Your New Looking Dragons

[Midnite 69]

S70 D.C. Dragons

 

Washington D.C. Home of the VHL D.C. Dragons

 

Having only entered the VHL scene back in S68, the D.C Dragons have struggled to establish themselves as a premier VHL team. Having a record of 20-49 in their first season followed by a 24-41 in the next, many wouldn't think the Dragons would be much of a threat for a few seasons. The GM of the Dragons may be on the brink of proving them wrong. With a flurry of off-season trades and newly FA signings, the Dragons may approaching their best season yet. Let's take a look as to why that is.

 

 

Keeping up with a Keeper

 

 

The best way to win games is to ensure the puck stays out of the net. I mean it makes sense. Well the Dragons weren't the best at doing so having the 3rd most GA total last season. Despite Pekka Pouta's efforts the Dragons were in need of a top class goalie who could prevent them for facing the same fate they had in the previous season. So a decision which sent DCD S72 2nd and 4th picks to Riga to acquire Kallis Kriketers was made. Kriketers has regressed from his former top-notch self, but by bringing him to D.C. the Dragons have a temporary upgrade in net as Pouta continues to improve. Kriketers would also bring a veteran presence to this VHL team that may prove to help as he'll be somewhat of a guide to follow for the younger players.   

 

New Weapons

 

 

The D.C Dragons' offense was anything but pretty. Having only scored a total of 140 goals in S69, they needed to solve a big issue in how they were to score more goals in order to win games. With not being a defensively sound team, the Dragons needed someone alongside Mikko Aaltonen to carry the offensive burden in order to provide D.C. a chance at coming out on top in the W column. Well a few traded picks later (S70 DCD 1st, S71 DCD 2nd and S72 DCD 3rd) the Dragons managed to get their hands on John Frostbeard. Frostbread recorded 60 points last season in which 32 of them were goals. He's slowly emerging as a top forward in the league and by landing in D.C. he should manage reach a new career high if he continues to live up to his projections. 

 

Frostbeard isn't the only newly acquired offensive piece for the Dragons. Raleigh Ritchie, who was drafted back in S68 as the 61st pick, also joins the D.C. team this upcoming season after finishing his time in the VHLM. Ritchie recorded 76 points last season with the San Diego Marlins and D.C. are already hoping that he'll provide similar numbers for them as he'll be thrown into the 2nd offensive line. The addition of these two should see that the Dragons offense numbers improve and by a lot. 

 

Gone Fishin'

 

 

The retirement of Piotr Jerwa was a problem that the Dragons needed to solve.. and quickly. Having already a sub par defense, losing one of their top defense man would only make things worse for them. So it came to no surprise that DC would send their previous acquired picks from Riga (S70 2nd) and Moscow (S71 3rd) to get Elasmobranch Fish. Despite the rumors that Fish no longer has shown any signs of improvements, the Dragons were in need of a quick replacement and Fish happened to fit the bill. By gaining the well rounded defense man it helps solve Dragons immediate issue while the rest of the D.C. defense men improve. 

 

 

 D.C. Dragons have solved some of their short-term issues while also improving their roster. Hopefully this season will prove to be one that sees D.C. rise to the top!