Welcoming the new guys in purp.

[Seabass 593]

The Prague Phantoms have been the most active team on the trade front since season's end as they currently lead the VHL with 6 trades made so far, and the puck hasn't even dropped yet. They already had a few trades lined up to be announced even before the VHL playoffs were even done. It was a nice surprise after seeing GM, Glasser not make many impactful moves during his first two seasons with the team, but this year he's making a statement. The Phantoms are here to compete in S70.

 

In this article i'll be focusing on the new members of the Prague Phantoms that we've welcomed to our team. I'll be giving a short history on each player and ramble on about their stats. I will also explain how each player will fit in on the roster and what to expect out of them this season.

 

Brick Wahl

@BladeMaiden

 

January 8th was a very big day for the Phantoms. After trading away their captain, Erik Draven for picks, the Phantoms reached out and acquired one of the VHL's elite goaltenders, Brick Wahl in exchange for their 1st round pick and Owen May. Wahl has been the face of the Calgary Wranglers in my opinion and has backstopped the team since S64 reaching a total of 169 career wins in the 376 games he has under her belt. Wahl has also never had a season with a save percentage under the .914% posted in her rookie season which is absolutely amazing numbers. The Phantoms really needed a goaltender as last year's goaltender tandem didn't  work out very well last season. Owen May was also not committing to the team by not showing up to practice, so the Phantoms had to do something. Wahl brings a whole wealth of experience to the team and also brings a much needed stability in net for the team. Also what better veteran can you think of than Wahl to mentor team captain, Solomon Crawford so he can take over once Wahl retires, again. I think Wahl will be the most important addition the GM can make for this team and she instantly makes the team harder to beat. 

 

 

Edward Vigneault

@Patpou22

 

On the same day that GM, Glasser acquired Wahl, he also acquired Edward Vigneault. Vigneault was acquired from the Moscow Menace for a 2nd round selection adding to a already deep Phantoms defense corps. Vigneault is not much older than the current core of players which makes him a good fit for the team. Vigneault however has more experience than any other D man on the team with 3 full seasons under his belt already. He hasn't really put up much offensive numbers as he has a career best 21 points in S68 but that's not what to expect out of him. Vigneault prides himself more on the defensive area of the game as he is slowly growing up to be one of the leagues better defensive defensemen. He had a plus/minus of +38 in his last season in Moscow so it's pretty mind boggling on why Moscow Gm, would get rid of the young player for a measily 2nd in the first place.  Either way the team is quite happy to welcome him aboard and I figure the man will be featured on the Phantom's first pairing this season.

 

Roll Fizzlebeef

 

@TacticalHammer

 

Phantom fans were really excited when news broke out that the team had acquired Fizzlebeef. The team had just lost their top point scorer to UFA and didn't have to wait long to see a possible replacement for that lost scoring in Fizzlebeef. The Phantoms and Wranglers once again were trade partners in this deal that seen both a first round pick in S72 and a third go to Calgary as they embrace a rebuild. Fizzlebeef, despite Calgary's poor season last year is coming off a career best 67 points and 2nd 30 goal season in a row. His season was also good enough to make him Calgary's top point getter in S69. Fizzlebeef has the potential to become Prague's next top scorer in S70 as he's expected to play important minutes as the Phantom's 1st line center and will be amongst the teams most experienced forwards along with Don Draper and newly acquired Teagan Glover, all drafted in the S65 VHL entry draft. He and Wahl should be able to help each other settle in nicely amongst the Phantoms. 

 

 

Teagan Glover

@Bucky___lastard

 

The route Glover took to finally end up as a Phantom was an interesting one. He was traded twice in two days. First, the Toronto Legion traded him and a package of picks to Davos in return for multiple players. Then Davos traded him once more to the Phantoms in return for for Matthew Materazo, more of a cap saving move by the Phantoms. Glover is coming off a 49 point season where he failed to come near the bar he set for himself after S68's 72 point season. Prague is deep at center having 5 capable centerman on the roster (Fizzlebeef, Glover, BigShotty, Havlova and Pearson) so it'll be interesting to see where Glover will slot in the lineup as it appears someone is going to have to shift to the wing next year.I figure he'll be a part of the teams top 6 either as a centerman or winger.Glover is a player to watch as he has a lot to prove after last year.

 

Next season will definitely be an exciting one with all the new big name additions to this years roster. Fans has shown some of that excitement already as they sold out of season tickets for next year and many analysts have the Phantoms as a team poised to contend to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The Phantoms are coming off a season where they seen a slight improvement over their inaugural season in S68. They finished only ahead of the DC Dragons and Davos HC but still fell well short of making the playoffs. These past moves have completely changed the identity of this team and it should be a fun season to watch. I hope my article have offered some insight and information on the new members of the team

 

Go Phantoms!

 

WORD COUNTER 1040something

Edited January 19, 2020 by Sebster03

[Seabass 593]

claiming 2nd half of PT