Winners and Losers Welcome Back Edition
Mar 29, 2016 23:38:37 GMT -5
Rob, Beans (BOS), and 7 more like this
Post by mattgough60 on Mar 29, 2016 23:38:37 GMT -5
Anaheim Ducks
Verdict: Winner
Out with the old and in with the new. The Ducks took steps during the off season in replacing their core of players with a fresher set of legs. No more Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf. Soon we'll be fretting that Pastrnak-Pirri combo
Arizona Coyotes
Verdict: Winner
Its hard to fault the Yotes. They've survived ongoing expansion and relocation talks, they've drafted well during the offseason and scored a prize in Jesse Puljujärvi, and have added depth pieces for the season like Lars Eller, Stefan Matteau and Ilya Bryzgalov. Nobody, not even Yotes management is expecting a cup in Arizona this year, but with Max Domi resigned for 3 more years, the Coyotes are getting prepped for success.
Boston Bruins
Verdict: Winner
After last seasons misery the big bad Bruins are back. What a terrifying pedigree at the blue line. They've even got skill up front with the likes of Eric Staal, Pavel Zacha, and Ryan Oreilly. GM Beans caught everyone off guard last season in shipping the team out, and preceded to surprise during the off season, shipping his prized picks away. It will be interesting to see if this inexperienced Bruins team can go places, they certainly have the potential.
Buffalo Sabres
Verdict: Winner
I don't think any of us have ever seen a team flip talent like Sabres GM Kristian Dixon. Names like: Kane, Johansen, Crawford, Miller, Anderson. They've all come and gone and the Sabres just keep on building. No surprise that the team seems poised to fight for the basement again with the best of them, the Sabres have a platitude of prospects, but one or two more couldn't hurt right?
Calgary Flames
Verdict: Winner
What a hot start for the Calgary Flames. New acquisitions Paul Gaustad and Oscar Klefbom have GM Joe Macdonald looking like a nomination for GM of the year. Not to mention team staples, Monahan and Gaudreau are carrying their strong play from last season and seem poised to break the 50 point mark this year. Maybe the most surprising story is the play of Calgarys goaltending Duo. Reimer and Anderson are on fire.
Carolina Hurricanes
Verdict: Winner
Like many, the Canes will look to compete for the race to the bottom this season, and there's no shame in that. Last year the Canes began stripping away the wallpaper, sending away The Staal brothers and defensive core. The Canes D looks even better this season highlighting Hanifin and Faulk, but the front office will have to address a lack of offence in this years coming draft.
Chicago Blackhawks
Verdict: Winner
Using "Ranek" as a verb to describe randomly blowing up a team was a bit appropriate last year. We saw the Blackhawks "Ranek", while underperforming, and then again during the off season bringing home Patrick Kane, as well as Ryan Mcdonagh and Chris Neil. What we should be noting is that " Raneking" has led to winning. Under GM Rob Ranek, The Blackhawks are 5-2, and have three players in the double digits for points in 7 games played ( Teravainen, Toews and Kane). This group has a chance to go the distance, maybe the only team in the west that can dethrone the reigning champs. They have scoring, they have grit. A blue line that is sound. My only reservation is whether or not Fred Anderson can handle the starting role, but just don't go asking Canucks management if they have any goalies available Rob!
Colorado Avalanche
Verdict: Inbetween
This is a talented group of players. The offensive depth is actually scary, and yet the team is below .500 to start the year. Now you could blame it on injuries, with Duchene and Grigerenko being out, but in reality the Avs aren't getting results from its D core and Seymon Varlamov. There is no question the Avalanche have the offence to compete, but look for them to shed some of that offensive weight, to fill a void they have in their top 4 on the blue line.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Verdict: Inbetween
In maybe one of the most random rebuilds we've seen, the Blue Jackets decided to blow things up during the off season. Shipping out almost everything, not including the kitchen sink, the Jackets are in full fledge rebuild mode and have already taken steps in acquiring talents like Zboril and Nugent-Hopkins. It will be interesting to see how long the rebuild in Columbus will take, but Jacket fans have faith in GM Josh Hoff, and that he will lead them back to glory.
Dallas Stars
Verdict: Losers
Sorry Dallas, but this one stinks. The team traded away its two franchise players in Benn and Seguin, for a pair of aging Swedish stars, and a pair of 1st round picks. While it might look good on paper, it reeks. The Sedin twins days are numbered, and though they were able to move together, there is no hope for them winning a cup in Dallas. The Stars organization, that looked so bright with Seguin and Benn look stuck between a run and a rebuild, and we've seen what that ends up leading to ( We're talking to you Columbus). A big fat pair of thumbs down to Dallas, from everyone except GM Rob Lawblaw.
Detroit Red Wings
Verdict: Inbetween
Though the Wings have started the season on a bit slower than expected rate, they have a lot of things to be excited about. Take out an aging Pavel Datsyuk, and replace him with big bad Ryan Getzlaf. Then for kicks we'll throw Ryan Johansen into the mix. I was terrified of Detroits O line last year, or at least I was until now. What people shouldn't be afraid of is the Red Wings defence. Losing Quincey, Andersson and Green was a huge hit for the Red Wings. In order for them to be a real contender, somewhere along the line they'll need to add a top 4 defenseman.
Edmonton Oilers
Verdict: Inbetween
I really like this Oilers team. I hate how much I like it. What I don't like is how they're preforming. They've started the season 2-5, and I think we all expected a little bit more. Similar to Detroits situation, the offensive talent is present, with McJesus leading the way. What's clear is that the Oilers blue line is still too inexperienced, and furthermore John Gibson seems to be sweating the starting role. 3.83 GAA and .879 SV pct. Ouch.
Hartford Whalers
Verdict: Winners
Welcome back to the Hartford Whalers, and what a welcome it is. Harford has come out swinging, starting the season 5-2, and Corey Perry is leading the way with 5 goals and 9 points. It seems like everything is clicking offensively right now for the Whalers, which is really really good for them, because their goalies haven't been. 4 games played for each Luongo and Keumper, a GAA of 4.41 and 3.33 and a save percentage of .880 and .895. We hope that defensively the Whalers start to find their rythym, because if they don't, when the pucks stop going in, things could get very very ugly.
Los Angeles Kings
Verdict: Losers
The Kings have started off the season slow, but they're notoriously slow starters anyway right? A team that's core is aging with each passing year is starting to show it. Kings personnel made little moves during the offseason, and it's likely a shakeup could be needed before seasons end. Players like Gaborik, Ehrhoff, Read and Carter could be on the way out come the deadline, and it wouldn't be a bad thing for the Kings. They have a staple in net with Jonathan Quick, on D with Doughty and at Center with Kopitar. They need to continue to build well around these players before father time comes knocking.
Minnesota Wild
Verdict: Inbetween
The Wild have started off the season well, 3-3 with close losses to power teams like Washington and Calgary. Minnesota has a well rounded offensive game, and should be able to go far this season assuming they get that top 4 defenseman that EVERYONE seems to be needing this year. Seriously, maybe the only hole in Minnesota is at the blue line, where Suter and Brodin are carrying the load. Devan Dubnyk is coming off a relatively good year last year, and we expect him to follow suit.
Montreal Canadiens
Verdict: Inbetween
At 3-2-1 to start the season there really is no reason, to panic... Right? RIGHT!?!?! There is good and bad to be seen. Montreal is getting top scoring from its top line and Pacioretty seems primed to fight for a Rocket Richard Trophy this season, with Galchenyuk stealing the starting center role from Tomas Plekanec. Montreal's biggest issue is lack of production outside of that top line. Bobby Ryan has 0 pts in 6 games, the entire 2nd line of MTL is sitting in the minus column, and all of this while the team is as one GM put it " fitting a wafer inbetween themselves and the cap". The Habs need consistency, and with early losses to teams like Toronto and Hartford, there is reason for concern.
Nashville Predators
Verdict: Winner
Don't sweat the small stuff. During the off season the Preds made little to no change, and what a start to the year they've had. 5-1, 24 G in those games, and no signs of slowing down. Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm lead the way for this Preds squad, while Pekka Rinne has backstopped the preds to all 5 wins with a .942 SV PCT and a 1.67 GAA
New Jersey Devils
Verdict: Winner
Everything was great in the swamp. The Devils were 5-2, Mark Visentins numbers were looking ridiculously good with a .500 GAA and .980 SV PCT. Then injury struck. JK GM Jon Bold, we fully expect these defensive Devils to weather through the next 2 and a half weeks. The Devils were upset in last years post season, by the same Caps who put them away a couple games ago 5-3. We think the Devils can go far, but do they ever need to find a way to shutdown Ovie and his squad.
New York Islanders
Verdict: Inbetween
Say hello to the NEW New York Islanders! Goodbye Okposo, so long Nielsen and Halak. Bon Voyage Kulemin! A great shift for the Isles to go after a starting goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist, and forwards Marian Hossa and Nic Petan. I really like the start of where things are going here in Long Island, but clearly after 3 straight losses, not everything is bliss. While the Isles have great talent in Strome, Tavares and Ho-sang, the Isles have an average blue line, and a netminder who can still play, but is only getting older. This team could have the potential to go far, but defence wins championships, and the Isles will have to address it.
New York Rangers
Verdict: Inbetween
This poor Rangers squad has been on a free fall since last year when they traded away Mats Zucarello. Now I like a lot of the moves that GM Michael Best has put together for this club. Getting Nick Leddy, and Frans Niesen from the Isles was a nice step in the youth movement for them. Hell, even moving Lundqvist was right for them in the scheme of things. This Rangers team could really use a good year of losing, because as much as they still have an offensively inclined team, they've been fighting off rebuilds for over a decade. A step up at D and a young replacement goaltender for King Henrik will go a long way.
Philadelphia Flyers
Verdict: Winner
Remember during the preseason, when Wayne Simmonds went down with a fractured Fibula, for 3 months! Now I'll tell you what we were all thinking when that happened... " Wow, maybe this Flyers team will start losing!". They didn't. In fact the Flyers have been on a bit of a tear, putting down power teams like Calgary and Washington. 39 year old Zdeno Chara still has some tricks left in the bag, with 11 points in those 7 games. To top it off, Tukka Rask is playing Tukka hockey. The Flyers just keep finding way to win, and with newly acquired D man Dimitry Kulikov, we expect them to keep doing just that.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Verdict: Inbetween
Someone has to burst the Penguins bubble right? They've been living with a Championship team for like 7 years now. They've won one Stanley Cup, which we know, is no cake walk. But it is time for the Pens to assess the direction of this club. With Crosby starting the season a -4, and the team struggling to win games, you have to wonder if now is the time to start garnering interest on players like Kessel, Malkin, and Letang. Just don't trade Crosby, don't do it!
Ottawa Senators
Verdict: Losers
Sorry GM Rob Lawblaw. For the record this has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with the roster ( and maybe Dave Cameron). This Sens team is just too good to have started the season on their faces. Who had Ottawa at 82-0? While Jamie Benn has 5 goals to lead the team, the Sens are finding ways to lose games, and with such an offensively inclined bunch, you can but help to want more. We know this won't go on forever, we know Ottawa is going to come out of the slump and start winning games, we're just disappointed, that's all.
San Jose Sharks
Verdict: Inbetween
This is one of the remaining Old Talent Teams. It's hard not to love them for what they are. Big puck moving forwards, that go hard to the net and finish. I could have given San Jose a win solely because of the 10-2 thumping they gave the Jackets the other day. Its a credit to how good the Sharks can still be, and how bad those jackets really are. Couture and Marleau lead the league in both assists (at 10 a piece)and points (with 13 and 12 respectively). Now as hard as it is to say, a time will come when Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will likely be close to calling it quits. GM Isaac Reid will have to decide whether or not to reward long careers of dedication to this club, or to try and salvage some return. Which ever route he goes, we sincerely do hope these two great stars go out having a chance at a Stanley Cup.
St. Louis Blues
Verdict: Winner
How to cap off winning a Stanley Cup. Step 1) End the goalie controversy and get some returns. 2) Trade your underperforming forwards that you can still garner return from. 3) Draft defenceman Jakob Chychrun with the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 Entry Draft. Seriously, GM Chris Daley, Well done. There seems to be no slightest touch of a Stanley Cup Hangover, and the blues look hungry for another. 6-1, and two of their top three point getters are defencemen. Not a bad place to be at all.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Verdict: Losers
This Tampa team is built to win. They have the offence, they have the defence, and they have the goaltending. So what the heck is going on in Tampa? We don't know. We sincerely don't. Like Ottawa, there's no need to worry. This team is going to be okay, and a rejuvenated Hampus Lindholm will help right the ship, but at this point it seems like we just have to wait and see. The team is built to win, but a repeat of last years playoffs, that would leave the organization in a catastrophic state.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Verdict: Winners
Its fitting that I was writing about the Leafs, and writing good things about the Leafs, when I decided to go and screw it all up. I won't make that mistake again... The LEAFS SUCK. Well to be fair, that's a direction that is likely to be popular with the team this year. The core group of this team is still growing and developing, so there really is no rush to win now in Leaf Nation. The Leafs are in excellent hands with new GM Alex Grimsley, and with prospects like Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylanders, and Jan Kovar all garnering playing time with the big club, we only expect things to get better. A to do list for Toronto would involve shedding their defensive anchor(Pylon?) Phaneuf, adding a D man to replace him, and inquiring about a starting goaltender. Its not to say Andrew Hammond hasn't played well, he has. But Toronto needs to look at a long term solution, and something tells us Andrew Hammond wont cut it.
Vancouver Canucks
Verdict: Inbetween
Now I could rant on GM Kurt for trading away what ended up being a nice lottery pick. I could rant on him for investing in Magic Beans Samsonov. I'm not going to do that Kurt. Do I think they would be better off minus those two moves? Probably yes. But you can't help but love his club when you go down the roster. Rick Nash is playing well in his new home, Corey Crawford is settling in, and their forward and defensive core is young and promising. We're not going to lie to you and tell you that you'll compete for the Cup this year Kurt, that would be a lie. What we will say is that, the Canucks are in good hands, and when this team develops fully, Calgary and Edmonton will wish they weren't in the same division.
Washington Capitals
Verdict: Winners
There couldn't be a tougher loss than to lose in Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Caps last year, nearly blew their season position, and ended up sneaking back into the playoffs by a hair. They preceded to mess up the order in the league, knocking out the Division winning Devils, The Penguin spoiling Jackets, and the Big Bad Injury surviving Flyers. Caps fans, you were so close, and we think you will be again. Backstrom has started the season hot, with 10 pts in 8 games, and Kuznetsov with 9. Surprising Blake wheeler holds the goal lead for the Caps at the moment with 5. No question Ovie will be having a chat with him shortly...
Winnipeg Jets
Verdict: Winners
A team that is still in the rebuild process continues to grow. Players like Sam Bennett, Jacob Trouba, Nikolaj Ehlers, Julian Gauthier, and Thomas Chabot are all getting the feel for things in Winnipeg, and in a few years time will be leading this team to wins. Newly acquired Alexander Radulov has 5 pts in his return to the NHL, and Goalie Michael Hutchinson has started the season well, with 2 shutouts, a 2.61 GAA and a .929 SV pct.
Verdict: Winner
Out with the old and in with the new. The Ducks took steps during the off season in replacing their core of players with a fresher set of legs. No more Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf. Soon we'll be fretting that Pastrnak-Pirri combo
Arizona Coyotes
Verdict: Winner
Its hard to fault the Yotes. They've survived ongoing expansion and relocation talks, they've drafted well during the offseason and scored a prize in Jesse Puljujärvi, and have added depth pieces for the season like Lars Eller, Stefan Matteau and Ilya Bryzgalov. Nobody, not even Yotes management is expecting a cup in Arizona this year, but with Max Domi resigned for 3 more years, the Coyotes are getting prepped for success.
Boston Bruins
Verdict: Winner
After last seasons misery the big bad Bruins are back. What a terrifying pedigree at the blue line. They've even got skill up front with the likes of Eric Staal, Pavel Zacha, and Ryan Oreilly. GM Beans caught everyone off guard last season in shipping the team out, and preceded to surprise during the off season, shipping his prized picks away. It will be interesting to see if this inexperienced Bruins team can go places, they certainly have the potential.
Buffalo Sabres
Verdict: Winner
I don't think any of us have ever seen a team flip talent like Sabres GM Kristian Dixon. Names like: Kane, Johansen, Crawford, Miller, Anderson. They've all come and gone and the Sabres just keep on building. No surprise that the team seems poised to fight for the basement again with the best of them, the Sabres have a platitude of prospects, but one or two more couldn't hurt right?
Calgary Flames
Verdict: Winner
What a hot start for the Calgary Flames. New acquisitions Paul Gaustad and Oscar Klefbom have GM Joe Macdonald looking like a nomination for GM of the year. Not to mention team staples, Monahan and Gaudreau are carrying their strong play from last season and seem poised to break the 50 point mark this year. Maybe the most surprising story is the play of Calgarys goaltending Duo. Reimer and Anderson are on fire.
Carolina Hurricanes
Verdict: Winner
Like many, the Canes will look to compete for the race to the bottom this season, and there's no shame in that. Last year the Canes began stripping away the wallpaper, sending away The Staal brothers and defensive core. The Canes D looks even better this season highlighting Hanifin and Faulk, but the front office will have to address a lack of offence in this years coming draft.
Chicago Blackhawks
Verdict: Winner
Using "Ranek" as a verb to describe randomly blowing up a team was a bit appropriate last year. We saw the Blackhawks "Ranek", while underperforming, and then again during the off season bringing home Patrick Kane, as well as Ryan Mcdonagh and Chris Neil. What we should be noting is that " Raneking" has led to winning. Under GM Rob Ranek, The Blackhawks are 5-2, and have three players in the double digits for points in 7 games played ( Teravainen, Toews and Kane). This group has a chance to go the distance, maybe the only team in the west that can dethrone the reigning champs. They have scoring, they have grit. A blue line that is sound. My only reservation is whether or not Fred Anderson can handle the starting role, but just don't go asking Canucks management if they have any goalies available Rob!
Colorado Avalanche
Verdict: Inbetween
This is a talented group of players. The offensive depth is actually scary, and yet the team is below .500 to start the year. Now you could blame it on injuries, with Duchene and Grigerenko being out, but in reality the Avs aren't getting results from its D core and Seymon Varlamov. There is no question the Avalanche have the offence to compete, but look for them to shed some of that offensive weight, to fill a void they have in their top 4 on the blue line.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Verdict: Inbetween
In maybe one of the most random rebuilds we've seen, the Blue Jackets decided to blow things up during the off season. Shipping out almost everything, not including the kitchen sink, the Jackets are in full fledge rebuild mode and have already taken steps in acquiring talents like Zboril and Nugent-Hopkins. It will be interesting to see how long the rebuild in Columbus will take, but Jacket fans have faith in GM Josh Hoff, and that he will lead them back to glory.
Dallas Stars
Verdict: Losers
Sorry Dallas, but this one stinks. The team traded away its two franchise players in Benn and Seguin, for a pair of aging Swedish stars, and a pair of 1st round picks. While it might look good on paper, it reeks. The Sedin twins days are numbered, and though they were able to move together, there is no hope for them winning a cup in Dallas. The Stars organization, that looked so bright with Seguin and Benn look stuck between a run and a rebuild, and we've seen what that ends up leading to ( We're talking to you Columbus). A big fat pair of thumbs down to Dallas, from everyone except GM Rob Lawblaw.
Detroit Red Wings
Verdict: Inbetween
Though the Wings have started the season on a bit slower than expected rate, they have a lot of things to be excited about. Take out an aging Pavel Datsyuk, and replace him with big bad Ryan Getzlaf. Then for kicks we'll throw Ryan Johansen into the mix. I was terrified of Detroits O line last year, or at least I was until now. What people shouldn't be afraid of is the Red Wings defence. Losing Quincey, Andersson and Green was a huge hit for the Red Wings. In order for them to be a real contender, somewhere along the line they'll need to add a top 4 defenseman.
Edmonton Oilers
Verdict: Inbetween
I really like this Oilers team. I hate how much I like it. What I don't like is how they're preforming. They've started the season 2-5, and I think we all expected a little bit more. Similar to Detroits situation, the offensive talent is present, with McJesus leading the way. What's clear is that the Oilers blue line is still too inexperienced, and furthermore John Gibson seems to be sweating the starting role. 3.83 GAA and .879 SV pct. Ouch.
Hartford Whalers
Verdict: Winners
Welcome back to the Hartford Whalers, and what a welcome it is. Harford has come out swinging, starting the season 5-2, and Corey Perry is leading the way with 5 goals and 9 points. It seems like everything is clicking offensively right now for the Whalers, which is really really good for them, because their goalies haven't been. 4 games played for each Luongo and Keumper, a GAA of 4.41 and 3.33 and a save percentage of .880 and .895. We hope that defensively the Whalers start to find their rythym, because if they don't, when the pucks stop going in, things could get very very ugly.
Los Angeles Kings
Verdict: Losers
The Kings have started off the season slow, but they're notoriously slow starters anyway right? A team that's core is aging with each passing year is starting to show it. Kings personnel made little moves during the offseason, and it's likely a shakeup could be needed before seasons end. Players like Gaborik, Ehrhoff, Read and Carter could be on the way out come the deadline, and it wouldn't be a bad thing for the Kings. They have a staple in net with Jonathan Quick, on D with Doughty and at Center with Kopitar. They need to continue to build well around these players before father time comes knocking.
Minnesota Wild
Verdict: Inbetween
The Wild have started off the season well, 3-3 with close losses to power teams like Washington and Calgary. Minnesota has a well rounded offensive game, and should be able to go far this season assuming they get that top 4 defenseman that EVERYONE seems to be needing this year. Seriously, maybe the only hole in Minnesota is at the blue line, where Suter and Brodin are carrying the load. Devan Dubnyk is coming off a relatively good year last year, and we expect him to follow suit.
Montreal Canadiens
Verdict: Inbetween
At 3-2-1 to start the season there really is no reason, to panic... Right? RIGHT!?!?! There is good and bad to be seen. Montreal is getting top scoring from its top line and Pacioretty seems primed to fight for a Rocket Richard Trophy this season, with Galchenyuk stealing the starting center role from Tomas Plekanec. Montreal's biggest issue is lack of production outside of that top line. Bobby Ryan has 0 pts in 6 games, the entire 2nd line of MTL is sitting in the minus column, and all of this while the team is as one GM put it " fitting a wafer inbetween themselves and the cap". The Habs need consistency, and with early losses to teams like Toronto and Hartford, there is reason for concern.
Nashville Predators
Verdict: Winner
Don't sweat the small stuff. During the off season the Preds made little to no change, and what a start to the year they've had. 5-1, 24 G in those games, and no signs of slowing down. Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm lead the way for this Preds squad, while Pekka Rinne has backstopped the preds to all 5 wins with a .942 SV PCT and a 1.67 GAA
New Jersey Devils
Verdict: Winner
Everything was great in the swamp. The Devils were 5-2, Mark Visentins numbers were looking ridiculously good with a .500 GAA and .980 SV PCT. Then injury struck. JK GM Jon Bold, we fully expect these defensive Devils to weather through the next 2 and a half weeks. The Devils were upset in last years post season, by the same Caps who put them away a couple games ago 5-3. We think the Devils can go far, but do they ever need to find a way to shutdown Ovie and his squad.
New York Islanders
Verdict: Inbetween
Say hello to the NEW New York Islanders! Goodbye Okposo, so long Nielsen and Halak. Bon Voyage Kulemin! A great shift for the Isles to go after a starting goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist, and forwards Marian Hossa and Nic Petan. I really like the start of where things are going here in Long Island, but clearly after 3 straight losses, not everything is bliss. While the Isles have great talent in Strome, Tavares and Ho-sang, the Isles have an average blue line, and a netminder who can still play, but is only getting older. This team could have the potential to go far, but defence wins championships, and the Isles will have to address it.
New York Rangers
Verdict: Inbetween
This poor Rangers squad has been on a free fall since last year when they traded away Mats Zucarello. Now I like a lot of the moves that GM Michael Best has put together for this club. Getting Nick Leddy, and Frans Niesen from the Isles was a nice step in the youth movement for them. Hell, even moving Lundqvist was right for them in the scheme of things. This Rangers team could really use a good year of losing, because as much as they still have an offensively inclined team, they've been fighting off rebuilds for over a decade. A step up at D and a young replacement goaltender for King Henrik will go a long way.
Philadelphia Flyers
Verdict: Winner
Remember during the preseason, when Wayne Simmonds went down with a fractured Fibula, for 3 months! Now I'll tell you what we were all thinking when that happened... " Wow, maybe this Flyers team will start losing!". They didn't. In fact the Flyers have been on a bit of a tear, putting down power teams like Calgary and Washington. 39 year old Zdeno Chara still has some tricks left in the bag, with 11 points in those 7 games. To top it off, Tukka Rask is playing Tukka hockey. The Flyers just keep finding way to win, and with newly acquired D man Dimitry Kulikov, we expect them to keep doing just that.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Verdict: Inbetween
Someone has to burst the Penguins bubble right? They've been living with a Championship team for like 7 years now. They've won one Stanley Cup, which we know, is no cake walk. But it is time for the Pens to assess the direction of this club. With Crosby starting the season a -4, and the team struggling to win games, you have to wonder if now is the time to start garnering interest on players like Kessel, Malkin, and Letang. Just don't trade Crosby, don't do it!
Ottawa Senators
Verdict: Losers
Sorry GM Rob Lawblaw. For the record this has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with the roster ( and maybe Dave Cameron). This Sens team is just too good to have started the season on their faces. Who had Ottawa at 82-0? While Jamie Benn has 5 goals to lead the team, the Sens are finding ways to lose games, and with such an offensively inclined bunch, you can but help to want more. We know this won't go on forever, we know Ottawa is going to come out of the slump and start winning games, we're just disappointed, that's all.
San Jose Sharks
Verdict: Inbetween
This is one of the remaining Old Talent Teams. It's hard not to love them for what they are. Big puck moving forwards, that go hard to the net and finish. I could have given San Jose a win solely because of the 10-2 thumping they gave the Jackets the other day. Its a credit to how good the Sharks can still be, and how bad those jackets really are. Couture and Marleau lead the league in both assists (at 10 a piece)and points (with 13 and 12 respectively). Now as hard as it is to say, a time will come when Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau will likely be close to calling it quits. GM Isaac Reid will have to decide whether or not to reward long careers of dedication to this club, or to try and salvage some return. Which ever route he goes, we sincerely do hope these two great stars go out having a chance at a Stanley Cup.
St. Louis Blues
Verdict: Winner
How to cap off winning a Stanley Cup. Step 1) End the goalie controversy and get some returns. 2) Trade your underperforming forwards that you can still garner return from. 3) Draft defenceman Jakob Chychrun with the 2nd overall pick in the 2016 Entry Draft. Seriously, GM Chris Daley, Well done. There seems to be no slightest touch of a Stanley Cup Hangover, and the blues look hungry for another. 6-1, and two of their top three point getters are defencemen. Not a bad place to be at all.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Verdict: Losers
This Tampa team is built to win. They have the offence, they have the defence, and they have the goaltending. So what the heck is going on in Tampa? We don't know. We sincerely don't. Like Ottawa, there's no need to worry. This team is going to be okay, and a rejuvenated Hampus Lindholm will help right the ship, but at this point it seems like we just have to wait and see. The team is built to win, but a repeat of last years playoffs, that would leave the organization in a catastrophic state.
Toronto Maple Leafs
Verdict: Winners
Its fitting that I was writing about the Leafs, and writing good things about the Leafs, when I decided to go and screw it all up. I won't make that mistake again... The LEAFS SUCK. Well to be fair, that's a direction that is likely to be popular with the team this year. The core group of this team is still growing and developing, so there really is no rush to win now in Leaf Nation. The Leafs are in excellent hands with new GM Alex Grimsley, and with prospects like Kasperi Kapanen, William Nylanders, and Jan Kovar all garnering playing time with the big club, we only expect things to get better. A to do list for Toronto would involve shedding their defensive anchor(Pylon?) Phaneuf, adding a D man to replace him, and inquiring about a starting goaltender. Its not to say Andrew Hammond hasn't played well, he has. But Toronto needs to look at a long term solution, and something tells us Andrew Hammond wont cut it.
Vancouver Canucks
Verdict: Inbetween
Now I could rant on GM Kurt for trading away what ended up being a nice lottery pick. I could rant on him for investing in Magic Beans Samsonov. I'm not going to do that Kurt. Do I think they would be better off minus those two moves? Probably yes. But you can't help but love his club when you go down the roster. Rick Nash is playing well in his new home, Corey Crawford is settling in, and their forward and defensive core is young and promising. We're not going to lie to you and tell you that you'll compete for the Cup this year Kurt, that would be a lie. What we will say is that, the Canucks are in good hands, and when this team develops fully, Calgary and Edmonton will wish they weren't in the same division.
Washington Capitals
Verdict: Winners
There couldn't be a tougher loss than to lose in Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Caps last year, nearly blew their season position, and ended up sneaking back into the playoffs by a hair. They preceded to mess up the order in the league, knocking out the Division winning Devils, The Penguin spoiling Jackets, and the Big Bad Injury surviving Flyers. Caps fans, you were so close, and we think you will be again. Backstrom has started the season hot, with 10 pts in 8 games, and Kuznetsov with 9. Surprising Blake wheeler holds the goal lead for the Caps at the moment with 5. No question Ovie will be having a chat with him shortly...
Winnipeg Jets
Verdict: Winners
A team that is still in the rebuild process continues to grow. Players like Sam Bennett, Jacob Trouba, Nikolaj Ehlers, Julian Gauthier, and Thomas Chabot are all getting the feel for things in Winnipeg, and in a few years time will be leading this team to wins. Newly acquired Alexander Radulov has 5 pts in his return to the NHL, and Goalie Michael Hutchinson has started the season well, with 2 shutouts, a 2.61 GAA and a .929 SV pct.