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Changing of the Guard (Stevens Edition)
#1
(This post was last modified: 09-18-2018, 03:46 PM by DeletedAtUserRequest.)

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Change is part of the cycle of activity in the SHL.. but change has been slow to come by when talking about the league's top defenders. In modern times players like Garbanzo, Wolker, Kaiser, Dover, Clayton and Weber have dominated the discussion.. and of late names like Zander Rhyes, Matthew Leetch, and Alexis Metzler have joined that level of defender... and within this group of 9 you could find your Scott Stevens nominees for any of the past 10 seasons! But here in S43 a new group of defenders have emerged from below to claim there place within the elite, looking to change the landscape of the defensive position. Lets take a look at the SHL's new defensive superstars.




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Isak Ødegård/Minnesota Chiefs/1498 TPE

Minnesota has been one of the better teams in the SHL during Ødegård's 6 season career. A tenor that boasts 6 out of 7 post season appearances, 2 trips to the finals and a championship ring in S39! This success has allowed the top pick in 36 to blend in and contribute at a moderate pace on a blue line which showcased all world talent like Alonzo Garbanzo, Fedor Shibirokov and Noctis Caelum. But season 42 was a transition year for the franchise, especially at the blue line where Garbanzo's age began to show, Caelum was traded and Shibirokov left in free agency. With much of the old guard wiped out the franchise looked towards Ødegård to help lead the Chiefs to a new future. 

With a third of the season gone Minnesota is sitting in 2nd place and a lot of that credit goes to the organization for shifting their players into the correct slots within the lineup while bringing in some good talent in the offseason. But what may be there smartest move is handing the keys over to Ødegård who has done it all on the ice scoring 16 points in 15 games along side 25 blocks, 7 power play points and 35 PKM!  Numbers which over a full season put him in the Stevens award discussion. Isak is playing allot of minutes so time will tell if his endurance is up to the task...but with a 1500 player build and 2 and a half seasons until regression,  Ødegård is now a name to fear when the Chiefs come to town.



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Thè Dude/Texas Renegades/1194 TPE

The Texas Renegades continue to surprise in the standings as they currently hold down a playoff slot in a difficult Western Conference. The bulk of their success lies with 'opportunity' and their players being up to the task when it presents itself. and that is no more prevalent then in the Renegades defensive unit where 'the Dude' has seized control of a young blue line with dominant end to end play on the ice!  The Scarecrow standout has always been revered as an up and coming talent but he's been a nightmare for opposing defenders scoring 20 points while handing out 28 hits, 24 blocks, 7 power play points and 37 PKM in just 15 games! Video game type numbers which may be unsustainable but eye-opening none the less. With 1200 TPE in just his 5th season of play.. the future of the SHL blue line is here.



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Jack Tanner/San Fransisco Pride/1350 TPE

Pride is on the way in San Fransisco with a draft class that looks poised to make their mark in the near future. and while most of their hope lies with their prospects there is a bright spot on the active roster and that player is Jack Tanner. The 2nd pick in the S37 draft has gone through a franchise rebrand and a franchise rebuild... and now he's doing his part to spear head a franchise rebirth with his stellar play on the ice. Through 15 games Tanner has scored 6 goals, 9 assists, 26 blocks and 39 PKM! and while its true that someone has to rack up stats on a rebuilding team.. Jacks stats are leading to victories as SFP has won 5 of their 7 games at home and sit just 4 points out of a Western Conference playoff spot!  The Tanner era has officially begun and with 1350 TPE and 5 more seasons until regression, the Irish blue liner should be in his prime when the reinforcements arrive.



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Clint Eastwood/Seattle Riot/1205 TPE

The change in Clint Eastwoods game coincides with the change in Eastwoods maturity as a player. The Kelowna Knights product came into the league in S36 as a defensive defenceman with an eye for fighting. There were no aspirations of becoming an asset on offense or a high TPE earner as Clint took pride in being a glue guy in the clubhouse. His time in San Fransisco wasnt a productive one.. the team was going threw a horrific rebuild due to a multi season punishment tapped down from the league. Out manned and outskilled the only asset SFP had to offer was a ton of ice time.. So they through Eastwood out there for 25+ minutes a game over a 4 year span and while the individual numbers didn't resonate, Clint learned what it took to be a skilled player in this league.

Eastwoods trade to Seattle came at the right time. The Riot cleaned up his player build and through him into a high leverage role at a time when Clint was ready for it. The results were immediate and emphatic.. 40 points 120 hits, 90 blocks and a Aiden Richan award for most improved player!  Seattle has been a black hole for those who want to play in the post season, but here in 43 an improved Riot roster sits just 3 points out of a playoff spot and Eastwood is playing a big role in that with his SIM friendly game.. projecting towards a 47 point, 110 hit, 90 block season.. Eastwood has become more then just a high pick in fantasy leagues. This is a serious defender on the ice.



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Finn Krüger/Hamilton Steelhawks/1589 TPE

Fin Krüger was the Erik Karlsson of the SMJHL back in the mid 30's. A freakish athlete at the blue line who Colorado built their offense around. Krüger was the 1st defender off the board in 35 and all eyes were on him to become that perennial Stevens award caliber player at the next level.  Fins been a reliable defender for WKP with some good numbers and a Challenge cup trophy to his credit.. but its fair to say that his production did not match his skill set, hype and TPE rate through the first 5 seasons of his career. Not all of it was on Kruger... Playing on the same line as LKS who's one of the highest TPE earners ever to play in the SHL didnt help. and some of it was the WKP style of play...

Looking to reach his potential Kruger signed with Hamilton where he moved out of the shadows and into a primary role on the teams first unit with as much playing time as he can handle! The move has paid off as a freed up Fin Kruger has begun to display the type of talent that made him a can't miss player. On the ice Kruger boasts 19 points, 31 Hits, 45 PKM and a +10 in just 16 games of play.... With a player build projected to cross over the 1800 mark before regression this could be Hamilton's build around player for the next handful of seasons.




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#2

Nice article! I liked the part about me Wink

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Clint Eastwood, Jun 10 2018,  09:36 AM Wrote:Can't buy love, but love can buy a lot.
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#3

Very nice write up!

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#4

It's the Stevens year baby, you know it. Great write-up Izz.

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#5

yes
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#6

Excuse me but Buffalo leg end Brynjar Tusk is the star of that Renegade blueline

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#7

Eastwood for Stevens
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#8

Nice article Izzy. Kruger for Stevens Smile

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#9

Mäkelä :zoomeyes:

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3. Buffalo Stampede , Eduard Selich 5 (Maximilian Wachter, Alexis Metzler) at 16:25
5. Buffalo Stampede , Eduard Selich 6 (Steven Stamkos Jr., Brynjar Tusk) at 19:48
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#10

*Cries*

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#11

i may be old but I am still gud.
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#12

Nice post Izzy! Ilike

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#13
(This post was last modified: 09-19-2018, 05:18 PM by DeletedAtUserRequest.)

09-18-2018, 05:29 PMTomen Wrote: Mäkelä :zoomeyes:

Yeah he’s definitely moved up a tier this season, playing some great virtual hockey. Bob Bergen has stepped up as well.. so has Gary Gease ...and Connor Tanner (even though he’s started off slow) exciting times for the defensive position in the SHL.

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#14

Single handedly ruining our tank. Bench Tanner.

Nice article Izzy.

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