I have a long history of mocking power rankings. They are stupid. And yet, useful. So take little stock in these, they're more of a "tier" system than individual number rankings. And if you think the Cup is awarded this early on in the year... you're probably a Rangers/Flyers fan.
The Juggernauts (...bitch)
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Buffalo Sabres
3. New York Rangers
4. Los Angeles Kings
The true titans of the NHL right now. Pittsburgh gets the edge over the two New York teams for, well, beating New York. Buffalo gets the edge over NYR for being undefeated in regulation. Tonight's match between LA and NY should be a good one, and Buffalo visits the Pens Nov. 1st.
The Contenders
5. Chicago Blackhawks
6. Colorado Avalanche
7. Philadelphia Flyers
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
9. Calgary Flames
I originally had CAL as the number 2 team, but come-from-ahead losses to #5 and #8 ruined that. These are all teams that, barring a rash of injuries, will make the postseason this year. Maybe not strong enough with their current rosters to win the Cup, but certainly able to under the right circumstances.
Achilles' Heel
10. Washington Capitals
11. Phoenix Coyotes
12. New Jersey Devils
13. San Jose Sharks
14. Ottawa Senators
15. St. Louis Blues
16. Detroit Red Wings
17. Edmonton Oilers
Each one could be a contender, but has a crippling weakness that, at this point in the season, would make them all first-round fodder. Whether it's a lack of scoring (PHX, DET, NJD, OTT), terrible defensive corps (WAS), subpar goaltending (STL, DET again), or some intangible that helps them lose random games (SJ, EDM), they ain't good enough for the ultimate prize... yet.
Disappointments
18. Vancouver Canucks
19. Boston Bruins
20. Anaheim Ducks
21. Carolina Hurricanes
22. Montreal Canadiens
Picked to do real damage in the NHL this year, the only things they've wrecked are their fans' self-esteem. I think all 5 were in TSN's top 10 at the beginning of the year. At this point, it would barely be a surprise if every one missed the playoffs. But good teams respond from slow starts, so time will tell.
Pretenders
23. Tampa Bay Lightning
24. Nashville Predators
25. Atlanta Thrashers
This category needs no explanation. Let's see where these teams are in a month.
Overachievers
26. New York Islanders
27. Dallas Stars
While not good by any means, they're not nearly as bad as people thought they'd be. NYI has this 2005-06 Penguins thing going on about racking up OT losses, though.
Bad
28. Minnesota Wild
Thought they could be a surprise team this season. Just more proof you don't build a team through free agency.
Awful
29. Florida Panthers
Why is there even a team in Miami?
Forfeit
30. Toronto Maple Leafs
It's so nice to see Brian Burke fail. Trying to become the Flyers Lite, and getting outworked by every "softer" team you face? That's just miserable personnel planning.
Maybe another one of these in a month, I don't care.
Oh, and LA Angels over Yankees in 6, LA Dodgers over Phillies in 7.
- Matt
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3 comments:
I love the concept of tiered rankings - I think that distinguishing between certain sets of teams is so nitpicky that it's not worth it.
But that said, I have a few disagreements. This early in the season, I think it's dangerous to go entirely based off of on ice performance - there is such a thing as small sample size. Buffalo has looked good early, but no way they keep this pace up. Detroit is better than they've played and they'll pick it up. Washington is a contender just because on any given night they can throw in 6 goals.
I didn't really care if teams could keep the pace up. I just ranked them based on how they've been playing.
As for the teams you mentioned: until Buffalo gets into injury trouble, they're legit. Detroit isn't playing well now and Franzen is out for a long time, so I have to keep them low on the list. Low for Detroit anyway. Washington needs defense before I give them respect as a contender. And Varlamov's glove is so soft, bears wipe their asses in commercials on it.
Also, I made a mistake: Buffalo doesn't visit Pittsburgh until December. Damn confusing season calender has February under October.
And man was I wrong about LA. Both baseball and hockey.
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