VHL Division Previews: Shaw Division

[Laine 1,361]

 

 

SHAW DIVISION PREVIEW
 

It has been a little bit and the season is underway. However, we still will release our division previews. In this edition, we move into the Shaw Division of the European Conference.
 

Helsinki Titans (49-18-5, Lost in Continental Cup Finals to SEA 4-2)

 

Though Helsinki suffered a bitter defeat in the S73 Continental Cup Finals against the dynasty known as the Seattle Bears, Titans fans have a lot to be excited about. They still have kept most of the gang together with a few minor changes. Rookies Patrik Laine, Oh Sens and Calvin Harvey are all coming up from the VHLM this season, Helsinki stacked their pipeline through the draft to aid an aging defense core and signed Seabass Perrin in free agency to further solidify the defense. They are a surefire cup contender this season and I can see them going all the way.

 

Malmo Nighthawks (35-30-7, Lost in Round 1 to HSK 4-3)

 

Malmo is certainly a team on the rise. Their loss to Helsinki in 7 games last year was hard to swallow for many fans but many predicted the Nighthawks to not even make the playoffs, let alone beat Davos to qualify and push the Titans to 7. That core they established during the S73 VHL draft is starting to develop nicely, along with older picks such as Chris Hylands and Ray Sheilds beginning to hit their stride and Grekkark Gyrfalcon turning into the starting goalie Malmo desperately needed for many years. I can see them being a dark horse candidate at a cup run this year, but they are set up for many years of competing in the future.

 

HC Davos Dynamo (35-31-6, Lost in Qualifying Round to MAL 3-2)

 

Season 73 was a disappointing one for a lot of Davos fans, but their core is finally beginning to hit their stride with the likes of Robin Winter and SS Hornet blossoming into top forwards. Combine the development with rookie Chance Rust coming up and the signing of Four-Time Continental Cup Winning Goaltender Rayz Funk in Free Agency and Davos can actually make some noise this season. They could make a cup run, but I don’t see it. A deep run to the conference finals or further will give this team the playoff experience they need for the future. However, with the aforementioned Rayz Funk in the net, they have the piece in net that will allow them to go far. Go and do it, Davos. Surprise me.

 

London United (23-47-2, Did not qualify for playoffs)

 

Not much was expected of London during their inaugural season and rightfully so. Despite the abysmal record, there were a lot of positives. Rookie James Rose emerged as the absolute future of the blue line. They managed to snatch up 3 first round picks in the S74 draft and used those picks to get some solid pieces in Julian Nousiainen, Ryan Schwarz and Kasper Kankkunen. This season, they will see the emergence of their forward core. The main issue for them will be defense. Rose will be the only notable name on the backend while Kankkunen develops in the system along with other defensemen like Tim Kamashev and Tee Pee E II. Nils Friedriksen looks mighty lonely in net but Kevin Malone will be joining him next season. This looks like another basement year for London but it also gives their young forward core a nice year to settle into the VHL. However, with all that offensive firepower, they could be a dark horse wildcard team this season. I think missing the playoffs would be good as they can continue to build on the foundation they have set up here.

 

Be on the lookout for the other two division previews coming from other VSN Writers!

 

- VSN Writer Patrik Laine

 

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