Buds Board Keepers League

1 Avalanche - Two Words: Henrik Lundqvist
2 Capitals - Now boasts duo of Stamkos and St. Louis
3 Devils - Falls from 1st because of moves by Avs and Caps
4 Kings - Right there with the Avs in the West.
5 Bruins - 3rd best periphery team in the East that brings a ton of offence
6 Penguins - Only offense here. Can't keep up with the rest in peripheries.
7 Blues - Dealt Parise. Still repatching after aquiring Ov.
8 Lightning - Best group of young forwards in the league. Possibly the future dynasty of BBKL that will win for years to come.
9 Canucks - Underrated group of players that do a lot under the radar
10 Sharks - Could challenge LA for the Division title with a few trades
11 Senators - Goalie problems that plagued them have been solved in recent weeks. Look for a playoff push.
12 Maple Leafs - Has enough 1st Rounders to become #1 on this list by Trade Deadline
13 Canadiens - Not a contender. Not a rebuilder. GM Chuck has some decisions to make.
14 Sabres - 5 Active Roster Players Injured. Pavelec is carrying this team.
15 Rangers - Holds the 8th Playoff spot in the East but this team is more of a rebuilder.
16 Ducks - Reimer has been getting unexpected starts for Anaheim. And he's earning his paycheck. Could Giggy be on the move by season's end?
17 Thrashers - A duality of young up and comers and aging veterans. Look for moves to be made before deadline.
18 Wild - Luongo is 8-1-1 in his last 10 with a 2.07 GAA and 0.922 sv% in his last 10
19 Predators - That Koivu trade looks really lop-sided now.
20 BlueJackets - Granlund and Jeffrey added to a fantastic rebuild.
21 Stars - New GM Ryan has made several moves since taking over. Fleischmann, Anderson, Visnovsky and Spacek all added this week.
22 Flames - Brodeur's stock is plummeting. He may even split the goaltending duties for the Flames with Back up Hedberg going forward.
23 Coyotes - Owns his own 1st. Look for veterans like Rafalski and McCabe to be moved real soon as Phoenix tried to become a lottery team.
24 Panthers - Howden is looking like an amazing future piece for the Panthers at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
25 Oilers - Speaking of the World Jrs, the Oilers could have a goaltending controversy on their hands next year as Lehner makes a run for starter in Ottawa.
26 Hurricanes - Philly waived Michael Leighton yesterday, making new GM Paul Kim's move of landing Bobrovsky from Atlanta look genius.
27 Islanders - GM Toni had a baby this week. Oh he also landed his favourite player, Pavelski.
28 Blackhawks - Another team with its own 1st rounder looking to get that 1st Overall pick maybe. Kane also dealt for Kadri and Okposo to support the rebuild.
29 Flyers - Ryan Whitney, Mike Cammalerri and Matt Stajan added since Lee has taken over as GM. Say what you will, the Flyers had nothing to start with.
30 Red Wings - Will be 1st Overall in the 2011 BBKL draft

yes I had time. Now im going to play NHL on x box live. ID: StormJockey if anyone wants to play Versus.

Nice list, not sure I agree with the Avs at #1, but it's hard to dispute with Hank.

nice read.

I'd still probably flip #1 and #3.

I'm surprised this thread hasn't gotten more hits.

Its a good list, well written...Heres my top 10

1. NJ
2. WAS
3. LAK
4. COL
5. PIT
6. BOS
7. TOR
8. STL
9. TBL
10. VAN

some up and down movement, but generally how i feel.

The Lightning get no respect.. IMO, Nick has a top 5 team.

Raptactics wroteCOLONThe Lightning get no respect.. IMO, Nick has a top 5 team.

i get your point, but id say putting them 8th in the entire league is still pretty "respectful" lol

nice list and lots of work there shiv

i'd probably flip NJ to 1 and the Avs to 2 or 3....

that said....they are easily the top 2 teams in their conferences.

Well, at least I'm not last ...

And for the record, my child wasn't born - we only found out the sex. Due in May ... Thank you though!

Raptactics wroteCOLONThe Lightning get no respect.. IMO, Nick has a top 5 team.

sssshhh...

I love your new banner, the assistant Captain info somehow adds a lot.

i get your point, but id say putting them 8th in the entire league is still pretty "respectful" lol

Very true, I was surprised Shiv even bothered to put me on the list

Due in May .

Few more free months dude, party hard... rock out with your cock out. But, Don’t drink and drive, you might hit a bump and spill your drink.

Side note, heard this during the break from a good friend of mine who has 2 little girls:

Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water.

-->> his Wife wanted them to become healthy, no drinking, smoking or chew... didn't last.

I don't get all the love for Scott's team, he has gotten worse with the loss of Derek Roy, and the less than stellar play of Washington this season, whereas myself and Colorado have gotten significantly better (Kessel/JT --> Plekanec/MSL & Anderson --> Lundqvist). It seems like NJ is ranked #1 more on past results, than present talent.

IMO,

1. WSH
2. COL
3. NJD
4. PIT
5. BOS
6. LAK
7. TBL
8. STL
9. VAN
10. TOR

anton wroteCOLON

Raptactics wroteCOLONThe Lightning get no respect.. IMO, Nick has a top 5 team.

i get your point, but id say putting them 8th in the entire league is still pretty "respectful" lol

I guess but worse then St. Louis? Doubtful. He rivals any of the top 6 teams and really could be anywhere in this pack.

Not to be rude, but these lists have been made using a Sagarin rating system, placing too much emphasis on overall-results and not enough attention to context (opponents, injuries) or recency (current trends should be weighted more then past trends).

My quick thought on current teams:
1. NJD
2. BOS
3 WSH
4. COL
5. LAK
6. TBL
7. STL
8. SJS
9. PIT
10. VAN

MSP4LYFE wroteCOLONI don't get all the love for Scott's team, he has gotten worse with the loss of Derek Roy, and the less than stellar play of Washington this season, whereas myself and Colorado have gotten significantly better (Kessel/JT --> Plekanec/MSL & Anderson --> Lundqvist). It seems like NJ is ranked #1 more on past results, than present talent.

IMO,

1. WSH
2. COL
3. NJD
4. PIT
5. BOS
6. LAK
7. TBL
8. STL
9. VAN
10. TOR

Past results definitely come into play I think and I've said all year that I'm "one of" the best teams this year where last year there was almost no doubt. But I guess it's when people look at the team totals stats where my worst skater category is 4th (blocked shots). Sure, Roy was a tough loss but Bailey and/or Ryan O'Reilly do as much as Roy does save for some points and adding Prospal I think will pick those points up when he gets back! And my goaltending has been great as of late. Not Brodeur-esque like last season but I've still been quite happy the last few weeks. I've watched a lot of Caps games and when they find their offence they'll be a tough team to stop.

And oh.. I'm not done putting this team together.. maybe people in this league just understand that I'm the best? jk jk

My Ranks

1. WSH - only team to beat me so
2. LAK
3. TBL
4. NJD
5. COL
6. PIT
7. BOS
8. SJS
9. STL
10. TOR

Roy brought more than just a few points more than O'Reilly and Bailey, he was on pace to more than double their outputs across the board (G, A, PTS, STPTS), and had stronger FOW totals, O'Reilly and Bailey will be great one day, but for now they are meh. As for Washington they are playing a more defensive style for a reason, they can't contend without it, if they go back to their run and gun ways you can expect more GA for Newy and Varly.

MSP4LYFE wroteCOLONRoy brought more than just a few points more than O'Reilly and Bailey, he was on pace to more than double their outputs across the board (G, A, PTS, STPTS), and had stronger FOW totals, O'Reilly and Bailey will be great one day, but for now they are meh. As for Washington they are playing a more defensive style for a reason, they can't contend without it, if they go back to their run and gun ways you can expect more GA for Newy and Varly.

Granted. Offensively, Roy is much better. I said few but used the term loosely. But as for O'Reilly, he gives me better SHTOI, hits, +/- and rivals Roy in BS & FOWs. Having him also allows me to add Prospal who had 58 points in 75 games last season with solid peripheries. The only reason I have Bailey in this week is his 4 games to O'Reilly's 3. Obviously I'd still rather Roy but the guys I have in his place really isn't that much of a downgrade other then offensively and I still like my chances in those cats against anyone.

As for the Caps new and improved system.. I obviously agree that they need to focus and play more defensively think we've seen because of the youth in net. It's a great thing for me. I think they'll find a way to have the best of both worlds if Varly keeps playing like he has been lately. They just need to have confidence in their puck stopper and Varly needs to find his, which I think he is doing. The kid looks absolutely amazing right now and I love his hybrid style. I fully expect a big 2nd half from the Caps.

Raptactics wroteCOLONI fully expect a big 2nd half from the Caps.

Me too.

Rationale for ranking.

1. COL - In the West. Easier competition. Best goaltending among contenders/close to it.
2. WSH - Better Goaltending that NJD
3. NJD - Amazing in every skater category
4. LAK - Right there with COL for best in the west. Not as good goaltending.
5. BOS - being in the east drops his rank
6. PIT - Can't win division. Road to final = NJD/WSH/BOS/TBL
7. STL - 3rd best team in the west and easier road to Cup than TBL
8. TBL - Could easily be 6th on this list but his road to the final would have to be 3 of NJD/WSH/BOS/PIT. Same as Pittsburgh but Howard>Hiller (only reason for me puting TBL here and not 6th).

Goaltender rankings btw: The biggest problem is that goaltending when evaluated i.e. Hiller for example has put up exceptional stats this year. but the problem is that an anaheim tandem is far less reliable than a tandem from BOS for example or DET.

That is where i think teams like STL/LAK/TBL run into trouble. It is also one of the reasons COL has such a huge edge in the west. in any match up vs LAK or STL, COL is a huge favourite to lock up the majority of goaltending categories.

We can argue for ever on if WSH/NJD/PIT/BOS/COL have the best tandem (imo #1 is BOS but regardless). that is one of the main reasons COL is #1. no one in the west has the skaters AND goaltending to keep up with him. while every competitor in the east has solid skaters and goaltending as well.