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***Ace*** · 12-13-2018, 10:33 AM

Build from the net out. It’s a commonly used term, but it’s one that I believe in strongly. It’s no secret that you don’t need the highest TPE goalie in the league to be successful, but having one with a build in the 800-900 TPE range can go a long way. Mikke Laukkanen is on his proverbial last leg of his career after regression took its toll. It is time for New England to give the call to their goalie of the future, Vancouver Whalers starter Johannes Leitner. He is to come up as part of the rebuild process here in New England. Leitner is coming up on 500 TPE and will assume the role of starting goaltender for Season 45 and beyond. We’re excited for the potential and promise that the young Austrian has displayed. We just hope to be able to protect him better than the barrage that Laukkanen and Prince endured in S44.

In addition, New England is making some changes on the blue line. Out is Danny Mete who was acquired in the Cameron Dubois deal as both players have elected to hang them up and go into the sunset in retirement. Mia Landvik has made her intentions clear that S45 will be her final year in the SHL. She will retire at the end of this season to begin her life after hockey, but will be the face of the franchise yet again with the C on her jersey for her final year with the team. Midseason acquisition Viatcheslav Orlov is facing his biggest and most threatening opponent yet, Father Time. Regression has eaten away at his skills yet again, leaving him in the 700 TPE range but still commanding a fat $5,000,000 paycheck. Patrick Brumm Jr., the young but no longer developing blue liner will likely work his way back into the lineup on the third pair with Buck Maverick, professional drinker. In brighter news, Kristaps Ball has adapted well and transitioned into the defensive side of the game and will likely remain on the top pair alongside Landvik. He’s on track to develop nicely into an elite two way defender with some serious offensive skills. A new face we’ll have on the blue line for S45 is a result of the call up of fellow Austrian and S43 draftee Maximilian Egger. Egger will be starting on the 2nd pair alongside grizzled veteran Viatcheslav Orlov. We’re confident that this new look blue line will be an improvement over last season’s product and look forward to monitoring the development and improvement of our young blue line closely.

Dieter Dominique had a hell of a career with the Wolfpack. They've moved on from hockey but collected an amazing 701 games played in a Wolfpack jersey with 255 goals scored, 268 assists and an impressive +134 plus minus ratio. He’ll be missed on the top line. With a void like that, it opens up the potential of promotion from within. Anchoring the top line will be the return of Tigole Bitties who should be one of the top players in the league for S45. Alongside Bitties will most likely be whirling dervish Manuel Gotze who has now surpassed 1000 TPE. On the right side, Artemi Berezin will likely look to act as the chief puck distributor for the line. The second line remains deep. Xander Green will act as the #1 pivot of the second line and will be flanked by budding superstar winger Rafe Ulrich and Edmonton Blizzard refugee Brock Becker on his other wing. The Xander Green line should add some much needed scoring punch if the Bitties line is neutered by the opposition.

The third line will have a new flavor as well. Returning is young centerman Alex Andani with a renewed vigor for rounding out his game. Recent acquisition Herb Robert will man one of the wings, looking to prove Seattle wrong for letting him go. The final wing spot is in question, however. The Wolfpack management have made it clear that they have the financial flexibility to make a big splash in free agency and this roster spot will either be filled by one of the wingers above to make room for a top end guy, or rumors have indicated that recent 1st overall selection Rainbow Dash has declared her interest in playing for the big club in S45. This rumor is just a rumor, as the young winger has yet to extend her contract into the S45 season. Shaquille Derisraka remains with his junior club for S45 and the Wolfpack scouting department is pleased with the development he’s shown thus far.

Overall, the roster is trending in the right direction. The Wolfpack may squeeze into the playoffs, but their window of contention is not quite here yet. With hard work and patience however, the foundational blocks are in place. We just need to wait for them to settle and the mortar to dry. The plan is in place, now it just falls upon the Wolfpack core to execute on it.

SlashACM · 12-13-2018, 10:37 AM

Something something making it about blizzard something

But seriously glad to see you having fun building this team

***luke*** · 12-13-2018, 10:41 AM

Congrats leits!

jcfbey01 · 12-13-2018, 11:10 AM

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