By dcallow
This is the 2nd part of 4 in the season preview series. We’re going to take a quick look at the Demitra Division tonight and make a prediction on their final standings. Here’s my evaluation (keep in mind we haven’t finished drafting/trading so it’s not set in stone).
I am evaluating the Goaltending, Top 4 Defense, and Top 6 Forwards based on their current OV ranking, taking into account the amount of players 30 years of age+. These are ranked out of 10.
I will also evaluate the team’s top 5 prospects, which in my description are the top 5 players in terms of PO who haven’t yet reached their potential. This is ranked out of 5 points.
Finally, I will look at the team’s available cap space to make deals to improve their team. This section will be evaluated out of 3.
Note: This is an interesting prediction as I tried to not only compare the teams in this division, but also how they stacked up to the Scholder Division. From this, I can make a prediction on the Eastern Conference standings.
Goaltending:
The Demitra Division is a bit weaker on the goaltending than Scholder, as the top tier of goaltenders (Vokoun from Athens, Miller from Prague, and Niemi from Milan) are 85OVR and below, whereas we had 3 goalies over 87OVR in the Scholder Division.
That being said, the cream of the crop currently is Athens, who not only boasts the top goalie in the division in Vokoun, but also the best backup by a wide margin in Crawford.
A team to watch will be Madrid, as Biron and Neuvirth leave something to be desired between the posts. Look for Madrid to acquire a true #1 goaltender during the future.
Out of 10:
Athens: 7 Points
Milan: 6 Points
Prague: 5 Points
Paris: 4 Points
Bratislava: 3 Points
Madrid: 2 Points
Top 4 Defense:
If we compare the defenses of the Demitra Division to Scholder’s, we can see that the Demitra Division’s teams have really built for the future. They have young superstars in the works in Myers, Karlsson, Voynov, Byfuglien, Pietrangelo, and Letang. Simply amazing.
However, that doesn’t exactly lend itself to performing “amazing” this year. The top 2 defenses in this division are very different in structure.
Bratislava has the best defenseman in the division in Chara, but also two top 4 defenseman in Ehrhoff/Martin, as well as Tyler Myers, who will eventually be able to handle a top 2 role.
Meanwhile, Paris has both Pietrangelo and Letang as their top 2 defenseman, showing the EURO league that the future is indeed now. That will be the best pairing in the league in a few years.
Athens has a good collection of top 4 defenseman, but they might need to upgrade in order to help out Vokoun.
Out of 10:
Bratislava/Paris: 6 Points
Madrid: 5 Points
Milan/Prague: 4 Points
Athens: 3 Points
Top 6 Forwards:
Madrid’s trade for Gabriel Landeskog has proved to be rewarding as they can now boast they have the best line in the division in Landeskog-H.Sedin-Pavelski (assuming he moves over to RW).
Madrid also has tremendous centre depth in Pavelski, Sedin, Carter, and Couturier, and I feel that Pavelski will move over to right wing in order to stockpile talent on the top 6.
Prague is not far behind with all of their top 6 under 30 years of age and the best left wing in the division in Parise.
Out of 10:
Madrid: 7 Points
Prague/Bratislava: 6 Points
Milan: 5 Points
Bern: 5 Points
Athens/Paris: 4 Points
The Future (Top 5 Potential Players):
The Demitra Division has by far the best collection of young players I have seen yet, and is heads and shoulders over the Scholder Division. Madrid has two generational talents in Landeskog and Karlsson, as well as Couturier, Pavelski, and Voynov. They could have two legends very, very soon.
However, Athens is not far behind in O’Reilly, Kane, as well as Backes, Oshie, and Crawford. Round that out with Paris’s Pietrangelo, Letang, Malkin, Perry, and Perron and you will have the leagues most competitive division in 3-4 years.
Out of 5:
Madrid: 5 Points (simply amazing!)
Athens: 4.5 Points
Paris: 4 Points
Bratislava/Milan/Prague: 3.5 Points
Cap Flexibilty:
Both Athens and Madrid have a payroll under 45M, which allows them the opportunity to go out and acquire another player. However, Paris might have trouble with the cap spave if they want to go out and acquire another defender.
Out of 3:
Athens/Madrid: 2.5 Points
Milan: 2 Points
Prague: 1.75 Points
Bratislava: 1.5 Points
Paris: 1 Point
Projected Final Standings in the Division:
1st Place: Madrid (could be scary good if they can acquire a #1 goaltender)
2nd Place: Athens (Great goaltending and a young squad)
3rd Place: Milan (about 2 years away from their full potential)
4th Place: Prague (great first line, but the depth is a bit suspect)
5th Place: Bratislava (Toews and Hossa really need a left wing to accompany this powerhouse line)
6th Place: Paris (will have the best top 2 in the division, but goaltending and scoring are a bit suspect)
