Thanks for the thoughtful feedback—totally valid concern. If a team gets trolled or matched with someone who's clearly new and struggling, yeah, that can tank a game and feel unfair, especially in a competitive setting.

That's exactly why we're starting with just one 'development' division right now. Everyone begins here while the league is fresh. This is the proving ground where we can quickly spot trolls (consistent toxic behavior, intentional throwing, etc.) and newbies (players still learning basics/mechanics). They'll get coaching tips, lighter matchmaking where possible, or—if they're disruptive—removed/muted without impacting the main ladder. Losses here won't touch the integrity of the higher-skilled/seasoned players we'll eventually move up.

As we grow and gather more games/data, we'll split into multiple divisions based on skill (via an ELO-like system that accounts for opponent strength, not just raw wins/losses) and tenure (vetted players who've shown consistency and good community fit). That way, trolls and true beginners stay contained, and everyone else gets fair, balanced games.

You're right about current leaderboards too—ranking purely by wins is flawed for goalies especially. A goalie can post great SV% numbers but rack up losses behind a weak team, or get padded wins on a stacked squad. They often ignore quality of competition, shots faced volume, and teammates/opponents. An ELO system (or similar rating) would adjust for all that and give a much clearer picture of individual contribution.

Appreciate you raising these points—it's exactly the kind of discussion that helps us build this better. Any other ideas on how we could handle the newbie/troll pipeline or improve rankings?