Post by Joe Hockey on Sept 3, 2018 20:32:09 GMT -7
Well, that was a long nap! Four years. What have I missed?
It looks like the Premier Division is still dominating with the last five championships.
The Flames were in last place the last time I looked, nice steady climb, culminating in the Linden Cup (good name). Congratulations to them.
But that was then, this is now. It's time to get out the old spreadsheet and let everyone know how this season is going to unfold.
We'll start with the team that finished last in 2018.
In the last four years the Oilers finished 7th, 9th, 2nd, and last overall.
It's obvious they have gone into full rebuild mode after trading Sydney Crosby at the deadline last year.
With ten picks in the draft this year, including first overall and another four in the top fourteen, and a number of decent prospects in the system, the rebuild might only take three or four years.
Right now though, it would really suck to be a fan. Top forwards this year will probably be Draisaitl. Miller, Guentzel and Horvat. I can see his opponents shaking in their skates already. From laughter. Really, there is only one team with maybe a worse group and we'll get to them in a moment. Offence rating: 11th
Now the really bad news. Worst defence in the league, bar none. Alex Pietrangelo and then a bunch of middle of the pack players. Now the really good news. First pick overall, Rasmus Dahlin, a no brainer, and with two more first round picks, who knows. Best prospects would be Conor Timmins and Madison Bowey. Defence rating: 12th
Playoffs this year? Not a chance.
Breakout player: Valentin Zykov
Top Rookie: Kailer Yamamoto
Season Prediction: 10 - 39 - 5 - 25 pts, 6th place Platinum Division, 11th overall.
It looks like the Premier Division is still dominating with the last five championships.
The Flames were in last place the last time I looked, nice steady climb, culminating in the Linden Cup (good name). Congratulations to them.
But that was then, this is now. It's time to get out the old spreadsheet and let everyone know how this season is going to unfold.
We'll start with the team that finished last in 2018.
In the last four years the Oilers finished 7th, 9th, 2nd, and last overall.
It's obvious they have gone into full rebuild mode after trading Sydney Crosby at the deadline last year.
With ten picks in the draft this year, including first overall and another four in the top fourteen, and a number of decent prospects in the system, the rebuild might only take three or four years.
Right now though, it would really suck to be a fan. Top forwards this year will probably be Draisaitl. Miller, Guentzel and Horvat. I can see his opponents shaking in their skates already. From laughter. Really, there is only one team with maybe a worse group and we'll get to them in a moment. Offence rating: 11th
Now the really bad news. Worst defence in the league, bar none. Alex Pietrangelo and then a bunch of middle of the pack players. Now the really good news. First pick overall, Rasmus Dahlin, a no brainer, and with two more first round picks, who knows. Best prospects would be Conor Timmins and Madison Bowey. Defence rating: 12th
Playoffs this year? Not a chance.
Breakout player: Valentin Zykov
Top Rookie: Kailer Yamamoto
Season Prediction: 10 - 39 - 5 - 25 pts, 6th place Platinum Division, 11th overall.