Calgary Flames
U.S.-Based Execs Say Flames, Leafs Top Canadian Teams. Who Ranks Low?
U.S.-Based NHL executives were asked to rank Canadian teams based on where they’ll place in an all-Canadian Division. Results were surprising.
In an effort to see how teams south of the border view the NHL clubs from Canada, the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reached out Monday to a number of U.S.-based NHL team front office executives. He asked them to rank the Canadian teams and where they’d finish if a proposed All-Canadian Division becomes a reality. The results were a little surprising.
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LeBrun got a response from 15 executives and the results proved that the race was tight, but also that there were two clear winners. The Toronto Maple Leafs ended up getting nine first-place votes out of the 15 respondents. In second place came the Calgary Flames who got four first-place votes and the Montreal Canadiens finished third with two first-place nods.
The reason the Leafs seemed to get so much love will be heavily debated but the results of LeBrun’s questionnaire suggest that these execs loved the fact that the Leafs went out and acquired some of the missing ingredients for a year ago and that they added muscle to their roster and improve their blue line. Many suggested the additions of experience, grit and leadership; through the additions of Joe Thornton, Wayne Simmonds and Zach Bogosian, made a huge difference.
As for the Flames… everyone seemed to love the addition of Jacob Markstrom. His presence alone vaulted Calgary up to no worse than third place for half of those who responded. What’s interesting, was that those that didn’t have Calgary in the top three, often had them near the bottom. There was very little grey area for that team: they were either going to be much better or not good at all.
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Who Struggled In the Responses?
As many would have expected, the Ottawa Senators didn’t fare well. A rebuilding team with a lot of good young pieces, but little else finished last in all 15 questionnaire responses.
The Edmonton Oilers didn’t get mentioned often, but when they did, their lack of improving the goaltending situation worked against them. As expected, the NHL execs still loved the team’s top end talent.
The Jets ranked low for many and the Vancouver Canucks got raked over the coals for doing so little and letting their goaltender walk for nothing in free agency. That made sense considering the reason Calgary ranked high was thanks to Markstrom. No longer in Vancouver, it made sense the team would suffer in the rankings.
What Does The Survey Tell Us?
How U.S.-based teams view Canadian-based teams will often be met with skepticism by fans who know that the coverage of hockey south of the border is much different than it is in the north. That said, it’s good to see opinions of other teams and these executives aren’t exactly typical fans.
But, one thing isn’t all that different. The Maple Leafs seem to get a lot of love everywhere.
Next: Why Maple Leafs Fans Should Know the Defense Is Hugely Improved?
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