Post by Citris on Oct 2, 2022 23:20:11 GMT -4
So, it might be a bit late, but might also be a tad more accurate since I have a few games of data to work with... maybe that's cheating, but this is just for fun
Anyway - let's try this!
18th - Chicoutimi Saguenéens - The new-look Sags are an incredibly young team, and while they do have some talent I expect a steep learning curve. They'll lose a lot more games than they win, but, they should have a bright future. I imagine they'll be sellers at christmas which will make winning games just that much harder. Even with the addition of Charles-Antoine Lavelee in net, it'll be a tall order for them to win many games.
17th - Rimouski Oceanic - I struggled between them and Chicoutimi for last place, but, the Oceanic have a bit more experience and more depth in goal. Still, the Oceanic benefited from a hot start last season which they haven't gotten this year, they don't have an abundance of talent and should struggle to win games.
16th - Saint John Sea Dogs - This is also a hard one to place... I think the talent they have left over from last season will help them a lot in the first half, but they aren't deep, and Hurtubise missing time hurts. I very much expect Reynolds, MacDonald, and probably 3 of their overagers to be gone at Christmas, and once that happens, I think they're in for a really long second half.
15th - Acadie-Bathurst Titan - So far the Titan have looked really sloppy for stretches, and while they do have some talent they lack depth. I worry about this teams ability to pick up points past the trade deadline. Kidney, Melanson and Allison are almost certain to be traded to recoup assets. That said, they have a few guys with some experience who could pick up some slack.
14th - Charlottetown Islanders - Idk if it's possible for 3 teams from the same division to be this low, since they'll inevitably take points off each-other, but, given the Islanders offense... or lack thereof, you have to expect them to struggle to find wins. They'll get excellent goaltending and team defense, a Hulton coached team is never an easy win, but at some point the roster on paper is going to bite you.
13th - Val-d'Or Foreurs - Another team that's kind of in a confusing place in its cycle. They need to trade off Robidas for assets, they have a few good veteran pieces around, but I think overall this team will enter a rebuild around Christmas.
12th - Cape Breton Eagles - I like the Eagles makeup this season, and Cam Squires is a legitimate threat when he's on the ice. They have a few other guys who can put the puck in the net like Ivan and Gravel... but I worry about Fatigue down the stretch. They already have 4 extra games they need to squeeze in the schedule due to Fiona, and an unproven backup.
11th - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - The Huskies are another team that's usually well-coached, but I look at the makeup of that squad and don't see anything that pops out as being overly scary to play against. They're solid, but they're out-classed by teams they will play often.
10th - Baie-Commeau Drakkar - I think they're actually starting to pull out of the rebuild a bit, they have some good young talent and some experienced guys to insolate it. Justin Porier is off to a hot start, and I think they're ready to start winning a few games.
9th - Moncton Wildcats - They have several guys ready to take a step this season, and they play like a team greater than the sum of its parts. They lack real star power, but they have lots of solid contributors and a good young D core. Moreover they shouldn't be in a hard sell mode so I expect them to be better as the season goes on.
8th - Victoriaville Tigre - The Tigre are a team that seems to surprise quite often, They have some good pieces up and down the lineup, P-O Roy on defense, Draveau providing solid goaltending, good team defense, I think they'll be okay.
7th - Shawinigan Cataractes - They still have a pieces left over from last season and have looked strong to start the season. Once Coulombe is healthy I expect them to be very competitive on any given night.
6th - Drummondville Voltigeurs - Some high-end talent but still an up-and-coming team facing some stiff competition. They're definitely in the middle of their cycle with some really nice pieces in Woodworth, Peddle, Lamoureux and Oliver. I expect good things.
5th - Halifax Mooseheads - The Mooseheads are in a weird spot. They're the strongest team in the largest division by a good chunk, but their goaltending is questionable, and have a few holes up front. Still, they should win a bunch of games against a division largely in a rebuild, even if their go-for-it year is still a year off.
4th - Gatineau Olympic - Injuries are going to be a big factor for the 'Piques and might keep them out of the top 3, but it doesn't make them not a contender. They're an extremely strong team top to bottom loaded with Talent.
3rd - Blainville-Broisbiand - Loosing Guay was a big blow, but they should still be in the hunt in the top 3.
2nd - Sherbrooke - Strong top to bottom with high-end talent in Roy, Gill, Specek and others. They're going to score a lot and win a lot
1st - Quebec Rempart - They're at the top of their cycle with a ton of talent and likely to go all-in come Christmas. I see the Rempart at the top of the League.
We'll see how accurate this is come April haha.
Anyway - let's try this!
18th - Chicoutimi Saguenéens - The new-look Sags are an incredibly young team, and while they do have some talent I expect a steep learning curve. They'll lose a lot more games than they win, but, they should have a bright future. I imagine they'll be sellers at christmas which will make winning games just that much harder. Even with the addition of Charles-Antoine Lavelee in net, it'll be a tall order for them to win many games.
17th - Rimouski Oceanic - I struggled between them and Chicoutimi for last place, but, the Oceanic have a bit more experience and more depth in goal. Still, the Oceanic benefited from a hot start last season which they haven't gotten this year, they don't have an abundance of talent and should struggle to win games.
16th - Saint John Sea Dogs - This is also a hard one to place... I think the talent they have left over from last season will help them a lot in the first half, but they aren't deep, and Hurtubise missing time hurts. I very much expect Reynolds, MacDonald, and probably 3 of their overagers to be gone at Christmas, and once that happens, I think they're in for a really long second half.
15th - Acadie-Bathurst Titan - So far the Titan have looked really sloppy for stretches, and while they do have some talent they lack depth. I worry about this teams ability to pick up points past the trade deadline. Kidney, Melanson and Allison are almost certain to be traded to recoup assets. That said, they have a few guys with some experience who could pick up some slack.
14th - Charlottetown Islanders - Idk if it's possible for 3 teams from the same division to be this low, since they'll inevitably take points off each-other, but, given the Islanders offense... or lack thereof, you have to expect them to struggle to find wins. They'll get excellent goaltending and team defense, a Hulton coached team is never an easy win, but at some point the roster on paper is going to bite you.
13th - Val-d'Or Foreurs - Another team that's kind of in a confusing place in its cycle. They need to trade off Robidas for assets, they have a few good veteran pieces around, but I think overall this team will enter a rebuild around Christmas.
12th - Cape Breton Eagles - I like the Eagles makeup this season, and Cam Squires is a legitimate threat when he's on the ice. They have a few other guys who can put the puck in the net like Ivan and Gravel... but I worry about Fatigue down the stretch. They already have 4 extra games they need to squeeze in the schedule due to Fiona, and an unproven backup.
11th - Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - The Huskies are another team that's usually well-coached, but I look at the makeup of that squad and don't see anything that pops out as being overly scary to play against. They're solid, but they're out-classed by teams they will play often.
10th - Baie-Commeau Drakkar - I think they're actually starting to pull out of the rebuild a bit, they have some good young talent and some experienced guys to insolate it. Justin Porier is off to a hot start, and I think they're ready to start winning a few games.
9th - Moncton Wildcats - They have several guys ready to take a step this season, and they play like a team greater than the sum of its parts. They lack real star power, but they have lots of solid contributors and a good young D core. Moreover they shouldn't be in a hard sell mode so I expect them to be better as the season goes on.
8th - Victoriaville Tigre - The Tigre are a team that seems to surprise quite often, They have some good pieces up and down the lineup, P-O Roy on defense, Draveau providing solid goaltending, good team defense, I think they'll be okay.
7th - Shawinigan Cataractes - They still have a pieces left over from last season and have looked strong to start the season. Once Coulombe is healthy I expect them to be very competitive on any given night.
6th - Drummondville Voltigeurs - Some high-end talent but still an up-and-coming team facing some stiff competition. They're definitely in the middle of their cycle with some really nice pieces in Woodworth, Peddle, Lamoureux and Oliver. I expect good things.
5th - Halifax Mooseheads - The Mooseheads are in a weird spot. They're the strongest team in the largest division by a good chunk, but their goaltending is questionable, and have a few holes up front. Still, they should win a bunch of games against a division largely in a rebuild, even if their go-for-it year is still a year off.
4th - Gatineau Olympic - Injuries are going to be a big factor for the 'Piques and might keep them out of the top 3, but it doesn't make them not a contender. They're an extremely strong team top to bottom loaded with Talent.
3rd - Blainville-Broisbiand - Loosing Guay was a big blow, but they should still be in the hunt in the top 3.
2nd - Sherbrooke - Strong top to bottom with high-end talent in Roy, Gill, Specek and others. They're going to score a lot and win a lot
1st - Quebec Rempart - They're at the top of their cycle with a ton of talent and likely to go all-in come Christmas. I see the Rempart at the top of the League.
We'll see how accurate this is come April haha.