TRADE ALERT: NYA/DCD

[Doomsday 4,143]

 

 New York Americans Receive:

 

RW John Frostbeard

C Richard Penisson

S72 DCD 1st

 

 D.C. Dragons Receive:

 

C Boris the Forest

D Aamon Grim

S72 NYA 2nd

S73 TOR 3rd

 

 

Analysis

 

With the New York Americans' season further teetering on the brink, General Manager Joel Ylonen was faced with either trusting STHS to suddenly realize that the Americans are a good team (which has not worked this season), or taking further action. Obviously, we are here because Ylonen knew that inaction was not the answer. This is a very interesting trade, one that I'm not entirely sure I'd understand why the D.C. Dragons would do at this point of the season. 

 

Two VHL Top 25 Players are being swapped, with the Americans receiving a nice little haul for Boris the Forest. Even though Boris' physical play elevated this season, New York now gets the most physical forward in the league in John Frostbeard. While the Americans' will now need to play a winger out of position as the second centre, it's hard to argue that something just wasn't working with the current roster and a shake-up was needed. Of absolute consolation for Ylonen, however, is that this trade will also help his team in the future. Picking up D.C.'s first-round pick next year puts the Americans back into the first round of a strong-looking draft, although they do lose their second-rounder. Additionally, the fantastically named Richard Penisson is a very quality addition to New York. While he is currently in the VHLM during his first season of eligibility, Penisson is dominating. His 119 points at the time of print lead the M, and with his consistent improvement, he could be the Americans' answer at second centre next season. 

 

For D.C., Boris the Forest immediately moves into the first centre role, with George Washington moving over to the wing. With a -4 in a 4-1 loss to the HC Davos Dynamo in one of his first games with the Dragons, it's been a rough start, but the VSN is confident that Forest will put it together in his new home. General Manager Eno Rama is certainly counting on it as well, for D.C. no longer has a first-round pick in Season 72 or their prospect centre, Richard Penisson. D.C. is hanging on to a playoff spot, but can't afford to give up much ground with the Toronto Legion hot on their trail. Aamon Grim doesn't look to factor into the Dragons' plans much, if at all, but D.C. does pick up two depth picks in the future, including New York's Season 72 second-rounder, which could end up being at the top of the round. 

 

While the shake-up was for sure needed for the Americans, I'm not entirely sure it was needed for the Dragons. They do acquire a player with higher TPA for a playoff push, but is the 200 some TPA boost worth their first-round pick? If the Dragons manage to make some noise in the playoffs, there won't be much to criticize with this trade. New York, however, has at least added some light to the tunnel if things don't get better this season. Value-wise, I feel the Americans come out ahead in this deal. 

 

Get-to-Know the Players

 

John Frostbeard

 

Originally drafted by the Calgary Wranglers in Season 66, John Frostbeard wound up making his VHL debut with them in Season 67, but after playing only 34 games for Wranglers was traded to the Seattle Bears. It wound up being an ominous foreshadowing to the vast movements he would make later in his career, but Seattle proved to be his most stable home. The one constant for Frostbeard, however, has been his offensive prowess. He has never scored less than 20 goals in a season, peaking with 37 in Season 68. Frostbeard was also a key piece of the back-to-back Continental Cup champion Seattle teams of Season 68 and 69 (nice). Salary cap restraints necessitated a trade to the D.C. Dragons, but he's now been traded yet again to the New York Americans, a team in need of a miracle to reach the playoffs. Can Frostbeard deliver on his toughest assignment yet?

 

Richard Penisson

 

While his absurd name gave him instant notoriety when Richard Penisson joined the league, he's starting to make a name for himself with his play. A third-round pick in the Season 71 VHL Entry Draft by the D.C. Dragons, Penisson has become a dominant force in the VHLM with the Ottawa Lynx, with 119 points. After being acquired by the New York Americans, Penisson has a real chance to thrust himself into the VHL, as his rock-solid work ethic will allow him to make the Americans' roster next season if he continues to work hard. Richard Penisson has the potential to get the entire VHL standing at attention, and surely the Americans are very satisfied to have him. 

 

Boris the Forest

 

A lifer with the New York Americans, Boris the Forest's journey to Washington D.C. might be a relatively short move by VHL standards down I-95, but it must feel like a world away for Boris. The American centre was the tenth overall pick in a stacked Season 67 draft class and has lived up to the hype. A consistent threat to score who has never tallied less than 20 goals, the Forest is on pace for around 30 goals yet again. His elevated physical play has added another dimension to his game, currently in the Top Ten on the VHL's hits leaderboard this season. It's been a rocky start with the Dragons, but if Boris the Forest can put it all together, D.C. will be a dangerous team going forward. 

 

Aamon Grim

 

The story of Aamon Grim is a rather peculiar one. While mostly a VHLM player, Grim has played a full season in the VHL with the New York Americans, who drafted him in Season 68. After two full seasons in the M, Grim received his call-up in Season 69 (nice), tallying five goals and 17 assists for 22 points. He also tallied three points in seven playoff games for New York but was sent back down the following season, appearing in just five games with the Philadelphia Reapers. Signed by the Ottawa Lynx for Season 71, he has been an important piece for them, but with no work ethic to speak of anymore, he seems destined to remain in the M.

 

Players Mentioned: @FrostBeard, @bluesfan55, @chillzone, @aCrypticPancake, @Esso2264, @Enorama

[Victor 11,021]

If D.C. makes the finals, which is entirely a possibility for any of the NA playoff teams, then they're only dropping 5-6 picks. I think that's a sensible gamble. Plus, they can't afford Penisson or any other prospects coming up next season anyway.

 

Unless NY is going full rebuild, it makes less sense to me to try to shake things up by trading the best player.

 

5 minutes ago, Doomsday said:

Penisson has a real chance to thrust himself into the VHL, as his rock-solid work ethic will allow him to make the Americans' roster next season if he continues to work hard. Richard Penisson has the potential to get the entire VHL standing at attention, and surely the Americans are very satisfied to have him. 

ffs Doomsday

[Enorama 2,039]

6 minutes ago, Victor said:

If D.C. makes the finals, which is entirely a possibility for any of the NA playoff teams, then they're only dropping 5-6 picks

 

Even if we just win a round, then it becomes a 5-6 pick drop. Well worth moving one year back in age for someone with the same TPE imo.

[Enorama 2,039]

7 minutes ago, Victor said:

Plus, they can't afford Penisson or any other prospects coming up next season anyway.

 

And yeah, the Penisson move is because we're in a roster crunch, so just swapping him for a 3rd to punt that problem a little further down the road.

[bluesfan55 103]

oh youre damn fucking right pal

[bluesfan55 103]

1 hour ago, Victor said:

If D.C. makes the finals, which is entirely a possibility for any of the NA playoff teams, then they're only dropping 5-6 picks. I think that's a sensible gamble. Plus, they can't afford Penisson or any other prospects coming up next season anyway.

 

Unless NY is going full rebuild, it makes less sense to me to try to shake things up by trading the best player.

 

ffs Doomsday

bud are you trashtalking this man's terrific way of describing the best player in the vhlm (me)

because i for one applaud that joke

[Victor 11,021]

31 minutes ago, bluesfan55 said:

bud are you trashtalking this man's terrific way of describing the best player in the vhlm (me)

because i for one applaud that joke

nah i respect the effort