BBKL POWER RANKINGS - Two Weeks Out

[Robin Hood]

EAST

1. TOR – Toews. Bergeron. And now Backes down the middle. Add Jamie Benn + infinite depth in waiver exempt players and 1st round picks, and you have the team to beat in this conference.
2. TBL – This team isn’t top heavy any more. Well, it still has Crosby, Stamkos and Giroux. But check out the wingers. The Lightning may finally live up to the lofty expectations that come with having the top two draft picks in a Yahoo! friendly league.
3. PIT – The inaugural Metropolitan Division Champs to be. But the performance of this team in the playoffs will be largely determined by injuries.
4. BOS – The defending BBKL Champ has found a way to keep the core together here. Don’t count them out for a repeat.
5. WSH – Will take the second seed in the Metropolitan division, but can this team finally perform in the post-season?
6. NJD – Looking to return to the days of glory of repeat championships. Has arguably the best d-core in all of BBKL.
7. CLB – Ranked 7th in the conference after a trip to the BBKL Finals? Yeah, welcome to the Big East, kid. We’re a little scared you’re here too though, so don’t worry.
8. MTL – Will win the battle of the borderline playoff teams.
9. NYR – Losing Kovalchuk is why this team is here. With Kovy, this team would make the playoffs.
10. OTT – After a couple of deep post-season runs, this team seems to be on the downturn. Great seasons from Ryan Johansen and Nino Niederreiter could change that in a hurry.
11. NYI – Shifting winds on Long Island this summer. This team is gearing up with more offence. But in the process has sacrificed strength in the periphery categories that were the bread and butter of its success. Still needs time to make the jump.
12. FLA – This is the team no one is talking about. And this is likely a bad ranking because of the quality of players on it. A few bounces could mean this team jumps several spots. Maybe even squeaks into the playoffs.
13. PHI – Two seasons removed from no prospects and no good NHLers, the Flyers now have something to show for their patience. But this team needs its top prospects to develop. It will be fun to keep an eye on the rising stars.
14. CAR – There is a method to the madness here. In an off-season where teams have struggled to get under the cap, the Hurricanes have found a way to accumulate valuable assets with high cap hits that will be much easier to fit in next year. Oh, and Brent Burns is on this team, so it is destined for greatness.
15. DET – Building this team back up requires painful patience. Wait-5-years-till-it’s-a-borderline-playoff-team kind of patience. But it is the only way to do it. And that is what the Red Wings are doing.
16. BUF – GM Matt has been given a wealth of top end prospects and 1st Round Picks. Just no quality NHLers. If those assets are used correctly, however, this team will be out of the basement in no time.

WEST

1. LAK – Another year, another President’s Trophy win. But when will this team finally win a Cup?
2. STL – As an organization, no team in BBKL has found a better mix of contracts. Names like Galchenyuk, Landeskog and Subban give this team the cap flexibility using elite players, while most teams have gained cap flexibility with bargain, downgraded NHLers. It makes a huge difference.
3. SJS – Flew under the radar all summer. But check out this team now. It is as elite as any in the West.
4. MIN – Finished 2nd in the West last year without a starting goalie. What will this team do now that Roberto Luongo is a starter again?
5. CHI – The Blackhawks still have assets. Lots of them. Don’t be shocked if this team makes enough trades to bump itself to the top of this list by the trade deadline.
6. COL – As long as this team can get under the cap without taking steps back, it is still a bonafide playoff team. Having Henrik Lundqvist helps.
7. ANA – This is a deep roster. No, not organizational depth. But every roster spot has a good player slotted in. Now there’s the issue of staying healthy.
8. NSH – Will round out the playoff picture in the West. But can Brad Richards return to form?
9. VAN – Has certainly made improvements in the last year, but not enough to squeak into the playoffs. With GM Kareem though, you never know. This could be a different team by Week 3
10. CGY – This team is one of the few to keep its roster intact following the cap drop this off season. But with CHI and SJS making improvements, this team will get pushed out of the playoff picture.
11. PHX – GM Enzzie has transformed this team. Will not make it this year, but look for this team to become a playoff regular in a year’s time.
12. WPG – Has some top end talent in the form of Patrick Kane, Shea Weber and Nail Yakupov. But the lack of roster depth is the issue here. And the teams above will win weeks required for the Jets to finish higher.
13. EDM – Similar situation to WPG. Top end talent in names like the Sedin twins and Ribeiro. But not enough stats produced by the rest of the roster to keep up.
14. DAL – This is a team looking to take the next step. There’s just a long way to go. There are some great players to watch on this team though and the Cory Schneider situation will definitely keep things interesting.a

[KapG]

Love reading power rankings. Thanks for putting this together

[The BBKL Insider]

Good read, shiv always does a good job, however I'd switch up hong and I.

[Arian The Insider]

i have my pick this year so i wouldn't mind that

[CAM]

Thank you Shiv, love the analysis. Personally i think I am a bit over-rated. I have zero depth or cap space. No injury fill-ins or waiver exempt players who matter.

[Bruyns]

Hopefully this will be my only year in the basement. A few prospects should be quality players full time next season and 11 picks in the first 60 with 4 1sts from teams predicted to miss the playoffs will give me some more valuable trade chips.

[hong57]

Good read, shiv always does a good job, however I'd switch up hong and I.

doubt it. Look at my updated roster template and I think i can barely make the playoffs

[The BBKL Insider]

Hong, you make me smile!

A stacked roster + ovy + luongo = tops in the west!

[hong57]

Hong, you make me smile!

A stacked roster + ovy + luongo = tops in the west!

hmm honestly i only hav a legit top line in ovy, JT, ladd.... stepan haven't signed.. my 2nd line is zajac, palmeiri and toffoli which nth proven.. rest of the roster are avg to above avg h2h players.. i do hope they prove me wrong though given last year's roster is much stronger for me IMO than this one..

but yes im happy luongo's back and still hope gillis gets fired.. he made me lose a 1st and a warning for nothing.. FUCK

[thom54]

great read!! The race for 8th in the east is going to be absolutely intense! Also Today I Learned that Burns is on CAR!

[Robin Hood]

My pick for the BBKL final: TOR vs STL

[CAM]

be interesting to see last years preseason rankings and predictions against the actual results..

[Robin Hood]

Last year's rankings:

1. P - LA Kings - President Trophy Favourites as usual.
2. Y - Colorado Avalanche - Have you seen this team lately? Top 5 contender easy.
3. Y - Columbus Blue Jackets - Moneyball being played by the GM here.
4. X - Minnesota Wild - Will lose division crown but a threat to go deep into the playoffs.
5. X - St. Louis Blues - GM Shep may have taken the lockout the hardest and put a trade freeze on, but his team is still great.
6. X - San Jose Sharks - Team has taken great strides since GM Shook made his return to BBKL. Could be a contender by playoff time.
7. X - Vancouver Canucks - Another GM driven team. Borderline playoff team as of now but a lot can change in 2 months.
8. X - Nashville Predators - Finally gets some respect in the power rankings and will make sure the other 7 teams are on the outside looking in.

Eastern Conference

1. Z - Pittsburgh Penguins - Finally has some depth. Conference favourites as of now and could win the Presidents' Trophy.
2. Y - Toronto Maple Leafs - The best in the tough Northeast Division. Would be the conference champ were it not for 4 tough weeks versus dvision rivals.
3. Y - Washington Capitals - The team that won the East last year under GM Kareem is still in tact.
4. X - Boston Bruins - No more Tim Thomas. But this team is still deadly.
5. X - Tampa Bay Lightning - If Crosby, Giroux and Stamkos all put up 90-100 Point seasons, the teams in the East are in trouble.
6. X - New Jersey Devils - GM Bergey has made his mark. The New Jersey Staals are going to do some damage.
7. X - Ottawa Senators - The only team to make a conference finals appearance in the Eastern and Western conference. Don't count GM Billy's team out.
8. X - New York Rangers - The New York Rangers will make the playoffs for the first time under KapG.

http://bbkl.ca/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8797

[Shep]

My pick for the BBKL final: TOR vs STL

Appreciate it, but I'm far from competing for the title. 2 injuries and I miss the playoffs.

[Peter]

Dammit the west is stacked. My young guys are going to turn heads this year though, watch .

[Tony]

You have two less teams to compete with at least

[Peter]

You have two less teams to compete with at least

Yeah in the long run better off in the west. I just have a much greater chance of finishing last than I would in the East.

[Tony]

touche

[cliff11]

Last year's rankings:

1. P - LA Kings - President Trophy Favourites as usual.
2. Y - Colorado Avalanche - Have you seen this team lately? Top 5 contender easy.
3. Y - Columbus Blue Jackets - Moneyball being played by the GM here.
4. X - Minnesota Wild - Will lose division crown but a threat to go deep into the playoffs.
5. X - St. Louis Blues - GM Shep may have taken the lockout the hardest and put a trade freeze on, but his team is still great.
6. X - San Jose Sharks - Team has taken great strides since GM Shook made his return to BBKL. Could be a contender by playoff time.
7. X - Vancouver Canucks - Another GM driven team. Borderline playoff team as of now but a lot can change in 2 months.
8. X - Nashville Predators - Finally gets some respect in the power rankings and will make sure the other 7 teams are on the outside looking in.

Eastern Conference

1. Z - Pittsburgh Penguins - Finally has some depth. Conference favourites as of now and could win the Presidents' Trophy.
2. Y - Toronto Maple Leafs - The best in the tough Northeast Division. Would be the conference champ were it not for 4 tough weeks versus dvision rivals.
3. Y - Washington Capitals - The team that won the East last year under GM Kareem is still in tact.
4. X - Boston Bruins - No more Tim Thomas. But this team is still deadly.
5. X - Tampa Bay Lightning - If Crosby, Giroux and Stamkos all put up 90-100 Point seasons, the teams in the East are in trouble.
6. X - New Jersey Devils - GM Bergey has made his mark. The New Jersey Staals are going to do some damage.
7. X - Ottawa Senators - The only team to make a conference finals appearance in the Eastern and Western conference. Don't count GM Billy's team out.
8. X - New York Rangers - The New York Rangers will make the playoffs for the first time under KapG.

http://bbkl.ca/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8797

i finished 4th in the west last year shiv

[Robin Hood]

Last year's rankings:

1. P - LA Kings - President Trophy Favourites as usual.
2. Y - Colorado Avalanche - Have you seen this team lately? Top 5 contender easy.
3. Y - Columbus Blue Jackets - Moneyball being played by the GM here.
4. X - Minnesota Wild - Will lose division crown but a threat to go deep into the playoffs.
5. X - St. Louis Blues - GM Shep may have taken the lockout the hardest and put a trade freeze on, but his team is still great.
6. X - San Jose Sharks - Team has taken great strides since GM Shook made his return to BBKL. Could be a contender by playoff time.
7. X - Vancouver Canucks - Another GM driven team. Borderline playoff team as of now but a lot can change in 2 months.
8. X - Nashville Predators - Finally gets some respect in the power rankings and will make sure the other 7 teams are on the outside looking in.

Eastern Conference

1. Z - Pittsburgh Penguins - Finally has some depth. Conference favourites as of now and could win the Presidents' Trophy.
2. Y - Toronto Maple Leafs - The best in the tough Northeast Division. Would be the conference champ were it not for 4 tough weeks versus dvision rivals.
3. Y - Washington Capitals - The team that won the East last year under GM Kareem is still in tact.
4. X - Boston Bruins - No more Tim Thomas. But this team is still deadly.
5. X - Tampa Bay Lightning - If Crosby, Giroux and Stamkos all put up 90-100 Point seasons, the teams in the East are in trouble.
6. X - New Jersey Devils - GM Bergey has made his mark. The New Jersey Staals are going to do some damage.
7. X - Ottawa Senators - The only team to make a conference finals appearance in the Eastern and Western conference. Don't count GM Billy's team out.
8. X - New York Rangers - The New York Rangers will make the playoffs for the first time under KapG.

http://bbkl.ca/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8797

i finished 4th in the west last year shiv

Hehe, you were one of the few I got wrong.