Central Division Power Rankings: Mid-October

We're not even ten games in yet, but below is Indian Head Sweater's first central division power rankings.  Unlike most power rankings, these rankings aren't all that heavily based off of the standings/records, but instead more advanced stats that help paint a truer picture.  I'll try and post a new set of rankings about every other week.  Agree or disagree?  Comment below.

1. Chicago Blackhawks:  Yea, the Hawks are behind the Blues and Avalanche in the standings right now, but I still think most would agree that they're the team to beat in the conference (and probably league).  There are problems that need to be fixed, but I'm not worried at all about the losses to the Bolts and Blues.  The Blackhawks have the third-highest CF% and they've been the better team in all of their games except against the Blues, which was pretty damn even.

2. St. Louis Blues:  Everybody knows the Blues are going to be a good team this year.  Their 106.9 PDO (measures luckiness) is the highest in the league, but I wouldn't be too concerned about that if I was a Blues fan.  Why?  Because they've been better Fenwick-wise in every game they've played so far.  You could make the case for the Blues being at the top spot, but I don't think in the middle of October, you can put them ahead of the defending Stanley Cup champs.

3. Colorado Avalanche:  Avs fans couldn't have asked for a better start as Patrick Roy is perfect through his first five games.  So why am I putting them third?  Because I don't think the "advanced stats" tell the same story.  Their PDO is the fourth-highest in the league and their 5v5 CF% is well below average at 45.4% (25th in the league).  They were thoroughly outplayed by the Bruins, but still won.  They were -10 5v5 Corsi against the Ducks in their opener, but still won by 5 goals.  Rookie Nathan MacKinnon may lead the team in points (6) and getting his share in the headlines, but his Rel CF% is second-to-last on the team (-13.5).

4. Minnesota Wild:  The Wild only have a pair of wins, but there should be a lot of optimism in Minnesota.  They lead the entire league right now in CF% (60.8) and they're getting great contributions from their top players.  Koivu and Parise are #1 and #2 league-wide in CF% and Ballard and Niederreiter are also in the top 10.  I think they're better than the Avs, but I can't bring myself to putting an undefeated team fourth in their own division.

5. Nashville Predators:  There is quite a gap between the top four teams and the bottom three right now.  Along with that, there isn't much separation down here and you could make the case for the bottom three being in any order.  The Preds have the worst record, but are ahead of both the Stars and Jets in Corsi and Fenwick.

6. Dallas Stars:  The Stars are in the bottom third of the league in Corsi and that number may come down this week with games against the Avs, Sharks, and Kings.  Very tough stretch.

7. Winnipeg Jets:  When it comes to Corsi, the Jets through six games are the worst in the division.  Only three players (Tangradi, Frolik, and Enstrom) have a CF% over 50.  On top of that, Winnipeg's top line of Ladd-Little-Wheeler is off to a rough start with Little being the only one with a positive Rel CF% (and it's only 2.2).