Season 14 Management Rankings and Divisional Re-Alignment Proposal

With the usual pre-season activities, comes the call, and the need for re-alignment to attempt to maintain balance within each division. Frankly, it's not fun or good for anyone, when 3 of the top 5 teams in the league come out of the same division. There was a PM with some owners involving a proposed re-alignment where I wrote out my thoughts, but in lieu of @SweetLou9208 and @Hxndry making public proposals on the XB side, I figured I'd do one of my own. They were a bit nicer with their rankings, but I'm going to try and be completely honest with mine.
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Atlantic Division;

@Mhook1797 + @Serpe x 13 (E)
@o S m i i t t y + @Canadiens-27 (C+)
@SomeoneStopMePls + @Rakaniishuu (B-)
@Agger23 + @Bxrt1_ (C)
@Hra-ow + @Dansne (B-)
@ScooTz-10 + ? (D)
@LaFleuR11 + @ImLxziee- (A+)
@PieR Talent + @Bo-Dangles10 (A)

Arguably 2 of the top 5 or 6 teams in the league are in this division, in Tampa and Toronto. However, there's a distinct lack of mid-tier depth after that, Smirk and Smitty both struggled in their first seasons as owners (I expect them both to be better this season), and while Hra-ow did make the playoffs and win a round, his team seemingly crumbled around him, and he still has plenty of maturity issues to work through.
Agger in his first go around in ownership did well, but it's been a long time now since he had success, and his GM Bert has been a great 3rd liner the last few seasons, but has to make a big jump up to be worth the free contract. Scootz I still think is a good owner, but his team has nothing to start with and he has no GM the day before bidding. Tough to rank him much higher than this at this moment in time. Mhook is a rookie owner who has been an average AHL'er at best the past few seasons, and his GM, Serpe used to be a very very solid C, but in this game he has been an unmovable contract at 3mil and a 3rd liner at best so far this year.
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Metropolitan Division;
@JClaus33 + @CaLL Me Jakoo (A+)
@Stxvio + @JaYI77I (D)
@AAli x 21 + @Mjvoell44 (B+)
@bonwl + @xSloshy (A)
@x_Pepsi8_x + @eastons- (B)
@ImaDoer3 + @DxT Gerbe (D)
@Jlm1410 + @Goofy_indian (C)
@Goostaav + @Boughss (A+)

Similarly to the Atlantic, the metro currently imo has 2 of the top 5 teams in the league, in Carolina and Washington. I know I'm rating myself here, but I doubt anyone would argue with my ranking, and Goostav has proven himself to be a top tier owner on his own, and now adding Boughs, fresh off of a cup win puts his team with easily the 2nd best C depth in the league, ahead of bidding.
However, unlike the Atlantic, the Metro has a much much better 2nd tier, with Bonwl and the Islanders, a top 10 team in their own right, and Aali who despite his disaster of last season, has consistently built cup contending teams, and has a GM this season in MJ, who has proven himself as a big game performer and very solid LW.
After that, it drops off a bit, with Pepsi and Eastons, who should compete for a playoff spot, given all of their top picks and Eastons helping to run the show. JLM has typically alternated between division contender and basement dweller in his time as owner, and Goofy has only improved since entering the league, coming off of an 80 point season.
Rounding out the division on paper are Doer, who got booted from ownership a couple of seasons ago for poor performance, and Stavio, who has little to no success in the NHL as a player, and very little success as an AHL manager. The only saving grace of this team ahead of bidding, is the GM Jay, who is a very solid player.
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Central Division;
@MrPurpleCrush + @BTL_MoTi (A)
@Pawdiddy + @Zachjeet (D)
@Diamond l 4 l + @McLxvinn (A+)
@MikeyD I7I + @Wavy Nana (B+)
@TheNortoriousBIG + @KBI36I (A)
@xSnipeSter + @Swiickk (C+)
@Donovxnn + @LOopSx91x (D)
@Chellyy-26 + @Crafted x 95 (B)

Maybe it's wrong of me to not give the defending cup champs an A+, but this is just my opinion. As it is, Diamond and McLovin make up a top 3 management duo, skill-wise, and both have plenty of experience in running teams. They will be the other top 5 team, and in my opinion as it is right now, the only one not in the east.
After that we have PurpleCrush and Moti, and while I didn't see them as a top tier team last season, Arizona did win the cup and major props to them for that. Cody will build a similar team to the one he always does and they will all play every single game together and they might make a trade or two. That's his model, he usually makes the playoffs and gets bounced early, but they put it all together last season and made an awesome run. Hats off to you guys.
Then comes Nort and KB, and I'll admit I'm a bit biased, but I think Nort is the best AHL GM to come up in a really long time, and that is keeping in mind how good of a job Bon did last season in his rookie go as owner. Nort was my AHL GM for almost 2 full years and though some of the other AHL managers didn't want to give him his credit, he did a LOT of the work with Rochester/Charlotte en route to multiple calders down in the A. He also made a great move in taking KB as his GM, who is fresh off of back to back great seasons as the Edmonton owner. This team has good pieces and they will be good this season.
Mikey and Downy come together to run Dallas, after Nana's go at forward. The only reason I don't have them as an A, is due to lack of playoff success from Mikey's teams. This is a good duo and they'll be a solid team. Chelly and Crafted I think will compete for the playoffs, but this is a first time owner and a first time GM, so there's a lot of room for error here.
Snipester and Swick, fresh off of their long chased after Calder, make the jump to the NHL. I think Snipester would've been better served to try and get an NHL guy as his GM, and then gone for Swiick in bidding, but here we are. I think these guys will compete for a playoff spot, but I don't think they'll be a top tier team or really that close to it. Not in their 1st season anyway.
Finally we have Donovan and Pawdiddy rounding out this division. Both guys were new owners that were mediocre-good in the AHL, in the same vein as MHook this season, and predictably struggled. Credit to Donovan he kept his team relevant in the playoff discussion for a while before they tailed off at the end. However, I don't see these guys doing too much damage this season. Chicago will be heavily reliant on a mediocre west line to carry them, and I'm not sure what Donovan and Loops are planning, but they have an uphill battle ahead of them.

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Pacific Division;
@cmess9030 + @Hughesy_71 (B)
@Fooldawg83 + @isles2791 (D)
@althewall + @TooL 12 (C)
@BLong67- + @Ethan x 97 (A)
@i9-Stamkos-1i + @eStokes (B+)
@DeMxrco8 + @GeT MuTeDD (C)
@deerhunter2911 + @Ska-_-Noodle (C+)
@KingClutch x 77 + @x_ReAcTiiOnz_71 (A)

When I look at this division, I see a lot of solid teams, but no top tier teams. I thought pretty highly of LA the last few seasons, just for them to end up flopping. However, they have a very strong core again and I'd be surprised to see them not do very well this time around. KC was a top tier owner his first few seasons, but he hasn't made it past the first round in a loooong time now, but he did add a very solid player in Reactz as his GM.
Stamkos was a solid owner his first time around, and he brings in Stokes who has shown to be a solid defenseman in this league. I just don't see these guys as a cup contender before bidding, but they should make the playoffs.
Cmess and Hughesy picked up all of their buddies from other leagues and some HUT guys in the draft, they should definitely compete for a playoff spot again this season, after their great post-TDL run last season.
Deerhunter Skanoodledoodledoo and Adam did a really good job picking up Vancouver after they lost Nav and Hriiz before last season started. I'm sure they'll be going for their VG buddies that have signed up for this season, they should compete for the playoffs.
After that we have first time owners althewall and Demarco; Wall did a really good job as the Condors GM the last couple seasons, and brings Barrie back from the xbox side to be his GM. They have a tall task building from scratch though, this is a multi-season job. Demarco also brings Get Muted from the XB side where he is also left to pick up the pieces from a formerly dominant TBirds squad. I don't see them being hyper competitive this season but they could battle for a playoff spot.
Rounding out the division is Fooldawg and CGY, fool is a really solid goalie, but goalie owners are just so handicapped, and without a top tier GM, good luck Charlie.

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Full rankings; (Alphabetical)

(A+)
@JClaus33 + @CaLL Me Jakoo (A+)
@Diamond l 4 l + @McLxvinn (A+)
@LaFleuR11 + @ImLxziee- (A+)
@Goostaav + @Boughss (A+)

(A)
@MrPurpleCrush + @BTL_MoTi (A)
@BLong67- + @Ethan x 97 (A)
@TheNortoriousBIG + @KBI36I (A)
@bonwl + @xSloshy (A)
@PieR Talent + @Bo-Dangles10 (A)
@KingClutch x 77 + @x_ReAcTiiOnz_71 (A)

(B+)
@MikeyD I7I + @Wavy Nana (B+)
@AAli x 21 + @Mjvoell44 (B+)
@i9-Stamkos-1i + @eStokes (B+)

(B)
@cmess9030 + @Hughesy_71 (B)
@x_Pepsi8_x + @eastons- (B)
@Chellyy-26 + @Crafted x 95 (B)

(B-)
@SomeoneStopMePls + @Rakaniishuu (B-)
@Hra-ow + @Dansne (B-)

(C+)
@o S m i i t t y + @Canadiens-27 (C+)
@xSnipeSter + @Swiickk (C+)
@deerhunter2911 + @Ska-_-Noodle (C+)

(C)
@Agger23 + @Bxrt1_ (C)
@althewall + @TooL 12 (C)
@Jlm1410 + @Goofy_indian (C)
@DeMxrco8 + @GeT MuTeDD (C)

(D)
@Fooldawg83 + @isles2791 (D)
@Pawdiddy + @Zachjeet (D)
@Stxvio + @JaYI77I (D)
@ScooTz-10 + ? (D)
@ImaDoer3 + @DxT Gerbe (D)
@Donovxnn + @LOopSx91x (D)

(E)
@Mhook1797 + @Serpe x 13 (E)

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My Proposal; this is to try and limit movement while also balancing divisions as best as possible

Atlantic;
TBL (A+)
TOR (A)
DAL (B+) (Swap Mikey's DAL to FLA)
MTL (B-)
DET (B-)
SEA (C) (Swap Demarco's SEA to BUF)
CGY (D) (Swap Fooldawg's CGY to OTT)
BOS (E)

Metro;
CAR (A+)
NYI (A)
NJD (B+)
NYR (B)
NSH (C+) (Swap Snipester's NSH to WSH)
PIT (C)
CBJ (D)
PHI (D)

Central:
COL (A+)
ARZ (A)
MIN (A)
WPG (B)
BUF (C+) (Swap Smitty's BUF to DAL)
VAN (C+) (Swap Deerhunter's VAN to NSH)
CHI (D)
STL (D)


Pacific:
WSH (A+) (Swap Goos' WSH to VAN)
LAK (A)
VGK (A)
SJS (B+)
ANA (B)
FLA (C) (Swap Agger's FLA to SEA)
EDM (C)
OTT (D) (Swap Scootz' OTT to CGY)

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This took a TON of time, but I think it's close to, if not the best way to balance divisions for this season, while also keeping us from moving every single team in the league.

Please let me know if I messed something up, but also let the bogs know if this is something you'd agree with. Puts a top top tier team in every division, and another top or next tier team as well, with good balance and support throughout each division.

Every division has an A+, and an A. Each division's 5th team is either a B- or C+, each division besides the atlantic has at least 4 B's, and they have arguably the best 'A' team. Each division besides the Pacific has at least 2 'D' or worse teams, and they have the 'worst' B- team.

Let me know!

 

Jclaus super in depth and fantastic write up. Think Edmonton will surprise but top tier work as always. Has been the norm for you for a long time now

 

Hra needs to be an A+ for this to be accurate!

On a real note, Dallas should stay in central division.

 

I don't want a Buffalo logo

 

B- Wanted a B!

Honestly, I don’t think I had a bad szn when it came to being mature lol think I did just fine. I had magik and twisty on my team and lasted till week 9 with them. We still finished with over 100 points which is fantastic and made it to G7 against the Washington Capitals.

Making the Atlantic have another good team?!? MikeyD will just make that division a nightmare to make the playoffs again. This could be a bit bias but cmon.

I would keep Washington In the Metro and relocate the isles in the west somewhere.

METRO NEEDS BETTER TEAMS. Move Isles for Washington or Isles for Tampa.

 

Bonwl and sloshy A

MikeyD and Nana B+

Is this Dummies R Us?

-Nav

 

Realigned proposal

ATLANTIC
@Mhook1797 + @Serpe x 13 (E)
@o S m i i t t y + @Canadiens-27 (B-)
@SomeoneStopMePls + @Rakaniishuu (C+)
@Agger23 + @Bxrt1_ (C-)
@hra + @Dansne (B)
@TheNortoriousBIG + @KBI36I (B)
@LaFleuR11 + @ImLxziee- (A+)
@PieR Talent + <@279790485231370240>-Dangles10 (A+)

Metropolitan Division;
@JClaus33 + @CaLL Me Jakoo (A+)
@Stxvio + @JaYI77I (C-)
@AAli x 21 + @Mjvoell44 (B+)
<@279790485231370240>nwl + @xSloshy (B+)
@x_Pepsi8_x + @eastons- (B)
@ImaDoer3 + @DxT Gerbe (E)
@Jlm1410 + @Goofy_indian (C+)
@BLong67- + @Ethan x 97 (A)

Central Division;
@MrPurpleCrush + @BTL_MoTi (A)
@Pawdiddy + @Zachjeet (D)
@Diamond l 4 l + @McLxvinn (A+)
@MikeyD I7I + @Wavy Nana (A-)
@Scootz10 + ? (B)
@xSnipeSter + @Swiickk (C-)
@Donovxnn + @LOopSx91x (C-)
@Chellyy-26 + @Crafted x 95 (B)

Pacific Division;
@cmess9030 + @Hughesy_71 (B-)
@Fooldawg83 + @isles2791 (E)
@althewall + @TooL 12 (C+)
@i9-Stamkos-1i + @eStokes (B)
@DeMxrco8 + @GeT MuTeDD (C)
@deerhunter2911 + @Ska-_-Noodle (B-)
@KingClutch x 77 + @x_ReAcTiiOnz_71 (A
@Goostaav + <@279790485231370240>ughss (A+)


Maybe even switch smirk for philly maybe. I still find metro to be a little weak.

 

@JClaus33 u know that fooldawg disnt signed up as a G right?

 

I think we coulda come up with a better insult than Dummies r Us lol

 

I think buffalo will be the surprise of this season ^^

 

shocker another fake news article

 

That proposal would make the metro crazy. No bueno

 

Thanks Charlie!

 

Atlantic looks stacked

 

Give yourself the D bot

 

S14 pawdiddys szn