Predicting Toronto's rookie seasons.

[Peace 1,532]

Toronto has three rookies on their roster, and since I just wrote about Toronto's statistical prediction in another thread, it's time to keep my promise and predict the stat lines for all three of the Legions' newest faces: Jaxx Hextall, Kris McDagg and Erik Killinger. All three of them have already been welcomed by the GM, as they've received maximum contract bonuses for just donning a Toronto jersey, and fans have already purchased the limited edition run of Killinger and Hextall jerseys. There is certainly excitement in the air, and we can feel the electricity, but now it's time to predict how each of these prospects will fare in their rookie seasons. 

Jaxx Hextall
Last VHLM Season: 61 W - 8 L - 3 OTL | 0.899 SV - 2.09 GAA
Rookie VHL Season: 25 W - 30 L - 9 OTL | 0.911 SV - 2.75 GAA

Jaxx Hextall comes to Toronto with a championship, a top goaltender award, and sky high confidence in his abilities. Not only that, but the rookie has shown tremendous improvement since the VHLM season has ended. It might be attributed to VHL teams refining his skills, or the sheer dedication from the Legion starter. If there ever were a definition of 'franchise goaltender', Hextall's name would be proudly displayed as an example. 

But the reality of Toronto's situation is unfortunate, and so too will Hextall's rookie season. The rebuild has been extended, but these things happen; two prospects failed to develop to expectations, both of them also failed to report to Toronto's staff some time after the draft, although one has been seen training periodically; a core piece of the roster stopped caring about his development as a player; and one of their fringe prospects retired before making the climb to the VHL. 

However the S71 Toronto Legion are better than the S70 Toronto Legion, and we are expecting their record to be better as well. Given that Hextall is similar -- or will be similar to May at the start of the season if development continues as planned -- it's reasonable to assume that he'll have a comparatively better record. We're predicting Hextall's save percentage slides a bit from May's .914, and that's only because the Legion defense has gotten slightly worse by Puigdemont's regression, but he should be able to steal a few more victories as he improves during the regular season alongside the majority of his teammates.



Kristopher McDagg
Last VHLM Season: 45 G - 56 A - 101 P
Rookie VHL Season: 19 G - 22 A - 41 P

McDagg's journey to the VHL has taken a while, three seasons in fact, which means the beginning of S71 is his third year of eligibility in the Victory Hockey League. A player only has a maximum of eight seasons, so McDagg's 'career clock' has already begun. There is an advantage though, McDagg has had the opportunity to build himself up in the VHLM longer than most prospects get. He will begin his rookie season with a scout rating of around 350, while most non-franchise prospects are generally below that mark. 

Thankfully McDagg's development is back on track, and the prospect is poised to become a key piece in Toronto for a long time... oh yeah, did we mention he signed for the majority of his career as well? McDagg will be slotted on the second offensive line alongside Miniti and Dissanayake, and it's expected there will be some chemistry between the three forwards. 41 points might now sound impressive, but for a rookie season... it's not bad! 



Erik Killinger
Last VHLM Season: 62 G - 62 A - 124 P
Rookie VHL Season: 32 G - 30 A - 62 P

Predicting Erik Killinger to register over sixty points is almost asinine, but hear me out -- alright? Erik Killinger is taking over Nethila Dissanayake's position as the 1LW, and Diss' managed to register 58 points on a weaker top unit while serving at that spot. Chad Magnum has developed quickly during the off season, and Scoringsonn returns as the top RW on the team -- maybe even Dissanayake himself if Toronto decides to use him as the 1RW -- so it's not much of a reach at all for this prediction to hold some value. 

Some would say that Davos' Davis is in the best position to win top rookie, but I strongly believe people are seriously underestimating Killinger and his chances of winning the top rookie award. As we've predicted -- comparing Dissanayake's previous season to Killinger, his abilities and continued growth -- it is entirely plausible he could be the best rookie in this draft class. Obviously he'll be featured on the top line, so he'll have thirty or so minutes a night to prove it. 


ONWARDS TO WEDNESDAY!  
 

[ROOKIE745 604]

Oh I look forward to this season and how each of your predictions do, especially mine!!