Post by crunk on Feb 8, 2008 23:33:29 GMT -5
In lieu of the goaltender power rankings that were released by brandon the other day, I figured I'd throw my hat in the circle and give my opinion for the Team Power Rankings. First, I'm going to list off the teams in their order, 1-8, then I'm going to give my reasoning. You might notice that these rankings DON'T resemble the standings, and nor are these in any way official stats.
1. Blazers
2. Nordiques
3. Whalers
4. Golden Seals
5. Sabres
6. North Stars
7. Scantonicity
8. Jets
1. Blazers - Even though its only been 3 weeks, this team has demonstrated why they are still the gold standard and therefore the team to beat. Any time you got the largest goal differential, least shots given up per game, and 3 of the top 4 point-leaders in the league, ALL without a full lineup, then you know SOMETHING must be working. It makes sense too: with all the new teams in the league, this is the only team that has stayed together since winning the cup last year and it shows in almost every team stat category.
2. Nordiques - Even though their record has 1 loss, it was in OT and it was a very intense matchup in the first game of the season against a tough Blazers team. Since that loss, they've improved tremendously, taking down the competition handily, including a win over the solid Sabres squad by five goals in a well-fought match. Goaltender Narayan is playing great, recording his first career SOP this last week, and it appears that their defense is finally adapting to the LBC arena feel. That could easily change though, when both the Whalers and Nordiques square off next week in a much-hyped competition.
3. Whalers - They've done everything asked of them (3-0) and beyond with their first ever BCHL shutout game and they also boast the leagues best Goals Against. BUT, their 1 goal victory over the Golden Seals drops them down a notch, but just barely . The logic behind this is as follows: The Blazers, who squeaked out an OT win over the Nordiques, demolished the Golden Seals by almost tripling their score; the Whalers only beat them by one goal. Obviously, the decision to put them in 3rd is questionable, seeing as they can arguably be put as high as first with the high quality goaltending they're receiving, but at this point in time I would need to see last years MVP Dennis (averaging 4.5points per game) step it up and join his teammate O'Neal in the top four point-getters before I throw them up a rank or two. The next two weeks may very well determine the season for the Whalers, as they battle both the teams higher than them on this list, the gritty Blazers and the talented Nordiques. Next week against the Nordiques is a time when they should be able to test their mettle in what I anticipate to be one of the best games of the year . You can quote me on that. I'm also interested to see how the newly acquired Staples will fit into the lineup.
4. Sabres - In my opinion, if I had done power rankings last week, they would have been right up there at the top with the Blazers. But, their loss to the Nordiques has gotta be a killer to their confidence and to their Power Ranking. After averaging double digit goals in their first two games, they managed to stuff only 2 goals past Narayan in a very chippy game. If they can manage to keep their cool and keep playing solid on the defensive (second least goals against in the league), there's no reason why this team shouldn't jump up a couple rankings to join the "big boys." Maybe this coming week will be their most important game of the season, as they play the Blazers in a Hockey Night in Ladner on saturday game.
5. Golden Seals - Despite their -.500 record (1-2), I think they're actually playing pretty decent. I don't give them the nod over the 2-1 Sabres simply because the Sabres handed the Jets a bigger loss than the Golden Seals have. However, The Golden Seals lost their two games to teams that have yet to lose a game this season. They did, however, beat the Jets by a decent margin, and I see a lot of potential in their team if they can figure out who's going to be best for them in goal and best for them on the floor. Look for them to try and improve their defense, as they are giving up the second most goals per game.
6. North Stars - Despite the legitimate talent on this squad, they've yet to show that they can man up and realize their potential. This squad had two players on it that made it to the finals in Cheong and Gauvin, but these players haven't been registering as many points as many expected. Still, I expect good things out of this team so don't be surprised if they pick up a few good ones and jump up a few rankings. Maybe they're lacking the killer instinct, or maybe they need to adjust their lines, but whatever the case is, they need to fix it up before it gets too late.
7 - Scrantonicity - This team has solid goaltending and some decent lines, but they've yet to play as well as they hope for. Maybe they haven't adjusted to the bounces that the LBC Arena has, but it seems like they are losing too many of the small battles (around the boards, at the face-off, etc.) and it all comes back to bite them in the ass. They definitely know they need to work hard, and they do have some talented players and shooters, but I give them a few weeks before they can finally start to play the way they've wanted to.
8. Jets - Even though the Jets are at the bottom of the list, they have arguably one of the hardest working and most-tested goalies in the league with Baird. Sure, they give up a lot of shots, and sure, they didn't register a goal in the game against the Whalers, but this team really is just looking for their identity. They're faced with rumors all over the place of trades and whatnot, so once they get that behind them, I expect them to jump up a few rankings due to their solid goaltending.
Lemme know what you guys think, if you think I'm complete bullnuts, thats all good!
1. Blazers
2. Nordiques
3. Whalers
4. Golden Seals
5. Sabres
6. North Stars
7. Scantonicity
8. Jets
1. Blazers - Even though its only been 3 weeks, this team has demonstrated why they are still the gold standard and therefore the team to beat. Any time you got the largest goal differential, least shots given up per game, and 3 of the top 4 point-leaders in the league, ALL without a full lineup, then you know SOMETHING must be working. It makes sense too: with all the new teams in the league, this is the only team that has stayed together since winning the cup last year and it shows in almost every team stat category.
2. Nordiques - Even though their record has 1 loss, it was in OT and it was a very intense matchup in the first game of the season against a tough Blazers team. Since that loss, they've improved tremendously, taking down the competition handily, including a win over the solid Sabres squad by five goals in a well-fought match. Goaltender Narayan is playing great, recording his first career SOP this last week, and it appears that their defense is finally adapting to the LBC arena feel. That could easily change though, when both the Whalers and Nordiques square off next week in a much-hyped competition.
3. Whalers - They've done everything asked of them (3-0) and beyond with their first ever BCHL shutout game and they also boast the leagues best Goals Against. BUT, their 1 goal victory over the Golden Seals drops them down a notch, but just barely . The logic behind this is as follows: The Blazers, who squeaked out an OT win over the Nordiques, demolished the Golden Seals by almost tripling their score; the Whalers only beat them by one goal. Obviously, the decision to put them in 3rd is questionable, seeing as they can arguably be put as high as first with the high quality goaltending they're receiving, but at this point in time I would need to see last years MVP Dennis (averaging 4.5points per game) step it up and join his teammate O'Neal in the top four point-getters before I throw them up a rank or two. The next two weeks may very well determine the season for the Whalers, as they battle both the teams higher than them on this list, the gritty Blazers and the talented Nordiques. Next week against the Nordiques is a time when they should be able to test their mettle in what I anticipate to be one of the best games of the year . You can quote me on that. I'm also interested to see how the newly acquired Staples will fit into the lineup.
4. Sabres - In my opinion, if I had done power rankings last week, they would have been right up there at the top with the Blazers. But, their loss to the Nordiques has gotta be a killer to their confidence and to their Power Ranking. After averaging double digit goals in their first two games, they managed to stuff only 2 goals past Narayan in a very chippy game. If they can manage to keep their cool and keep playing solid on the defensive (second least goals against in the league), there's no reason why this team shouldn't jump up a couple rankings to join the "big boys." Maybe this coming week will be their most important game of the season, as they play the Blazers in a Hockey Night in Ladner on saturday game.
5. Golden Seals - Despite their -.500 record (1-2), I think they're actually playing pretty decent. I don't give them the nod over the 2-1 Sabres simply because the Sabres handed the Jets a bigger loss than the Golden Seals have. However, The Golden Seals lost their two games to teams that have yet to lose a game this season. They did, however, beat the Jets by a decent margin, and I see a lot of potential in their team if they can figure out who's going to be best for them in goal and best for them on the floor. Look for them to try and improve their defense, as they are giving up the second most goals per game.
6. North Stars - Despite the legitimate talent on this squad, they've yet to show that they can man up and realize their potential. This squad had two players on it that made it to the finals in Cheong and Gauvin, but these players haven't been registering as many points as many expected. Still, I expect good things out of this team so don't be surprised if they pick up a few good ones and jump up a few rankings. Maybe they're lacking the killer instinct, or maybe they need to adjust their lines, but whatever the case is, they need to fix it up before it gets too late.
7 - Scrantonicity - This team has solid goaltending and some decent lines, but they've yet to play as well as they hope for. Maybe they haven't adjusted to the bounces that the LBC Arena has, but it seems like they are losing too many of the small battles (around the boards, at the face-off, etc.) and it all comes back to bite them in the ass. They definitely know they need to work hard, and they do have some talented players and shooters, but I give them a few weeks before they can finally start to play the way they've wanted to.
8. Jets - Even though the Jets are at the bottom of the list, they have arguably one of the hardest working and most-tested goalies in the league with Baird. Sure, they give up a lot of shots, and sure, they didn't register a goal in the game against the Whalers, but this team really is just looking for their identity. They're faced with rumors all over the place of trades and whatnot, so once they get that behind them, I expect them to jump up a few rankings due to their solid goaltending.
Lemme know what you guys think, if you think I'm complete bullnuts, thats all good!