November 2009 Power Rankings

Post date: Jan 18, 2010 1:51:36 AM

By: Andrew Schuts

1.) Team Hallman: You can't debate the fact that this team has put up a monster 1st quarter. A few holes exist, and the team has cooled of late., but this is nothing this sharp GM shouldn't be able to solve. This team has enough pieces to be in the financial running to the end, barring injuries.

2.) Team Dave: Team Dave has battled through some injuries early on to key pieces Kessel, Setoguchi, Lucic and Franzen and has placed itself solidly in the top three. The fact that we still haven't seen Crosby at his best is frightening for the other teams in the pool. If Anahiem and Jonas Hiller right their ship, Team Dave could continue the ascent to the top.

3.) Team Daly: This team is balanced 1-15, and as Varlamov has settled in, so has this team. Major holes exist in Foster,Leino, Gilbert and Berglund, so GM Daly has some serious decisions to make this Saturday. The biggest move he could make is getting Danny Briere back in the line-up at months end. This team might not have what it takes right now to win, but is a few shrewd moves from a second championship.

4.) Team Pat: A pleasant surprise thus far, as Team Pat sits nicely in contention at 30 points back. Still a few serious moves away from challenging for the big prize. Furthermore depth will continue to be an issue if it is not addressed. This team lacks the bench to handle one or two crucial injuries. If the depth is shored up and the stars align, Team Pat could make some noise.

5.) Team Neutron: A very strong start to the season, but smoke and mirrors folks, smoke and mirrors. While rookie GM Steve Lavigne has much he can hang his hat on and be proud of, the above average performances of the likes of Prospal, Laich and Morrison is not sustainable. Much like Team Greg last season in its rookie campaign, their just is not enough here to sustain a run at the cash.

6.) Team Loader: The devastating injury to Marc Savard coupled with the peculiar (gay?) return to Carey Price as an answer between the pipes has affected Team Jesse's ability to get much beyond the middle of the pack this season. However the prospecting pick of Marian Hossa, along with the return of assist machine Savard could set this team up to make some noise going forward. A strong waiver will make all the difference to this team, Definitely a team on the rise.

7.) Team Nate: Widely respected amongst the league as having one of the more intelligent and dynamic scouting departments in the Novarks pool, Team Nate has once again been beset by a bizarre combination of bad luck, injuries, and oddly, too much depth. A stroke of genius by having three quality netminders on the team has left this team with a major asset sitting on the bench to this point in Pekka Rinne. Team Nate has to parlay one of its goaltenders into a bargaining chip in order to fill in some of the major holes that exist up front if it has any shot at making a push.

8.) Team Greg: Major holes on defense and in net have prevented a solid nucleus of forwards from propelling this team where it needs to go. Team Greg desperately needs a netminder to compliment the serviceable Tim Thomas. However this team may be too heavily tied to the fortunes of Cogliano, Gagner, and Hemsky to get past the middle of the pack. GM Greg Mady is rapidly learning the trade of being a Novarks GM, it is now time for him to put the knowledge he has gained to use and turn some heads.

9.) Team Jacques: A solid nucleus makes this team a threat for the next for years. But it is how GM Jacques chooses to surround that nucleus that will define his performance. Key injuries have stalled this team in its tracks, but with Ovechkin back and guys like Horton and Tavares stepping it up this team could conceivably make a run with some solid waiver acquisitions. Definitely a team to watch.

10.) Team Will: Some disappointing performances have scarred this team, and Team Will now finds itelf in the unenviable position of contemplating a rebuild less than two months into the season. The poor fate of the St Louis Blues forwards on this team really prevents it from looking like much of a challenger a this point. Team Will has some hard decisions to make, but ultimately 58 points is a long way back to first. Could be very active at the waiver draft.

11.) Team Josh: While injuries are a common theme for teams in the basement, Team Josh lacks depth across the board, with the exception of goaltending, and that is what has done this team in. With the one goalie keeper rule, Ward or Kiprusoff are the biggest trade assets in the pool today. Couple that with a the second overall waiver pick on Saturday, Team Josh has some solid bargaining chips that could be parlayed into an accumulation of draft picks for 2010, or restocking the relatively bare keeper cupboards. Team Josh may think that 67 points is an attainable hurdle to overcome. Time will tell.

12.) Team Schuts: After a few high profile firings in the Team Schuts scouting department this past week, it appears that this team is ripe for rebuild. Word is GM Schuts has made it quite clear that being 74 points out is simnply far too large a deficit to erase. Last season's magical ride from worst to nearly first is simply to unlikely to occur again, and Schuts is ready to rebuild this train wreck. The bright spot is that a number of solid keeper pieces are in place in Motherfuckin JVR, Corey Perry, Henrik Lundqvist and possibly Matt Duchene. Complimenting them will be key going forward.