MAN - BUYER
Manhattan is elite in this division but they have a bit of a shelf life. They have 11 players in regression so if I were the Rage, I'd be adding any talent that I can right now. They also should be able to hang on to their division lead on Atlanta by virtue of having an easier remaining schedule.

ATL - BUYER
If I were the Inferno, I'd be buying. Maybe I'd be an aggressive GM, but similar to MAN, they've got 9 players in regression and they're in a playoff spot now. It's a credit to the ATL management that they were able to begin their franchise in a competitive window. Just look at poor Seattle. Atlanta has a tougher than average schedule remaining, but TBB is highly unlikely to take their spot even if NEW passes them.

NEW - BUYER
Is the NEW rebuild over? If I were the GM it would be. They've got a good roster and a lot of draft capital. Time to start upgrading. They're 13 points ahead of TBB so their playoff spot is basically a lock. Once you're in the tournament, anything can happen

TBB - DO NOTHING
Tampa Bay is in a painful, drawn out rebuild but they're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They have only one player in regression and their best three players are still 3 or 4 years from regressing. They already have tons of draft capital so there is no real need to go try to acquire more. Patience is the name of the game in Tampa right now.

BAP - SELLER
Baltimore is in full on fire sale mode. Unlike TBB, they actually have some pieces that they might want to move. Nat Emerson should fetch a decent return as a 1600 TPE defense-man. He's already in regression so he doesn't really fit with Baltimore's competitive window.


HAM - DO NOTHING
Hamilton is the class of the SHL this season. They've opened up an 11 point gap on the next best team in the conference so they've got a 1 seed all but locked up. If I were leading this team I'd be thinking dynasty and that means coasting with your current roster and not giving up future assets that you can use to reload your roster. With only five regressing players on the roster, it's time to roll the dice with this roster in the playoffs and be back here again next season and the one after. Life is good in Hamilton right now.

CHI - BUYER
Chicago had a great offseason and have entered the conversation for best non-Hamilton team in the league. They probably won't close the 11 point gap between themselves and Hamilton, but they have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the league. Look for Chicago to add a piece to their roster and try to make a run at a cup!

BUF - BUYER
Like two ships passing in the night, Buffalo and Chicago seem to be in the same spot but heading in different directions. With 9 regressing players on their roster they're nearing a reload stage. They probably won't need a rebuild as they have a lot of good young talent on board for the foreseeable future. But they'll need to add a piece or two to this roster if they have cup ambitions before they need to move on from this core. If I'm BUF, I'm trying to win another cup now and I'd be willing to sell future/young assets to try to hold off Chicago a little longer and get lucky against Hamilton.

TOR - DO NOTHING
Like Tampa Bay, Toronto is emerging from a rebuild. The standings don't show it yet but this is a team with tons of elite young talent that just needs time to develop. They have a stocked prospect pool and aren't really in danger of losing any stars, so there is no reason for them to make any moves for the future at this point. It's time to just wait for their budding stars to bloom.


CGY - BUYER
The Manhattan of the West. Like the Rage, the Dragons have a great team who's competitive window will be closing soon. They're in a perfect 'buy' position with an easier than average remaining schedule and a weak conference. They could be a piece or two away from guaranteeing themselves a spot in the Cup finals. Pull the trigger.

EDM - BUYER
I feel like I was too low on Edmonton going into the year. 39 points is good for 3rd  in the league through this point in the season (though CHI has two games in hand). Edmonton's roster is fairly young and a previously mentioned 1600 TPE defense-man could be a big difference maker for them. They should have the BAL GM on speed dial.

WPG - SELLER
This one may be a hot take because The Peg is in the only true playoff battle around the league this season. They lead MIN by 5 points. They're in a tough spot, however, as they are not just one piece away but potentially multiple. They also have the third toughest schedule remaining of any team in the SHL. My moves, if I were GM in Winnipeg would be to get a king's ransom in deals for Nick Brain and Slip McScruff. WPG has 9 regressing players on their roster and they're the only team in playoff position with a losing record. There are no shortage of buyers in this league. Move your top stars now to a desperate team and avoid a full rebuild a few years down the road. Stock up your farm with talent and with the young stars that you don't sell, you'll have the makings of a potential powerhouse team.

MIN - DO NOTHING
Minnesota is a tough nut to crack. Yes Gibbles and Seger are in regression, but they're also in their peak seasons. The Monarchs have some great young talent on this roster but they've unfortunately missed on some prospects of late. I might give it one year before deciding which direction my franchise is heading. If the chips fall right, they could be competing next season and would be buyers at that point. They're in the unfortunate position of having their success tied up in what other teams do. They're the Toronto North Stars of the west except their star players are older. They're in a much more enviable division however and will have a path to a playoff spot in the next few seasons.

SEA - SELLER
Sell Cassius Darrow and Tig Murphy. Those are your best assets and your team isn't particularly close to competing. As I said with Winnipeg, you can get a lot for those assets and set yourself up to build something great.



NOLA - BUYER
If you're the Specters, the time is NOW. You're in the midst of your competitive window and you should be going for it every season. Worry about the future later. Flags fly forever.

LAP - SELLER
Eight regressing players and a record that is hovering around .500. Sure, you're tied for 2nd in your division but Texas has three games in hand and the easiest remaining schedule in the league. Similar spot to WPG. Don't get too attached to the aging guys on your roster. Reload now or Rebuild later. I'd be selling if I were them.

TEX - BUYER
This is my personal favorite team that I don't play for. The core of this team is incredible and young enough that this team's competitive window is going to be open for years. That said, this year is the start of it. As I said above, they have 30 points and 3 games in hand on LAP and 2 on NOLA with the league's easiest remaining schedule. Catching the Specters to win the Southwest division crown isn't off the table. If they can add on a rental they could be in a great position to steal a cup early in their franchise's window.

SFP - SELLER
Sell Brogen, Rieper, and Kryyst. It's going to be a few seasons before you can compete and these guys aren't doing anything for you right now. Get some future assets for them and start your rebuild in earnest.