S87 VHLM Statistical Midseason Rankings

[Grape 739]

Here we are at the midseason mark. Teams have gone through a few rounds of inactive shedding and waiver pickups and the rosters have solidified somewhat. Not a lot of trades going on, which is a bit sad, but there hopefully should be some movement this week, it being trade deadline week, which should serve as some excitement for the next few days. But for now, let’s see where teams slot in, statistically speaking.

10. Saskatoon Wild (-2) [Standings Position: 10th]

- Forward Ranking: 8th (Avg TPA: 90.67) -> 9th (Avg TPA: 86.25)

- Defensemen Ranking: 10th (Avg TPA: 57) -> 9th (Avg TPA: 39)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-1st (200 TPA) -> 10th (No Goalie)

 

The wheels have completely fallen off of Saskatoon, as they are in freefall at this time. What I said about their team in the preseason stands true: while goaltending is a major factor for success, you still actually need a team around them. They never put a team together to surround their tender, and now have traded them away for picks. Looking at this team, they basically threw away their first round pick, taking a nearly max goalie instead of players that could play around them, and now they have to restart. The only positive for this team is the season’s already halfway done, so they’re closer to the end at least.

 

9. Las Vegas Aces (+1) [Standings Position: 8th]

- Forward Ranking: 10th (Avg TPA: 59.2) -> 10th (Avg TPA: 92.5)

- Defensemen Ranking: 8th (Avg TPA: 79) -> 10th (Avg TPA: 78)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-10th (No Goalie) -> 8th (Avg TPA: 100)

 

It was already understood that this would be an unsuccessful season for Las Vegas, and that has held true. They were, and are, destined to sit near the bottom of the league for the entirety of the season. At the very least, they’ve seen some respectable growth in their players and, so long as their players remain active, should have a more competitive group next season. As of now, however, they’ll be limping to the finish line.

 

8. Philadelphia Reapers (+1) [Standings Position: 9th]

- Forward Ranking: 3rd (Avg TPA: 155.5) -> 4th (Avg TPA: 143.57)

- Defensemen Ranking: 6th (Avg TPA: 80.5) -> 6th (Avg TPA: 124)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-10th (No Goalie) -> 9th (Avg TPA: 90)

 

Philadelphia has been struggling throughout this season and for good reason. They had a rather poor draft (no fault to the GM, as they were put into a poor situation) and just could not put together a competitive team. They’ve had a lot of turnover player wise so lines have been in a relative constant flux and they’ve suffered because of it. Not too much to say about this team really, as they’ll be relegated to the bottom half of the league for the rest of the season.

 

7. Mexico City Kings (-4) [Standings Position: 1st]

- Forward Ranking: 4th (Avg TPA: 141.8) -> 7th (Avg TPA: 128.44)

- Defensemen Ranking: 7th (Avg TPA: 70) -> 5th (Avg TPA: 126.5)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-4th (137 TPA) -> 5th (Avg TPA: 137)

 

This team continues to defy any statistical logic and remains one of the top teams in the league. I really cannot explain why or how they’re so good with any logic, as it seems it’s practically luck based. I’m not saying that I ever thought that they’d be a terrible team, but there are clearly better teams that are doing worse than them. I kind of just gave up trying to understand this team after they went on a 16 win streak to start off the season. They’ve cooled down a bit after that, and this team has the potential to fall off, hence why they’re ranked so low statistically, but I guess I’ll believe it when I see it. Big possibility that they’ll be exposed come the playoffs.

 

6. Miami Marauders (no change) [Standings Position: 4th]

- Forward Ranking: 6th (Avg TPA: 134) -> 6th (Avg TPA: 134.57)

- Defensemen Ranking: 9th (Avg TPA: 75.33) -> 8th (Avg TPA: 117.5)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-1st (200 TPA) -> T-1st (Avg TPA: 200)

 

To be completely honest, this team has gone under the radar for me throughout this season. They haven’t really made any moves, or done anything in general, that would draw notice to them. Simply put, this is a middle of the pack team playing and acting like a middle of the pack team., and I expect them to stay a middle of the pack team.

 

5. Halifax 21st (+2) [Standings Position: 7th]

- Forward Ranking: 9th (Avg TPA: 96.4) -> 8th (Avg TPA: 110.33)

- Defensemen Ranking: 4th (Avg TPA: 133.33) -> 4th (Avg TPA: 149.33)

- Goaltender Ranking: 7th (52 TPA) -> T-1st (Avg TPA: 200)

 

This team was in pretty bad shape for a good portion of the first half of the season. The best part of this team is their defense, whereas their forwards leave a bit to be desired. This team would be significantly lower if it wasn’t for the move to bring in Saskatoon’s goaltender. After that, while things haven’t necessarily been on the full upswing, they have gotten better and continue to slowly but surely trend upwards. If they want to truly compete, however, they’ll need to improve their forward core.

 

4. Mississauga Hounds (no change) [Standings Position: 3rd]

- Forward Ranking: 1st (Avg TPA: 150.8) -> 1st (Avg TPA: 179.67)

- Defensemen Ranking: 5th (Avg TPA: 92.5) -> 7th (Avg TPA: 100)

- Goaltender Ranking: 6th (96 TPA) -> 7th (Avg TPA: 124)

 

This is a team that will only go as far as their offense takes them. They know how to score goals and are able to do so with great efficiency. Where they struggle, however, is on the defensive side. Their goaltending and defense is a step behind top competing teams but they compensate for that with a high-octane offense. So long as the forwards keep scoring, this team should be fine. It’s when that goal-scoring dries up, that there will be a problem.

 

3. San Diego Marlins (+2) [Standings Position: 6th]

- Forward Ranking: 7th (Avg TPA: 124) -> 5th (Avg TPA: 140.78)

- Defensemen Ranking: 1st (Avg TPA: 151.8) -> 2nd (Avg TPA: 158.4)

- Goaltender Ranking: 8th (43 TPA) -> 6th (Avg TPA: 126)

 

This team has been subtly good this season, with a large quantity of players to assist in their pursuit for a repeat. They’ve had some of the more reliable growth and for that they’ve remained with one of the more full rosters, which makes it pretty hard to match up against them. This team looks like one that will continue to get better and rise in the standings. They’ve had a bit of a slow start, but with goaltending starting to take shape, they should be more competitive in the second half of the season

 

2. Houston Bulls (-1) [Standings Position: 5th]

- Forward Ranking: 2nd (Avg TPA: 143.17) -> 2nd (Avg TPA: 160.38)

- Defensemen Ranking: 2nd (Avg TPA: 161) -> 3rd (Avg TPA: 153)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-4th (137 TPA) -> 4th (Avg TPA: 143)

 

Houston sports a very strong roster and looks primed to be a top team for the second half of the season. They don’t necessarily have any glaring weaknesses, at least any that need to be addressed immediately. Growth will fill in the gaps and allow this team to maintain success

 

1. Ottawa Lynx (+1) [Standings Position: 2nd]

- Forward Ranking: 5th (Avg TPA: 142.6) -> 3rd (Avg TPA: 150.17)

- Defensemen Ranking: 3rd (Avg TPA: 134.67) -> 1st (Avg TPA: 197)

- Goaltender Ranking: T-1st (200 TPA) -> T-1st (Avg TPA: 200)

 

Ottawa continues to push forward this season in an attempt to solidify themselves as the top team in the league. An interesting thing to note about this team is that they are not winning through a strong offensive game, but through steady defense instead. While their GF is below average (not uncommon for many of us), their GA is top of the league, being the only one left in the double digits. So long as the goaltending and defense stay staunch, this team should have the capabilities to remain a top contender.

 

Discussion

There are really few clear cut teams positionally speaking, with Saskatoon and Vegas the only ones I can 100% say belong where I put them. There’s a really strange mix in regards to forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders within and between all the teams that makes it extremely difficult to accurately place them. Teams with top forward groups have below average defense groups and vice versa, which, on one hand, has made the parity in the league very high, but on the other, ranking these teams a significant challenge. Looking at the standings, the league is separated into 3 groups:

- The top competitors, consisting of Mexico City, Ottawa, Mississauga, and Miami

- The middling teams, consisting of Houston, San Diego, and Halifax

- The bottom feeders, consisting of Las Vegas, Philadelphia. And Saskatoon

But statistically, these teams are all jumbled around somewhat. Based on how it looks, this is shaping up to be a very interesting second half of the season, in which teams should become more solidified in their position. With nobody really creating a gap between themselves and the other teams (in terms of actually being a top team. Saskatoon is doing a great job “running away” with the 1st overall pick) I can see teams fighting for positioning all the way till the last game of the season. 

 

(1566 words)

[jacobcarson877 2,562]

Hoping we can meet expectations by the end of the season!

[Grape 739]

Claiming again

[Grape 739]

Uno mas claimo