It is still preseason and we don't know what that means for anyone's gameplans and AIs. But based on roster and past experience, these are my early Season 6 Preseason predictions for the Western Conference.
1. Triple B's 13th Cadre - Once a champion of A5 out of the Eastern Conference, they put up 11 impressive wins in AA3 last year. For some unknown reason they have been relegated back down to the A leagues. Until more information comes out about the reasoning why, the rest of the West will look at Triple B with a nod of respect for their past credentials and lineup, but a roll of the eyes for their placement. Projected record 16-0.
2. Unsavory Gentlemen - What was anticipated as the number 1 squad in the West has been bumped down by Triple B's arrival. They have to travel to visit the 13 Cadre this year so the B's get the early nod even though these two teams are close in stature. Predicted record 15-1.
3. Alberta Irukandji - A very good team that faded at the end of the year with a very difficult final stretch. They look reloaded and ready to compete with the best in the West this year. Prediction 13-3
4. Genosha X-Men - Unlike Alberta they got better as the year went on. They are still missing a kicker, but they have a very good team otherwise. Short of having their punter pull double duty, they should be damn good. Prediction 11-5.
5. Manitoba Lions - The standings start tightening up fast here, as the X-Men, Lions, and Warriors are all very good, very similar teams. For that reason they all share a similar record, and any of them could switch it up. Prediction 11-5.
6. Prince George - Prince George gameplanned the heck out of us and pulled the upset last year, so I know how good they can coach. This is a darn good team, and an outside threat for moving up these early rankings if they keep it up. Prediction 11-5.
7. Saskatchewan Thrashers - Things are so tight after the Thrashers that they will probably be the sole 9-7 team in the conference. They are good, competitive, and should be a definate playoff team. Prediction 9-7.
8. I don't know enough about the newcomers to give a very good guess and I won't use matchup bars or average levels to take the easy way out. So I'll take the even easier way out of grouping them all in an 8-13 bunch! Teams 8-13 are the following:
North Bay Drift
Rancho Penasquitos Thunderbolts
Fhockey.com Demos
Vancouver Vikings
Fort McMurray Mounted Police
Canada Dragons
Projected record for these teams range from 8-8, 7-9, and 6-10. The final playoff spot will be one of these squads. Once the teams have a few games under their belts I'll have a better picture of who can play and gameplan, and who just signs the first guy they see.
14. Sault Ste. Marie Harbingers - This team is really close to having a complete roster, but CPU players at the moment bring them way down. If they can shore up their holes they can be a 6-7 win team. As of now, they settle for 2. Prediction 2-14.
15. the queens angels - Unless they get some new players at the start of season 6, this team will probably have a rough go at it this year. They'll beat number 16 though. Prediction 1-15.
16. Chilliwack Care Bears - How the mighty have fallen. They could have been a contender, but now they are stat fodder material. Prediction 0-16.
1. Triple B's 13th Cadre - Once a champion of A5 out of the Eastern Conference, they put up 11 impressive wins in AA3 last year. For some unknown reason they have been relegated back down to the A leagues. Until more information comes out about the reasoning why, the rest of the West will look at Triple B with a nod of respect for their past credentials and lineup, but a roll of the eyes for their placement. Projected record 16-0.
2. Unsavory Gentlemen - What was anticipated as the number 1 squad in the West has been bumped down by Triple B's arrival. They have to travel to visit the 13 Cadre this year so the B's get the early nod even though these two teams are close in stature. Predicted record 15-1.
3. Alberta Irukandji - A very good team that faded at the end of the year with a very difficult final stretch. They look reloaded and ready to compete with the best in the West this year. Prediction 13-3
4. Genosha X-Men - Unlike Alberta they got better as the year went on. They are still missing a kicker, but they have a very good team otherwise. Short of having their punter pull double duty, they should be damn good. Prediction 11-5.
5. Manitoba Lions - The standings start tightening up fast here, as the X-Men, Lions, and Warriors are all very good, very similar teams. For that reason they all share a similar record, and any of them could switch it up. Prediction 11-5.
6. Prince George - Prince George gameplanned the heck out of us and pulled the upset last year, so I know how good they can coach. This is a darn good team, and an outside threat for moving up these early rankings if they keep it up. Prediction 11-5.
7. Saskatchewan Thrashers - Things are so tight after the Thrashers that they will probably be the sole 9-7 team in the conference. They are good, competitive, and should be a definate playoff team. Prediction 9-7.
8. I don't know enough about the newcomers to give a very good guess and I won't use matchup bars or average levels to take the easy way out. So I'll take the even easier way out of grouping them all in an 8-13 bunch! Teams 8-13 are the following:
North Bay Drift
Rancho Penasquitos Thunderbolts
Fhockey.com Demos
Vancouver Vikings
Fort McMurray Mounted Police
Canada Dragons
Projected record for these teams range from 8-8, 7-9, and 6-10. The final playoff spot will be one of these squads. Once the teams have a few games under their belts I'll have a better picture of who can play and gameplan, and who just signs the first guy they see.
14. Sault Ste. Marie Harbingers - This team is really close to having a complete roster, but CPU players at the moment bring them way down. If they can shore up their holes they can be a 6-7 win team. As of now, they settle for 2. Prediction 2-14.
15. the queens angels - Unless they get some new players at the start of season 6, this team will probably have a rough go at it this year. They'll beat number 16 though. Prediction 1-15.
16. Chilliwack Care Bears - How the mighty have fallen. They could have been a contender, but now they are stat fodder material. Prediction 0-16.
Last edited Nov 6, 2008 15:48:30
