Login

TheOPSquid · 11-20-2023, 04:40 PM

What's poppin SHL? It is Squid back to spam your media with recaps throughout the week, this time it is with my new team; the future Challenger Cup Champions the Seattle Argonauts! Go Argos!

This draft saw the Argonauts make 4 picks and 2 trades in order to kick off their rebuild, with 2 picks coming inside the top 10, 1 in the second round, and 1 in the third round. A big year to start the rebuild off saw their first draft pick to stay at third overall, not moving up or down in the draft. A solid draft for all teams as this draft class was pretty deep.

Pick #1 - 3rd Overall - Will Tomlander - LW Detroit Falcons Falcons

Will Tomlander from the Detroit Falcons is a Left Wing two-way playmaker, with all defensive stats at 11+ and a focus on checking and Defensive Read at 13. Adding onto his offensive stats that all sit at 12+, with the majority being 13+ and Puckhandling sitting at 14, Tomlander looks like he will be a threat at both ends of the ice. With 366 TPE and 81 banked still, Tomlander is primed for a breakout season when he applies the TPE and hits the 350 cap for his second season. With their previous player hitting 2200+ in TPE and a bank of $130 million, Tomlander is a great pick at 3rd overall for the Argos to kick off their rebuild. Will was able to score 42 points and 20 goals in his rookie season with 18 minutes of ice time and minimal time on the penalty kill, to go along with a 1:20 minutes power play time. Tomlander could definitely be a breakout candidate this season as he applies the offseason training he has already purchased. Don't be surprised if he breaks a point per game this season while working on his two-way ability/ I look forward to many seasons on the team together in the hopes of winning a championship with them.

Trade #1 with the Tampa Bay Barracuda

After the 6th Overall pick was made, Seattle committed to the rebuild completely and ended up sending long time Argo Benson Fiorentini to the Tampa Bay Barracuda for the 7th and 26th picks in the S74 draft, as well as a 1st and 2nd in S75. Fiorentini led Seattle in scoring the past two seasons, scoring 34 goals and 73 points in S72 and 35 goals and 72 points in S73. Fiorentini won the cup as a rookie with Seattle in S68, picking up 42 points along the way as well as 12 points in the playoffs. A big move by the Seattle Argos, teammates will surely miss Fiorentini as this move signifies the commitment to the rebuild as Seattle thanks Benson for helping bring the cup to the Franchise which is no small feat.

Pick #2 - 7th Overall - Squidwardo Tentacles - LW Yukon Malamutes

Squidwardo Tentacles from the Yukon Malamutes is a Left Wing two-way forward with most defensive stats at 12+ and most playmaking stats at 14+. The 6'4 Latvian uses his body to throw hits and led the Malamutes in hits with 163 on the season. With 350 TPE already applied, Squidwardo made his World Junior Championship debut as an Alternate Captain for the United Countries of Russia, Czechia and Latvia playing 3rd line minutes. Squidwardo looks to improve on his totals from his rookie season as he steps into a bigger role for the Malamutes in S74 with the departure of some core Malamute veterans.

Trade #2 with the Winnipeg Aurora Aurora

When the 17th overall pick was about to be selected, a trade was announced by the SHL commissioner as Seattle made the second trade of the draft with the Winnipeg Aurora. A pick swap, Winnipeg acquired the 17th overall pick which turned into Langston Hardison-Laurent in exchange for the Baltimore picks Winnipeg had: a S75 BAP 2nd, S77 BAP 1st, and S77 BAP 2nd. A win-win trade as Seattle moves 1 pick for 3, and Winnipeg gets their guy at 17th overall in order to improve their thin prospect pool. Winnipeg got a great active player in Langston Hardison-Laurent and the Argonauts were able to stockpile some picks that can be used to either trade up in closer drafts or hope the picks turn out.

Pick #3 - 23rd Overall - Shadow Fenix - C Colorado Raptors Raptors

Shadow Fenix, a 350 cap TPE center fell straight into Seattle's hands as the 6'1 center from Chicago will be an integral piece of Seattle's rebuild. As a two-way forward with a 13+ rating in almost every stat to go along with his 15 Speed, the Colorado Raptors forward put up 71 points and 32 goals on a Raptors team that left a lot to be desired finishing 12th overall. Shadow Fenix's game has been described as consistent, always putting in effort and never gliding on the backcheck. A cup winning team always has to have guys that are willing to work hard and grind out wins when the going gets tough, and that's exactly what the Argonauts got when they stole Shadow Fenix at 23rd overall.

Pick #4 - 43rd Overall - Newton "Lizard" Campbell - RD Yukon Malamutes

Newton Campbell is a hard nosed shot blocking defender that is willing to lay it all on the line whenever the coach needs him too. Campbell is a 302 TPE defender that focuses primarily on defense and getting in shot and passing lanes. Putting up an impressive total of 158 shot blocks in his rookie season Newton has been absolutely cold blooded on the ice, some have even questioned his ability to feel pain after blocking 5 or more shots in a row and still planting himself in front of the shooter.

4527 characters / 1011 words

Navigation

Extra Menu

About us