We are onto week 8 already and some patterns are starting to emerge. Now is the time when teams have to go big or go home to change their fate. Others need to keep up their pace or the first 7 weeks could only be a mirage of what could have been.
1.
(6-1) - The champs are continuing to roll and are the cream of the crop in league! Having Hellebuyck take over as a starter this season is also helping.
2.
(6-1) - This was my team at the start of the year and their 3 headed goalie monster are showing their fangs. Forwards are doing just enough to make sure their goalies can get the job done.
3.
(5-2) - Riding the Chad Johnson wave! Calgary is another team with 3 solid starting tenders and that means their forwards have to play just good to make them a tough team to play.
4.
(5-2) - Again is at the top of the league. Mason has returned to his former self but Lundqvist is still holding the Hawks up. Hawks continue to be consistently at the top of the league.
5.
(6-1) - Toronto is right up there with the big boys including a week 1 win over the mighty Blues! I felt like they should have been ranked higher but I just can't with the Fleury mystery looming over the Leafs. The quick that is resolved the better for the Leafs.
6.
(5-2) - If Murray can completely take over the starting job in Pittsburgh then Detroit will catch fire. Crosby is leading the league in goals and fantasy points for forwards.
7.
(5-2) - Dallas has continued to build a great group after being in the basement of the league for years. Is this their time? The Stars will continue to ride the tandem of real Star tenders to put up quality numbers.
8.
(4-3) - The first major disappointment of the season thus far. Thought to be a major contender, Elliott has done not much in his new uni and the overall depth at forward hasn't done it. Can the Rangers turn it around?
9.
(4-3) - Allen and Gibson have been good but not great for Pittsburgh. Top end players have been top end but many other forwards haven't been great. Some minor shake ups and maybe the Pens can turn around the average performance so far.
10.
(3-4) - Lost Stamkos again!! I know it hurts Rob but Boston should still be doing better than their record. Some poor performances out of the skater group but with a little weeding out maybe the Bruins can salvage their season.
11.
(4-3) - The skaters have been on point this season and having the leading scorer in McDavid is going to be a blessing for years. Getting a quality tender could bring LA to the next level but until then I can't see them doing more than what they are doing now.
12.
(3-4) - Walt where have you gone. Just kidding Dave there is really nothing more you could do. Overall everyone has been good but not great. The question Dave has to ask is what needs to happen to change the Flyers direction.
13.
(2-5) - Am I really this bad? Can someone be honest, do I need an intervention? Goalies are playing decent and forwards have been good. What do I need to do!!!
14.
(2-5) - The goal-tending situation in Montreal isn't great. Pavelec has been exiled leaving only Bishop as their only tender. Le Canadiens will need be shaken awake or start their own exile to change their future.
15.
(2-5) - Price can't do it all but he sure is trying. When your top scorer is Wennberg something is a miss here. Columbus will need some more support for Price in net to step it up.
16.
(1-6) - Tyler what has happened! Quick being injured sure screwed things up for Anaheim but having only Bernier as backup doesn't help either. Quick comes back the Ducks rise but I can't forsee very far.
17.
(0-7) - The forward group has been one of the worst in the league and with only Martin Jones putting in start, Washington has gone from one of the most promising teams to a league bottom feeder.
18.
(0-7) - Rounding out the power rankings are the Lightning. The Lightning are doomed to remain at the bottom of the league until they address their goaltending position. Currently 2 NHL backups are manning the pipes with no upside prospects to look forward too.
Thanks for the patience guys and I will try to keep everything as up to date as possible. Remember no offense meant by the rankings, just my opinions.
