Post by Matt-Colorado on Jan 4, 2012 18:51:52 GMT -5
I'm stuck in bed with the flu, so here is a treat for y'all born from boredom...and maybe send some jinxes throughout the league.
As we cross into the second half of the season, the trade deadline looms as crossroads for teams to either stock up on talent for the Cup, or jettison talent to prepare for an offseason of work.
The DenverPost has put together some power rankings, along with a quick review on all thirty teams up to this point, as well as a few bold predictions for the postseason and the trade deadline.
Keep in mind that the power rankings are not a direct reflection of the standings, but a direct result of the teams point effort in their last ten games...so x/20 possible. It would look way different from a 5 or 15 game outlook, but this is only the first go at it.
1.
Last 10: 7-1-2 (15/20)
2nd in Campbell
Skinny: Cleveland has been steam-rolling through their schedule. Oh, and Jonathan Toews is returning to the lineup soon...look out.
Trade Season: Adding Tim Thomas was all the Barons needed to do. Maybe a depth forward, just in case.
2.
Last 10: 7-3 (14/20)
1st in Wales
Skinny: Teemu and Claude aren't producing at a point per game pace, but the Huron have enough offensive depth to overcome that.
Trade Season: If Chicago makes a move, look for them to add a defensive forward or a shutdown D man.
3.
Last 10: 6-2-2 (14/20)
1st in Campbell
Skinny: Suffolk is averaging almost four goals a game lately. They've scored 10 a couple of times. Don't bother playing D, just try to keep up.
Trade Season: Suffolk has done so much dealing over the last year and a half, their isn't much that needs to be done. If a key player goes down to an injury, Suffolk appears to have the assets to replace that player via trade.
4.
Last 10: 6-2-2 (14/20)
9th in Wales
Skinny: Moncton is making a charge for playoff position, now only two points out of 8th.
Trade Season: League owned teams will probably stay silent this year in the trades, but if Moncton does add, they could use a stay at home D man. If Moncton fields offers on players, expect owners to kick the tires on either Sedin, and Adam McQuaid should help any team in the postseason.
5.
Last 10: 6-3-1 (13/20)
7th in Campbell
Skinny: Playing well of late, and competing for the lead in the ultra close Norris Division. Ryan Kesler has been outstanding.
Trade Season: Maybe add a bottom pairing defender to round out the pairings, if Kesler/Staal go down for a long period of time I wouldn't rule out Baltimore going after a Center for their top 6.
6.
Last 10: 5-2-3 (13/20)
3rd in Campbell
Skinny: The move to bring in Ilya Byrzgalov is a win simply because Anderson was not, and is not winning games. If the Norris Division leaders can't hold onto the division, the Pharoahs still have a good chance post season. And if not, the future looks bright with youngsters like Jack Johnson, Tyler Myers, and don't forget Steven Stamkos.
Trade Season: Bring in a veteran D man, and take some pressure of Johnson who may not be up to par defensively just yet.
7.
Last 10: 5-2-3 (13/20)
6th in Wales
Skinny: Postseason or Bust, by the looks of it. A 5th round pick is all the Crusaders have at the moment. It is a group effort in goals for Cornwall led by the recently acquired Jeff Carter.
Trade Season: Not much needs to be done...but If I am a Cornwall fan, I pray Bobrovsky doesn't go down long term.
8.
Last 10: 5-2-3 (13/20)
10th in Wales
Skinny: A blue collar team making up some ground recently, and if this trend continues, Hamilton may be playoff bound.
Trade Season: Too close to tell right now, grab a couple of decent bottom six guys to fill in for a couple of injury prone players...but hold on to that first rounder just in case.
9.
Last 10: 5-2-3 (13/20)
9th in Campbell
Skinny: Loaded with talent, big contracts, and a solid four lines, the Bars a caught in the Norris traffic jam. A win streak takes the division lead, while a couple of losses appear to cripple your chances in this division.
Trade Season: If Hershey stays in contention they could make a trade or two to grab one or two bottom six forwards. If Hershey slips in the Norris race they could choose to stock up for the draft, although these big contracts have been difficult to move.
10.
Last 10: 5-3-2 (12/20)
11th in Wales
Skinny: A nice mix of Veterans and Youth for the Maroons. Montreal appears to be climbing the standings since new ownership starting making some moves. The Maroons are a win streak away from the 8th seed.
Trade Season: Could go either way. Montreal has plenty of affordable veterans that they could send packing. Montreal has 7 picks in the top three rounds this Spring, and could add to that...as we approach the deadline Jason Spezza's name is bound to resurface in the rumor mill.
11.
Last 10: 5-3-2 (12/20)
12th in Wales
Skinny: This FHL owned team appears to have found its mojo, but are 10 points out of the playoffs.
Trade Season: Depending on how the FHL handles trades with league owned teams...if at all, the Spartans have a slew of talent to be had for the right price.
12.
Last 10: 5-4-1 (11/20)
4th in Wales
Skinny: A recent 'bad' stretch for the Toros in light of their overall success this season so far. Grabner, Stepan, and Huselius are all have great years carrying Toronto's offense.
Trade Season: Toronto looks solid for the playoffs, as long as M.A. Fleury stays healthy.
13.
Last 10: 5-4-1 (11/20)
5th in Campbell
Skinny: N.J. is having a great year in the Smyth Division. The Ospreys have a good mix of grinders, scorers, defenders, and a good tandem in Net.
Trade Season: 5 picks in the the first three rounds, and no glaring holes on their roster. My only wish: play Crosby on the first line with Zetterberg and Stafford, and watch the wins roll in.
14.
Last 10: 5-4-1 (11/20)
5th in Wales
Skinny: Their last ten is a minor hiccup in a great season so far. The Aces have a great amount of cap space invested in defenders, and it is paying off...the offense isn't scoring too often, but the D is keeping the score down. I hope you all sold your Jussi Jokinen memorabilia in the offseason.
Trade Season: Grab a fourth liner for the playoffs.
15.
Last 10: 4-3-3 (11/20)
4th in Campbell
Skinny: A very stiff defense worthy of a division title. Unfortunately its the Smyth division, not the Norris. With one of the best bottom sixes in the league, Boston is going to win a lot more games this year.
Trade Season: Find someone to help score goals. Semin making up for some big contact players who are apparently taking a year off.
16.
Last 10: 5-5-0 (10/20)
13th in Campbell
Skinny: The Monarchs may be 5-5 in the last ten games but is riding a 4 game winning streak, gaining 8/10 points in their last 5.
Trade Season: 8 Points out of the playoffs right now, Manchester appears to have turned it on in the last week. I doubt it, but it would be impressive to see them make the playoffs.
17.
Last 10: 4-4-2 (10/20)
6th in Campbell
Skinny: The Swords are much better than 4-4-2, Raycroft is playing lights out, as well as Loui Eriksson. Jamie Benn and Thomas Vanek return to the lineup soon, expect the Swords to turn on the heat and try to close the gap with Cleveland.
Trade Season: A decent bottom six guy in case of more injuries.
18.
Last 10: 3-3-4 (10/20)
10th in Campbell
Skinny: Only three points out of the division lead, and two points out of the playoffs. It may be that way for the rest of the season. Coming off six consecutive road games, with only one three goal performance, the Americans will look to turn things around with their next 7 of 10 games at home.
Trade Season: How in the world is NY negative 7 in goals? The defense is there. Maybe a top 6 winger does the trick...if not, New York has several players capable of getting at least a first round pick in return.
19.
Last 10: 4-5-1 (9/20)
2nd in Wales
Skinny: Syracuse is scary good. Second best offence in the league...and a third line that can match most teams first lines.
Trade Season: Syracuse will coast into the playoffs without making any changes, but could stand to add a bottom pairing Defender if they wanted to.
20.
Last 10: 3-4-3 (9/20)
13 in Wales
Skinny: For 10 million a year, Ovechkin needs to play more like Grabovski is playing.
Trade Season: The postseason is a stretch. Send some of those affordable vets for picks and youth and come back stronger next year.
21.
Last 10: 3-4-3 (9/20)
3rd in Wales
Skinny: Quebec has hit a rough patch recently, but with their great start this fall they can afford this...but don't get to comfy, Cornwall has caught up. Quebec is talented, and has very skilled youth.
Trade Season: Grab a bottom six forward.
22.
Last 10: 4-6-0 (8/20)
8th in Campbell
Skinny: Currently holding on to the last playoff spot in the Campbell...Heatley and co. better shake off this slide or risk getting passed up by the majority of the Norris division.
Trade Season: The goaltending and defense is too good to have this record, stand pat until the deadline...my money is on Washington stringing some wins together.
23.
Last 10: 4-6-0 (8/20)
12th in Campbell
Skinny: Three of Colorado's last four wins have been against Smythe Division powerhouses Suffolk and Boston...the Pioneers have been roller coaster of inconsistency all year.
Trade Season: The Pioneers are heading into the offseason with lots of money coming off the books, and lots of roster spaces to fill. Colorado has made several moves already this year in preparation for 2012-2013, and might not be done yet...look for the Pioneers to be sellers to some degree.
24.
Last 10: 4-6-0 (8/20)
11th in Campbell
Skinny: Tuukka Rask is not playing 7 million dollar hockey. The Chiefs are loaded with young players full of potential.
Trade Season: Hold on to those picks, and send a vet or two packing for the right price.
25.
Last 10: 3-5-2 (8-20)
14th in Wales
Skinny: A nice mix of youth and vets. Can't wait to watch Tyler Seguin turn into a premier player in the FHL.
Trade Season: Send some vets packing, and don't forget to play Peter Forsberg in the last game this year and give him a proper goodbye.
26.
Last 10: 3-6-1 (7/20)
7th in Wales
Skinny: Another team with consistency issues. 82 goals for, 81 goals against. The recent addition of Havlat and O. Jokinen appear to be righting the ship. Havlat has been on fire since the trade with Colorado.
Trade Season: One of the better defensive teams in the league, with a 5 point cushion on 9th place...add another goal scorer, if the price is right.
27.
Last 10: 3-6-1 (7/20)
8th in Wales
Skinny: Through a whirlwind of trades, Halifax has assembled a nice complement of defenders. The offense is barely outscoring the opposition, and this recent slide isn't helping.
Trade Season: With three teams within two wins of 8th in the Wales, look for Halifax to be active around the deadline, despite having a great team already.
28.
Last 10: 1-6-3 (5/20)
Last in Wales
Skinny: St. Paul looks poised to draft a gifted scorer at the draft next spring, a welcome addition to a team that has not scored more than two goals in a game since November 25th.
Trade Season: St. Paul only has three picks, but they do have their first two. They have enough assets to add to that if they so choose...next season will most certainly be better. Look out for Sheldon Souray.
29.
Last 10: 1-9-0 (2/20)
Last in Campbell and FHL
Skinny: A recent win against Rochester has the Reds out of the cellar. Will the reclusive ownership ever make any changes to a roster that has Jason Bailey playing RW on a two-man second line, while Mason Raymond sits on the pine? What did you do, Mason? Also, how the heck did Wilmington beat Rochester with a top 6 consisting of 4 serviceable forwards?
Trade Season: Most likely nothing.
30.
Last 10: 0-8-2 (2/20)
14th in Campbell
Skinny: The Hornets are incredibly snake bitten recently, scoring 2 or less goals in 9 consecutive games.
Trade Season: It doesn't really add up, 'specially this winless streak. A couple of vets could be moved for a decent return, and the younger stars on this team should be back with a vengeance soon.
BOLD PREDICTIONS:
Playoffs:
Wales:
1. Chicago
2. Syracuse
3. Cornwall
4. Quebec
5. Toronto
6. Adirondack
7. Hamilton
8. Detroit
9. Halifax comes up short 1 point.
Campbell:
1. Suffolk
2. Cleveland
3. Baltimore
4. New Jersey
5. Boston
6. Cincinnati
7. Philadelphia
8. New York
9. Hershey
10. Washington- Both come close but barely miss out.
Chicago def. Detroit
Syracuse def. Hamilton
Cornwall def. Adirondack
Toronto def. Quebec
Suffolk def. New York
Cleveland def. Philadelphia
Cincinnati def. Baltimore
Boston def. New Jersey
Chicago def. Toronto
Syracuse def. Cornwall
Boston def. Suffolk
Cleveland def. Cincinnati
Chicago def. Syracuse
Cleveland def. Boston
FHL Championship
Cleveland def. Chicago
There ya go, feel free to burn me alive.
