Wednesday 13 January 2016

WHL People's Power Rankings #7

Without further ado, the post trade deadline People's Power Rankings
Eastern Conference
1. Lethbridge Hurricanes - EVEN - Did not make a significant deal at the deadline, 9-1 in their last 10, standing pat might be enough.
2. Red Deer Rebels - UP 1 - Brought in Helewka, DeBrusk and Philp before the trade deadline. Did not improve Defense or Goaltending. Rylan Toth is hot right now, will it be enough?
3. Brandon Wheat Kings - UP 1 -  Suffered worst lost in 17 years (10-0 to Red Deer) but have since played better. Bolstered line up in a deal with the Blades. 
4. Calgary Hitmen - DOWN 2 - Did not seem to keep pace with the division leaders at the break. Added Matteo Gennaro from Prince Albert.
5. Prince Albert Raiders - EVEN -  Dealt Gennaro to Calgary for players that should help the roster while the try to keep pace with the Wheat Kings and the Warriors on their tails with Point back in the lineup.
6. Moose Jaw Warriors - EVEN - Traded imports with Kamloops but their biggest deal at the deadline was to keep Brayden Point. This team wants to win NOW. Playoffs should be on the horizon, 5 point lead on the Pats as of writing for the last divisional playoff spot.
7. Edmonton Oil Kings - UP 1 - In the head scratcher of the deadline, the Oil Kings held on to all of their 19 year old talent instead of improving their team for the future. Will need to cling to the hopes they are not passed by the Tigers or the Blades. Lead is just 4 points.
8. Regina Pats - DOWN 1 -  Made the biggest splash on the actual deadline, landing Cole Sanford from the Tigers. Should allow the Pats to make the playoffs albeit in a wild card role. Adam Brooks is on fire.
9. Medicine Hat Tigers - UP 1 - Despite their season long struggles with goaltending, injuries and a trade demand from Cole Sanford, the Tigers sit just 5 points back of the Oil Kings for a wildcard playoff spot.
10. Saskatoon Blades - DOWN 1-Not playing very well of late (4-6-0-0) in the last 10, the Blades made a few moves in the hopes of making a sprint to the playoffs. Its a tight race, do they have the legs? US Division road swing starts now.
11. Swift Current Broncos - EVEN - 10 points back of the final playoff spot with 30 games to go seems too far to climb with 3 teams in the way. Traded top player DeBrusk and began the build to the future. Surprisingly kept Martin as an overager.
12. Kootenay Ice - EVEN - 20 points out they traded away assets to improve for future seasons. Landed a great prospect in Sidaway and draft picks from the Rebels. Will look to not be embarrassed as the season closes out.

Western Conference
1. Kelowna Rockets - EVEN - Rockets keep a stranglehold on first despite losing three forwards to the WJCs and starting goalie Jackson Whistle to injury.
2. Everett SilverTips - UP 4 - Playing in this many tight games (six of last nine have been one-goal games), should prepare them for the playoffs.
3. Victoria Royals - DOWN 1 - Royals have cooled off as of late and there lead over P.G. for second in the B.C. and home ice is diminishing.
4. Prince George Cougars - DOWN 1 - Chase Witala has 16 points over his last 10 games, giving the Cougars the consistent scoring they need.
5. Seattle Thunderbirds - DOWN 1 - Light schedule helped them as they were without Barzal, Eansor and True for part of the last two weeks. Their new additions (Bow and Leth) are helping them even more.
6. Kamloops Blazers - UP 1 - No Gage Quinney and they still found a way to win two straight in Portland over the weekend.
7. Spokane Chiefs - DOWN 2 - Blowout loss to Regina a sign of a tailspin coming for the Chiefs. Fans will get a glimpse of the future as first overall 2015 Bantam Pick Ty Smith joins the team for a five-game stint.
8. Portland Winterhawks- EVEN - Missed out on a huge opportunity to get themselves out of the wild card and into the U.S. bracket. Just when you think this very talented team is putting it together, they do something like last weekend (0-2-1).
9. Vancouver Giants - EVEN - Right on Portland's heels in this ranking. Ty Ronning is increasing his draft value every day, as he keeps sniping goals for the Giants.
10)Tri-City Americans - EVEN - Refusal to trade Brandon Carlo at the deadline is a little bit of a head-scratcher. With the talent their 16-year-olds have shown, why wouldn't you want to build for the future?


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