Toronto ready for Expansion and Entry Drafts, welcome top prospects to the roster.

[Peace 1,518]

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- The final seconds of the season are on the clock, just a few more seconds before the off-season begins.

 

The VHL S73 Expansion Draft looms just around the corner, hiding in perfect sight but cloaked in mystery. The Legions' protection list has already been submitted, and now it's time for Toronto's management team to continue preparing for the S73 VHL Entry Draft. It's around this time where the hype starts to build, player agencies start to amp up the draft expectations for their players, and GMs begin to send out inquiries as they test the draft pool waters. Although typically boring for some, especially those outside of the playoffs or eliminated early, it's also one of the more unique atmospheres to be around -- especially for a first time player agency. 

The Legion themselves have three prospects ascending from the VHLM ranks, which fits the cut-and-run stories of free agents leaving their teams at the conclusion of the season. Toronto has plenty of free agents that will hit the market, or in one case a pending UFA that will be forced to retire due to the VHL's collective bargaining agreement. 

 

Dissanayake? Gone. 

Matthews? Retired. 

Scoringsonn? Gone.  

Three gone -- three more rise, maybe. 
 

Joseph Gainer (@joeg) -- perhaps Toronto's most anticipated prospect since the wonderful three -- will join the team around the same level McDagg started his VHL career at, if I can recall correctly, but I digress. There should be no surprise that Mr. Gainer will immediately slot into the Legions' forward core, and given enough time to develop properly, could even surpass current 1LW McDagg in just a few short seasons. It's inevitable for depreciation to happen, but Gainer will be ready to assume the duties his teammate has performed with immense loyalty. 

Ziarie Anigbogu (@ngine4) -- Toronto's current top defensive prospect -- has slowly been earning himself reputation as one of the best fourth round selections picked in recent drafts. The 38th overall draft pick has risen over ten slots compared to his fellow drafted prospects, ranking in at the 26th best player from his class. Combined with training camp and the growth between the present day and when they open, Anigbogu will likely find a spot on the Legions' roster for the start of S73. 

Jeff Blaze (@NyQuil) -- formerly one of Toronto's top prospects from seasons in the past -- will likely be forced to join the Toronto Legion as per the leagues rules. It's unclear whether or not the S71 prospect wished to be a career VHLM player, but his development exceeded the capacity the VHLM allows, so his options may be limited. Blaze, should he actually join the Toronto Legion, could replace an 'unlikely to return' player in Damien Wolfe. We hope he does, we really do. 

That leaves the Toronto Legion looking ahead at the entry draft. 

The Legion have the fifth overall pick. 

"We're excited," GM Peace admitted. "Lots of quality players around that pick, so we've got options. The only position that we're not interested in right now -- and this might be disheartening for some to hear -- would be goaltenders, so I guess that's a little bit of a hint. With Hextall in net, we don't really think it's far to those hardworking goalies to be stuck behind a starting goalie signed long term for the foreseeable future." 

 

"Optimally, we'd like to go with either a quality forward or a defender who could rise above our current depth chart to eventually slot in with either Magnum or Killinger. We'll see what happens though." 

 

[joeg 69]

Can't wait!! #WeAreLegion