SS Hornet | Scouting Report

[McWolf 3,111]

Steambot Simulacrum Hornet

Las Vegas Aces |  | #19

Center | 6'2" | 212 lbs

 

Strengths

If there's one thing that SS Hornet has learned throughout what we could now call a hockey career, it's that shooting the puck at the net often leads to goals. It possesses a deceptively quick wristshot and a strong, yet precise, slapshot, reminiscent of NHL legendary centre Steve Yzerman. Its selection of shots are borderline unfair, as it can count on finely-tuned hydraulic pumps to trigger them, making them significantly more powerful. The question was brought up to the commissioners of both the VHL and VHLM, but both levels determined that the leagues were all-inclusive and, as long as Hornet didn't turn into a killer robot, it would be allowed to play. After all, it wouldn't be the first time a non-human plays in the VHL (see A Red Guy, Elasmobranch Fish and many others for history context).

 

The steambot has also been known in its short time with the Las Vegas Aces for its impressive defensive awareness. The fact that everyone of its movements on (and off the ice, for that matter), are determined by a complex algorithm help it counterattack quickly when faced with any type of defensive situation. It can quickly breakdown the three types of actions that the puck carriers can do: carry the puck, pass the puck or shoot the puck. Its constantly evolving program quickly learns the strengths and weaknesses of its rivals, making it easier for Hornet to successfully predict their next move after only a couple of interactions between the two of them. After a while, the robot's memory became a video game-like database of every player it has ever played against.

 

Weaknesses

While it may be seen as an offensive juggernaut, Hornet still has issue predicting what its teammates are going to do when they are not in possession of the puck, making it harder for the steambot to setup passing plays with them. In fact, whenever it has the chance, the Canadian centre usually drives the puck into the offensive zone itself and shoots the puck as soon as it has a slight chance of scoring. Its vast array of shots is dangerous, but since it's its only weapon, it makes it a one-trick robot, easy to predict and easy to defend. However, its algorithm is constantly evolving and, at some point during its career, it is bound to figure it out. Playing with a regular linemate for many seasons in the VHL might help it develop faster into a great playmaker.

 

Another aspect of the game that Hornet seems to struggle with is its general level of aggressiveness. As a former steamboat workshop worker, the steam-powered android has been programmed to act and react in the most pacific way possible, regardless of the situation. While most of its algorithm seems to evolve as it experiences new situations, on or off the ice, its aggressiveness seems to always be at the lowest, making it seem scared to pick battles along the borders. The good side of it is that Hornet rarely gets called for penalties, giving it more time on the ice to help its team.

 

Overview

Sure, there are still some flaws in SS Hornet's skillset, but when's the last time a player was drafted and immediately stepped into the VHL as a superstar. While it's undeniable that it has the tools to score goals at any level, scouts doubt that its low aggression-style of play will help its team when it's up against the best of the best. It's a red flag that's hard to not consider, especially when you remember recent lottery draft picks Nail Yakupov and Alex Galchenyuk, two tremendously talented players that were scared to go in the corners and play rough, who ended up never playing to their full potential in the NHL. Howener, Hornet still has time to fix its algorithm before it reaches the VHL. It'll be interesting to see what team ends up taking a flyer on what some consider the '70's cheating pile of metal plates'.