Create Account

Ēriks Skalbergs rates his potential draft destinations
#1
(This post was last modified: 07-03-2018, 09:41 AM by Ashes.)

So, the Season 42 SHL Entry Draft is just around the corner, and I couldn't possibly be more excited. I can't wait to see which team ends up picking me up in the draft. I think that in the end I would just be happy to play for a team in the SHL, no matter where I end up, but I definitely do have some teams which I would prefer over others and some teams which I would prefer to avoid (although I would still play for them if I ended up there) - that's why I created these rankings. I've put all of the SHL teams into 4 different tiers. Tier 1 is teams that I would love to play for the most, Tier 2 is made up of teams which I would be quite happy to play for, Tier 3 is made up of teams that I'm more or less indifferent towards and Tier 4 consists of teams that I would prefer to stay away from, although as I said, if I ended up there, I'd still play.

Let's start from the bottom with Tier 4.

TIER 4

THE BUFFALO STAMPEDE  Stampede

Buffalo is the first team on this list, but considering that I'm doing this in reverse order, that's a bad thing. The Stampede to me just seem really... meh. They don't really seem to have anything that sticks out to me and makes them a team that I can look at and say "Yes, I want to play there". There's also that whole thing where they called up two of the most important Whalers players after the trade deadline despite not really having much of a reason to do so, which didn't put us into a good spot heading into the playoffs. Not gonna lie, I'm still a bit salty about that. Also, I don't think this is a particularly popular opinion but their branding just seems really... off to me. Second worst logo in the league in my opinion, the only one that I find worse is New England's. Really not a fan of the dark green and yellow combo. 

THE EDMONTON BLIZZARD Blizzard

In terms of player skill, the Blizzard seem to be pretty alright. The logo and colors are nice too. That's where the positives end for me though. The only reason why the Blizzard are this low on my list is because I've heard some pretty bad things about their locker room. I'm pretty new to the SHL so I don't really have much experience with the Blizzard players, but from what I've heard they have some players who've had behavioral issues in the past, which I'm really not a fan of. To me, one of the most important things about a team is a positive and friendly atmosphere in the locker room and the Discord, and as far as I know the Blizzard don't seem to have that. Otherwise, this team would be in tier 3 or maybe even tier 2.

Speaking of Tier 3, let's see who I've put in what I like to call the "meh" tier.

TIER 3

THE NEW ENGLAND WOLFPACK Wolfpack

First things first, what the fuck is with that logo? The wolf looks really off and I'm really not a fan of that shade of green. Other than that, they're really meh. Just like the Stampede, I don't see anything in this team that makes them stand out to me, they seem fairly mediocre. Nothing more to be said here.

THE TEXAS RENEGADES Renegades

The Renegades have the same problem as the Wolfpack - they just don't stand out to me. At least the logo and colors are better than New England's. Who knows, maybe they'll pick me and then prove me wrong. Right now though, they've solidified their spot in Tier 3.

THE SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE pride

Okay so first things first, the Pride are pretty bad. I'd much prefer a team that's actually good - winning is one of the most important things to me, and I don't want to be stuck on a losing team (though things may be looking up for them in the future) Other than that, there's really nothing special about them. The logo's cool, I guess.
THE TORONTO NORTH STARS

Once again, nothing interesting to be said here. Toronto isn't a particularly interesting team to me. They seem to be among the weaker teams right now, and I don't think I know anyone there (which applies to a lot of teams). The logo is one of the best in the league though, I'll give them that. I really like how they incorporated the CN Tower into it.

Alright, Tier 3 was kinda boring, now let's get to the Tier 2 teams!

TIER 2

THE MANHATTAN RAGE Rage

The first team of Tier 2 is the Manhattan Rage. One of the main reasons why I want to play for the Rage is because they were the first SHL team to contact me, which gives them a few bonus points in my mind. Another reason is that one of my teammates on the Whalers this season, Reginald McIntyre, now plays for the Rage. He's a pretty cool dude, and I wouldn't mind being on a team with him again. The Rage seem like they would be a pretty alright team to play for, which gets them a spot in Tier 2.

THE CALGARY DRAGONS Dragons

You can't really go wrong with the team that won the championship just two seasons ago, can you? The Dragons are one of the best teams in the SHL, with some legendary players like Esa Anrikkanen. They're one of the most succesful franchises in the SHL, which makes them a very good potential team - as I said earlier, one of the most important factors for me when looking at which teams I'd prefer is how good the team is, and the Dragons are goooood. The only reason they're not Tier 1 is because I don't think I really know anyone on the Dragons that well. Also, the name Dragons is cool.

THE LOS ANGELES PANTHERS Panthers

Similarly to the Dragons, the Los Angeles Panthers are this high on my list because they're one of the best teams in the league, having reached the Challenge Cup Finals this season. This is already enough to land them pretty high on the list. I also really like their logo and colours - the color scheme seems really interesting to me - it gives off a very beach-y vibe, which fits LA well - and the Minnesota Wild logo is my favorite in the NHL, so I like LAP's as well. LA's players seem to be pretty nice, which also helps with their ranking. 

THE MINNESOTA CHIEFS Chiefs

Oh look, another very good team in Tier 2! What a surprise! The Chiefs are a very strong team, having won the Eastern Conference last season, and are one of the main cup contenders right now. The Chiefs also have some pretty sick branding, being the only team in the SHL that seems to have actually done something good with green as their primary color. The Wild are one of my favorite NHL teams, so the Chiefs being from Minnesota also gives them some bonus points (sadly there's no team in Ohio since my favorite team is the Blue Jackets). 

Alright, now time for Tier 1! These are the teams where I'd want to get drafted the most.

TIER 1

THE WINNIPEG JETS Jets

To start off Tier 1, we have the Winnipeg Jets. Best branding in the league, hands down. Name and logo, though not exactly original, are still absolutely fantastic. The Jets are also one of my favorite NHL teams (I can like two central teams, ok?), which gives them some bonus point. On top of that, a couple of my teammates on Team Latvia also happen to be on the Jets, so I already know some people there. All of these factors combined make Winnipeg one of my preferred destinations on draft day.

THE SEATTLE RIOT Riot

The Seattle Riot are a team that, from what I've heard, is on the rise after rebuilding, which means that if I get drafted there, when I get to the SHL there's a chance it'll be right near the beginning of their window if everything goes well for the team. Some of my teammates on the Whalers seem to also want to go to Seattle, and if I get to play with them there then that makes Seattle an even better destination for me. Also, I'm a big fan of their logo and colours, it just seems very fitting for the team (although I feel as if the Riot and Whalers should switch names and logos).

THE WEST KENDALL PLATOON Platoon

I've been ranking most of the good teams quite high on my list so this one was obvious. West Kendall have just come off a cup win, which already puts them at a high spot on most players' lists. I have also heard a lot of good things about their locker room, which, as I mentioned while talking about Edmonton, is very important to me. I'm also friends with their GM, which makes the Platoon even more attractive to me. The branding is pretty nice too.

THE HAMILTON STEELHAWKS Steelhawks

The Steelhawks are, personally, the team that I would want to play for the most in the SHL. First of all, they're a good team. Second of all, similarly to the Platoon, I've heard that their locker room is very friendly, which is also a big plus. I'm also a big fan of their logo and their team colors, which remind me of the Jets (the NHL ones). And the final reason as to why I've put them as my #1 is their GM, Teddy, who was also the GM of the Whalers becoming the GM of the Hawks. Teddy is a great guy, and I'd love to play on a team with him again. Plus, there's also a decent chance some of my current teammates also end up on the Steelhawks.

1686 words
Reply
#2

No particular reason to call them up except we were forced to

but ya know who cares about context

[Image: sIjpJeQ.png]
[Image: KPt6Yuu.png]





Reply
#3

Buffalo Stampede living rent free in your dome
Reply
#4

Panthers

[Image: NiclasWastlund26.gif]
#40 Niclas Wastlund - W - VANCOUVER WHALERS Whalers / MINNESOTA MONARCHS Monarchs
[Image: vlPUU9v.png][Image: ammBPLt.png][Image: rnZeas5.png][Image: V9MXpXR.png]

Reply
#5

It was your gm who voted to suspend our player forcing us to call up two players, no?

[Image: blurrybad.jpg] [Image: zomboy3.png]
Thank you Brandon, Fish, GeckoeyGecko, Karey, Kit, takethehorizon, and Ragnar for the sigs!
[Image: Pw202QP.jpeg]


Player Page || Update page
Reply
#6

Platoon :champcamp:

[Image: JbAlQ9E.png]
Reply
#7

Why the second player though.

[Image: LB6bY06.gif] [Image: tanner.png]
Reply
#8

A well written article, nice job. Let me give you a word of advice - don’t listen to the forum based circlejerk. We’ve got a great group of guys and we’re a tight knit group.

We don’t have a pick to get you, but try not to perpetuate the garbage that you hear. Come to conclusions yourself.

Good luck in the draft.

AuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAuroraAurora
[Image: vb2mTMZ.jpeg]
[Image: 1n0REYx.png]

RIP Dangel. See you on the other side, brother
Reply
#9

If you don't like green and gold, then as an Australian, I regret that I am legally required to despise you. Tongue

[Image: avakaelsig.gif]


Reply
#10

Good luck in the draft man
Reply
#11

Oof. Harsh words from someone I've never heard of.

Gl in the shl
Reply




Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)




Navigation

 

Extra Menu

 

About us

The Simulation Hockey League is a free online forums based sim league where you create your own fantasy hockey player. Join today and create your player, become a GM, get drafted, sign contracts, make trades and compete against hundreds of players from around the world.