New Jersey Devils

 

Division Projected Order of Finish - 5th

 

Current Lineup Score... 73.1

Division Rank 5th

 

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 9.8

Division Rank 5th

 

Quality Draft Capital... 8.0

Division Rank 4th (tied)

 

Ken really does have a solid/decent team, and I did debate ranking him higher.  He could easily finish a couple spots higher in the Metro.  He has a great top line and a great number one defenseman.  It does drop off a bit after that at both positions, though.  Markstrom is serviceable for a bubble team, but Ken needs an upgrade there if he wants to compete for a spot higher up in the division.  He has ample cap space and cash (though not super impressive amounts), which will allow him to be somewhat flexible this season.  He's not usually a big mover and shaker, so it'll be interesting to see if he's happy middle of the pack all year long.  Ken might be the best example of the BRHL's most mid/average franchise.  Maybe "well-balanced" is a better way of putting it.  Average to decent in almost every category possible. 

 

Biggest Strength:  Balance.  His team isn't old, young, expensive, great, or bad

 

 

Pittsburgh Penguins

 

Division Projected Order of Finish - 6th

 

Current Lineup Score... 71.2

Division Rank 6th

 

Financial Power Flexibility Score... 13.3

Division Rank 4th

 

Quality Draft Capital... 11.0

Division Rank 1st

 

I believe this GM's name is Matt.  I don't know too much else about him or his tendencies.  The Pens have a lot of good young pieces, but are not ready to compete just yet.... especially given the rates that Jeremy Swayman earned this season LOL.  Matt would be smart to line things up with an eye on competing and breaking through next season.  Maybe target some bounceback candidates, like the Yegor Sharangovich's of the world.  He has plenty of quality draft picks, so the cupboards will be stocked even further over the next year or two.  Hoping for his sake that all these Sudbury Wolves alumni live up to their potentials.

 

Biggest Strength:  Draft picks and solid young Centres