CPHL Season review so far

[simmer2]

Most teams have now played around 40% of their games so far this year (with the exception of the Oilers who are big slackers) and the standings are starting to sort themselves out. There have been a few surprises so far, and there are some teams that were expected to be at the top.

Western Conference

1. LA Kings - 47pts

Axel stated when he took over the Kings that he wanted to push for the playoffs and that he has. He's struggled a bit to get Malkin and Kovalchuk performing where their ratings indicate, but he's managed very balanced scoring so far. Chris Mason was a solid pickup and all signs look to a strong 2nd half as well.

2. Minnesota Wild - 45pts

Like every other year, Grant has a contending team. He hasn't had anybody on his team really light it up, but like the Kings he's had balanced scoring throughout his lineup. The Wild will be pushing the Kings the rest of the way for the Western Conference lead.

3. St. Louis Blues - 45pts

The Blues are somewhat of a surprise this year. Not that they haven't had success in the past, but with the new SIM GM Spike wasn't sure how they'd perform. On paper they don't blow you away but the team has had balanced scoring and the acquisition of Jokinen has helped immensely. If they stay consistent, look for them to win the division title.

4. Anaheim Ducks - 46pts

After a shaky start, the Ducks have really turned it on as of late. They are being led by Briere who has played very well this season and is one of the top CPHL scorers. Defensively they've struggled a bit which is odd considering their d-core and goaltending but their offense has been very strong. If they continue surging, look for them to surpass the Kings in the Pacific Division.

5. San Jose Sharks - 42pts

The Sharks have flown under the radar so far this year and they're fine with that. They are getting good production out of Getzlaf and Pominville but more importantly the team defense has been very good; they are 2nd in the CPHL in GA and Thomas is leading the league in both GAA and SV%.

6. Dallas Stars - 42pts

The Stars are a pleasant surprise this year and the main reason for that is their defense, namely Souray. Souray is near the top of the CPHL scoring race as a defenseman and also has a strong +12. Legace has also performed well. Technically though, the Stars are a rebuilding team still so some tough decisions face this team.

7. Edmonton Oilers - 38pts

The Oilers should be higher in the standings if they actually played more games, but right now GM Syl can't be disappointed with the performance so far. They have a well-balanced offense and defense, and they are getting contributions from everyone. Osgood hasn't played great, but he's been good enough so far.

8. Chicago Blackhawks - 38pts

The Hawks are in a playoff spot now but most teams within striking distance have a number of games in hand. The Hawks have had troubles putting pucks in the net and need Lecavalier to start performing better if they plan on making the playoffs. Bryz has been busy in net and is performing above his indicated ratings but needs some help.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Detroit Red Wings - 37pts

The Wings have been playing better hockey as of late but are in the bottom half of team GF and GA. Umberger has been stellar so far and has a great +23 rating, but the rest of the team needs to pick it up for the Wings to sneak into the playoffs.

10. Columbs Blue Jackets - 35pts

The Jackets started off the season very well and are likely higher in the standings even at 10th than many people predicted. This is mainly due to the play of the 1st line, in particular Lombardi who leads the team in scoring. They are 8th in the league in GF and will need that to continue to push for a playoff spot.

11. Phoenix Coyotes - 33pts

After starting the year strong, the Coyotes have fallen back mainly due to a lot of GA...currently they sit 3rd last in the league for GA. Dave Bolland has played very well and Wideman is strong on defense but Roloson needs to improve on his 0.878SV% if the Coyotes are going to make a surge.

12. Calgary Flames - 32pts

The Flames haven't been consistent enough this year to put together a winning streak which has led to them being near the bottom of the standings. They are sitting 27th in GF and need Spezza to step up; less than a PPG by him won't get the Flames anywhere.

13. Vancouver Canucks - 32pts

After a good start, the Canucks have really cooled off as of late. A lack of ability to score goals and letting in too many isn't a good combo. Zajac has been good but guys like Krejci and Rolston have really underperformed so far. Look for some trades fairly soon to try and straighten things out or this team will miss the playoffs yet again.

14. Nashville Predators - 25pts

It was expected the Preds wouldn't be very good this year and they aren't disproving that. They are a rebuilding team who has some solid upcoming rookies and look for them to have a high draft choice come the 2010 Entry Draft. Lack of Cheese space will allow Vic to do much trading near the deadline unfortunately.

15. Colorado Avalanche - 17pts

The Avs knew they'd struggle to make the playoffs this year, but they've even underperformed based on those expectations. On paper this team should be better but sitting dead last in GA won't get you very far. It's a shame the Pens have the Avs 1st round pick as well.

[Mango]

Word.

[simmer2]

Eastern Conference

1. Montreal Canadiens - 51pts

If someone told me I'd be leading the CPHL in points at this point, I'd be ecstatic. I knew I had a good team coming in but the pairing of Koivu and Nash have been the difference. Some stingy team defense coupled with good offense has really helped me. I just need the injury bug to stay away.

2. New York Rangers - 50pts

I don't think many had the Rangers pegged to be nearly leading the CPHL in points, but they are thanks to the top GA in the league. They've also got some very good production out of Stoll and excellent goaltending with Backstrom. Look for them to continue their hot streak.

3. Carolina Hurricanes - 40pts

If it were based on points, the Canes would be pushing for a playoff spot but since they are leading they're division, they currently sit 3rd. Atlanta and the Caps are right on their heels though and they need their top guys Iggy and Thornton to do a bit more.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins - 46pts

After starting the year off on a bad foot, GM Goffie made wholesale changes and it looks like those are working. The top line of Crosby and Gaborik are playing well together and the Pens will likely only get better over the stretch.

5. Buffalo Sabres - 44pts

No team has been hotter than the Sabres recently. Right now they are 4th in GF and 6th in GA so the team is playing some very good hockey right now. Mike Green is leading the team in scoring and while they don't have any top end talent outside of Green, they are getting it done and that's what matters.

6. Ottawa Senators - 44pts

Eric Staal is leading the charge for a very good Sens team. They are right on the Habs heels and are playing some solid offensive and defensive hockey right now. The top stars in Kovalev, Semin and Backstrom are also playing very good hockey.

7. Philadelphia Flyers - 44pts

The Flyers have turned it on as of late but should still be higher than where they currently sit. They sit 6th in GF with Vanek, Kessel and surprisingly Hagman all playing a large role. The Flyers could stand to improve team defense though if they really want to make a push for it.

8. Washington Capitals - 38pts

One of the streakiest teams in the league, both on the positive and negative end. The Caps could stand for more consistent goal scoring if they want to make a push for it as Brodeur has cooled off recently.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Atlanta Thrashers - 38pts

Atlanta is a funny team this year; they have two of the top CPHLer's, they are getting good contribution from other players on their team, yet they sit 18th in GF and 13th in GA. The team has the ability to perform better but at this point are on the outside of the playoffs looking in.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning - 34pts

The Lightning sit 15th in GF and 22 in GA so not stellar but their special teams have been excellent this year. PP% is 3rd in the league and PK% is tops in the CPHL. Even strength they need to get better though if they want to push for the playoffs.

11. Boston Bruins- 30pts

By all accounts, the Bruins are a re-building team evidenced by moves made about a month ago. They sit near the bottom of GA and are 21st in GF...the Bruins will likely be out of the playoffs and look for some more moves from the GM as they continue to inject some youth.

12. Florida Panthers - 29pts

The Panthers have a decent enough defense, sitting 16th in GA but they have struggled to put pucks in the net, sitting 3rd last in the league. GM Matt implemented many changes to build the Panthers the way he wanted, unfortunately they aren't performing very well. Look for him to move some older vets for youth as this team is likely out of the playoffs.

13. Toronto Maple Leafs - 21pts

Ovechkin who? The Leafs sit 2nd last in GF and in the bottom 10 of GA, so not much is working. A much criticized trade of top tender Lundqvist has really backfired and look to GM Prototype to make some moves for next year because this team is a long shot to make the playoffs.

14. New Jersey Devils - 18pts

The Devils are exactly where they thought they'd be, near the bottom of the CPHL. They have made some solid moves in a re-building year but are tight against the Cheese limit so they could be in difficult to acquire much more. It's looking like the Devils will have a Top 3 pick this year which will help the team's rebuilding.

15. New York Islanders - 18pts

This team is performing as many thought it would. Look to Mike to move some of its older vets for youth. The younger assets are there and with some good moves by GM Mike, this team will have a solid core to work with next year.

[Sample00]

well done, great effort put in. many thanks

[Flickered Flame]

Great job!

[CMPunk]

Get a job you slacker

[Sylvanfan]

Good stuff Simmer. I think for the most part the top of the Howe standings are more or less how I thought they would be. I had my team pegged to be the 5th or 6th best at the start of the season. Once I play a few more games I'll see if I'm right. Might not be a bad idea to finish 6th though instead of 4th or 5th. I certainly don't want to go in as a 8 seed again.

Dallas so far is the biggest surprise to me. I'll be honest I didn't see them in the playoff picture at all. Just makes what was already a brutally tough Division with the 3 California teams that much tougher. I figured that Central would be pretty close between Chicago, St.Louis, and Detroit, but thought Chicago might have an edge there.

As for the Howe, I thought the Rangers looked like a playoff team in the pre season but they have surprised me with how well they've played. Pittsburgh started off rough but seem to be figuring things out. The South East is actually a pretty interesting Division with the Canes, Thrashers, Capitals, and Lightning all pretty close.

Will be interesting to bench mark this and see how things hold up as the season progresses. Now that every game has a winner I wonder if it will be tougher to make up ground on other teams.