With the S56 entry draft completed, I think it’s time to see who were the top 10 picks taken off the board. I’ll be looking at both their TPE count and their individual performance, as well as giving my own opinion as to what I think each player will eventually develop towards.
Round 1
1. Tampa Bay Barracuda - Aleksander Kozlov 316 TPE
Coming in at the coveted number 1 spot is the goal scoring centre Aleksander Kozlov. The 6’02” Russian was considered by many to be the best player available, and it is easy to see why. With 316 TPE headed into the offseason, Kozlov has both a high floor and a high ceiling. In 50 games with Carolina, Aleksander has 10 goals and 8 assists for 18 points. With those excellent offensive numbers for a rookie, he was not relied heavily upon on the defensive side. With 30 hits and 23 shots blocked however, it seems that Kozlov took it upon himself to contribute on both sides of the ice. His main weakness is in his turnovers, with 19 giveaways to 6 takeaways. However despite this Kozlov looks to be a star in the SHL, with Tampa adding another top prospect to their ever increasing prospect pool.
2. Toronto North Stars - Evangelos Giannopoulos 293 TPE
At number 2 we have the French Canadian Evangelos Giannopoulos. As the first defensemen off the board, expectations are high. With 293 TPE, Giannopoulos has been on top of his development. In 50 games with Detroit, Giannopoulos has 2 goals and 10 assists for 12 points. With a respectable offensive output, it is impressive that his defensive game is just as good if not better. With 59 hits and 63 shots blocked his defensive game shows why he was selected at #2. Add on 21 giveaways to 20 takeaways, and there is a solid foundation for the defensemen. Overall this is another stud prospect for Toronto to build around.
3. Minnesota Chiefs - Rock Strongo 313 TPE
Coming in at third is the 6’03” centre Rock Strongo. Strongo has a strong pedigree, but it’s not all smoke and mirrors with Rock. With 313 TPE Strongo has been on fire with his development, and shot no signs of slowing down. The centre, while playing on the wing showed an aptitude for scoring with 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points. With such an incredible offensive output for a rookie season, he was not called upon to produce defensively. This shows in his numbers with 19 hits and 8 shots blocked. With 12 giveaways to 10 takeaways Strongo plays carefully with the puck. Overall Strongo looks to be one of the premier offensive players in the league, and should add a needed jolt of offence once he is called up to Minnesota.
4. New England Wolfpack - Calvin Hobbes 356 TPE
With the first of their back to back picks the Wolfpack select the third centre off the board with Calvin Hobbes. Hobbes may not have the pedigree of the previous players taken, but he has been excellent with his TPE gain with an astonishing 356 TPE. With the Timber this season Hobbes played on the wing, notching 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points. While showing great promise in the offensive side with the limited minutes, he hasn’t produced as much defensively. With 16 hits and 8 shots blocked, Calvin has shown the beginning of his aptitude for defence. With 9 giveaways to 5 takeaways, Hobbes shows that he has a lot of room to grow over the next few seasons. Overall, Hobbes has the potential to be a top flight centre in this league, and adds to the stockpile of Wolfpack prospects.
5. New England Wolfpack - Grandmaster Funk 323 TPE
Grandmaster Funk comes up next with the second pick of New England’s back to back picks. The 6’0” defensemen comes in with 323 TPE, showing an astonishing amount of growth. In his first season with Nevada, Funk scored 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points. While his offensive numbers are decent for a defensemen, it’s his defensive stats that are eye popping. With 55 hits and 88 shots blocked, Funk has been a force in his own end. Add on 25 takeaways to 15 giveaways, Grandmaster has been a thorn in the opposing team with his shutdown play. Grandmaster Funk has the potential to be one of the best shutdown defensemen the league has seen, which should make New England happy with their 2 picks.
6. Tampa Bay Barracuda - Vladmir Petrov 316 TPE
Just outside of the top 5 is the 6’06” giant Vladmir Petrov. Petrov has been solid with his development nabbing 316 TPE. Petrov has shown an aptitude as a power forward. With 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points. With a solid offensive output, he has been just as effective on the defensive side. Vladimir had 49 hits and 13 shots blocked, showing the beginning of a physical and offensive powerhouse. Petrov has struggle a little with maintaining puck possession, with 15 giveaways to 9 takeaways. Despite this little weakness, Petrov has the potential to be a top line bruising power forward that will make other teams cringe at the thought of playing against him.
7. San Francisco Pride - Yngve Simonsson 313 TPE
At 7 we have the speedy winger from Sweden, Yngve Simonsson. At 313 TPE, Simonsson has matched most of the top prospects when it comes to TPE earning. Simonsson has shown that he is all in when it comes to offence. In 50 games with Detroit, Simonsson has 6 goals and 10 assists for 16 points. With a solid offensive showing, Yngve has also been assigned to many defensive roles. This shows in his defensive numbers with 25 hits and 54 shots blocked. Yngve likes to play fast and loose with the puck, with 18 giveaways to 9 takeaways. Simonsson looks to be a premier two way forward for the Pride, and someone who will terrorize the league for seasons to come.
8. Los Angeles Panthers - Jonas Kahnwald 357 TPE
At 8 we have the offensive defensemen from Germany, Jonas Kahnwald. The undersized defensemen is proving that size isn’t everything when it comes to hockey. With 357 TPE Jonas is showing everyone in the SHL that talent can outweigh everything. In 50 games with Newfoundland, Kahnwald has 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points. On the defensive side Jonas picked up 31 hits and 5 shots blocked. Kahnwald is clearly more offensive minded, however he is very careful with the puck, as shown with his 6 giveaways to his 12 takeaways. Kahnwald is a solid pickup at 8. LA will have their offensive defensemen for the future to pair with their busier who they picked up later in the round.
9. Winnipeg Jets - Jasper Maximov 297 TPE
The jets picked up the Ukrainian defensemen Jasper Maximov at number 9. The defensemen has been on par with his draft mates with his development, coming in with 297 TPE. This season with Quebec City, the defensemen scored 6 goals with 12 assists for 18 points. On the defensive side Maximov contributed with 24 hits and 26 shots blocked. Jasper’s skills are mostly in his offensive capabilities, as he plays a run and gun style of hockey. The style leaves him with a lot of turnovers, with 33 giveaways to only 14 takeaways. Despite this his offensive capabilities cannot be ignored. Maximov will a force in the offensive zone, which is exactly what you want in a top defensemen.
10. Hamilton Steelhawks - Sarah Burke 307 TPE
At 10 we have another defensemen being taken in Sarah Burke. The two way defensemen has been excellent in her development with 307 TPE. In 50 games with Vancouver, she has 4 goals and 9 assists for 13 points. On the defensive side Burke has 36 hits along with 35 shots blocked. With Sarah solid on both sides of the puck it’s no surprise her puck handling has been excellent. With 21 takeaways to 12 giveaways Sarah is quite skilled at handling the puck. Burke looks to be a star two way defensemen.
So for the top 10 picks it looks like there were no real questions to the quality of players selected. Each player has earned just about every possible TPE they could. All have been quite active across the site, so all in all it looks like the teams should be happy with their picks.
Cyanide
Tampa Bay Barracuda - Aleksander Kozlov 316 TPE
Toronto North Stars - Evangelos Giannopoulos 293 TPE
Minnesota Chiefs - Rock Strongo 313 TPE
New England Wolfpack - Calvin Hobbes 356 TPE
San Francisco Pride - Yngve Simonsson 313 TPE
Los Angeles Panthers - Jonas Kahnwald 357 TPE
Winnipeg Jets - Jasper Maximov 297 TPE
Hamilton Steelhawks - Sarah Burke 307 TPE![[Image: oPVEBnn.png]](https://i.imgur.com/oPVEBnn.png)
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