Don't expect any drama
NEW YORK, NY -- Here at the VHL headquarters in New York City, the league is wondering what kind of drama they could possibly stir up with no apparent playoff races this season? The top three teams in each conference are very apparent. New York, Toronto, and Seattle have ruled North America to start the year, while Calgary continues to linger in the basement and Quebec City falls into a rebuild. In Europe, HC Davos continues to string along their dominance in the conference, although they face potent contenders in Vasteras and Riga this season. The Helsinki Titans continue to rebuild after years of success, while Cologne has failed to put together a proven track record, but I believe they are doing the right thing at this point.
If there will be any drama, it will come from the playoff seed races. Who will garner home ice? Will home ice matter in the playoffs (probably not)? New York looks like a good bet to win North America behind the powerful scoring forward Odin Tordahl and Tuomas Tukio.
It should be an interesting season ahead, even without the playoff races we've seen in years past.