Instead of making my picks based on one number, I do what I assume anyone would do: I look at some stats, I look at records, I look at my perception of roster strength, maybe pay attention to injuries, strength of schedule, and the games and highlights I see.

Obviously a "Power Rankings" concept isn't very exciting if you list the top five teams. I think everyone gets this, yet power rankings still exist as a staple of every hockey website. That must mean that on some level, most people understand that a team's record is just a general guide for how good they are because of luck, winning streaks, injuries, etc.

Take it for granted that when I write I hope people will disagree with me and start a conversation. If I'm good at my job (debatable) then I can do this without just obviously stating bizarre things for attention.

It's admittedly a fine line to walk, which is why I a) never write anything I don't believe or at least believe is worth a good Devils Advocation and 2) coming in here to defend my arguments.

In this case I believe that if we could play enough games that luck balances out the Maple Leafs are one of the best teams in hockey. Auston Matthews who leads the NHL in 5v5 goals and is 4th in 5v5 points (as of last week anyhow) along with at least 6,7 other top-line players gives the Leafs one of the NHL's deepest teams. They also have capital (all their picks, several NHL ready AHL players) to get what they need. I think they're reasonably a top five team.
- James_Tanner

Michael Grabner has 25 even strength goals
Auston Matthews has 22 even strength goals

good job

Michael Grabner has 25 even strength goals
Auston Matthews has 22 even strength goals

good job
- jimbro83

#TANNERFACTS

Michael Grabner has 25 even strength goals
Auston Matthews has 22 even strength goals

good job
- jimbro83

Grabner doesn't count!!!! He plays for the Rangers. Not like its hard to see on any site that Grabs leads NHL in 5 on 5 goals, but that was an inconvenient truth that went aginst Tanner's talking points that pushed his arguement for Toronto. Kinda like his politics

Instead of making my picks based on one number, I do what I assume anyone would do: I look at some stats, I look at records, I look at my perception of roster strength, maybe pay attention to injuries, strength of schedule, and the games and highlights I see.

Obviously a "Power Rankings" concept isn't very exciting if you list the top five teams. I think everyone gets this, yet power rankings still exist as a staple of every hockey website. That must mean that on some level, most people understand that a team's record is just a general guide for how good they are because of luck, winning streaks, injuries, etc.

Take it for granted that when I write I hope people will disagree with me and start a conversation. If I'm good at my job (debatable) then I can do this without just obviously stating bizarre things for attention.

It's admittedly a fine line to walk, which is why I a) never write anything I don't believe or at least believe is worth a good Devils Advocation and 2) coming in here to defend my arguments.

In this case I believe that if we could play enough games that luck balances out the Maple Leafs are one of the best teams in hockey. Auston Matthews who leads the NHL in 5v5 goals and is 4th in 5v5 points (as of last week anyhow) along with at least 6,7 other top-line players gives the Leafs one of the NHL's deepest teams. They also have capital (all their picks, several NHL ready AHL players) to get what they need. I think they're reasonably a top five team.
- James_Tanner

My God, you are such a tool.
Matthews leads ROOKIES in 5v5 scoring. That doesn't make him the top in the league. Or, is it just that the facts didn't support your (ridiculous) argument, Donald.
Please enlighten us as to who these "6,7 other top-line players" the Leafs have are.
You're right that "Power Rankings" doesn't necessarily mean the top 5 in the standings. But it also doesn't mean that the #15 team is top 5 just because they're your favourite. Have a little professional integrity. You sound like a bigger joke every single day.
I have managed to stay away from your blogs as promised, and I am probably happier for it. The fact that you're asked for your opinion on a Hotstove is embarrassing for this website. And I like the fact that the number of hits on your blogs seem to be down, too. I hope your wife can make extra money so your kids don't suffer.

you mean the writers of the blog right?
- jimbro83

In case it wasn't clear, that's precisely what I was saying.

Otherwise it devolves into nastiness, like the preceding comment. Trolls are people that enjoy coaxing negative reactions from people, by any means necessary. They will pretend to care about logic, rationality, open discussion, etc, but the underlying aim is all about getting attention, even the negative kind.

Take away the attention, they shrivel. Some even smarten up and knock it off.

My God, you are such a tool.
Matthews leads ROOKIES in 5v5 scoring. That doesn't make him the top in the league. Or, is it just that the facts didn't support your (ridiculous) argument, Donald.
Please enlighten us as to who these "6,7 other top-line players" the Leafs have are.
You're right that "Power Rankings" doesn't necessarily mean the top 5 in the standings. But it also doesn't mean that the #15 team is top 5 just because they're your favourite. Have a little professional integrity. You sound like a bigger joke every single day.
I have managed to stay away from your blogs as promised, and I am probably happier for it. The fact that you're asked for your opinion on a Hotstove is embarrassing for this website. And I like the fact that the number of hits on your blogs seem to be down, too. I hope your wife can make extra money so your kids don't suffer.
- Tonybere

As far as stats is concerned up front for the leafs Matthews is the only Leaf player over 20goals. Tanner is right...they are stacked. Kadri. JVR, Bozak, etc are nothing more than good players. Every NHL team has players as good as if not BETTER in their top 6!! You are emarrassing yourself my man

In case it wasn't clear, that's precisely what I was saying.

Otherwise it devolves into nastiness, like the preceding comment. Trolls are people that enjoy coaxing negative reactions from people, by any means necessary. They will pretend to care about logic, rationality, open discussion, etc, but the underlying aim is all about getting attention, even the negative kind.

Take away the attention, they shrivel. Some even smarten up and knock it off.
- kinigitt

You are absolutely correct. And it shouldn't bother me so much, but the guy's "I'm smarter than you" attitude makes my blood boil. People like that NEED to be taken down a few pegs, IMO.

Michael Grabner has 25 even strength goals
Auston Matthews has 22 even strength goals

good job
- jimbro83

I know you don't like to let facts get in the way of your troll-job, but it literally says in parenthesis right after I said those stats: "AS OF LAST WEEK ANYHOW"

I think there is enough wrong with me that you don't have to make __ up in order to roast me.

I know you don't like to let facts get in the way of your troll-job, but it literally says in parenthesis right after I said those stats AT LEAST SINCE LAST WEEK.

I think there is enough wrong with me that you don't have to make __ up in order to roast me.
- James_Tanner

Come on Tanner...You like to FEEL the BERN, ......don't you!!!!!????

I know you don't like to let facts get in the way of your troll-job, but it literally says in parenthesis right after I said those stats AS OF LAST WEEK ANYHOW

I think there is enough wrong with me that you don't have to make __ up in order to roast me.
- James_Tanner

Nice of you to take down your last post. Or did you realize you were wrong on that one, too?

I know you don't like to let facts get in the way of your troll-job, but it literally says in parenthesis right after I said those stats: "AS OF LAST WEEK ANYHOW"

I think there is enough wrong with me that you don't have to make __ up in order to roast me.
- James_Tanner

why are we basing a power ranking blog on last week's stats anway?

Inquiring Trolls wanna know

-Mikes smith should win the Vezina

-Even though they have this years soon to be vezina winner. The yotes wish they had dubnyk instead

-Brayden holtby is the best goalie in the world


If you only read tanners stuff here and there I guess you wouldn't notice all the contradictions and general head shaking material he comes up with.

-Mikes smith should win the Vezina

-Even though they have this years soon to be vezina winner. The yotes wish they had dubnyk instead

-Brayden holtby is the best goalie in the world


If you only read tanners stuff here and there I guess you wouldn't notice all the contradictions and general head shaking material he comes up with.
- Trevrrrgavo

Don't forget:
Gardiner should win the Norris (because he's top 5 in the league)
Marincin is the most underused d-man in the league.
Edmonton will win the West
Chicago will be at the bottom of the league

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: NHL Power Rankings: Capitals alone at the top
- ToddCordellVAN

pretty sure it's because of me directly that makes Tanner hate the Rangers so much

I'll take my bows now

I know you don't like to let facts get in the way of your troll-job, but it literally says in parenthesis right after I said those stats: "AS OF LAST WEEK ANYHOW"

I think there is enough wrong with me that you don't have to make __ up in order to roast me.
- James_Tanner

So you don't use up to date stats when calculating your best teams. Ok.

what is this guys problem?, who is it that doesn't know his hockey, lol? obvious troll. at least its not your typical top 5. both good write-ups, imo. good job tanner as always. way too much negativity on these blogs and not enough positive vibes or respect for all of your hard work and more importantly not being afraid to tell it like it is

[quote=gonch]

did you know last week Austin Matthews led the league in even strength goals?

Similar to how you don't understand the concept of hockey and what makes a team good oreason bad?
- sensarmy_11

what is this guys problem?, who is it that doesn't know his hockey, lol? obvious troll. at least its not your typical top 5. both good write-ups, imo. good job tanner as always. way too much negativity on these blogs and not enough positive vibes or respect for all of your hard work and more importantly not being afraid to tell it like it is

- Gonch

You're a tool, too. He's not telling it like it is. He's telling it like he wants it to be. And at the same time he wants to be respected as a writer.
You obviously don't know anything about hockey, either. The Leafs have become an exciting team to watch, but they have a long way to go until they're a good team. And they won't make it to the top five until the revamp their half-decent at best defense.

did you know last week Austin Matthews led the league in even strength goals?
- jimbro83

sorry, jimbro83. my comment was not directed towards you

You're a tool, too. He's not telling it like it is. He's telling it like he wants it to be. And at the same time he wants to be respected as a writer.
You obviously don't know anything about hockey, either. The Leafs have become an exciting team to watch, but they have a long way to go until they're a good team. And they won't make it to the top five until the revamp their half-decent at best defense.
- Tonybere

woah, exactly the point i was trying to make. we need way more positive vibes not this type of negativity.... and my comments were not directed your way either, although maybe they should have been

woah, exactly the point i was trying to make. we need way more positive vibes not this type of negativity.... and my comments were not directed your way either, although maybe they should have been
- gonch

Well then, sorry about that. It certainly seemed to me that they were. My bad.
Tanner gets me going. I could care less if he doesn't know hockey. But when he puts others down and acts superior, well...

Well then, sorry about that. It certainly seemed to me that they were. My bad.
Tanner gets me going. I could care less if he doesn't know hockey. But when he puts others down and acts superior, well...
- Tonybere

no worries bro, i just didn't link to the quote for sensarmy properly... i actually wish the leafs were doing worse this year as i'd like to add one more top prospect before we start to move up the standings. rangers look great though and can score with the best of them....i just find tanner gets attacked alot and i figured it might be because he seems to think the leafs are a decent team, was just trying to come to his defense for once, thats all

The concept of the blog is to generate discussions, which these rankings are currently doing. So job well don there from Todd and James there. What I have a problem with is how James Tanner can evaluate good teams and bad teams. The Wild are bad team when concerning possession numbers, as are the Rangers. So both shouldn't make his list, which is fine. But then he mentions Pittsburgh and Washington because both have been great, with great records and two of the best scoring teams in the league. Just makes zero sense.