SJHN Roundtable Reaction: CAR/VAN Trade - Printable Version +- Simulation Hockey League (https://simulationhockey.com) +-- Forum: League Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=610) +--- Forum: SMJHL Media (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=48) +---- Forum: Graded Articles (https://simulationhockey.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=403) +---- Thread: SJHN Roundtable Reaction: CAR/VAN Trade (/showthread.php?tid=107158)

SJHN Roundtable Reaction: CAR/VAN Trade - Faelax - 06-08-2020 The trading season has started early this year, and it started with a bang. The Carolina Kraken, who as of the trade sit at 3rd in the east with 25 points, managed to swing a huge deal with the Vancouver Whalers. They brought in 4th year defenseman Sven Yxskaft and a conditional S57 4th rounder, in exchange for 2nd year winger Patricia Reichardt and a S55 1st round draft pick. The Whalers keep the 4th rounder if the Kraken win the Four Star Cup this year. Faelax: After a rough start to the season, Vancouver seems to have thrown in the towel. Yxskaft was an important part of the team both on the ice and in the locker room, but everything seems to have gone south for the Whalers. With him graduating to the SHL next season, and their playoff chances diminishing every day, they needed to get something for him. And I think they got an excellent return for their top defenseman. Patricia Reichhardt is a solid winger who can slot in anywhere in your lineup. And then there is the 1st round pick. With two 1sts heading into the upcoming SMJHL draft, Vancouver has a chance to get those last couple of pieces to add to their great young core they already have in place. Their competitive window looks to be opening up next season, and a couple of great rookies should be exactly what they need to push them over the top. As far as the Kraken are concerned, this is a sign from management that they believe in their group, and are going for it this season. The acquisition of a top defender in Sven Yxskaft should help shore up their weakness at defense. Having a capped top pair in Amcabas Cuddles and Yxskaft that they can lean on for 24+ minutes a night takes a lot of pressure off of not only their bottom two pairs, but their star goalie Frans Eller. Anything they can do to make his job easier is going to be huge for the team. Add in a stud defenseman to an already scary group of forwards, who currently lead the league in goals for, and a phenomenal goalie in Eller, and you have the recipe for a nice cup run. Nhamlet: Needless to say this is exactly what Carolina has been hunting for in the last couple seasons. Another top dependable defender to anchor hard minutes while they grow the next crop of defensive leaders. Ambacus Cuddles has been that for them but is still only one man. This is a bit of an interesting move because while Yxskaft is a fantastic player, the upgrade on him on soon-to-retire Michael Lee is relatively nominal. Especially considering the steep cost of a Reddit 1st. For the time being, it does look like a possible double improvement as Michael Lee could step in as the bottom line winger, replacing Reichhardt’s spot and being an upgrade of its own in that regard. Only angle against that is it’ll take a spot of another potential UDFA signing with some potential attractive players who could be available. And as good as a 360 TPE winger on your bottom line might sound, it’s only for a minimal 10 minutes a night at most. Still, depth is still depth. As for other teams who may have also been in on this deal, I don’t know if there are any completely cursing their luck and probably would rather keep their Reddit 1st. I can only see Anaheim and Kelowna as potentially having space and being in a position to want to take in Yxskaft. Both Anaheim and Kelowna do have a few S52s that are looking at their last shot this season making them potential buyers that could continue to look at deals down the road. However neither have quite the same depth of S54’s to ensure another solid run next season so if any add is going to happen, it’ll have to be at a reasonable price. You have to wonder if Carolina might choose to continue to look at moving Lee as another rental for one of those teams, given that the assets they could receive on top of another S55 player to add to their current roster.  Both continuing to improve their competitive window and potential expansion concerns are reasons to consider this alternative. For the time being, they stand as the clear #3 team in the East, arguably #2. Roastpuff: This is a pretty big trade to happen so early - and a one year rental for a Reddit 1st round pick is a pretty big return for the Vancouver Whalers! Yxskaft is looking for his first cup as the end of his SMJHL tenure draws near, Vancouver is looking to re-re-start the rebuild, and the Carolina Kraken is looking to take advantage of their surging sophomore players to challenge for the Four Star Cup. The addition of Patricia Reichardt is a nice bonus for Vancouver as well, as Reichardt is developing quite nicely and could have had some more playing time and points if not for a deep winger pool in the Kraken’s line-up. Carolina manages to shore up their weakness in defense, which bolsters an already stellar goaltending and a frankly intimidating forward corps. They are going to be a great team to watch and a true threat for the Four Star Cup. Vancouver sadly can’t seem to get any traction, and their draft class this year did not have any standouts. This is a move to both benefit themselves and Yxskaft, who has a last shot at the cup. (Ready for grading, 937 words, split between myself, @Nhamlet, and @roastpuff) RE: SJHN Roundtable Reaction: CAR/VAN Trade - JHS - 06-08-2020 this is a good article, i like seeing the different takes on it from all you guys. RE: SJHN Roundtable Reaction: CAR/VAN Trade - Snoopdogg - 06-08-2020 Nice work guys, good read!