Claimed: Power Ranking the League [1/2]

[Tyler 885]

 

Power Rankings (First 8 games)

 

1. Toronto Legion (16 pts)

2. Quebec City Meute (15 pts)

3. Riga Reign (10 pts)

4. Helsinki Titans (8 pts)

5. HC Davos Dynamo (10 pts)

6. Calgary Wranglers (7 pts)

7. Seattle Bears (8 pts)

8. Stockholm Vikings (4 pts)

9. Cologne Express (4 pts)

10. New York Americans (1 pt)

 

We are only a week (8 games) in to the VHL season but it's never too early to do a power rankings! These are all my opinions of how the teams have done in that week only. I tried not to be biased as much as I could be in my rankings.

 

1. Toronto Legion

Not predicted by many to be in such a position the Legion are the best team after 8 games. They stand at 8-0, 4-0 at home and 4-0 on the road for a perfect start to their season. Toronto has a goal differential of + 22 and is an upstart team to begin the season. Time will tell if they can keep it up long term, but even a start like this should garner them a very good position to make the playoffs this year.

 

2. Quebec City Meute

The consensus favourite to win the North America division, Quebec have begun the season 7-0-1 with their only loss coming on opening night in Seattle. Since then they've beaten Davos as well as back to back champs Helsinki twice. Needless to say the Meute are looking like a force to be reckoned with and will likely be representing North America in the finals this year.

 

3. Riga Reign

A mixed start, the Reign seem to be getting their game together with a win over Davos in the last few days. They haven't had a difficult schedule to start the year and losses to the Wranglers and Legion do muddy the waters a bit, but seeing as they are a new team put together this off season and with some youth in the lineup, it seems prudent to give them a top 3 ranking.

 

4. Helsinki Titans

The back to back champs are coming in at number 4. They've had a weird start as well with big wins over weaker opponents but losing close games to rivals such as Davos, the Legion and Quebec. Seems the Titans have had a tough schedule to start and should rise in the rankings in no time.

 

5. HC Davos Dynamo

The Dynamo may have a 5-3-0 record but their + 2 goal differential has to be worrying for them. They have found it tough to score this year and are going to have to pick it up if they want to rise up the standings.

 

6. Calgary Wranglers
Wins over Riga and a shutout over the Dynamo see the Wranglers making it in to the top 6. Calgary has a solid young core though time will tell if they can compete this year though it would go a long way to keeping disgruntled free agent to be Luca Volkov.

 

7. Seattle Bears

The franchise seemingly stuck in no man's land has a better record than Calgary though the Wranglers wins over two European powerhouses puts them ahead of the Beats who have mostly beat up on weaker opponents, with one big win over the Meute on opening night. The Bears and Wranglers seem likely to alternate positions here all season.

 

8. Stockholm Vikings

Not much to really say that hasn't already been said. The 8 through 10 teams are all pretty bad. At least the Vikings seem to have a prayer in terms of a competent GM with a plan.

 

9. Cologne Express

Not much to speak of here. A bad team with not much by way of a future. A few bad trades can go a long way to setting a team back.

 

10. New York Americans

Their only point so far came in a loss that went beyond regular time so the Americans are not great. Should be a long year in New York.

[Da Trifecta 1,902]

Thank you @Tyler I love these!

[TheLastOlympian07 2,388]

Review

Nice article as always from you Tyler. It is interesting how some teams come out the gate and how some teams falter like Toronto and Davos.