Claimed:Keeler Talks With First Team

[Kyle 667]

Sam Keeler Meets With His First GM

 

It's obvious to anyone that follows the VHLM this season that the Brampton Blades have been extremely disappointing thus far in the season. The Blades were stocked with talent and were expected to run through the VHLM on their way to a Founder's Cup victory. Sadly (for Blades fans), that has not been the case so far in Season 38. Brampton is currently sitting at 3rd in the North American Conference and are only 6 points ahead of the 4th place team, a gap that could easily be closed with how streaky the young Brampton squad is. But it hasn't been only disappointing at a team level, it's been disappointing for individual prospects as well, such as Sam Keeler. Keeler has an abysmal 7 points so far this season, with only 2 of them being goals. Keeler was the first waiver wire player taken this season and the Blades expected him to slot in well with the 1st line. Simply put, that has not been the case.

 

Despite his struggles in the VHLM, scouts and GM's alike are taking a big interest in the big bodied American forward and he is still expected to see his draft stock rise due to his hard work off the ice and not his statistical output in the minors. Keeler was asked how he felt about the draft and if he was scared that he would slip down the board because of his inability to finish:

 

"It's not my job to worry about the draft right now, it's my job to worry about what's going on in Brampton. We are struggling and my lack of production is a huge part of it. I've been training off the ice in order to be a more of a finisher and still play the physical game that I've gained the reputation of having so far. So if I can help the Blades and increase my draft stock, sure it's nice. But what I'm worried about most right now is how my team is playing. When we reach the draft, I'll worry about that."

 

Keeler may have said he doesn't care much about the draft at the moment, but reports today have claimed that Keeler has already met with one VHL GM to see what his interest level in playing for their organization was. The team and GM have not been released, due to respect for the franchise. Keeler's agent, Vadim Volkov, was seen in Europe with a GM which is as much information as we managed to gain from the report. After having a brother who wanted to play with his 2 older brothers in Quebec, Volkov is clearly enjoying the process of finally meeting with GM's of other teams again before the draft as opposed to one. Keeler's draft stock at the moment is up in the air due to concerns about his playing style, but people understand that Volkov is unlikely to sponsor any player who would be a complete liability for his team.

 

Keeler may say that he is focused on his VHLM team right now, but it's very plain to see that he is looking forward to the unpredictability of this draft and where it could go for any player on the board. Keeler is clearly embracing the draft process and we will look to see where it goes from here in terms of his relationships with certain organizations and general managers in the VHL.

Edited June 9, 2014 by Kyle

[Kyle 667]

This is for this past week (June 2nd-8th), sorry I'm about a half hour late.

[Guest Svoboda_3]

Content: 3/3

580 words. Whatever happens at the draft for Keeler, I would like you to know that despite our differences in the past, I would be open to the idea of you playing for Helsinki. As for your player, 7 points? Wow, that's hard to take. The Media Spot was well-done with good structure and nice quotes.

Grammar: 2/2

Just two semi-colon issues and one other minor occurrence.

Appearance: 1/1

Center alignment, picture and title.

Overall: 6/6

[Ball 453]

Claimed