1. Las Vegas Bulls
Even with all the changes it is hard to argue with this team being number one. They have better wingers in Satan, Iginla, Palffy and Parrish, than any other team. Definitely the top managed team in the league and they still have Michalek in the wings.
2. Vancouver Voodoo
The reigning Western conference champion will probably see a considerable change in the teams in their division but it won't make a difference. Not the team they once were. And with the news of Forsberg's imminent return to Sweden GM Kinnaird can't be happy. He might have to to part with either Marc-Andre Fleury or Brodeur to replace someone like Forsberg. But they do have young phenom Rick Nash.
3. Calgary Dropkicks
Who's on the Dropkicks right now is not likely who will be with their team in a month when the season starts but either way this is a very good team as well as being very young. They should be a contender for the next 5 or 6 years. As well they still have some of the best prospects in the game.
4. Quebec City Corinthians
Again this team is gradually coming back to the pack and are probably the best team at the pivot position in the WHL but it has cost this team in the depth department. They have been a bit of an underachiever in the last couple years.
5. Chicoutimi Sparrows
The Sparrows have loaded up on Francophone players for years and it has proved to be an excellent strategy up till now. They have actually performed better over the last couple seasons but it looks like this is a team on the way down not up. Still they have some solid goalies in the system.
6. Toronto Stallions
This team is long in the tooth and short on youth. This team has been gutted by retirements and their inability to develop talent, in part due to finishing high for almost every year of the past 10. Still have a good core but there will be no relief if there are any injuries or slumps.
7. Winnipeg IceDogs
The team has changed philosophy more times in the last couple years than most teams do in a decade. They currently are mostly a veteran team and a good solid team if they get strong goaltending they will give the top tier of teams a run.
8. HC Slavia Praha
The ex-Krushers are like the new Vikings. Or in other words, they are chronic underachievers. They have the players to excel but seem more comfortable in the middle of the pack. They will need to evaluate whether it is time to blow up and build some team chemistry.
9. Seattle Saints
After years of mismanagement or just laziness this team was taken over by an active GM and it really showed. The team was one of the best second half teams last season and is strong top to bottom. This team could easily enter the top echelon of teams this season.
10. Rocky Mountain Express
After years of using veterans to the fullest the Express changed direction last year going with a younger lineup and with some moves to bring in top of the line youngsters. This move hurt them in the here and now but they have expedited the rebuilding process by years and should find themselves back among the top tier of teams in the near future. But for now the team is firmly entrenched with the "also rans".
11. Detroit Cougars
This is an easy team to forget about but they have some fire power and depth. They have a weakness of RW but other than that they are a contender among the second tier teams. With some excellent additions via trades over the summer, and names like Bonk, Weight, Friesen, Sturm and Zubov they definitely have enough to get by. Goaltending could be an issue if Dunham is unable to repeat last season's excellent performance.
12. Hudson River Hensch
Strong team, good down the middle with a solid backend on defence. Goaltending could be an issue but not likely. This team is ready to make a move past a couple of the teams ahead of them. They don't trade needlessly and have played things pretty close to the vest over the last couple of seasons. They may not be quite there yet but they can probably taste it at this point.
13. Anchorage Orcas
This is team has a little bit of everything but not enough of any one thing to be a challenge to the teams ahead of them. But who knows with new management they have a lot of the pieces of the puzzle.
14. Victoria Islanders
Will be out to prove last year wasn't a fluke. And you certainly can't count out a team with Alex Zhamnov and Marian Hossa, along with some stellar goaltending.
15. Trail Smoke Eaters
After a hot start last year the team was one of the worst second half teams. They improved at the draft but are still weak on RW and on defence. Will be a non factor in the race.
16. Mississauga Vipers
Anyone remember Al Pacino's speech in Devil's Advocate where he talks about God as an absentee landlord? Just replace God or all references to him with Vipers. Get the picture? Unless things change this season, non factor due to inactivity.
17. Waterloo Lunatics
It seemed this team had really improved last year but they didn't have enough to get the job done. Really wanted Michael Ryder in the draft but didn't believe he would fall far enough so they traded the pick and Ryder did fall. Oppps
18. Saskatoon Enforcers
Perennial middle of the pack team. They have never really decided if they are rebuilding or going with a veteran squad. It has hurt them because they are halfway to both and neither. They should look for more direction this season though it will not be soon enough to affect initial rankings.
19. South China Sea Taipans
Who knows what tricks we will see from this team. They have an unpredictable GM and last year's standings mean next to nothing. They are renowned for what is referred to as the infamous Easton Strategy, and everyone in the league now knows to just expect the unexpected when it comes to this team.
20. Boston Hawks
Again another team that has been acclaimed by many as having made huge strides this season. The team has a balanced attack on both sides of the puck. They added Marek Zidlicky at the draft, and Nicklas Lidstrom in a cutting down salary move by the Voodoo (who said the Cap didn't work?), which will have an immediate impact especially on the powerplay. The team is still one or two seasons away from their prime.
21. Portland Timberjacks
No team helped their cause at the draft as much as the Jacks. They added high level top end talent. With Morrow, Sykora and Vyborny they have a some (a little) offence, and with newcomer Alexander Ovechkin coming in and possibly contributing right away, they could be a quick rising team. They also have a good group on the farm with Olesz, Getzlaf and Toivonen among others.
22. Almont Raiders
They have two very talented players in O'Neill and Nolan. Not much else to say. Should challenge for the Crosby/Brule sweepstakes.
23. Edmonton Vikings
The Vikes would have been much improved but due to the new, much debated pro/farm rules, we might not see the improvement that most have predicted as it could be to the long term detriment of the team if they start losing mid level prospects on waivers. They have bar none the best ever crop of prospects in the WHL and will be a powerhouse but not this year and probably not next year. Very similar team to the Smokies but a year behind in development.
24. Kelowna Cats
The problem with the ex-Bears has been mismanagement over the years. Time will tell if the new regime is headed in the right direction, but most would say that their first big trade does favour the Express. Biggest problem is they have no first line players. Nothing but average players at every position. Some youth lived through the purge including Mikko Koivu and Carlo Colaiacovo other than that there isn't much of note on this team. DiPietro looks to be a good player between the pipes but is still developing.
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