Claimed:Grading VHLM Top Lines: North America

[MapFreak 120]

Grading VHLM Top Lines: North America

 

We are far enough into season 38 that the kinks have been worked in the VHLM’s depth charts. The first lines for each team often feature the VHL’s top prospects, and how they play at the beginning of year can make or break their last few seasons in the ‘M. For some players the first line is the last chance to make a mark in the minors before heading off to the big leagues. Others are out to prove that they can play with the best and are willing to fight for every puck for their shot at being called up.

 

Let’s see how the 5 top lines in North America are doing so far:

 

Minot Gladiators – 4-4-3 - D

Chris Raymond (3-5-8P, -7) – Rhys Heyward-Jones (3-1-4P, -4) – Ashton Galbraith (3-6-9P, -5)

Minot’s top line is just not clicking, and it’s hurting the team immensely. The problems on offense might be symptomatic of their holes on defense, but with the second line performing like they want to be #1, the trio of Raymond, Jones, and Galbraith need to find a way to compete – especially Jones, who hampers the line with his 48% FO win rate. Their inexperience shows, look for Galbraith to demonstrate leadership or this line is in for a long, awful season.

 

Brampton Blades – 6-5-0 - C

Sasha Stepanov (3-4-7P, +0) - Tyson Stokes (4-9-13P, -5) – Sam Keeler (1-3-4P, -3)

The highly touted Blades entered season 38 as favorites. So far, their top line has been average, and certainly not the best in the ‘M. Like Galbraith, the ‘M veteran Stepanov needs to lead this line out of its early-season funk. Stokes and Keeler may be experiencing some growing pains (this being their first season) in their role as top forwards. Stokes anchors the line and takes a massive amount of faceoffs (304 so far), but loses 56% of them. His point-per-game average is impressive but blemished by his -5. The entire line needs some work ethic adjustments, they’re just a defensive liability right now.

 

Saskatoon Wild – 6-5-0 - F

Rick Roll (5-1-6P, -5) – Devin Sundberg (2-5-7P, +1) – Noah Jackson (1-3-4P, -13)

Through 11 games, Saskatoon’s top line has combined for 17 points. Sundberg is the only one who looks like he belongs there, even when, at times, he has looked like the rookie he is as he centers all four Wild lines. Jackson showed potential when he was drafted but has not progressed since. Roll, now in his sixth (SIXTH!) ‘M season should be shown the door – he averages over 29 minutes a night and has only produced 6 points. Despite the Wild’s shallow bench and seemingly active desire to make the team lose, they have managed to cling to third as Bramtpon finds their rhythm.

 

Ottawa Lynx – 6-4-1 - A

Leo Tesla (14-14-28P, +4) – Andrew Erikson (8-5-23P, +2) – Aelred Leskowski (9-17-26P, +3)

Ottawa’s top trio is the one to beat in North America. They have been everything line 1 should be, due to equal parts experience, development, and coaching. They each receive a hefty heaping of ice time but they earn every minute – nobody else on the team, forwards or defensemen, come close to the point production and defensive play that these three exhibit. Without these three, the Lynx would be battling for fourth place, not second. Special mention for Erikson, who is a natural winger playing center for a shallow Lynx bench.

 

Yukon Rush – 10-1-0 - B

Kai Randal (4-11-15P, +3) – Bennett Wahl (6-8-14P, +3) – Vincenzo Valentini (4-3-7P, +6)

The exciting duo of Randal and Wahl are at times held back by the underachieving Valentini (who is far past his professional expiration date), but still manage to perform like a top line should. On any other team, these players would have maybe five more points each. It is a testament to Yukon’s depth that the line has combined for only 36 points so far.

 

 

Next week: the Euro top lines.

Edited May 22, 2014 by MapFreak

[Tremblay 22]

Always NA first lol

[Kesler 1,514]

Morgan-Vlasis combo gonnnnnnnna tear it up 

[Guest]

Active desire to make the team lose? Really not sure how you came up with that statement

[Guest Svoboda_3]

"Despite the Wild’s shallow bench and seemingly active desire to make the team lose"

 

That's not really an accurate statement. I'm not trying to make the team lose. The team I was left with was basically nothing, not even a shell. I had 3 players to work with. We had a good draft in obtaining Boomgaarden and Bokan and despite several and valiant attempts to get Jackson and recent pick-up/claim Matt Gilbert, that just hasn't worked; not for a matter of trying but having to deal with the cards I've been dealt with. We picked up Sundberg, which was a nice addition, but I can't keep him past this season, so again, I start next season with only Boomgaarden (maybe, probably not) and Lights Bokan. I'm trying to do something in Saskatoon, but I have to hope for the stars to align for the project to work.

 

You can't build a team in the VHLM, you have to be lucky in that you sell off everything for a 1 or 2 season shot, than hope your claim pick-ups actually fucking do something and you pray that you land a goaltender to carry you. If not, you're fucked, but if you do, you win the cup. There's always one clear cut winner. The VHLM is brutal and I really think the VHLM teams should amalgamate with VHL clubs again.

 

A good article nonetheless.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Svoboda_3

[Victor 10,940]

I don't think being accused of tanking is really an insult in the VHL(M). Especially if you inherit a shit team, what else can you do?

 

I really think the VHLM teams should amalgamate with VHL clubs again.

No please god no.

 

What benefits would that bring?

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

I don't think being accused of tanking is really an insult in the VHL(M). Especially if you inherit a shit team, what else can you do?

 

No please god no.

 

What benefits would that bring?

this. It makes the VHLM more interesting for those in it if it is somewhat a separate league, the VHLM GMs would have absolutely nothing to do and it would make the league less fun imo 

[Guest]

I don't think being accused of tanking is really an insult in the VHL(M). Especially if you inherit a shit team, what else can you do?

 

I disagree. If that's your mindset then we got bigger issues. As VHLM GM's Slobo and I are trying to create a positive environment to groom guys and allow them to have success the year regardless if Saskatoon retains them. To put a lot of effort in to doing that and then be accused (slightly) of tanking is kind of insulting.

 

Plus if you think tanking isn't an insult, maybe we do have issues in the VHLM if thats the thoughts around it?

[MapFreak 120]

Wooooooah I've created way too much controversy. I was not accusing anybody of anything, I was just trying to give the article some creativity and flavorful imagination.

 

The comment "actively trying to make the Wild lose" is in reference to the top line, not the management. Sorry for the confusion.

[MapFreak 120]

And for the record: I think attitudes in the VHLM are healthy and mostly positive, especially from the GMs I've been with. Svobo, you're squeezing everything out of your team right now and you are a great leader in the locker room - I would never imply that you (of anyone) is tanking their team.

 

I'm pretty bad at explaining myself, but I wrote this as the role of outsider hockey analyst. Simply presenting stats and numbers as a narration, a glorified blog post - not a review or indictment of teams and their management.

[Guest Svoboda_3]

I'm not offended, I just thought it was fair for me to defer what's going on in Saskatoon. It was a well-written article, and yeah you're right, we are trying to squeeze as much out of what we have. In saying that, those who are doing the work weekly are a committed bunch and I thank them for their efforts. I just don't want to be diminished of my credibility as a GM because boy are we trying hard, but we are limited. Again, solid writing here.

[MapFreak 120]

I'm not offended, I just thought it was fair for me to defer what's going on in Saskatoon. It was a well-written article, and yeah you're right, we are trying to squeeze as much out of what we have. In saying that, those who are doing the work weekly are a committed bunch and I thank them for their efforts. I just don't want to be diminished of my credibility as a GM because boy are we trying hard, but we are limited. Again, solid writing here.

 

See? Such a class act, never missing an opportunity to praise his team.

I went back to read what I had wrote and wanted to edit the line "Despite the Wild’s shallow bench and seemingly active desire to make the team lose" to be "... and the first line's seemingly active desire...", but considering the discussion it has sparked I thought better of it. Bad mistake there, I only hope the tone of discussion here remains productive!

[Fire Tortorella 2,653]

I disagree. If that's your mindset then we got bigger issues. As VHLM GM's Slobo and I are trying to create a positive environment to groom guys and allow them to have success the year regardless if Saskatoon retains them. To put a lot of effort in to doing that and then be accused (slightly) of tanking is kind of insulting.

 

Plus if you think tanking isn't an insult, maybe we do have issues in the VHLM if thats the thoughts around it?

 

The way the VHLM is currently set up, you're doing your team (in generalities, not you specifically) a disservice if you don't tank and have seasons you don't compete. Yes, a VHLM GM is responsible for creating a positive environment to groom guys, but you can easily do that while not competing.  I did it with McQueen in S34, D3vilsfire and travhave in S36, Otreboy in S37, and redoaknebraska and Flames1848 now (and if I forgot your name in whatever, season, sorry, I'm on my phone so this already taking me forever to type). 

 

Every team that has won has tanked before and acquired as many draft picks as they could. We somewhat had this discussion before with Advantage's free agency stuff, but don't hate the player, hate the game. Myself and others who spend a lot of time in the VHLM have proposed solutions to these problems, and I think we're slowly moving in the right direction with the rules Corco instituted this off-season regarding the free agent TPE cap. I'd love to see a lottery for all non-playoff teams at least and a restriction on the number of first round picks you can have in a single season, but I think we're moving one step at a time to a VHLM that will become more competitive throughout the league with less feeder teams.

[Guest]

The way the VHLM is currently set up, you're doing your team (in generalities, not you specifically) a disservice if you don't tank and have seasons you don't compete. Yes, a VHLM GM is responsible for creating a positive environment to groom guys, but you can easily do that while not competing.  I did it with McQueen in S34, D3vilsfire and travhave in S36, Otreboy in S37, and redoaknebraska and Flames1848 now (and if I forgot your name in whatever, season, sorry, I'm on my phone so this already taking me forever to type). 

 

Every team that has won has tanked before and acquired as many draft picks as they could. We somewhat had this discussion before with Advantage's free agency stuff, but don't hate the player, hate the game. Myself and others who spend a lot of time in the VHLM have proposed solutions to these problems, and I think we're slowly moving in the right direction with the rules Corco instituted this off-season regarding the free agent TPE cap. I'd love to see a lottery for all non-playoff teams at least and a restriction on the number of first round picks you can have in a single season, but I think we're moving one step at a time to a VHLM that will become more competitive throughout the league with less feeder teams.

When I was the VHLM Commish I brought in the rule you could only have a max of 4 1st round picks or something. Then we removed it because...I'm not sure, whoever came next removed it.

 

I'm not saying tanking is horrible in the VHLM, but to put in the effort and have guys love that and then be told we are trying to lose is a tad deflating. I know Azi wasn't doing that and his words were somewhat written incorrectly to his opinion, but I'm just saying we aren't trying to lose at all.

[Will 4,660]

Content: 3/3

This was a good read, and an interesting idea for a media spot. You're writing read easily and I found that you use really good descriptive language that makes the article sound really professional, so good job. Obviously this article sparked somewhat of a debate here in the topic, but isn't that what every writer wants? 

 

Grammer: 2/2

Just one thing:

 

kinks have been worked = kinks have been worked out (?)

 

Appearance: 1/1

Looks dandy.

 

Overall: 6/6

Edited May 23, 2014 by Draper

[Guest]

Claimed