With Big Free Agent Signings Can New York Live Up To Hype?

[Devise 4,475]

The New York Americans did not go quietly into the night to end Season 37. They battled with the Seattle Bears right up until the end of the season before finally bowing out and being a point short of the playoffs. But despite this the entire American roster was happy. This was after all only the second season post a quick New York rebuild and one that saw them nearly steal a playoff spot from what was perceived to be a better team. This was the same season in which New York acquired not one, not two, but three potential franchise players in the S37 VHL Entry Draft.

 

Several of the key players on New York will still be on rookie contracts heading into S38. With Brick Wahl, Xin Xei Xao and Andrey Zadorov all on their last season of rookie contracts and recent draftee's Tom Slaughter, Jakob Linholm and Logan Laich only entering their second VHL seasons. The roster felt the effort they gave during the season was nothing but stellar, and that they were only going to get better with time. 

 

Well this off season New York could of easily sat bye and done nothing. They have a few star power players already on their roster and with their youth and the Quebec City Muete rebuilding they'd be a playoff team for sure. Instead of doing nothing however they went and acquired two major players via free agency. Wesley Kellinger who has yet to translate his hype into full on ice potential is still a player who you can count on to be a point per game or better during the season. Then despite having a goalie already in Brick Wahl they went and got Tuomas Tukio who after several days of free agency had yet to receive an offer. With the two big signings New York goes from team who can make the playoffs to team who will be expected to go deep in the playoffs, if not win it all. 

 

Ultimately team goes completely in reverse in terms of pressure. Can the Americans live up to the hype? It is in fact a lot of expectations if you think about it. 

 

The players who make up the New York roster this coming season combined to win a total of 7 awards last season. Conner Low won two as he led the league in assists and was voted as the best defender in the league. Odin Tordah led the league in points. Tom Slaughter was considered to be the top rookie. And goalie Tumoas Tukio was voted as the Most Outstanding Player, the Most Valuable Player and the Top Goalie in the league. 

 

A team loaded with the bulk of players who were considered "the best" as per awards is going to be expected to not only just go deep in the playoffs but win it all. A failure to do so could easily make some question whether this New York team has the capacity to ever win it all. Keep in mind until the Cup win in Season 32 the Americans went through a similar period of having star power award winning players and not being able to capitalize. Could we be seeing a return to an American team that boasts having some of the "best" in the league but for one reason or another not being able to meet expectations? 

 

One thing is for sure, a lot of the players on the Americans roster better quickly adjust the new expectations. Last season their was considered no real pressure and in Season 38 all the eyes and questions will be about them and their performance.