Create Account

[SJHN] SMJHL Power Rankings: Start of Season Edition
#1

[Image: f6863WJ.png?width=938&height=289]

Whether you're a rookie, a recreate, or a veteran awaiting your call up, welcome! New season means new power rankings! As we officially kick off Season 28, the SJHN comes at you with our first edition of power rankings for this season. The below rankings were mostly compiled ahead of the first few games of the regular season, so there may be some disagreements as to where certain teams are starting out for the season. We’ll make sure that’s rectified in the next edition, but until then let’s get into it! 

Stats and rankings set prior to regular season sim date of 2/15/21

[Image: 12_MET.jpg]
12. Maine Timber
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: The Maine Timber was completely torn down this offseason, losing a large number of their S55 draft class to the SHL. With that, the Timber’s competitive window seems to be closed as they look to rebuild with their 8 rookies this season, and certainly the drafted players in the next. This is just the start of Maine’s rebuild so for those following them, buckle in for some losses for at least this season and maybe the next.
Arkz: Poor Maine. They’ve made a few good runs in the last few seasons but time (and call ups) come for us all. After a number of losses in the offseason, the Timber find themselves forced to rebuild themselves back up. Still, anything can happen in the SMJHL and worse teams have made noise, especially given the messy East division this season. Maine might be rebuilding, but outside of Quebec there’s question marks up and down this division. 
Shuff: We spoke a bit last season about Maine having a chance last year, but they didn’t really roll the dice, and then got upset by Newfoundland. The S59 class was large, they will get big roles this season to see who they are. Impressively 4 games in, they have a 2-2 with a GD of +2. Hard to complain about that start from a team we have buried here at #12. 

[Image: 11_STL.jpg]
11. St. Louis Scarecrows
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: Even though the Scarecrows lost an S58 defenseman that could’ve been a large part of the team, the Scarecrows seem to be still in the rebuild, but pushing the line where I’m confident that they’re getting out of it. The Scarecrows have a good offensive core, but their defense and goaltending is really letting them down. St. Louis needs to find a goaltender quickly and maybe that is one of the last pieces needed before they become contenders again.
Arkz: Another season, another early season ranking with the Scarecrows near the bottom. Last season they made a bit of progress towards the end of the season, but still found themselves with the second-fewest points in the league (with only Newfoundland behind them). As Dex mentioned, they’ve also made a trade this season to the Anchorage Armada, so there’s even more questions about this team than usual. 
Shuff: They will probably enjoy moving up to 11 from where they thought they might be. This is a team that couldn’t get the timelines set up. Their offense is mighty, but they could lose Ayers, Doom, Dobrosky and Kharlamov next season, right around the time Jack Lewis could be rounding into a solid goaltending form, Urquhart could be set as a top defender with the next four players all current rookies. It hurts when the timelines just don’t line up. Sharpe, Hunderwasser are the next two forwards, but for a rebuilding team, a loss of four forwards could hurt. A team looking for a forward rental may have a few choices from St. Louis.

[Image: 10_ANA.jpg]
10. Anaheim Outlaws
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: The Anaheim Outlaws are rebuilding. I think the league knows that they’re looking to rebuild considering the large number of picks they got this offseason and the trade where they sent off two 425 TPE players to Kelowna. And so, although they have a good forward core, their defense is the worst in the league. I would expect the Outlaws to finish last in the West, maybe even last in the league.
Arkz: Anaheim took a big swing and made it to the finals, but looks like they’ve run out of gas. Arsene Leclerc is the first (and only) member of the S57 class to be called up and given that he was one of the major impact players for Anaheim last season signals that there are going to be some tough times ahead. Still, Anaheim has never lacked for goal scoring, so we’ll have to see if they are able to keep up their momentum even with this depleted roster.   
Shuff: A mighty run helped out by the goofy schedule that had them play Vancouver and not Anchorage in the semi-final, but they are not even that team any more. Losing Leclerc to Minnesota in the SHL hurts quite a bit, also he isn’t quite ready either I wonder if he’d rather stay down himself. The defense is depleted, but Anaheim was never known for their defense. The offense is stacked on top, with two very good lines. Expect a lot of high scoring games.

[Image: 9_CAR.jpg]
9. Carolina Kraken
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: The Carolina Kraken should be at the end of their rebuild, but still find themselves very much in it. The team is seeing a number of their players progress, but still need an extra season for their rookies drafted in this season to really help push the Kraken into a contending position. Definitely going to be a season with low expectations for Carolina as they sit just below average for both offense and defense.
Arkz: I think this is what happens when you don’t have a true rebuild. After the S56 season, it's been tough sledding for the Kraken. While they’ve been somewhat competitive but not to the level required to really contend for a cup. And now, as we enter into S58 it looks like more of the same for Carolina. They’ll win some games and might be able to finish top 3 in the depleted East, but that is probably as far as their road will take them. 
Shuff: Rebuild has been a little slow for Carolina which is why they are down here. I’m not even sure they can really compete next season, set to lose Wolfe and Kozlov with a few IAs on the roster. The top teams could look to both of those two players as potential trade targets, the Kraken could use a few extra picks to bolster a run in S60 perhaps.

[Image: 8_NL.jpg]
8. Newfoundland Berserkers
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: I feel many people are counting the Berserkers out early. Newfoundland is currently sitting 2nd in the Eastern Conference and personally I feel their coaching and player roles can push them as a competitive team earlier than others may expect. Now this is based on a gut feeling (and maybe some test sims as well), but their 5th best offense should be able to do some damage at least. 
Arkz: The Berserkers are a case study into how much the intangibles really matter. From a TPE perspective, and if last season is any indication, this should be another rough season for Newfoundland. However, their coaching and gameplans help steal wins, particularly towards the end of the season so we might see this team.
Shuff: Newfoundland is always good. So what they finished 12th last season, they still won a playoff round. Defense should be a weakness, Sandeen-Brooks really all they have in terms of veterans there, but there are three rookies in Turtle, Torretta, and Balcers that should play a big role. Shoutout to Robert E.O. Speedwagon, who should have a good rookie campaign.

[Image: 7_NBB.jpg]
7. Nevada Battleborn
Previous Rank: N/A 

Dex: Although the Battleborn is currently sitting 7th, I would say the rankings between 4th to 7th place are highly volatile and can change quite quickly as the season goes along. Really, it is the result of a highly competitive and close Western Conference. Speaking of the Battleborn in particular, The team is on par with the likes of Anchorage, Vancouver, and Colorado; however, on average their offense is the worst among the four. Their defense on the other hand is the best, ranking 4th best in the league. As said, since these teams are all so close, I expect the standings to change quite a bit.
Arkz: Last season, Nevada was the biggest question mark in the league. They had impressive TPE totals across the board, but the chemistry of that roster must have been off because it never really transposed into wins. During S57, they dueled all season with Vancouver for last in the West, which is bad since Vancouver was rebuilding. This season, Nevada returns a good chink of that roster, especially on defense, but their offense is going to need to overperform to keep thsemlves in it in the West. 
Shuff: Does anyone know why they were bad last season? I think the coach wants to know. On paper this is a very good team. A very good defense, Rude Sniff-Bane Funk-Tigatubatu is a very good top four, and C.K. Supernaw in net, the backend should not be an issue, but then again last season nothing should have been an issue. The offensive depth is an issue, but the top two lines can pull more than their own weight.

[Image: 6_ANC.jpg]
6. Anchorage Armada
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: The reigning Four Star Cup champions see themselves sitting 6th in our power rankings. The Armada lost a few big pieces this offseason to the SHL; however, I still expect them to be competing as a top team. Anchorage plays a defensive minded game which could be helpful in a season where they will be relying more on their rookies. Plus, they recently acquired 
Arkz: The defending champs! Anchorage, as with all Four-Star winners, lost some big contributors this off-season but the damage wasn’t as bad as it could have been. This is a very balanced roster, and they should be able to compete all season. Are they as good as they were last season? No. Are they still damn good? Absolutely. 
Shuff: From champs to 6 isn’t a great look. They still have a very good team, Salvatici, Lakkamaa, Pihl and Petrov on offense, and Tendy in net is a good core. The defense is the weakness, but Gregory Goodie was a beast last season, and there is no reason to think he can’t be that again this season.

[Image: T4_COL.jpg]
T4. Colorado Raptors
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: Tied for 4th in our power rankings, the Colorado Raptors have the 3rd worse offense in the league, but their defense is 5th best. I feel that with their defense and goaltending, the Raptors can certainly be at the top of their division with the Batteborn born being right there with them. As of now, that division I feel is the one most up in the air and can go either way between Nevada and Colorado.
Arkz: New season, a new logo for the Raptors, and another chance to put it all together. The Raptors are off to a rough start, though not the roughest (more on that in a second) but they still have a long way to go and a lot of chances to put it all together. From a roster perspective, Colorado is better than average, particularly on defense and in net, so they should be able to right the ship at some point and tighten up those goals allowed. 
Shuff: Not the start the Raptors would have picked to have, or the one we predicted. This is a very strong team, a 425 capped first line, and 3 capped defenders. The offensive depth is a little ugly so they will have to ride Kekalainen- Dolphin-Makinen Jr trio a bit more (right now Makinen Jr is on the second line) than they’d like to. 

[Image: T4_VAN.jpg]
T4. Vancouver Whalers
Previous Rank: N/A

Dex: If you want to hear about bad puck luck, then come to Vancouver. The team has the 9th best offensive core, the 6th best defensive core, and the 2nd best goaltending tandem. The team certainly has the ability to compete this season as one of the top teams in the league, but they have been absolutely snakebitten in their first 6 games. They’re averaging less than a goal per game while being 7th in shots for per game. The next worst team in goals for is scoring at 1.75 goals per game with less averaged shots per game. Somethings got to change whether it’s luck or the team itself.
Arkz: Woof. Once again, this list was compiled towards the end of the pre-season. The Whalers went 5-2 in the preseason. Coincidentally, through six games of the regular season, they’ve only scored 5 goals. Their goals allowed aren’t that crazy, and they are still taking a lot of shots. Still, nothing is finding the back of the net. This was supposed to be a step-forward for the Whalers, but they’re finding themselves in a similar hole they dug for themselves last season. Let’s hope they are able to figure it out soon or else they’ll find themselves down in the basement in these rankings. 
Shuff: As the only not current member of the Whalers, I’m theoretically the most objective, but even so, they are still my team. A quick glance at the voting sheet tells me 4 was the highest Vancouver was ranked. But a slow start has the team panicking as you can see above, so this could unravel real fast. From a TPE perceptive, they are very solid both up front and defensively, with a capped goalie as well. It has been the goal scoring that is an issue, and they have to adjust something. They are set to lose their top offensive line and top two defenders after the season, they may have to look into renting some of those players and try for some future assets if the opportunity arises.

[Image: 3_DET.jpg]
3. Detroit Falcons
Previous Rank: N/A 

Dex: The Detroit Falcons are the first of the “clear top 3 teams” in the league this season. Their rebuild has finally reached a point where they can begin competing again at a high level, similar to a few seasons ago. What the Falcons really have going for them this season is their stacked S57-based defensive core in Thornsen, Baters, and Nutcluster who have reached their first season at 425 TPE. If defense wins championships, then Detroit has a solid chance.
Arkz: After a number of seasons wandering in the wilderness, Detroit may finally have put it together. Last season’s roster was pretty good, but was poorly timed with Thor Odinson’s call up, leaving them with some issues in net. This team is a season older, and now boasts the highest average TPE for defense in the league. They find themselves near the bottom of the league right now in terms of record, but it’s still early and teams are feeling themselves out. 
Shuff: Every single voter had Detroit at number three, which is a cool tidbit.  With only five defenders on the team, a forward is going to have to move back, but their d core is still very solid, led by Baters and Giannopoulos. A 425 first line and a 350 second line is a good look and a 425 goalie in his final junior season to man the back of the team. With very few S56ers outside of the goalkeeper Aalto, the Falcons have a two-year window.

[Image: 2_KEL.jpg]
2. Kelowna Knights
Previous Rank: N/A

Shuff: If it ain’t the Knights. They finished with the fourth best overall record, but divisions, and then got upset by the Scarecrows in 7 games. They are stacked at the skater position, them and the Citadelles both way ahead of the league in TPE, but they are set up soldily for next season as well. Only 3 of their forwards are S56, and the only defender is a non-prospect. They have a two year window here, but it mostly depends on Benjamin Blue-II. If he can show himself as a capable backup this season all will not be lost with the graduation of Damien Vertigo. But for now, Vertigo is the backstop and it is his job to bring the Cup back to Kelowna.
Dex: Most likely the top team in the west, the Kelowna Knights traded for two 425 TPE players recently to bolster their chances after falling extremely short of expectations in the postseason. The management team used their plethora of draft picks to obtain these players that would hopefully get the team over the hump. With that, we expect their veteran offense and defense to carry them far this season.
Arkz: After a few seasons of knocking on the door, the Kelowna Knights seemed to have finally arrived. They have one of the most stacked rosters in the league, particularly at forward and defense, and so it's finally going to be time to show that they have what it takes to make a deep run. As we’ve seen for a few of these teams, the window doesn’t stay open for long and so Kelwona won’t have infinite chances to bring home a Cup. But this season it’s looking real good so far.  

[Image: 1_QCC.jpg]
1. Quebec City Citadelles 
Previous Rank: N/A

Shuff: Last regular season was a great one of the Citadelles, but it didn’t quite end the way they hoped, bounced in the semis by Anchorage. They and the Knights by far and away have the most TPE, I personally put QCC first just based off last season, but they and the Knights should be an interesting race. With 8 S56 skaters and one of their two stellar goalies being a S56 player, all of those 9 players that can graduate next season, the Citadelles might have the franchise’s first must win season.
Dex: Quebec had a dominant last season and I think this season will have a slight regression; however, I still expect them to be at the top of their division. The Citadelles have the best forward core and goaltending tandem in the league with their defensive core not being too far behind. As you can already tell, the team is off to a hot start winning all 5 games to start the season. They certainly can’t keep this undefeated streak for the rest of the season, but it’s certainly a sign of their dominance.
Arkz: Where have we seen this before? For the second season in a row, Quebec City finds themselves at the top of the opening Power Rankings. They return a similar roster to last season’s record setting squad, but hopefully they’ll be one season wiser after their disappointing loss in the semi-finals to the eventual champion Anchorage Armada. Quebec City is going to blow out just about everyone in the East aside from maybe Detroit, so the real questions will only start coming up towards the end. Look to see if Quebec tries to add a few more pieces near the deadline to try and lock up this Cup before their window slams shut. 

And that's it for this edition of the SMJHL Power Rankings! We'll check back later this season to see how things have changed - my guess is there will be some major swings. As always, if you have any comments or you disagree with our rankings (and you probably do), feel free to reply and we'll chime in with our thoughts. Thanks for reading and we'll see you soon! 

[Image: SMJHL_Power_Rankings.png?width=483&height=475]

Word Count: 3,260. Please divide evenly between @mee, @Dextaria, and myself.

[Image: v71TGsT.gif]
Reply
#2
(This post was last modified: 02-15-2021, 05:35 AM by DeletedAtUserRequest.)

[Image: zpGIa2E_d.webp?maxwidth=760&fidelity=grand]

[Image: OnGNB1G.gif]



[Image: cgv4vCv.png]|[Image: 95lCCDx.png]|[Image: KgwtJeY.png]
Knights|Dragons|Austria
Reply
#3

Good stuff as always Arkz and co. I always enjoy this stuff. Hadn't realized Qubec City was still so good haha. Hopefully the Zerks are stealing wins out of Qubec hands.

Also what team from the bottom 6 do you think has the best chance of being a top 3 team?

[Image: RrqOgzL.png]
[Image: X6NDpNM.png][Image: 6eXcLdf.png]
[Image: yuWLBZB.png]
Reply
#4

Love these, great work guys. Go Zerks  Berserkers
Reply
#5

whaleboiz rise up

[Image: steveoiscool.gif]
Reply
#6

02-15-2021, 03:40 AMSopath Wrote: Good stuff as always Arkz and co. I always enjoy this stuff. Hadn't realized Qubec City was still so good haha. Hopefully the Zerks are stealing wins out of Qubec hands.

Also what team from the bottom 6 do you think has the best chance of being a top 3 team?
Gotta be Nevada. They have the roster, we mostly just didn't trust them after last season.

Class S55
Reincarnated- Class S71

[Image: x17WALp.png][Image: uNh8ZtE.png]
Reply
#7

Knights

[Image: Katth.gif]


  [Image: CsnVET2.png]
Barracuda Germany Scarecrows Knights


[Image: cgv4vCv.png] [Image: 95lCCDx.png] [Image: GATPRRX.png]
S50 Challenge Cup Finals Game 7
[Image: gNFVjT6.png]
Reply
#8

Shl power rankings when?

[Image: pppoopoo.gif]
[Image: 7925.png]
Thanks to @karey and @JSS for the sigs!


Former USA Fed Head, Carolina Kraken Co-GM, Tampa Bay Barracuda GM
Reply
#9

Move STL up

Reply
#10
(This post was last modified: 02-16-2021, 10:22 PM by Jumbobone19.)

Great work here. Hopefully Colorado lives up to the hype. But need to get the new Raptor logo in there. Raptors

[Image: jumbobone19.gif]
[Image: 9tINabI.png]  [Image: 1DL5JDX.png]  [Image: xc2IPJy.png]  [Image: 1DL5JDX.png]  [Image: wW0VNnL.png]
Thanks to @DELIRIVM @sköldpaddor @Merica for the Sigs
Reply




Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)




Navigation

 

Extra Menu

 

About us

The Simulation Hockey League is a free online forums based sim league where you create your own fantasy hockey player. Join today and create your player, become a GM, get drafted, sign contracts, make trades and compete against hundreds of players from around the world.