Merci



Definitely a changing of the guard happening in the west. Winnipeg always makes offseason moves to stay in the hunt so you can’t rule them out, but the core is aging in a way that’s starting to rear its head. Edmonton, meanwhile, has clearly called off the dogs and gone into rebuild mode by selling everything including the kitchen sink for future picks. They’ll be restocking and remodeling for the next few seasons, unless they start turning those picks around for prime players.

Meanwhile, it’s equally clear that LAP is making plans to build a dynasty continuing to acquire big names to build on a Cup winning roster. SFP will aim to keep threatening them in the Pacific, so the Battle of California should stay hot, though it looks like LA’s to lose for the foreseeable future. TEX is starting to make good on their lengthy rebuild, making it a round deeper into the playoffs each of the last three seasons. WPG will hope to stay atop the Central with NOLA and CHI always scrappy, though it’s seems like TEX can hold onto the division for a few seasons. Whether they can challenge for the conference and the Cup remains to be seen.



Texas, obviously. After posting the league’s lowest Goals Against during the regular season, they held opponents to 2 or fewer goals in 8 of their 14 playoff games. Only the Panthers’ high powered offense was able to crack them, but the overall trajectory can’t be denied. If they maintain their recent history of advancing one more round each season, then S76 will see the Renegades in the Finals.

They’ll continue to ride Dionne’s fantastic play in net behind the inevitable shot stopping of the big but quiet Hodor. A bit of retooling upfront will see some young guns step into their prime and into some marquee roles, but overall this is a team that spreads the workload and goal scoring throughout its lineup. If they can find the right combination (or luck into a hot hand come playoff time), they’ll have every reason to fulfill their Conference Championship destiny and try their luck against the best the East can throw at them.