Nick's Picks #12 Power Ranking Early Season

[NickSunderbruch 392]

     So we approach a point in the season where we can start predicting which teams will make the playoffs or not. I'll be doing a top 5 power ranking of teams in each conference that I believe to be on top of the hockey world right now. Things on this power ranking are subject to change the next time I make a list like this, so fasten those helmet straps because it's time for a lesson. 

 

North America

 

1. Las Angeles Stars 30 points

What else is there to say? A team that seems to have it all. 

With star players in the likes of, John Merrick, Jeffery Pines, and Jiggly Gumballs, this team is STACKED.

LA is looking to make a deep run in the playoffs with their solid defensive core, and their hot shot net minder.

Did I mention how hard it is to score on Doug Dimmadome? Even when he was in the minors he was hot. 

So be on the lookout for a potential cup run from the Stars.

@Steve @rory @JigglyGumballs @Esso2264 @Josh

 

2. Toronto Legion 27 points

Toronto is putting up a hell of a fight this season with their veteran goal tender retiring once they're finished.

With the slogan #WinForRookie trending all over Toronto media, is it any surprise theses guys got their asses in gear?

With a stud filled roster we have names like, Lester Green, Oh Sens, Scotty Kaberle, Jaxx Hextall, and many more.

This team is absolutely stacked in terms of offensive talent AND defensive talent. 

The blue line has only allowed 64 goals so far this season, and likely to barely rise by the time the season concludes.

I see this team winning big this season, and I see them winning it all.

So look out for this solid team.

@Smarch @osens @fromtheinside @ROOKIE745 @Peace

 

3. Chicago Phoenix 30 points

Tied for first place but third on this list is the Phoenix. 

A team with some incredible talent, but also facing cap problems. 

I feel like if Chicago wasn't in the cap situation they're in I'd have them at number two. 

Chicago has some excellent talent such as; Christian Mingle, Robin Winter, Spencer Elsby, and Matty Socks.

This team has a goals for of 84, which is the most in the conference. 

I see Chicago potentially winning it all this season, but this season could be their last chance before they have to resign a ton of talent.

@JeffD @Quik @Sonnet @Spence King @fishy

 

4. Seattle Bears 21 points

A team not far from the spoils of playoff success but dropping lower and lower as time progresses.

The only reason I have the Bears in the number four spot is only because I hate the city of Vancouver.

Seattle has usually been on top of the hockey world from what I gather from my limited knowledge of past seasons.

Seattle bolsters faces such as, Jim Bob, Isabella Campbell, Marshall James Frostbeard, and Rara Rasputin.

This roster has a ton of depth with a decent amount of star power to back them up. 

Seattle likely makes the playoffs but loses in the first or second round in my opinion. 

But hey, STHS could make them sweep the playoffs for all I know.

@jRuutu @Banackock @FrostBeard @Victor

 

5. Vancouver Wolves 21 points

I really don't like this city, I once got stuck in the freezing cold at the bus stop for hours there. 

Not going to lie, that was hell, especially being a Florida man myself.

But this team is essentially even with Seattle in all ways in my opinion. 
Vancouver's top players include, SS Hornet, Andrew Su, Onde Sandstrom, and Micah Adrienne.

This team seems to be more focused on scoring goals rather than keeping them out of the net, with a goal differential of only 2. 

I think both the Wolves and the Bears are the weakest in the top 5 here.

@McWolf @Da_Berr @fonziGG @Poptart

 

European

 

1. Prague Phantoms 32 points

The Phantoms are currently the highest ranked team in the league.

This team hangs with the big boys any time any day, with an explosive offense and a tight defense.

Pragues top skaters include, Thomas Landry II, Battre Sandstrom, Riley Knight Gee, and Dan Baillie Jr.

It's clear that defensively this team is unstoppable with only 55 GA, mainly because of their net minder Grekkark Gyrfalcon (I'm dyslexic and hate this name)

This team i my favorite to win it in the European Conference this year.

@diamond_ace  @Doomsday @wcats @Acydburn  @KnightRiley @Sharkstrong

 

2. Warsaw Predators 29 points

The second place team in the European Conference is also second on our power rankings.

With the best offense in the conference, and the highest goal difference, this team might just be a little better than Prague.

Warsaw offers many great players such as, Dakota Lamb, Aloe Dear, Latrell Mitchell, and Ajay Krishna.

This team is ridiculous and you likely don't want to be playing pipes against their destructive offensive core.

I see this team making it far in the playoffs, if not all the way this year.

@.sniffuM @dlamb @Renomitsu  @dasboot @Hooperorama

 

3. Helsinki Titans 28 points

Yeah third place in both the league, and this list goes to the Titans.

With a Goal difference of 16 Helsinki is poised to be another potent offensive warrior this season. 

With incredible talent like, Valtteri Vaakanainen, Venus Thightrap, Emi Rune, And Zamboni Driver, the Titans are one of the hottest roster out there.

The reason I appreciate the Titans so much is their goal keeper, it's said that he beat the Maple Leafs by himself, when they employed him.

Helsinki is likely a top contender in Europe this season, and likely to make a second round appearance.

@Jubo07 @BladeMaiden @Emi @Tape-to-Tape

 

4. HC Davos Dynamo 22 points

Moving up in the official standings from 5th to 4th in my rankings. 

Dynamo has a weak game in general, barely staying above .500 by a thread.

This team is an easy first round knock out to a lower seed or a anyone else in my opinion. 

However they do offer talent in the form of, Taro Tsujimoto, Tyler Walker, and Kunibuni Unguri.

A team with an offensive roster that averages under 400, I just don't see this team winning a cup soon. 

@GustavMattias @Advantage @Berocka

 

5. London United 23 points

Another team barely above .500 is London United.

A team that while in the standings is better than HC Davos, is likely worse in reality.

A team in London already sucks, because I also had a bad experience in England, I was 13 and when I noticed the London Bridge was not indeed falling down, I lost my fucking mind.

London has players that we can list off such as, Mikko Lahtinen, Kevin King, and Kasper Kankkunen. 

Honestly Kankkunen is my favorite player on this team, once a former Ace with me and I know that he's just awesome at what he does.

I see London absolutely making the playoffs, doing well for a few games, maybe squeezing into the second round, and getting obliterated.

However I admit that this team is better than the sim gives them credit for, I just don't argue with Simon.

@Beketov @IamMOOSE @16z

 

 

     Well that concludes this power ranking list, I hope you all enjoyed me talking shit about the teams you're on, and telling you why Toronto will win it all.

Thank you all for reading, and please tell me what you think in the comments, tell me more about why your team is better than I give them credit for. You're allowed to be wrong. Anyways I hear my dad coming home from the bar for real this time, I'd better grab my helmet, jockstrap, and mouth guard. Stay warm, and stay icey, Seacrest out.

[Sharkstrong 166]

On 4/1/2021 at 8:56 AM, NickSunderbruch said:

Grekkark Gyrfalcon (I'm dyslexic and hate this name)

hahah sorry bud!

 

Great article

[NickSunderbruch 392]

Claiming week two