a shift in power?

So we're past the first quarter of the season with some teams already playing their 30th game, or about to, I figured it's time to look at the standings and see any surprises so far. We'll start with the East. (note, all figures will come from TSN.ca/nhl, but you can get these from any site with standings and such)

Rank Team GP W L OT PTS GF GA Home Away Last 10 Streak 1 Pittsburgh 30 20 8 2 42 96 69 10-5-1 10-3-1 10-0-0 Won 11 2 Washington 29 18 8 3 39 96 79 12-2-2 6-6-1 4-4-2 3 Montreal 28 18 8 2 38 75 54 11-4-2 7-4-0 6-3-1 Won 3 4 Philadelphia 29 17 7 5 39 99 74 10-5-2 7-2-3 5-2-3 5 Boston 26 15 8 3 33 75 52 6-5-2 9-3-1 5-3-2 Won 1 6 Tampa Bay 28 15 10 3 33 86 98 7-2-2 8-8-1 6-3-1 Lost 1 7 Atlanta 28 15 10 3 33 88 80 9-5-1 6-5-2 8-2-0 Won 2 8 NY Rangers 29 16 12 1 33 83 77 6-8-1 10-4-0 6-4-0 Lost 1

So, looking at the top 8 in the east we notice three new additions. the 6-8 spot are all occupied by teams that missed the playoffs last season. Most of us are familiar with the epic season ending home-and-home between the Flyers and the Rangers, and Tampa Bay has always had a talented team, but played inconsistent hockey at the best of times the past few years, but did anyone expect Atlanta to be where there are at this point in the season? If the playoffs started tomorrow, the Southwest Division would send three of their five teams to the playoffs. The Atlantic would also send three teams and the Northwest and two.

Give the thrashers all the credit in the world for raiding the Blackhawks cabinets, as their top two point producers are Dustin Byfuglien and Andrew Ladd, two players who were on last year's cup winning Blackhawks team. Their deadline deal with NJ was another great deal as they picked up a promising rookie in Nicklas Bergfors, who is fifth on the team in scoring and on pace for his best career season in terms of points, and Johnny Oduya, a capable puck moving defensemen. The play of Pavelec cannot be overlooked either as he has been lights out, no pun intended, since returning from that bizzare fainting episode at the beginning of the season. While it is still early in the season you can't help but like what the thrashers are doing.

I would be remiss to not talk about the lack of performance by former powerhouses, NJ (who i will spare as i have already put in my two cents on a few occasions) Buffalo and Ottawa. Buffalo seems to be getting back on track, but injuries (however minor) to Ryan Miller and the "sophomore slump" from Tyler Myers are certainly hurting this team. Myers isn't playing terrible hockey, but he's getting playing time against players he might not have before while Tallinder was still with the team. Ottawa is perpetually treading water, as they start to play well, then slip for awhile. They still need a definitive 2nd line to take the pressure off their star guys, and Gonchar has been nothing but a dissapointment so far this season.

One team worth watching who is currently on the outside looking in has been the Florida Panthers. While I still don't think they can make the playoffs, especially with the emergence of Atlanta and Tampa Bay returning to form, I do them playing spoilers come late march. They get solid goaltending from both Volkoun and Clemmenson, and are currently only a -1 in goal differential. If they can string together a couple of wins, and David Booth can get rolling (he is currently first on the team in points, but has yet to break 20 this season), they can be a tougher team to play against.


And now we do the west.

WESTERN
Rank	Team	GP	W	L	OT	PTS	GF	GA	Home	Away	Last 10	Streak
1	Detroit	26	17	6	3	37	88	70	10-3-2	7-3-1	5-3-2	Lost 2
2	Dallas	27	16	9	2	34	79	74	10-3-1	6-6-1	6-2-2	Lost 1
3	Vancouver	26	15	8	3	33	85	68	9-3-1	6-5-2	5-4-1	Won 1
4	Chicago	30	16	12	2	34	95	87	8-8-0	8-4-2	7-3-0	Won 2
5	Phoenix	26	13	7	6	32	74	72	5-3-4	8-4-2	7-2-1	Won 1
6	San Jose	27	14	9	4	32	83	77	7-4-2	7-5-2	5-4-1	Won 2
7	Nashville	27	13	8	6	32	68	70	5-1-5	8-7-1	5-2-3	Won 1
8	Anaheim	31	14	13	4	32	78	94	9-6-1	5-7-3	4-5-1

Who would've thought that at the quarter mark, San Jose would be in 6th, LA would be in 10th and Calgary is in contention for a lottery pick? Oh yeah, Dallas would be in 2nd? A definite what the puck to the west right now.

The west to me isn't AS surprising as the east, as the playoff race in the west is usually more contested anyway. Phoenix continues to build on last year's success, while Colorado has fallen out of the playoff race. Interesting to note, that 9-12 in the West are all placed above 9th in the East. While that tidbit has no effect on anything whatsoever, it's interesting to note the points discrepancy between the conferences. To me the biggest questions in the west are the recent drop off in LA's play. They came out gangbusters, but recently have slowed, as you can see by their 3-7-0 in the past 1o games. However, the biggest head shaker is the disaster that is the Calgary Flames. They've played the 3rd most games in the conference, but have the second fewest points. The roster is still questionable as they have no legit number 1 center to play with Iginla, whose name has also surfaced in trade rumors. Calgary needs to abandon all hope of being competitive and start to rebuild. They have a decent crop of veterans who can get them prospects and draft picks. Iginla would would fetch the biggest return (duhh), but is old man Sutter ready to trade the face of the franchise, for the good of the franchise? I think it's safe to say that most people respect Iginla and no one would be opposed to him being traded to a potential winner (especially if that's your personal favorite).

For me the biggest plus, is the play of Columbus. Another team that is currently on the outside looking in, but in the the tough Central Division they are being competitive and actually winning, which is somewhat of an anomaly in Columbus. What they need to do though is start winning at home as they are currently a much better road team. Garon has been a pleasant surprise, and Mason's numbers are starting to improve as well. If they can keep getting solid goaltending, and someone else to help either set up Rick Nash, or another top 6 winger to play behind him and give them a serious 1-2 punch, they can sneak their way into 8th.

I also have to give Dallas a tip of the hat too. Kari Lehtonen has been very good for the Stars, and is on pace for his best professional season to date. The key for him, and Dallas will be his health. He's missed at least half a dozen games in every season since 05. Multiple groin and back injuries are a huge cause for concern. However, if you give him the benefit of the doubt, and his injuries are really behind him, he can be solid goaltender for this team. What the Stars plan to do with Brad Richards is also something to watch. The UFA to be, is definitely one of the top prizes of the offseason, if not the biggest fish to land. Obviously the Stars want to re-sign him, but if they can't, or end up imploding and are well out of the playoff race, look for plenty of rumors about where to go, and plenty of suitors to come a-calling. His name has already been mentioned in a series of rumors, but right now the Stars are keeping their.....star.

Trouble in Toronto?!

Surely one cannot be naive enough to think that I can go a whole season and NOT talk more specifically about the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team that perpetually lives under the microscope can't escape the scrutiny of an anonymous blogger, can they? No pucking way! So let's get down to it then shall we? And just so the leafs fans that do read this climb down my throat...see below

DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to know the team half as well as some of you, nor do I claim to be an expert on all things hockey. This is just an impartial observer's two cents. So no need to trace my IP and send me mail bomb's in molsen bottles or anything...although if you send me "canadian" bacon that would be awesome.

So the Leafs have had a rocky start, which unfortunately is not too uncommon these days. There have been calls for Ron Wilson's job, and I think that is premature at this point. Ron Wilson is a winning coach over his career, and all but one team that he has coached (well two counting the the Leafs at this point) have made the playoffs. The problem lies, not so much in the coaching, but in the roster itself.

I'm not the biggest proponent of having to have "star" power on a roster, but top six talent is sorely lacking on this team. Phil Kessel, while a necessary but expensive pick up, has no one to feed him the puck. Tyler Bozak is certainly not a number one, nor is Grabovski although he is having a solid year so far. He is currently on pace for 60+ points, which would be a personal best at any professional/junior level. Looking up and down this roster, it is a typical Brian Burke team with a lot of character, but what it's lacking is the elite level offensive talent on the top lines. In Vancouver, he had the Sedins, Anaheim he had Selanne, Getzlaf etc etc. Here he has Kessel. That's it. Yes I am aware of the expectations for Nazem Kadri, but at this point I don't think he is really ready for the NHL. His call up this year is out of necessity, nothing more. I do think that Burke has this team heading in the right direction, but regardless of what he says, this team is rebuilding.

Despite the problems up front, the defensive issues are the most pressing concern. Looking at the top 6 (based on games played), this team should be able to keep the opposition from running up the score. For the most part they have, although in their last four losses they've been outscored a combined 16-6. That's not acceptable for any team, especially with a back six as deep as Toronto's. What's more disturbing is that this team is ranked 3rd in shots against. So the defense is doing something right, but without offensive help, they're going to keep losing games like this, especially ranking 27th in goals per game. Simply put, the defense needs help from the fowards to take the pressure off. This is a good group, and if given the room to breathe, I'm sure they can create some quality chances. Until then, I can't see this situation changing very much.

Since my goaltending review, the numbers have gone down for Giguere but have improved for The Monster. This is a good thing, since Giggy is now out with a groin injury and Gustavsson played well tonight against the Devils. Granted it's the Devils (sorry NJ fans reading) who haven't been the club they've been in the past. Still it's back to back wins for the leafs who are close to seeing the return of Phaneuf, and with the play of Kadri tonight, things can turn around for the Leafs.

Things I'd like to see from the Leafs this season: Trade Kaberle. Yeah I know, I'm sick of hearing about it too, but let's face it the draft picks are running out, and he is your best, expendable asset. Let one of the other guys step up into his place, and trade for a top 6 center. The continued success of The Monster. Unless something happens, he is the goalie of the immediate future and he needs to play up to expectations. If The Monster plays well, and the team in front of him puts up some consistent offense, the Leafs can be a team to shake things up this year. As it stands now, they are currently sitting in 10th place, but only 2 points out of 8th. It's not impossible to think that the Leafs can put together a run and sneak into the playoffs. So, Brian Burke needs to get on the phone, and make some things happen. I know the fans have been planning the parade since 1968, but something's gotta change. Well, unless you guys like having your team golfing in April.


Go Leafs?