Penguins, Ducks, Senators rate in top 10 of ESPN poll

The Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators have been ranked in the top 10 of the 122 teams included in ESPN the Magazine's 2013 Ultimate Standings. The standings were released online Monday.

The Penguins are ranked seventh, the Ducks are eighth and the Senators are ninth. The Senators are the top-ranked professional sports team in Canada.

The standings are an annual production by ESPN the Magazine, which compiles the results of fan surveys and financial analysis to determine which teams in the NHL, NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball offer the greatest rewards for the emotion, money and time that fans invest.

The 122 teams are ranked in order based on a weighted average of scores in eight different categories: affordability, bang for the buck, coaching, fan relations, ownership, players, stadium experience and title track.

"Our fans are always one of the Senators organization's most important priorities," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. "This year's ESPN ranking is a testament to the ongoing commitment of our entire organization to continually focus on providing the best possible experience for our great fans. We are thrilled and extremely proud to be recognized as Canada's top professional sports team and to achieve an overall top-10 ranking in all of professional sports."

In addition, the Detroit Red Wings are ranked 13th and the Chicago Blackhawks are ranked 14th.