Yeah Yeah I know we aren't even at the S73 draft yet! But yah know what - I wanted to cover my class right now and get some hype going for that already! Don't worry S73 - I will get to you soon as well - likely via podcast!

Prospect profile deep dive #1 - SHL Dreams

Approx 1600 words (I think) x 2 media?

DISCLAIMER TO ALL GMS! I forced people to list a 'top 5' destinations for the draft - many of them had said they would be fine with most destinations so please if you are not included do not dis-pare as I made them do it out of my evil heart to make the media more fun - please discuss with each prospective draftee you have interest in - blame the sponge not the other users!

We will see here first as well some of the top destinations pegged by them (please take these sections lightly as per the disclaimer!) but we can see some common themes with even our first 4 players selected for the article with teams like Toronto/ Winnipeg/ Tampa bay making some repeat appearances. It will always be interesting to see what moving and shaking can happen in the draft order as we have some teams near the top in S72 (WPG/ NEW) and others closer to the bottom (TOR/ TB) and where they all end up by the end of S73 heading into the S74 draft. If you look at the standings you can see how quickly teams pull the bottom out and decide now is the time for a rebuild. Looking at the S74 pick list currently our multiple 1st rounder selection teams are...

Toronto - TOR 1st + SFP 1st
Buffalo - BUF 1st + BAP 1st
Seattle - SEA 1st + WPG 1st
Minnesota - MIN 1st + LAP 1st
Philadelphia - PHI 1st + EDM 1st

Interesting to say the least as we have Toronto seeming like a hot destination and Seattle, Minnesota, Philly not called out quite yet. One prospect so far has listed Buffalo as a hope, who could that be?


Dag-Otto Björntjänst - Kenvald
Render: Dag-Otto Flink
Heigh: 6'1" - Weight: 196LB - Södertälje, Sweden
Desired team role: Faceoff specialist - Back Checking Forward
Favourite draft destinations: Winnipeg   - Atlanta   - New England   - Tampa Bay   - Texas  


Our 1st draft profile is the Swedish sensation Dag-Otto Björntjänst - username Kenvald. This mid sized center is entering the draft trying to fill a role that many analysts and media outlets might not think is as exciting as most but is a critical part of any long term successful team. Patrice Bergeron has shown us at the NHL level what a key factor it is to have a center who can play all aspects of the game both offensively and defensively. You know who else has shown this as well?  How about any forward who has been awarded the JEFF DAR TROPHY: Awarded to the best two-way forward. I doubt you can find many people to argue against how important players Like Grogu Mandosson, Andreas Kvalheim, Mikhail Lokitonov or even Dani Forsberg have been to their respective teams success over their careers. Not all of them may have been center (right?) but the importance of having some defensive mindset even on the forward lines is so valuable.

Seeing his posted destination is quite the mix. Having teams posted who are at the top of the league currently and bottom is a nice range for potential destinations. I doubt Dag falls into the mid 1st - but crazier things have happened during drafts I am sure. Winnipeg will be a hard expectation as well since their pick already belongs to Seattle - so maybe picked with Winnipegs pick but just going to Seattle! Doubtful as this guy goes top 5 lets be honest. A player of this mind set and build Id argue is almost more valuable than a top end scorer as everyone wants the glory - few want the grind.

John Peanut - Chevy
Render: N/A
Heigh: 5'11" - Weight: 200 LBS
Desired team role: shutdown or old school defenseman
Favourite draft destinations: Toronto  - Chicago  - Los Angeles  - Tampa bay   - Winnipeg

Much like the last player covered - its not often you see a top end pick wanting to fulfil a role not many would consider. A shut down defenseman doesnt seem important until you dont have one. People don't talk about the Jay O'Neil until you dont have one to match up with your Borje Samuelsson. Despite the fact this player is lined up to be a top 5 as a complete lock - I think the interest in a player with this mindset and role will hold more value than many think. A lot of young/ rebuilding teams always want that star offensive  players to draw the crowds in so maybe we see a few sleep on this player - but the veteran teams won't sleep on what will likely be a cornerstone to any defense.

It has yet to be seen what type of style this player will lean towards as they grow - with a smaller frame they might find it harder to play a more physical game like many may expect and lean towards more key positioning and timely poke checks. The modern game has changed the idea of what makes a shutdown defenseman from the big bodied types to more agile types with the strength to box out and block all the shots.

The teams we see on this players list again is a bit of a mix with some top end teams present - a current bottom feeder or two and really a sprinkle of 1 mid fielder in the mix as well. It will be interesting to see if anyone can actually end up in a Chicago or Winnipeg come draft day - but I think a lot of the re builders will be present and waiting to make a pick.

Mikkel Enevoldsen - Rabidsponge21
Render: Evan Bouchard
Heigh: 6'4" - Weight: 230LBS
Desired team role: All around Defenseman - Two way
Favourite draft destinations: Buffalo , Hamilton , Toronto , New Orleans , Winnipeg

The man - the myth - the hardly a legend has returned to the peoples hockey league. All absolutely no real hype aside - after a few season hiatus I have returned. What a better way to rekindle my love for this league than going outside of the box and making a player I have never tried before - a solid two way defenseman. Never in my career have I made such a player before! All jokes aside - what can I say - I have a thing and that thing is contributing on both ends of the rink if at all possible. A bulky defenseman I am hoping to not be pushed around but still work the puck up the ice so my time in my own zone is one of my lowest stats eventually. What is the total time spent in the minors? Any amount that allows me to not get murdered at the SHL level. You wont see my rushing up but also I dont want to be down forever. I have little knowledge on the current sim so I am hoping to bug whoever drafts me for lots of advice. Plan is to let my minors team build me out for the role they need with my TPE, then when its go time to let the GM pick my role (as long as its not like goon or pure offense with terrible Defense).

Now to the teams I listed. Like many people I am pretty open to almost anywhere. A lot of users have left I might have know - others have moved onto new teams. I don't really have any hard/fast allegiances. Some teams logos are definitely a lot better than others - but thats about my biggest influence as it stands.

I can see confidently that Buffalo is likely my #1 choice on where to end up. Part of that is familiarity with the GM Tomen, the other is because its probably my favourite branding across the league. Shout out to LAP/ Calgary though. I have no idea if the interest is the same - and we are a long way away from our draft but I did want to at least say hi ahead of time.

The other selections are part "Hey I know you!" and part "They seems to be consistently successful" if there is anything I learned from sim league is you want to be joining the majors teams as they are hitting their full stride to avoid your career being dead on arrival, so that is sort of what I am hoping this time around.


Shawn Pawn -  Hockeyiscool
Render: Bob Nystrom
Heigh:6'0" - Weight: 200LBS
Desired team role: To be decided
Favourite draft destinations: Tampa bay   - Texas   - San Francisco


Last on our 1st prospect dive of the S74 is Shawn Pawn - Hockeyiscool. Likely one of the quieter prospects (from what I have seen), for this user that doesnt really seem to matter at all if you look at their last player and how he earned. A mid to smaller sized player Pawn will likely lean more on his positioning and Hockey IQ more than sheer physical prowess to influence the game. Is the name a hint on how they will be used during their career? Just a Pawn to the GMs whim? Or is it more so stating they will be a somewhat disposal but integral piece to everyone set? Likely neither as I see them repeating their TPE journey the same as last time and being a big piece to anyones offense in the future. This could be the most fun part though as we revisit his build and role as we move closer to the Draft in S74 to see what can be found in this current mystery box. Does he slot in as defensive wizard? Maybe he is a sniper waiting to go top cheddah all day long. Only time will tell.

At the time of posting we only received 3 teams for thier list so we will go with what we have. Something must be exciting about that god awful colour schemed tampa team as this is the 3rd time appearing on this list. Logo disaster aside - this team seems to carry some hype around it much like it feels with Toronto - I have seen almost bigger excitement around the Tampa team than any other - maybe I need to educate myself. Long live the pink.


Stay tuned as I hopefully get to more prospect coverage leading up to the S74 SHL draft!

Nice! I can't wait to see the next edition!