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***boom*** · 09-03-2020, 07:53 PM

[4291 words, ready for grading]

With the dust settled from expansion, it’s time to take another deep dive back into the SMJHL team rosters to figure out some big questions: Who’s leaving? Who will the teams rely on next season? What roster spots need filling? As usual for these pieces, all TPE is as of the August 29-30 update, rookies are in bold, and any DFAs signed and emergency backup goalies are left off. As always, any S53 players are left on the roster projections as while it’s 99% assumed that they’re gone, there will always be the odd waiver candidate. Also, as it’s a non-Reddit draft coming up and every team has their own 7th-10th round picks, I just ignored those rounds and treated it as a 6-round draft. Finally, with expansion looming, it’s possible that more players than expected will be called up to the SHL to plug holes on teams, including some potential S54 players.

Anaheim Outlaws Outlaws

Age departures: C Grant Thurber (247)
Rookies: W “Long” John Donair (248), W Walter Burke (246), W Thomas Rose (241), G Edward Teach (236), D Karl Schaufelberger (217)
Picks: Own 1st, MET 2nd, Own 3rd, MET 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th.

C: Ethan Price (729), Hubert Andrews (406), James Boxman II (355)
W: Ryu Jones (478), Ziggy Tambo (324), Thomas Rose (241), Walter Burke (233), “Long” John Donair (232), Rinako Yukikami (186), Jonas Muller (181)
D: Emilia Bergman (647), Joorgustrad DuBolk (466), James LeBlond (425), Chet Hillier (281), Karl Schaufelberger (217)
G: Separa Borro (436), Edward Teach (236)

Anaheim put up a strong side last year by going to the SMJHL finals where they fell to Carolina and had another strong start, but this wasn’t really their year as the Outlaws slid into the playoffs this season as the likely seventh seed. Seeing the end of this team’s core coming, the GM duo of BDonini and Nykonax opted to retool, selling off first-line centre Rikard Hammarberg and fifth-year defenseman Ulrik Bergstrom as rentals for draft picks. Ethan Price had an excellent season with 44 points and James LeBlond wasn’t far behind with 38 points, but this is a roster in transition. Ethan Price is gone to the New England Wolfpack next season and Separa Borro will go to either the Minnesota Chiefs or some other team in expansion. Grant Thurber is also gone as a fifth-year player and his 15 points will be missed, but he largely didn’t move the needle for them. There are some pretty nice pieces left, though; Emilia Bergman, Joorgustrad DuBolk and James LeBlond form a nice defensive core with Karl Schaufelberger coming up behind, and Hubert Andrews and James Boxman II will be a good 1-2 punch down the middle for the next couple seasons. The main area of growth is on the wing, where the Outlaws are trotting out a trio of rookies in Thomas Rose, Walter Burke and “Long” John Donair, all of whom are earning nicely. If their development continues on this pace, Anaheim could be back in contention nicely.

Draft needs: Anaheim needs to decide if Edward Teach is their guy in net. He’s earning nicely at 236 TPE, but only has $320,000 in his bank account. Other than that, some more rookies to supplement their young wingers as well as improved centre depth would go a long way.

Anchorage Armada Armada

Age departures: C Cyril Vyskoc (357), W Ryan Cvitkovich (356)
Rookies: W Slava Petrov (298), W Vladimir Petrov (297), D Michael Withecheck (284), G Chimkin Tendy (249), W Lemo Pihl (237), W Colin Fuhr (227), W Halldor Ragnarsson (190)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, ANA 2nd, CAR 3rd, DET 3rd, Own 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Santtu Rasanen (582)
W: Thorbjorn Gunnarson (542), Theo Kondos (488), TURG TURG (434), Chris de Siren (421), Taylor Gervais (303), Slava Petrov (298), Vladimir Petrov (297), Lemo Pihl (237), Colin Fuhr (227), Halldor Ragnarsson (190)
D: Bork Lazer (648), Matthew Sawful (644), Pojo Biscuit (571), Alexei Petrikov (526), Igor Victory (438), Michael Withecheck (284)
G: Scoochie Stratton (651), Chimkin Tendy (249)

Anchorage has one of the deepest defenses in the SMJHL, with a projected five defensemen at 425 TPE and a 425 TPE goalie going into next season, along with Michael Withecheck likely reaching 350 TPE for S56. The defense will be fine, especially with Stratton putting up a historic season in net with GAA and save percentage numbers not seen since the days of Matt Lewis-Flood. Even if Matthew Sawful or Bork Lazer get called up as a result of New England’s or New Orleans’ expansion draft losses, Anchorage should be able to push through without either of them, though issues may arise if both leave. The main issue for the Armada will likely be on offense. While he’s essentially inactive, Santtu Rasanen likely has too much TPE to risk waivers on for the Manhattan Rage and will likely be called up after the season or claimed in expansion. Thorbjorn Gunnarson may also go up to the San Francisco Pride, as his team-friendly contract going into next season as the co-GM’s player will be a valuable asset to deal with San Francisco’s brutal cap crunch. There are still some pretty useful pieces up front with a strong cast of young wingers led by Theo Kondos and TURG TURG, plus Chris de Siren back for one last ride as an inactive player. If the offense can produce next season, the Armada will be a very strong contender with that defensive core.

The main draft need for Anchorage appears to be at centre. Their defensive core is set for now with no room to add, but if Rasanen leaves the Armada have no natural centres on the roster and will need to replenish their depth at that position.

Carolina Kraken Kraken

Age departures: D Ulrik Bergstrom (496)
Rookies: C Aleksander Kozlov (301), W Grape Fruit (263), G Ragnar-Alexandre Ragnarsson-Tremblay (223), W Adrian Ayers (210 TPE)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, Own 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Linus Grimstad (511), Bobby Bergen (333), Aleksander Kozlov (301)
W: Jimmy Wagner (862), Dwight Knight (682), Vitek Vitecek (613), Kwame Dakari (568), Panda Panico (551), Stein Nilsen (350), Vincent Wolfe (345), Grape Fruit (263), Paddy Kane-Reilly II (212), Adrian Ayers (210)
D: Ambacas Cuddles (836), Axel Foley (487), Adam Friedland (486), Conner Hutton (485), Ben van Dijk (446)
G: Blunt Man (377), Ragnar-Alexandre Ragnarsson-Tremblay (223)

Carolina is another team facing some major losses after this season, but they also have a fairly solid core to build around for the future as well. Offensive stalwart and captain Jimmy Wagner is gone to the SHL after this season, as are top defensemen Ambacas Cuddles and Ben van Dijk. Dwight Knight may also leave after three seasons with the Kraken to help the Tampa Bay Barracuda with their rebuild, as well as teammate Panda Panico, though these have not yet been confirmed. Adam Friedland, Axel Foley and Conner Hutton form a solid trio to anchor a defense for next season, and MVP candidate Linus Grimstad will look to lead the offense once again. The rookie class for the Kraken is small, but Aleksander Kozlov and Grape Fruit are solid offensive pieces and Ragnarsson-Tremblay is a solid if slow earner as the backup goalie. Adrian Ayers is another potential piece that could be a contributor on offense, but his Ace-related holdout will need to be resolved first.

Carolina’s main area to restock is on defense, as only three rearguards will be left on the roster after this season. Depending on who departs from the forward corps as well, there will be some replacements up front as well.

Colorado Raptors Raptors

Age departures: D Bryce Turner (372)
Rookies: C Rock Strongo (298), C Josh Dolphin (247), G Marcel Laflamme (230), W Eero Makinen Jr., (225), G Tyrone Banks (161)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, Own 3rd, Own 4th, DET 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Jean-Uthred Ragnarsson-Tremblay (601), Mack Daddy (486), Lord Raiden (451), Rock Strongo (298), Josh Dolphin (247)
W: Sven Svenson (834), Carlos Brown (620), Asclepius Perseus Flitterwind (483), Guomundur Kristjansson (456), Juni Panda (359), Hiroshi Ohira (351), Eero Makinen Jr. (225)
D: Bradley Barkov (703), Aumy Jr. (652), Terrence Smith (444), Anrijs Asts (393), Jed Mosley Jr. (333)
G: Jerry Huuveri (663), Marcel Laflamme (230), Tyrone Banks (161) (he didn't play, but from what I can tell he was actually signed and not a EBUG)

Colorado won the division this season led by a 47-point effort from winger Sven Svenson, and are looking to make a run with this core before a retool becomes necessary. Svenson will be headed up to the SHL, and San Francisco’s 2-season extension is a big piece of their rebuild. Carlos Brown is also gone, a possible expansion claim after he was left unprotected by the Edmonton Blizzard. Bradley Barkov is also decamping to Calgary, and while he is essentially inactive, Jerry Huuveri will be the final departure from the S53 class as he will be called up to be Tampa Bay’s new starter with the retirement of franchise goalie Benjamin Blue. Colorado still boasts some great depth down the middle with Jean-Uthred Ragnarsson-Tremblay, one of the best defensive forwards in the league, and 425 TPE studs Mack Daddy and Lord Raiden for more of an offensive punch. On the back end, Aumy Jr. will lead the defensive effort as a 425 TPE player, backed by Terrence Smith and Anrijs Asts also at or nearing 425 TPE.

Colorado’s main priority this season should be finding replacements for Svenson and Brown on the wing, as both were 40-point players in their peak seasons for the Raptors and won’t be easy to replace. Added defensive depth would also help out to take some pressure off the top four. Colorado is fine at centre, but similar to Anaheim, they need to decide quickly if Marcel Laflamme is their goalie of the future. While Laflamme is at 230 TPE, he has no money to earn further and hasn’t been quite as active. Colorado has the depth at centre and defense to make noise in the playoffs, so if they can get a top-earning goalie in the draft that could propel them on a deep run.

Detroit Falcons Falcons

Age departures: C Luke McMaster (474), G Ron Johnson (158)
Rookies: D Evangelos Giannopoulos (284), W Yngve Simonsson (278), C Daedalus James (245), G Valtteri Aalto (236), C Monkey Mann Jr. (232), W Cenek Iqbal (223), D Anna Maier (211), D Oliver Setzinger (182), D Gustav Gustavson III (167)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Edward Williams (845), Sammy Blaze (396), Taisto Jutila (366), Daedalus James (245), Monkey Mann Jr. (232)
W: Burlok Sulfurgold (819), Zoltan Topalo (756), Frederick Wanesly (553), Zakkira Diporov (412), Yngve Simonsson (278), Cenek Iqbal (223)
D: Joseph Fantobens (549), Kolja Kekkonen (422), Michael Lee (360), Evangelos Giannopoulos (284), Toki Wartooth (270), Anna Maier (211), Oliver Setzinger (182), Gustav Gustavson III (167)
G: Thor Odinson (555), Valtteri Aalto (236)

The vaunted S53 draft class, which produced one of the best teams the SMJHL has ever seen, is dead. It’s a bit of a sad ending for a team that could have strung together two incredible seasons with the talent they had, but a Cup erases the pain. Burlok Sulfurgold, Zoltan Topalo, and Edward Williams are gone to the SHL, with the inactive Frederick Wanesly potentially following as an expansion claim or up to Tampa. Inactive Luke McMaster, who put up 26 points in one last ride, is also gone as a fifth-year player. There are still some really good pieces to get excited about, as Sammy Blaze and Zakkira Diporov should form a great top line at 425 TPE each, and rookies like Yngve Simonsson, Daedalus James and Monkey Mann Jr. are developing nicely up front. The defense is still led by Fantobens and Kekkonen along with inactive 5th-years Michael Lee and Toki Wartooth, and Evangelos Giannopoulos is keeping pace nicely as a rookie defenseman. In net, Thor Odinson will remain the starter and Valtteri Aalto has been a nice surprise as the 57th pick.

Detroit’s main area of need is pretty simple: they need draft picks. Even from a pure quantity perspective, they don’t have enough picks in a non-Reddit draft to draft rookies to replace the players the Falcons are losing, and that’s before getting into the fact that Detroit traded away their 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks in separate transactions. With Tig leaving for the SHL’s newest team in the Seattle Argonauts, the next GM will have a job to do quickly evaluating the situation and making moves before the SMJHL draft comes around. After that, the main area of need will be wingers, as the Falcons will only have three or four on the roster from this group after callups.

Kelowna Knights Knights

Age departures: D Noah Nystrom (369), W Theo Golury (353)
Rookies: W Patrik Money (259), D Mikhael Petrov (258), W Kynwyl Pearce (243), G Damien Vertigo (230), W Logan Wong (202), C Viesturs Grabeklis (192)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, DET 2nd, Own 3rd, Own 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Ethan Duncan (855), Rocco Berni (847), Daniel Laforest (669), Viesturs Grabeklis (192)
W: Jaska Seppala (847), Rotticus Scott (632), Justin Keahi (618), Simon Takshak (527), James Hagan (405), Patrik Money (259), Kynwyl Pearce (243), Logan Wong (202)
D: Teddy Park (457), Chris Goodname (456), Devin Williams (417), Fleetway Super Sonic (356), Mikhael Petrov (258)
G: Peter Ramsey (407), Damien Vertigo (230)

Kelowna is one of the teams more heavily impacted by departures this offseason, with Ethan Duncan, Jaska Seppala, Rocco Berni and Justin Keahi headed for the SHL and Noah Nystrom and Theo Golury aging out. The Knights have a very deep roster and it is showing in these ongoing playoffs with a 2-0 lead over the upstart Nevada BattleBorn in their first-round playoff series, but it will be the last ride for this team’s core before some retooling may become necessary. If they aren’t called up next season, Daniel Laforest and Rotticus Scott will be the centrepieces of the Kelowna offense, with 41- and 24-point seasons respectively. The defense will be led by the trio of Teddy Park, Chris Goodname and the retired-but-not-actually-retired Devin Williams at the 425 TPE level, with Fleetway Super Sonic and Mikhael Petrov also filling out the back end. In net, it’ll be Peter Ramsey’s net again for the next couple seasons.

The Knights’ main priority this offseason will likely be offense, as five of their losses are from the forward core. The defense is mostly solid with Teddy Park, Chris Goodname and Devin Williams forming a great core, and Peter Ramsey has two more seasons, so forward is the main area of improvement.

Maine Timber Timber

Age departures: None
Rookies: C Calvin Hobbes (270), W Lucas Johansson (261)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 3rd, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Rikard Hammarberg (759), Patrick Shepherd (516), Walton Stromberg (469), Konrad Danke (374), Calvin Hobbes (270)
W: Kyle Sutton (505), Alexander Oscarsson (477), Alex Marshall (468), Lucas Hellquist (388), Jesse Seppanen (360), Victor Ball (340), Lucas Johansson (261)
D: Valentin Kalashnikov (805), Mikkel Asmus Sondergard (664), Rikard Bjerg (492), Adrik Baranov (429), Will Windsor (377), Nathan Thomas (274), Hennesey-Gallchobhar O’McGuiness (238)
G: Leo Bloomfield (375), Keisuke Suzuki (270)

Maine is a team with the fortune to be losing only a few players to the SHL and none to age, as much of their core is from the past three drafts, similar to Vancouver. Rikard Hammarberg will be off to Hamilton in the offseason, and Valentin Kalashnikov is bound for the Baltimore Platoon. There is also a rumour that Mikkel Asmus Sondergard will be called up to the Texas Renegades following the season, though this is unknown as of yet.What’s left behind is one of the deepest rosters in the SMJHL, with most of the roster being at the 425 TPE cap. Even without those two, Patrick Shepherd and Walton Stromberg form an incredibly deep 1-2 punch at centre, led by top-flight 425 TPE wingers in Kyle Sutton, Alex Oscarsson, Alex Marshall and others. On the back end, SHL first overall pick Rikard Bjerg will anchor the defense, and if Sondergard returns he’ll be a bonus as well. The depth is filled out by Adrik Baranov, Will Windsor, and Nathan Thomas. In net, Leo Bloomfield will return for one more shot at a Four Star Cup, with Keisuke Suzuki likely also seeing some time.

Maine doesn’t have many spots to fill on the roster, so the draft strategy for them will likely pretty much be a best-player-available plan. Defense is the one area to add if Sondergard ends up leaving.

Nevada BattleBorn

Age departures: None
Rookies: D Sachimo Zoidberg III (295), D Bane (282), C Raivo Helminen (281), G Phillip Weaver (280), D Tanjiro Kamado (273), W Alexis Vermette (273), D Grandmaster Funk (271), W Chad Danger (254), D Vili Afalava (243), G C.K. Supernaw (223), W Kenji Sugimoto (208), C Oskar Baldus (194)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Raivo Helminen (281), Chris Cerullo (269), Gavin Wallace (234), Oskar Baldus (194)
W: Zelma Zuntnere (381), James Kimanje (312), Alexis Vermette (273), Chad Danger (254), Noah Johns II (254), Kenji Sugimoto (208), Biggs Secksy (192), Moritz Muller (180)
D: Leonids Balzams (406), Sachimo Zoidberg III (295), Bane (282), Tanjiro Kamado (273), Grandmaster Funk (271), Sammy Koa (265), Vili Afalava (243)
G: Phillip Weaver (280), C.K. Supernaw (223)

It was a season of growing pains for the BattleBorn, but there’s a lot of promise to be had with this roster as many of them are rookies with a lot of room to improve. In net, Phillip Weaver is looking like a franchise goalie who stole games for Nevada, while C.K. Supernaw is another young backup option. The defense is led by Leonids Balzams as the elder statesman to lead top-earning rookies Sachimo Zoidberg III, Bane, Tanjiro Kamada, and Grandmaster Funk, while Vili Afalava and Sammy Koa provide depth. Nevada has a pretty promising 1C in Raivo Helminen, and on the wings the offense is led by Zelma Zuntnere and James Kimanje, backed up by rookies Alexis Vermette and Chad Danger.

Nevada has a pretty obvious issue: their centre depth is atrocious, with Helminen and undrafted free agent Oskar Baldus being the only active player at that position. They’ll need to invest one and maybe two early picks into gaining a high-earning player down the middle.

Newfoundland Berserkers

Age departures: None
Rookies: D Jonas Kahnwald (298), W Vaseline Podcalzone (257)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, STL 2nd, VAN 2nd, Own 3rd, NBB 3rd, Own 4th, NBB 4th, VAN 4th, ANA 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Guy LeGrande (626), Mats Marner (606), Matthew Forrester (525), Lassi Suhonen (407)
W: Steve Harrington (890), Ryuuji Minamino (876), Patric Twist (602), Andrei Kostitsyn (587), Liam Slate (501), Mattias Birdstrom (439), Niccolo Livius (439), Vaseline Podcalzone (257)
D: Jack Klompus (652), Elias Kierkegaard (537), Tinke Jutila (439), PBJ Souppan (425), Renji Atake (411), Jonas Kahnwald (298)
G: Cale Amundsen (592), Junior Guarda (247)

Newfoundland’s stacked roster is making a deep playoff run this season, but a slight retool is coming up. Wingers Steve Harrington and Ryuuji Minamino will be called up to Buffalo and Chicago respectively in the offseason, with Patric Twist and Andrei Kostitsyn on the bubble of being called up. Guy LeGrande could also be a callup depending on how Edmonton’s expansion draft goes, but there’s a good chance he’ll return for one more season. On the back end, Jack Klompus is a potential call-up to the Minnesota Chiefs, but make no mistake this will still be an extremely deep roster.
Newfoundland has an absurd amount of draft capital to play with this offseason thanks to repeatedly trading down in previous drafts, and more trades back could be in the works for when the Berserkers need to eventually start replacing their S54 class. A backup goalie is another potential draft need, as Cale Amundsen is in his last season with Newfoundland and Junior Guarda has gone inactive.

Quebec City Citadelles

Age departures: None
Rookies: D Teylora Petrov (298), D Boris Petrov (272), W Zdenko Beranek (268), D Jasper Maximov (263), W William Salming (260), G Mat Smith (256), D Max Goodman (255), W Kev Kevens (250), Jst Maro (238), D Yuuto Kira Cloudera Jr. (226), W Tres Sombreros (220), G David Danielson (218), W Zach Dolphin (206), D Julian Cunningham (199), W Jonas Caspari (182), W Bobov Petrov (172), W Kyosti Karjalainen (170)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 2nd, Own 3rd, ANC 3rd, Own 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Sven Gunnar (380), Stan Q. Next (308), Jst Maro (238)
W: Ryan Rieley (452), Zdenko Beranek (268), William Salming (260), Kev Kevens (250), Tres Sombreros (220), Zach Dolphin (206), Jonas Caspari (182), Bobov Petrov (172), Kyosti Karjalainen (170)
D: Teylora Petrov (298), Boris Petrov (272), Jasper Maximov (263), Max Goodman (255), Yuuto Kira Cloudera Jr. (226), Julian Cunningham (199)
G: Mat Smith (256), David Danielson (218)

Quebec had a successful season by their standards for an expansion team this season, upsetting seventh-seeded Anaheim in the first round before being promptly dispatched by the Newfoundland Berserkers in four straight games. The roster has a ton of room to grow this season as well, with top centre Alexander Roach the only departure as he is called up to the Buffalo Stampede. The middle of the ice will be patrolled by S55 players Sven Gunnar and Stan Q. Next, along with rookie Jst Maro who was a steal in the draft in the sixth round. On the wings, Ryan Rieley is back for another go alongside young rookies like first overall pick Zdenko Beranek, William Salming, Kev Kevens and others. The defense is made up of six rookies, with the Petrov brothers Teylora and Boris leading the way, and in net Mat Smith has emerged as the starter. With 17 rookies on the roster, the Citadelles roster will only continue to get better and better, especially as with their signings they can afford to trade back in the draft to stockpile picks for future drafts.

Quebec doesn’t have much in the area of draft needs, as basically the whole team is in the S56 class. The bottom half of the winger corps isn’t great and the team does need a 4C, but nothing else is critical.

St. Louis Scarecrows

Age departures: C Trey Nets (353)
Rookies: C Xavier Doom (276), W Zbynek Dobrovsky (272), D Bud Weiser (242), D Jimmy Dekens (241), D Matty David (234), W Jeff Nips (157)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 3rd, Own 4th, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Grapefruit Lizard (339), Xavier Doom (276), Cody Spinka (256), Brandt Underton (190)
W: Eric Hudson (824), Kriss Darzins (675), Young Logo (381), Pavel Kharlamov (379), Zbynek Dobrovsky (272), Juli Schneider (192), Jeff Nips (157)
D: Erben Kasius (788), Colin Lambert (492), Elwulf Jericson (484), Bud Weiser (242), Jimmy Dekens (241), Matty David (234)
G: Nicolae Antonescu (432), Richard Majors (273)

St. Louis is in a bit of a tough spot this offseason. Franchise faces like Eric Hudson, Kriss Darzins and Erben Kasius are headed off to the SHL, and their past few drafts have had mixed results. Colin Lambert and Elwulf Jericson will form a great top pairing on defense, Nicolae Antonescu had pretty good results in net, and he’ll have to perform with the losses on offense. Down the middle, Grapefruit Lizard broke out with a 37-point season but is inactive, so second overall pick Xavier Doom will be relied upon to carry more of the load next season. St. Louis has quite a few picks while only missing a 2nd, so they have a solid amount of draft capital to patch holes on the roster. Another issue that isn’t seen on the roster is a potential decline of activity in the LR as mentioned by some people who are inside the room, so while it’s a fixable issue it’s something to keep an eye on.

As for draft needs, the Scarecrows need a little of everything. St. Louis only has one active centre on the roster and only three active wingers for next season. As mentioned above with the LR, the Scarecrows may want to focus on character guys who will be active in the LR and get people engaged and talking.

Vancouver Whalers Whalers

Age departures: G Sergei Potvinov (290)
Rookies: D Sarah Burke (290), W KnockedOut ByOvechkin (288), W Valtterri Kauppinen (277), C Rikki Petrov (274), D Zebulon Leavitt (269), C Dee Centerman IV (262), W Markleesio Hopscotch (187)
Picks: Own 1st, Own 3rd, Own 5th, Own 6th

C: Daniil Nikiforov (460), Wile Coyote (305), Rikki Petrov (274), Dee Centerman IV (262)
W: William Hartmann (825), Bryce McMahon (482), Devin Basher (473), Luffy Richard (400), Jason Desrouleaux (394), KnockedOut ByOvechkin (288), Valtterri Kauppinen (277), Markleesio Hopscotch (187)
D: Ryosuke Sato (676), Slimey Snail (495), Johnny Shuffleboard (396), Lonnie O’Donoghue (354), Sarah Burke (290), Zebulon Leavitt (269)
G: Name Redacted (642)

The three-season rebuild is finally bearing fruit. After a franchise-worst 24-point season in S54, the Whalers went out and added seven rookies to the team. Vancouver is in a strong position to compete for a Four Star Cup in S56, with only winger William Hartmann (SHL) and backup goalie Sergei Potvinov (age) leaving the roster and the past few draft classes becoming top contributors on the team. With almost every position on the roster filled by an active player, there’s not a ton for the GMs to go shopping for this time around. As usual, I won’t comment on draft needs on my own team due to strategy, but it’s not much.