The Annual NHL team rankings thread (The Athletic and others)

[bubbsy]

I really don't like when the flames coming into the season with a lot of external "favourites" narratives, but can't deny how good the team looks on paper. It also helps that we have the best coach to ensure that the team doesn't get distracted by the hype.

[Enoch Root]

The Avs were the favorites to win the cup from almost everyone last year, it didn't seem to bother them.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Well, Backlund, Coleman and Dube's roles aren't really changing either

I disagree,

Backlund and Colemen are basically getting bumped off the second line, with a what will certainly be a lesser winger. Fewer minutes, less PP Time, fewer assists / 60min should all be expected from them just because of a reduction in opportunity. There rating should drop, given that the rating heavily weights points.

On the same hand, both of our top 2 RWs should see a bump in stats, just by getting more opportunities.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by #-3

I disagree,

Backlund and Colemen are basically getting bumped off the second line, with a what will certainly be a lesser winger. Fewer minutes, less PP Time, fewer assists / 60min should all be expected from them just because of a reduction in opportunity. There rating should drop, given that the rating heavily weights points.

On the same hand, both of our top 2 RWs should see a bump in stats, just by getting more opportunities.

I bet their ice time, assignment, and stats look a whole lot like every other year

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I bet their ice time, assignment, and stats look a whole lot like every other year

Yes, playing against the top lines automatically gives them big minutes, if Sutter matches lines. And playing a counterpunching style, as Backlund and Coleman can do, against offensive players can lead to good scoring chances the other way.

The big difference is that Kadri's line is going to get some good looks against some lesser lines. The opposition checkers will line up against Lindholm, their offensive guys will face Backund. Kadri will get the soft underbelly.

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I bet their ice time, assignment, and stats look a whole lot like every other year

Last year the typical lineup ice time for centers was basically
Lindholm 20
Backlund 17
Monahan 14
Ruzicka 10
If I were betting, Backlund is a lot closer to 14 than 17 this year,

Backlund was getting 1.5m PP / 2m PK.
If I were betting I would take the under on 1m PP this year, and the over on 2m PK.

Last year Backlunds & Mangiapane collaborated on 16 goals.
Whoever plays with him and Coleman, I will take the under on 16 goal collaborations.

We should expect a drop in the type of offensive production this stat is measuring. And like I said, you should opposite impacts for guys like Toffoli.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

I bet their ice time, assignment, and stats look a whole lot like every other year

Yeah, Sutter basically ran his bench by rolling through all of his lines last year, until the team needed some scoring in a pinch, which is not something that happened very often. The premise is clearly that there should be no need for line matching since every line on this team can do the heavy lifting.

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[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by #-3

Last year the typical lineup ice time for centers was basically

Lindholm 20

Backlund 17

Monahan 14

Ruzicka 10

If I were betting, Backlund is a lot closer to 14 than 17 this year...

Maybe a little closer, but my expectation is that most of the redistribution of ice time will come at Ronney's expense this year. I could see something closer to this:

Lindholm 19

Kadri 19

Backlund 16

Rooney 6


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[Paulie Walnuts]

Playing less isn't a bad thing for Backlund, Lindholm or Kadri. You can take minutes away from the 4th line in the playoffs, and increase those 3 guys. Keeping them fresh is important.

[GioforPM]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1577808583797997569

[Enoch Root]

Flames are MoneyPuck's favourites to win the cup, ahead of the Avs. Wild. And a bit crazy, I think

[Bonded]

I don’t like the hype. Every season the Flames have been hyped they turn into the Flams.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Bonded

I don’t like the hype. Every season the Flames have been hyped they turn into the Flams.

They were good and expectations were high in 2005-06—the last year that Sutter coached the Flames before his return.

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[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Flames are MoneyPuck's favourites to win the cup, ahead of the Avs. Wild. And a bit crazy, I think

It’s because of the path through our “easy” division, but have to say it’s pretty neat seeing us with the best odds to win the cup. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in my life time of following the Flames.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

They were good and expectations were high in 2005-06—the last year that Sutter coached the Flames before his return.

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And promptly fell apart in the first round, renewing an ugly tradition. Personally I think these rankings are nuts, the Flames completely gutted and refilled their core, there's going to be a long adjustment period IMO. They may end up a good team after everyone has settled in, but to say they're better than Colorado or Tampa is ridiculous

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

And promptly fell apart in the first round, renewing an ugly tradition. Personally I think these rankings are nuts, the Flames completely gutted and refilled their core, there's going to be a long adjustment period IMO. They may end up a good team after everyone has settled in, but to say they're better than Colorado or Tampa is ridiculous

Whatever. These preseason rankings are meaningless. The roster that I see shaping up to opening night looks pretty damn good any way you slice it.

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

https://twitter.com/user/status/1577808583797997569

Moneypuck showing the Coyotes so little respect they won't even get the logo right. 6% chance to make playoffs is hilarious.

Boston's is too high, Ottawa and Buffalo's too low. That division is going to be wild.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Flames are MoneyPuck's favourites to win the cup, ahead of the Avs. Wild. And a bit crazy, I think

The Avs are going to miss Kadri. And I don't think I'd feel great about swapping Kuemper for Georgiev.

For me, it's hard to say there is any definite favourite this year.

[GS Skier]

On a slightly unrelated topic, does anyone know a GOOD website for up to date injuries as we get close to pool picks? The site I go too still has Mange as "out indefinitely" which means if thats wrong then I can't trust any of the other team injury reports.

Up to date would be helpful but I don't know which website may be a good injury report site.

[Textcritic]

Frank Saravelli picks the LA Kings to win the Division, Lindholm for the Selke and the Flames for playoff success in his "32 Bold Predictions":

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/32-bold...-max-contract/

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