I'm amazed that one of our "regulars" hasn't said this to the list yet...
 
Those of you adding your  2 cents that the hockey polls (including the
HOCKEY-L poll) aren't worth much, be patient.  I suspect most of you may be
new to the list.  In due time there'll be a number of rating systems
popping up.  These won't be polls; they're based on various algorithms from
game results only that include head-to-head, strength of schedule,
opponent's opponents' opponents (which never fails to confuse me!) and so
on.  Much more scientific... though they produce as much disagreement as
the polls, it seems to me.  :)
 
In any event, obviously it takes a minimum number of games before our
hockey-l ratings wizards can crank up their machines.  In the meantime,
polls give us non-technical folks a fun chance to contribute... (I've
personally got Harvard at #3, and won't change until they lose or tie a
game...!)
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Stephen E. Roth                        BITNET:            ROTH@CANISIUS
Dean of Student Services                 INTERNET:  [log in to unmask]
Canisius College                            PHONE:           (716) 888-2522
Buffalo, New York 14208                       FAX:           (716) 888-2525
---------------------------------------------------------------------------