December 28th, 2006

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Canucks, Sports
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Is the Northwest Division Great or Awful?

James Mirtle raises an interesting question about the Canucks’ division. The five teams in the Northwest Division were, as of last night, only divided by one point:

So, then, here’s my question: Is the parity we’re seeing in the Northwest an indication of it being such a strong division — or just the opposite?

I’d originally thought that this meant that all five teams were lousy, but, given that they’re playing each other a ton, it may mean that they’re all above average. Let’s look at some numbers:

Compared to the rest of the league, the five teams are currently ranked between 13th and 21st. That suggests they’re pretty mediocre.

Let’s see how they’re playing against their own division, the rest of the conference and the Eastern conference (excluding ties):


 
vs. NW division
vs. other Western divisions
vs. Eastern Conference
Vancouver
0.67
1.38
2.00
Colorado
2.00
0.70
2.00
Edmonton
1.40
0.82
1.50
Minnesota
1.25
1.20
0.33
Calgary
1.25
1.43
0.67
Average
1.31
1.10
1.30

Well, I guess that suggests that they’re better than the average team in the NHL. As somebody pointed out, there are no pushovers in the division, as there are in many others (here’s looking at you, LA and Phoenix).

What’s the conclusion? They’re not as lousy as I thought. Mind you, at this rate, it’s possible (but not likely) that only one Northwest division team will make the playoffs.

Comments: 6 Responses so far

Meg
December 29th, 2006
7:13 am

I would say it’s the most exciting division, with the strongest collection of teams, and the most interesting rivalries. And the reason it often looks like the teams aren’t doing well is that they’re so evenly matched that they can’t possibly win all the time. Vancouver in another division? Holy crap. As with CGY, as with EDM.

[Reply]

Beth
December 29th, 2006
11:06 am

It should be interesting to see what the league will be like if they change up the divisions, as there was been talk about. Vancouver would still be in the same div as Calgary & Edmonton, but with the Cali teams…

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Beth
December 29th, 2006
11:13 am

Apparently I do not know how to type. That should have been “as there HAS been talk about”… which I know is also bad grammar.

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DaveO
December 29th, 2006
12:07 pm

I’ve heard the rumbling of the re-alignment but haven’t dug too much into the plan as i am still ticked at the ineffeciency and lackluster appeal of the current schedule.

I think re-arranging the divisions based on Time Zone makes much more sense the the vague geographical regions roped in in the current scheme. And organizing roadtrips so west coast teams do not go east for one game only and then back (did you notice the canucks’ last 4 games were in 4 time zones with a west coast holiday trip in there too).

Keep EDM and CAL in with VAN, SJ, LA and ANA and throw the Mtn Time and Central Time teams into a batch (DET and COL in the same division would be great along with MIN PHO DAL NAS COL).

Then chop the Eastern Time zone teams in half North and South and voila - Perhaps adding NAS into the South East if needed for balance - plus they just seem to *fit* there anyhow.

Next up, chisel schedule down to 60-ish games adjust schedule so each team plays every team a home and home plus an extra game against dvision rivals… then, move 2 teams (’Yotes back to the Peg, Pens to Portland), roll back salary cap to 20M, lower ticket prices for fans and encourage players to work in the summer to “make ends meet” like they did in the old days.

OK, i’ll settle for schedule adjustments to start.

[Reply]

Lee Chapelle
January 22nd, 2007
2:58 am

The strength of any division in the NHL can be determined fairly accurately by adding up the total points gained by all the teams and subtracting OTL points. The reason is that points from divisional games remain within the division, so the only way to increase the total beyond 2 per game is to win more often than not against non-divisonal foes. There are other factors like the strength of Conference opponents, but long story short, the NW is a strong division, at least third if not second strongest.

[Reply]

Lee Chapelle
January 22nd, 2007
3:00 am

New divisions? How about an All-Canadian division? I’d love that.

[Reply]

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