VHL S72 Top 25 Players, Part 1: 25-21

[FrostBeard 1,975]

 

VHL Top 25 Players

 

Part 1: 25-21

 

S72 has already started and VSN is back here again to rank and show who we think is going to be the best player of S72! There are amazing new candidates and many older players who are all showcasing their strengths and immense talent so be ready for our next iteration of VSN's Top 25!

 

This season, VSN Editor-in-chief @FrostBeard, writers @Doomsday, @Erik Summers, and @Patrik Tallinder, along with voice and video masters @Berocka and @Esso2264 and also with our distinguished guest @rjfryman ranked and debated who is going to be the top dog in Season 72. They are joined by @Mr_Hatter, VSN's VHLM aficionado, for the write-ups. Part 1 will feature two amazing defencemen and three brilliant forwards out of whom one has just recently decided to switch up everything that he was known for to help his team succeed. 

 

25. Tyler Barabash Jr, C 

 

And with the first entry on our list, we have Tyler Barabash Jr, the Calgary Wrangler’s franchise centre. A consistent scorer, Barabash has hovered around a PPG for much of his career, despite a few dips in form. Now reaching the twilight of his career, the Wranglers will hope his veteran presence can inspire the franchise to a return to their S70 form that saw them reaching the Continental Cup Finals.. If the Canadian can post a point per game in his penultimate season, something he narrowly missed out on in S71, that will be a huge success for the Wranglers. Barabash is a scorer, first and foremost, having reached over 30 goals per season in three of the past four, and led the team in goals in each of those three seasons. His S70 performance was so instrumental to the Wranglers success that he almost doubled the next highest goalscorer for his team, leading the Wranglers to second place in the North American Conference. Barabash is a disciplined player but isn’t afraid to lay into the hits. Last season only three other players had more hits while racking up fewer penalty minutes, showing just how much of an on-ice presence he can be. With Calgary transitioning their core to the next generation, this leadership will be vital to the Wrangler’s success in the coming seasons. 

Mr_Hatter

24. Owen Nolan, RW

 

New York’s assistant captain, Owen Nolan, has developed perfectly up to this point in his career. While he started out with 10 goals and 6 assists in his rookie season, the Irish winger has seen those numbers increase each and every season since then. Three seasons later, this trend has continued and has led to his team-leading 35 goals and 73 points in S71. His 38 assists were also a career-high, proving his growth as a complete offensive threat. Nolan ranks first among the entire S68 draft class in goals and is one of its top point scorers as well. What has allowed him to perform at such a high level is his exceptional ability to keep possession of the puck. His skill set with the puck consists of some deceptive hands, as well as fantastic puck protection. He has a quick first step, allowing him to leave unsuspecting defenders in the dust, and an accurate shot to top it all off. His versatility as a forward is just another reason why he is so valuable to the Americans. His skillfulness at the faceoff dot allows for him to be an option at centre or wing, and his nearly identical number of goals and assists proves his ability to thrive as a sniper and playmaker. If Owen Nolan remains with New York, it isn’t all that far-fetched to think he could end up a top 3 all-time goal scorer within that franchise.

Patrik Tallinder

Tied-22. Charlie Paddywagon, D

Calgary Wranglers have been quite happy to have Charlie Paddywagon on their team considering that after a trade that sent him from Davos to Calgary he has been playing the best hockey of his career. Last season Paddywagon had the best statistical season of his career with 56 points, 140 hits and 116 shots blocked. Even though his career in terms of point totals and other statistical categories might not be considered on an all-star level, he still is a great contributor and has the ability to take over games. His defensive game is still improving and even though Charlie has already passed the point when his career would be considered at its peak, he still can produce and be one of the most wonderful and captivating players to watch. His role as a leader is important for Calgary and his skillset throughout this season will be an important part of Calgary’s ability to make playoffs. One thing is for sure, Paddywagon has all the tools to be a brilliant two-way defenceman, a high-quality passing defenceman who can outplay his opposition because of his immense ability to move the puck elegantly and fiercely at the same time.
 

FrostBeard

Tied-22. Jerry Garcia, LW

 

Although Jerry Garcia has enjoyed a stellar reputation as one of the VHL's best defensive players during his career with Malmo, accolades always eluded him due to his offensive output. After scoring 31 points in his rookie season, he has never produced below 40 points. After a brilliant Season 68, in which he Garcia scored ten goals along with 50 assists for 60 points, both he and the Malmo Nighthawks have struggled to reproduce the glories of Season 68. While his defensive prowess alone was likely enough to secure him a place in the Top 25, it's his potential for Season 72 that really solidifies his ranking here. As Garcia heads into the twilight of his career, he has completely reinvented himself. Now with the HC Davos Dynamo, he will be suiting up at left wing, and his new build looks capable of dealing some serious damage. Garcia's career-best 11 goals in Season 69 (nice) could be smashed within the first 20 games. With Acyd Burn and ACL Tear on the team now as well, the foundation is set for veteran presences to lead the way while Davos' next-generation develops under them. While Jerry Garcia has always been an underrated player, at left-wing, he may finally begin to garner the universal respect on the ice that he receives off of it. 

 

Doomsday

21. Cinnamon Block, D

 

After holding the leading spot for points among defensemen going into the final weeks of last season, Cinnamon Block fell just off her pace at the end to come in third in that regard. Block did that as an extreme playmaker with fifty-seven assists. On top of the impressive offensive numbers, she also had one of the best defensive seasons as well. With one-hundred and sixty-six hits, one-hundred and fifteen shots blocked, and a plus nineteen on the year, Cinnamon was well in the running for the Jake Wylde. This season is going to be a big one for this defender entering her prime as she is now the biggest star on the Phantoms’ roster and entering a contract year where she would undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after free-agents if she decides to go that route. Over the past two seasons, we have seen Block’s production on offence increase while her physicality has settled down. One thing that has allowed that shift if the incredible blue-line Prague has put together, supporting Block with the likes of Seabass Perrin and Wolf Stansson Jr. I expect that trend to continue as she makes a run at scoring leader among defenders, or perhaps the league, this season.

Erik Summers

 

Do you think VSN got it right? Do you think anyone else should be on this list? If so, post in the comments and debate it all! Truly talented and highly successful players coming up next!

People mentioned: @Bushito, @studentized, @DMaximus, @GustavMattias, @Acydburn, @Quik, @omgitshim, @Cornholio, @Seabass

[Banackock 7,655]

Better be top 5

[McWolf 3,112]

13 hours ago, Banackock said:

Better be top 5

same

[Doomsday 4,041]

Definitely felt like Cinnamon Block is too low on this list. She carried Prague's offense, and emerged as an elite blue liner.