Not going to make this too complicated but based on record, Points For, roster potential, and in some cases 2011-12 performance.
Great to see formerly neglected franchises spring back to life this season with active owners!
Here are your TOP 16 teams of FNHL after 4 wks into the 2012-13 season.
1. Dallas Stars ![Dallas Stars :DAL-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/DAL-NHL2.png)
* 4-0 record
* 1st in Points For 482.3
* Starts Corey Crawford + the Leafs' goaltending tandem of Ben Scrivens + James Reimer
* 2011-12 Western Conference Finalist
2. Minnesota Wild ![Minnesota Wild :MIN-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/MIN-NHL.png)
* 2-2 record (would be 4-0 without 2wk line-up penalty)
* potentially 1st in Points For if not for 2wk penalty
* boasts Craig Anderson, Jonas Hiller and Scott Clemmensen in net
* 2011-12 Stanley Cup Champion roster
3. Florida Panthers ![Florida Panthers :FLO:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/FLO-NEW.png)
* 4-0 record
* 2nd in Pts For 470.1
* 2011-12 Stanley Cup Finalist
4. Phoenix Coyotes ![Phoenix Coyotes :PHO:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/PHO.png)
* 4-0 record
* 3rd in Pts For 437.4
* Features strong Goalie tandem in Tomas Vokoun + Jose Theodore
* 2011-12 Western Conf. Semi-Finalist
5. Tampa Bay Lightning ![Tampa Bay Lightning :TBL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/TBL.png)
* 4-0 record
* 7th in Pts For 405.0
* Owns 2 prime starting Goalies in Mike Smith + Antti Niemi
* 2011-12 Eastern Conference Finalist
6. Edmonton Oilers ![Edmonton Oilers :EDM:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/EDM.png)
* 3-1 record
* Leads the Northwest Division
* 6th in Pts For 407.1
7. Los Angeles Kings ![Los Angeles Kings :LA:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/LA.png)
* 3-1 record
* Plays in the tough Pacific Division with
![Dallas Stars :DAL-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/DAL-NHL2.png)
+
8. Buffalo Sabres ![Buffalo Sabres :BUF-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/BUF-NHL3.png)
* 3-1 record
* Leads Northeast Division
* Faces challenge to hold lead with
![Ottowa Senators :OTT:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/OTT-NEW.png)
on their heels
9. Detroit Red Wings ![Detroit Red Wings :DET-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/DET-NHL.png)
* 2-2 record
* Potentially could've been at least 3-1 if previous owner set line-up first 2 wks
* Has potential to climb higher in rankings
* Plenty of scoring up front with Datsyuk, Couture, Lecavalier + Ladd
10. Winnipeg Jets ![Winnipeg Jets :WIN:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/WIN.png)
* 2-2 record
* 5th in Pts For 423.1
* Plays in the tough Southeast Division with
![Tampa Bay Lightning :TBL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/TBL.png)
+
![Florida Panthers :FLO:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/FLO-NEW.png)
* Starts two NHL first stringers in Ilya Bryzgalov + Ondrej Pavelec
11. Pittsburgh Penguins ![Pittsburgh Penguins :PIT-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/PIT_NHL2020.png)
* 3-1 record shares Atlantic Division lead with
![New Jersey Devils :NJD:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/NJD.png)
* Needs to Crosby, Parise + Kunitz to continue carrying his team
12. Chicago Blackhawks ![Chicago Blackhawks :CHI-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/CHI-NHL.png)
* 3-1 record
* Currently leads the Central Division staying ahead of
![Detroit Red Wings :DET-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/DET-NHL.png)
+
![St. Louis Blues :STL-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/STL2020.png)
* Could slip in ranking after losing top scorer Brendan Gallagher + Goalie Carey Price
13. New Jersey Devils ![New Jersey Devils :NJD:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/NJD.png)
* 3-1 record shares Atlantic Division lead with
![Pittsburgh Penguins :PIT-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/PIT_NHL2020.png)
* Remains in the Top 16 as long as Brodeur stays healthy + plays
14. Toronto Maple Leafs ![Toronto Maple Leafs :TOR-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/TOR-NHL8.png)
* 2-2 record
* 4th in Pts For 425.4
* 2011-12 Eastern Conf. Semi-Finalist
15. Ottawa Senators ![Ottowa Senators :OTT:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/OTT-NEW.png)
* 2-2 record
* 8th in Pts For 395.6
* Could see a boost in ranking if Braden Holtby plays more consistently
16. Montreal Canadiens ![Montreal Canadiens :MON-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/MON-NHL.png)
* 2-2 record
* Strong ability to climb into the middle of the pack
* Features two solid goalies in Devan Dubnyk + potential #1 Viktor Fasth
SLEEPING GIANTS
Teams that have fire power + the bodies on the roster to crack the top 16 but don't currently have a winning record due to a difficult schedule or just flat outta luck:
A. Washington Capitals ![Washington Capitals :WAS-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/WAS-NHL.png)
* 0-4 record
* 11th in Pts For
* 6th highest Pts Against
* Future hinges on how long Kari Lehtonen stays out with groin injury
B. Boston Bruins ![Boston Bruins :BOS-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/BOS-NHL.png)
* 0-4 record
* 11th in Pts For
* 11th highest Pts Against
* 2011-12 Eastern Conf. Semi-Finalist
C. Calgary Flames ![Calgary Flames :CLG:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/CLG.png)
* 1-3 record
* 2011-12 Western Conf. Semi-Finalist
D. Colorado Avalanche ![Colorado Avalanche :COL-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/COL-NHL.png)
* 1-3 record (1-wk win streak)
* Roster was benched by previous owner for 2-3wks to start season?!?
* Line-up shows lots of scoring potential
E. Philadelphia Flyers ![Philadelphia Flyers :PHI-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/PHI-NHL.png)
* 2-2 record
* Owns Lundqvist, Bobrovsky along with Kelser, Malkin, Hall + Giroux!
F. St.Louis Blues ![St. Louis Blues :STL-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/STL2020.png)
* 2-2 record
* Poised to challenge for
for the lead in the Central Division
* Lost Jaroslav Halak for 2 of 4 wks but getting him back in WK5
G. Vancouver Canucks ![Vancouver Canucks :VAN:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/VAN.png)
* 2-2 record
* Actively rebuilding team and could crack the Top 16 in the near future
* Plays in the tough Northwest Division with
+ ![Edmonton Oilers :EDM:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/EDM.png)
H. Carolina Hurricanes ![Carolina Hurricanes :CAR-NHL:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/CAR-NHL.png)
* 2-2 record
* 3rd highest Pts Against @ 414.95
* 21st in Pts For = might not be able to fend off challengers long-run
* Plays in the challenging Southeast Division with
![Winnipeg Jets :WIN:](http://www.profsl.com/smf/Smileys/default/WIN.png)