By Dylan Callow
This is the 1st part of 4 in the season preview series. We’re going to take a quick look at each division and rate the teams to 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 evaluate 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+ (i.e. veterans and leadership).
I will also evaluate the team’s top 5 prospects, which in my description are the top 5 players in terms of Potential who haven’t yet reached it.
Finally, I will look at the team’s available cap space to make deals to improve their team. While I have ranked the player categories out of 10, potential will be out of 5 and cap space will be evaluated out of 3.
Goaltending:
The Schloder Division is still equipped with two top five goaltenders in Lehtonen (Geneva), and Quick (Munich), two veterans in Smith (Bern) and Elliott (Zurich), and two up-and-coming tenders in Varlamov (Berlin) and Ramo (Frankfurt). Berlin has completely revamped their goalie pairing this year, replacing the aging Kiprusoff. Frankfurt’s pairing of Karri Ramo and Jan Laco from the draft will play tandem but they will probably be outmatched for the next 2 seasons. Geneva shares top spot
with Munich by having the #1 cop in town (Bobrovsky) to back up an excellent Kari Lethonen.
What separates the teams are also the backups. Bern and Zurich have capable backups able to stand in admirably for the 15-20 games they’ll have. Based on this, my ratings are:
(OUT of 10)
Munich/Geneva: 8.5 Points
Bern: 6 Points
Zurich: 5.5 Points
Berlin: 5 Points
Frankfurt: 3 Points
Top 4 Defense:
The Defence in this division has started to age. However, Bern’s top 4 is still the best, followed closely by Berlin’s. Frankfurt added Dougie Hamilton, who combined with Doughty will solidify the top 2 for years to come. I expect great things from this pairing, but in about 3 years. Geneva’s Nicklas Lidstrom retired, which means that their top 4 has regressed, despite having two competent Dmen in Wideman and Del Zotto.
(OUT of 10)
Bern: 9 Points
Berlin: 8.5 Points
Geneva: 6.5 Points
Munich: 6 Points
Zurich: 5 Points
Frankfurt: 2 Points.
Top 6 Forwards:
Zurich, for the second consecutive year, has the best top 6 in the league. Not only do they have arguably one of the best lines in Kovalchuk/Bergeron/Stafford, but second pairing defense will have a tough go against a second with the two “Pat’s”, Sharp and Kane. Nipping at their heels is the new Berlin top 6, who have in remarkable fashion added Eriksson, Callahan, and Tlusty. Bern and Munich’s top lines are aging but still very good, and Frankfurt’s Stamkos/Giroux pairing has added a young power forward in Pacioretty. Geneva has added Tomas Vanek to their 2nd line. So in summary, this is quite possibly the best offensive division in the league.
(OUT of 10)
Zurich: 10 Points
Berlin: 9 points
Frankfurt/Munich: 8 Points
Geneva/Bern: 7 Points
The Future (Top 5 Potential Players):
The winner by far of this area in the Schloder Division is Frankfurt, who’s combination of future legends Ramo,
Stamkos and Giroux will no doubt be generational talents that most teams would be lucky to have one of. However, don’t count out Munich and Berlin, who have Quick/Phaneuf, and Couture/Eriksson/Callahan getting better and better. Bern and Geneva are very much in win-now mode, and will need to be concerned about stocking their prospect pool with star talent as their core ages.
(OUT of 5)
Frankfurt: 5 Points
Berlin: 3 Points
Munich: 2.5 Points
Zurich: 2 Points
Bern: 1.5 Points
Geneva: 1 Point
Cap Flexibility:
Pretty much all the teams but Berlin are over the cap and will be unable to add a quality player to their arsenal if the opportunity comes up.
(OUT of 3)
Berlin: 3 Points
Munich/Zurich: 1 Point
Bern/Geneva/Frankfurt: 0 Points
Projected Final Standings in the Division (at this time):
1st Place: Berlin (huge additions to the forward line makes them a scary team)
2nd Place: Munich (Jon Quick and depth makes this team a playoff team)
3rd Place: Bern (this veteran team has enough to make one more playoff run)
4th Place: Zurich (the offense is scary good, but they’ll need to watch out for the counterattack)
5th Place: Geneva (signing Lehtonen was important but may not be enough)
6th Place: Frankfurt (many great young players, but will take time to develop)
Please note: I really don’t wish to offend anyone, I just hope this promotes healthy discussion.
