With a pluck of a ping pong ball league renowned skilled man; Mr. Skillman and League Commish Troy Otto, plucked the drafting order of MNL’s fourth season from the illustrious backyard patio of Skillman’s private estate.

Unlike in years past however, this years draft featured a separate draft for goaltenders. After the public voiced their displeasure with drafting parity the men in the high tower decreed a new drafting tool was to be implemented. This will insure the first overall player would be drafted with the last overall player -barring draft pick trading.

This dynamic drafting system opens up twice the elation, or frustration for both teams, and fans at home. Which was great for league parity, and viewership as well. MNLHN took a Twitch stream TV rating of .08. This was the highest for a Twitch hockey stream in Midwest, and rightly so as all eight viewers waited with abated breath as the machine turned on.

“It will be the Americans with the first overall selection. . .” announced Troy Otto with a Cheshire grin after plucking the last of the balls from the randomizer.

It will be the second time the Americans get to draft 1st overall. It was in 2017 that the Red, White and Blue drafted Proctor number one overall, and it led to the Americans being the second ever MNL Stanley Keg hoisters. Will the Americans stick with tradition and choose 22? Or will the new addition of Matt Taylor give our lord and savior two-sock Paul a run for his money at the draft? Time will tell.   

“We didn’t want to jinx our percentages so we didn’t show up. To both the end of last season, and tonight. Continuing that presence was dedication to our franchises only retired player number 22.” Said GM of the Americans @Antioch.

“Part of the job of a General Manager is to weigh future success, and current success. We wanted to better secure the future with a higher draft pick percentage. I think the trade, coupled with the late season tanking in 2018 helped. Though, tonight’s remote insider who placed the balls in the machine can’t be left out either. Throw a little spit, some hair gel on em’ for good measure. The vacuums air pressure probably couldn’t suck it up. ”

Earning a date with in what has been dubbed the “sweet spot” for @sugacube. The expansion Tigers received the rights to the second overall pick. Following the Black and Yellow everyones favorite Oatmeal Men: the Quakers took the third spot, #FTNS aka Northstars stuck in for fourth overall, followed by the Seals in 5th, the Whalers in 6th, and the keg-hangover Diques in the 7th slot of the draft.

After the no-brainer first three picks teams, and analysts agree that it remains a tumultuous ordered draft. Though, some GMs rather like their position in the draft vice the Olympic-burden of 1st overall. It remains to be seen how each GM will build their squad for the fall.

“I like our spot. It kinda sucks that Jack and I are locked in at 1 and 2, but honestly, we got a decent spot in the tender draft. And that’s all you can really ask for.” GM of the Whalers told the MNL insider.

In a similar story as the player draft order, the Americans also ‘lucked’ into the first overall pick for goaltenders. While the remaining order for goaltenders had a bit of a reversal of fortune with the Northstars at number two, Whalers slotting in at number three overall, Art, Art, Art in fourth, Quakers in fifth, Tigers in sixth, and the Diques stuck in dead last, but with pre-determined co-GM @jcoan already between the pipes.

Thus, the lights dimmed, the randomizer turned off, and Mr. Skillman got out of his tuxedo shirt, and, instead, into some Canadian suds. With the broadcast ended, this was the cue for social media fandom to light ablaze with possible pre-draft buzz.

Rumors about draft pick trading, draft choices, and even conspiracy theories about the draft itself have made up the sea of hype. Fans, players and armchair GMs alike have taken to the internet to start their MNL speculations. One devoted MNL fan on Instagram, went as far as to claim that certain coincidences are more than just that. Rather, instead, sinister trade machinations.

“Seeeee! I knew the draft would pan out this way. In our annual pre-draft North Star-Troy fashion he would sneak out with two golden trade slots in the draft! He also even set up his trade partner in the Americans! He had to be the inside man helping. He was the only Otto in attendance with that new haircut and wearing product at that!” Quipped @weeblewobbles.

Conspiracies, and rumors aside the next 30 days are surely to bring lots of action, and even more hope for fans, and players alike for this fourth season of Monday Night Lights.

-Reporting in on his first article back from Djiboutian Federated Sandball League:

MNLHL Insider André Wheats