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Muerto · 09-21-2020, 01:24 PM

Expansion is always a time of change in the SHL, and with the SouthWest Division seeing some massive shakeups, I thought I would do a roster analysis of the teams to see how they look in this new era.

Now, this look is a bit limited as it doesn't take into account player builds or coaching strategies, but just a look at TPE of the players. I also did not take into account at the moment as to which players are active and still growing, just a snapshot of where they stand as the season is about to begin. Also the look we have assumes that all teams will roll with the best TPE players on the top line, and lowest TPE players on the 3rd line, which is probably not how everyone will build their team. However, with FHM, the strongest teams seem to do the best regardless of how you utilize your players, so I think it still gives a fairly accurate representation of how we can expect the teams to perform.

Without further ado, let's dive right into this hot mess of a division:

NEW ORLEANS SPECTERS

1920 1701 1667
1496 1433 1431
997 960 ??

1855 1820
1791 1006
?? ??

881 290

*Analysis: What they have right now is pretty impressive, but how do they fill the holes? trust me, the IFA pool is a wasteland right now and all the big name active FAs are gone. They have some prospects they could call up, or maybe they are working the trade lines to grab some players? Losing Cain is a big blow also as they go from having one of the best goalies in the league to having the lowest TPE starter in the division.
I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they finish first, but it will be a lot tighter and they probably won't match their previous seasons' record.

TEXAS RENEGADES

1929 1601 1273
1252 1207 955
922 919 908

1438 1424
1322 1128
795 632

996 510

*Analysis: Texas continues to improve in a division where the other teams seem to be dropping off. The top lines are just slightly off pace of NOLA so at this point I will say they finish a close 2nd. I wouldn't be surprised to see them quite active as TDL nears to push them over the top. They will make playoffs anyway but how far can they go?

LOS ANGELES PANTHERS

1633 1566 1420
1299 1123 1095
971 697 595

1551 1203
674 690
639 588

1541 347

*Analysis: Despite the shakeup on the management front, LAP is not in super terrible shape for this season, but we'll probably continue to see movement of some of their aging players. However, the D corps is frankly lacking and their goalie is going to face a ton of shots. Luckily for LAP, their goalie is the best in the division so he might be able to steal enough games. If this wasn't a 4 team division with SFP in it, they might be in big trouble, but they will earn the final playoff spot almost by default.

pride

SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE pride

1409 1372 1011
934 769 683
461 454 398

1130 580
429 400
374 369

1166 1050

*Analysis: Even without the devastating cap hit they faced due to the backup fiasco, SFP was probably due for a rebuild anyway. They are fully embracing the tank, even though I would argue that you never go full TBB, but circumstances are what they are and management is trying to make the most of it. They are very likely to be looking to sell their remaining good pieces and try to recoup some prospects or draft picks for the future. A challenge to be sure, but with the decline of some of the other teams in the division, it might not take as long to get back to being competitive.

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FINAL ANALYSIS: I don't see any of these teams as being Cup contenders this season and in any other division almost all of them would struggle to make playoffs. Apart from TEX, every team is in a decline phase. I think we'll see a lot of selling from this division as TDL looms.

As always, good luck to all, and have fun!

DeletedAtUserRequest · 09-21-2020, 04:17 PM

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