TPA totals are current as of the beginning of the offseason, meaning add 20-30 for each player by the time the first game is played.

 

Offense

 

Projected Lineup

LW Soren Jensen (515 TPA) -- C Boris the Forest (827) -- RW Dalton Wilcox (623)

LW (FA?) --- C Keven Foreskin (556) -- RW Owen Nolan (576)

LW Jaxon Walker (273) -- C Walter Clements (309) -- RW Ryo Yamazuki II (366)

 

 

Boris the Forest and Dalton Wilcox were the original two members of the Americans’ rebuilding squad, both being drafted in Season 67. Now, as they enter their fourth season, they’re the centerpiece of an offense that is just beginning to come into its own. Forest put up a career high with 71 points last year, but Wilcox took a step back from his rookie season with only 46 - both players have the talent to be doing much better. Potential ROY Jensen, meanwhile, could join them to create a powerful trio for the next 3-4 seasons.

 

S68 forwards Nolan and Foreskin could be first liners in their own right on many other teams, especially with one more year of seasoning. But for now, they form the backbone of a stud second line that could rival those in Seattle and Vancouver. Last season, Yamazuki joined them on that line at LW, and could very well do so again. But I believe there’s a hole for a potential free agent to bolster that group (or perhaps even unseat Jensen in the first line and have him move to the second line), which would create a deadly top six. This also has the side effect of creating a fully active, young third line - which could feed on the lack of depth elsewhere in the conference that is necessitated by paying older players.

 

 Defense

 

Projected Lineup

D Lance Flowers (660) -- D Fredrik Elmebeck (521)

D David O’Quinn (346) -- D (FA? Low?)

 

Lance Flowers might have been the high draft pick and have the TPE total, but it was Elmebeck who was the revelation on the blue line last year for the Americans: In the top ten for defenseman scoring for much of the season, he ended the year with 52 points, a massive increase in hits to 121, and solid 123 shots blocked. If Flowers can regain his form that saw him win the S68 Wylde Trophy, this pairing of S68 defenseman provides a nice offensive/defensive balance that will only grow from here.

 

On the second line, O’Quinn could be the Americans’ secret weapon - following a season with Saskatoon that saw him put up 99 assists and 114 points, he should be a Rookie of the Year dark horse with the opportunities he’ll get in New York. There is a question, though, of who will be across from him. Kevin Low, acquired midseason from Seattle, played alongside Flowers on the first line last season, but will be the only active Americans player to test free agency this year. The team wants him back (we love you @Smarch), but if he decides to take his talents elsewhere, New York has the cap room and the capability to sign or trade for a defenseman elsewhere.

 

Goalie

 

Projected Lineup

G A Red Guy (614)

G Thorvald Gunnarsson (407)

 

If there’s one reason to point to why the Americans made their late season run last year, the play of second year goalie A Red Guy is it. He finished the year top five in the VHL in save percentage (.923), GAA (2.24) and shutouts (5), and he finished just one win outside the top five despite playing five fewer than the maximum goalie games. If he continues on this trajectory, especially with goalies like Pepper and Krikiters getting slammed by depreciation in their final season, he could very well be a Shaw candidate this year. Gunnarsson also provides a solid stopper for New York in the days where A Red Guy can’t go, at the very least making it so that New York doesn’t sweat against the bottom of the standings.

 

Outlook

 

New York’s oldest player is third line forward Walter Clements, entering his fifth season. Every single other player on the team is in the first half of their career, with a majority being S67 (fourth season) or S68 (third season) draftees. This was a team that was built to compete right about now, and for the next three seasons, they should be a force to be reckoned with. They have depth that few other teams in the league possess, and they have the activity to continue to improve throughout the season leading up to the playoffs.

 

That said, the Americans aren’t a team without holes. They really need one more scoring forward to supplement those first two lines, creating a top six that could all be over 600 TPA by the time the playoffs roll around. There are a few of those players out there in free agency - a veteran presence like Svoboda, Materazo or Madden has to be intriguing - and leadership would do well to bring one of them in. If Low doesn’t re-sign, defenseman is also an area of need, even if it’s a stopgap like former Legion defenseman Carles Puigdemont. New York also has the 6th, 16th and 18th picks in the upcoming draft, which could be intriguing for a trade or for a play-now defenseman.

 

It’s too early to tell where New York will finish in the standings. But it’s reasonable to believe they’ll compete with Seattle and Vancouver for tops in North America, with D.C. likely one more rebuilding season away. And if New York keeps building throughout the year, who knows what can happen with a little playoff magic?

Edited January 8, 2020 by CowboyinAmerica

[CowboyinAmerica 2,840]

I already claimed Welfare for this week, so this is for the weeks ending 1/19 and 1/26. Also, making this my Charity Doubles for the week ending 1/19.

[Dil 1,756]

20 minutes ago, CowboyinAmerica said:

The Rebuild is Over

Bet

[Elmebeck 378]

@JohnOQuinn will be a much welcomed addition after the bailing.

@Steve

[Steve 1,840]

It was hard to leave NY for a team that happened to win the cup. Remember @Elmebeck , you are Swedish, not Jewish. So no guilt trips are going to work. On a side note, @JohnOQuinn is going to be awesome on the team. Good luck.

Edited January 8, 2020 by Steve

[David O'Quinn 115]

Thanks for the shoutouts guys ^^

[McWolf 3,114]

Add me. Add me. Add me.