Toronto acquires Fredrik Elmebeck.

[Peace 1,562]

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- The Toronto Legion were essentially a third wheel in the trade between the New York Americans and the Vancouver Wolves, both North American rivals, with the Legion being added to act as a salary dump so the two teams could complete their trade. GM Peace said the move was a pretty easy decision, it only cost the club two forth round picks and significantly improved the defensive depth of their roster. Elmebeck will be replacing Dissanayake on the back end, who's on the cusp of being surpassed by both Gutzwiler siblings, thus effectively removing him from the 6F-4D-1G depth chart the team uses.

The addition of Elmebeck will strengthen the Legions' first defensive pairing by nearly one and a half times the talent, where he'll join alternate captain Erik Killinger and should be more capable of withstanding the sheer workload formerly expected out of Dissanayake. Elmebeck has seventeen points in twenty seven games, two with the Legion so far, and registered a goal in his first game with the club playing as a forward while Toronto adjusted their lines for the next set of games; New York resigned Elmebeck to a one season contract during the off-season, and retains a small chunk of his salary that enabled Toronto to acquire the defender. 

While fourth round draft picks could be useful in a deep VHL Entry Draft -- for example Toronto's previous draft pick Ziarie Anigbogu selected in the forth round -- the occasion a fourth round selection making the VHL has been seemingly rare. By that point most drafts are empty, and the players that remain have fallen away from the Victory Hockey League for other avenues. Sometimes teams will even skip a pick, wasting a fourth round pick entirely, although this is more common in the VHLM who have seven rounds in their dispersal draft. 

 

Toronto is expected to play a more defensive game with the addition of Elmebeck, who's talents only lag behind Killinger slightly, although Killinger focuses more on defensive play while chaining his learned offensive skills as a forward into his style. Elmebeck is a slightly better puck handler, who's stronger on and off the puck, but lacks the refined defensive effort his partner has... although it should be noted this isn't a fault, it's a strength for the Toronto Legion... one they're happy about receiving. 

Additionally, offense generated from the blue line should increase, as both defenders are categorically considered offensive defenders by VHL standards. Scouts rate Elmebeck's scoring ability around eighty five while rating his passing around seventy five. Compared to scout reports of Killinger, he only trails behind on scoring by six and passing by five (85 v 91, 75 v 80). Regardless of the ratings, the information revealed should indicate more scoring opportunities for forwards trying to collect on a rebound, as both of these gentlemen will shoot the puck from the blue line to generate some offensive opportunities. 
 
The Legion will likely opt to extend his contract in the upcoming off-season, considering he's now a core member of the Toronto Legion, and will effortlessly grant time for a potential prospect to develop within the pipelines. By the time Elmebeck begins regressing, the Gutzwiler siblings continued developed should pick up some of the slack left from regression, while that potential prospect continues to develop as a suitable replacement as the twilight years fade away.

On a more somber note... I miss you, Elmebeck. 

I told you back in Saskatoon we'd play together on the same team, I'm glad I had this opportunity even though you're gone. 

I hope you've found peace. 
 

Edited June 4, 2020 by Peace

[Beaviss 4,958]

1 hour ago, Peace said:

On a more somber note... I miss you, Elmebeck. 

I told you back in Saskatoon we'd play together on the same team, I'm glad I had this opportunity even though you're gone. 

I hope you've found peace. 

 

 

[Doomsday 4,145]