By Phelim McAleer
Copenhagen Post
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 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 (in another article so it’s not so long).
Goaltending
The Demitra Division is weaker between the pipes than Scholder, as the top tier of goaltenders (Vokoun from Madrid, Miller from Prague, and Niemi from Milan) are 84OVR and below, whereas we had 3 goalies 85OVR or over in the Scholder Division.
That being said, the cream of the crop currently is Madrid, who not only boasts a top goalie in the division in Vokoun (originally from Athens), but also the best backup in Ersberg.
A team to watch will be Paris, as Theodore and Rask leave something to be desired between the posts. Look for Paris to acquire a true #1 goaltender during the future.
Out of 10
- Madrid: 6 Points
- Milan: 5 Points
- Athens/Bratislava: 4 Points
- Prague: 3 Points
- Paris: 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, Kulikov, Byfuglien, Pietrangelo, and Letang. Simply amazing.
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.
Madrid added Coburn and Gonchar, which improves their top 4, while Milan added Unterluggauer and Paris added Krog through the draft.
Meanwhile, the top defense in Paris has both Pietrangelo and Letang as their top 2 defenseman, showing the EURO league that the future is indeed now. They are and will be the best pairing in the league for a number of years.
Prague has a collection of #3/4 defenseman, but they might need to upgrade in order to help out Miller.
Out of 10:
- Paris: 9 Points
- Madrid/Milan/Bratislava: 7 Points
- Athens: 5 Points
- Prague: 4 Points
Top 6 Forwards
The top 6 of all the Southern Conference teams are strong, but overall there is a bit more depth on the Demitra Division compared to top-line talents in the Scholder.
Athens lost Evander Kane but picked up veterans Hartnell, Pominville, and Marcel Hossa for the top 6, improving their overall forward group.
Madrid also has tremendous center depth in Pavelski, Staal, Carter, and Couturier, and I feel that Carter will stay at right wing in order to stockpile talent on the top 6.
However, Milan’s acquisition of rival Madrid’s Henrik Sedin, along with adding Kalyvas and Alfredsson to the second line puts their gorup on top.
Out of 10:
- Milan: 9 Points
- Athens/Madrid: 8 Points
- Bratislava: 7 Points
- Prague: 6 Points
- Paris: 5 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 Staal. They could have two legends very, very soon.
However, Athens is not far behind in O’Reilly, Kronwall, as well as Backes, Oshie, and Shipachov. Round that out with Paris’s Pietrangelo, Letang, Malkin, Perry, and Kuusk and you will have the leagues most competitive division in 2-3 years.
Out of 5:
- Madrid: 5 Points (simply amazing!)
- Athens: 4 Points
- Paris: 4 Points
- Bratislava: 3 Points
- Prague: 2.5 Points
- Milan: 2 Points
Cap Flexibilty
Athens has a payroll under 45M, which allows them the opportunity to go out and acquire another player. However, Madrid might have trouble with the cap space if they want to go out and acquire more depth.
Out of 3:
- Athens: 3 Points
- Milan/Prague: 2.5 Points
- Bratislava: 1.5 Points
- Paris: 1 Points
- Madrid: 0 Points
Projected Final Standings in the Division
1st Place: Madrid (could be scary good if they can acquire a franchise goaltender)
2nd Place: Milan (Consistent depth in all areas, especially forward)
3rd Place: Athens (about a year or 2 away from their full potential)
4th Place: Bratislava (Toews/Hossa/Chara will lead them to the playoffs)
5th Place: Paris (The defense is really good, but will the goalies make timely saves and can the forwards score timely goals?)
6th Place: Prague (not enough quality on D and in goal to make a run)
Please note: I really don’t wish to offend anyone, I just hope this promotes healthy discussion, as this is completely my opinion.
