Around the Rink: 39 Observations

The first two months of the NHL season have brought their fair share of surprises. The Devils suck, Dustin Byfuglien is a Norris Trophy threat, and the Rangers' Brian Boyle has as many goals as the Caps' Alexander Ovechkin (ten).

But, there's also been a lot we've, as hockey fans, grown accustomed to seeing. Sidney Crosby (riding a ridiculous 14-game point streak which has seen him bang home 15 goals and 14 helpers for 29 points) has found more ways to bring his game to the next level. The Red Wings are the best team in the league, by seemingly all accounts. The Maple Leafs still blow (sorry Toronto fans).

Here are 39 observations I've made based on the first two months of the '10-'11 season.

1. Let's start with the obvious - if you still don't view Crosby as the best player in the league, you're an idiot. Here's an excellent piece by Elliotte Friedman which talks about Sid's latest exploits.

2. I've read a few tidbits concerning the Pens' struggling Evgeni Malkin, and how Pittsburgh might be wise to move him. I wouldn't, and here's why...1) They've already proven they can win a cup without top-tier wings for both Crosby and Malkin. 2) Having one of Crosby, Malkin, or Jordan Staal on the ice at all times is a huge advantage, especially come playoff time when match-ups are most important. 3) Malkin is going to step it up eventually - he's too good and too talented not to, even if he isn't giving it his all every shift and banged up physically.

3. Martin Havlat has been the most dominant forward in the NHL aside from Crosby over the last three or so weeks, which is even more impressive when one considers the player who Havlat has the best chemistry with on the Wild is Kyle Brodziak.

4. Sticking with the Wild - Brent Burns has been a stud this season. He is tied for second on the team in goals, and is first in ice-time, logging tough minutes and handling the difficult match-ups. The minus-seven is misleading (the Wild cannot score at even strength, and he's only been on for 22 even strength Wild goals all season, despite playing 24:37 a game). He's begun to finally grasp how to play defensively at the NHL level, and most importantly, he's healthy and concussion free.

5. The extent of Tim Thomas' early season success may be surprising, but the fact that he's regained his spot as the B's number one tender isn't too surprising to me. The guy's going to keep fighting until he's six feet under.

6. My three Hart Trophy candidates right now? Sidney Crosby, Steven Stamkos, and Pavel Datsyuk.

7. Speaking of Datsyuk, if you haven't watched the highlights from Tuesday's Wings/Sharks tilt - do so now. Every goal the Wings score is filthy.

8. Watching Florida or Columbus on the power play is actually painful.

9. Andrew Ladd always struck me as a guy who just needed a real shot on a scoring line. He gets to the front of the net, has a solid shot, and plays the game the right way. In his first two stops (Carolina and Chicago), the numbers were stacked up against him, and his style of play makes him a very suitable candidate for a checking line. Good to see him strutting his stuff in Atlanta.

10. Dustin Byfuglien's start has been unbelievable. It's amazing what a successful playoff run will do for you with regards to confidence. His shot is scary good.

11. Chicago's decision to keep a guy like David Bolland over Ladd or Byfuglien looks horrible right now. That being said, I probably would've done the same thing. It is still early, though.

12. Fans love Alex Ovechkin because he has fun and usually calls it like he sees it. But, that doesn't come without its drawbacks. The stories detailing Ovechkin's rockstar-like off-season have opened the door for criticism, especially since he only has ten goals through 27 games. Fair or not, Ovechkin and Crosby will always be compared, and right now public perception is Crosby worked his tail off all summer while Ovechkin partied it up in Russia.

13. Stamkos gets the headlines, but you could make a strong case Martin St. Louis is the most important player on the Lightning.

14. I think Ken Hitchcock would be a good fit in Toronto. That line-up can't score for sh*t, and Hitchcock will allow them to be competitive while also teaching their young kids how to play defensively. I don't think "Hitch" is the right fit for a contending team in today's NHL, though.

15. My hat's off to Carey Price - what a start.

16. Ilya Kovalchuk isn't the kind of player you win with, plain and simple. He's a very talented player and an incredible goal scorer, but he's always come across as the kind of guy who would be happy if he scored two goals in a 5-2 loss. He's extraordinarily one-dimensional, and still hasn't learned to play off his teammates. It's easy to say this at the present, but it's a belief I've held for a while now.

17. Dan Girardi's been the Rangers' best player this season, with Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan right there with him.

18. Memo to John Tortorella: Get Brian Boyle some power play time.

19. When people talk about the Hurricanes, you get a lot of Eric Staal, Cam Ward, and Jeff Skinner. Give some props to Joni Pitkanen - his defensive play has improved ten-fold since moving to Carolina, and his passing and skating abilities have always been sublime.

20. Skinner is a hell of an offensive player. He's got the drive and skills to be an offensive dynamo in this league for a long, long time. When you have a smart player with good hands, good instincts, and a desire to drive the net...well, let's just say Jim Rutherford has a good one.

21. I didn't like the decision to fire Scott Gordon. The Islanders always played hard for him - not his fault they suck.

22. Many pundits talk about John Tavares as if it's a foregone conclusion he'll eventually be a superstar. He's got a long way to go before that happens - he skates slow as molasses and sucks in his own zone. His skills are elite and he scores his goals in the dirty areas, but he has a long way to go. I'm just not sure I can see his quickness or speed improving to the point where he could be a 90-point player. That being said, he should become one of the top players with the man advantage in the league.

23. Daniel Alfredsson has no points in his last five games and just five points over his last 14. I respect Alfredsson for playing hurt, especially while the Sens are trying to break a funk, but you have to wonder if a week off wouldn't do him some good.

24. Tampa Bay has the necessary to make the playoffs, but their defense and goaltending are horrible.

25. Can Henrik Sedin rack up 100 assists this season? It's not as unlikely as you may think. I love watching the Sedins; they're puck movement is sick.

26. Toronto just lost 5-0 to the Oilers...at home...with the Bruins and Tyler Seguin coming to town tomorrow night...things are getting really ugly in Toronto.

27. I feel for John MacLean. Waiting for your chance that long and then this? Ouch.

28. I've been very impressed by Cam Fowler's start to his NHL career. I wasn't overly impressed with him at last year's World Juniors, and the same goes for what I caught of the Memorial Cup. He didn't look "bad" by any means, but there weren't too many moments where his play jumped out at you. But, it looks as if he'll be a very solid puck-moving defenseman for Anaheim.

29. For everyone raving about Atlanta - I get it, but remember, they had an even better start to their season last year, and how did that end up? I still think they'll miss the playoffs.

30. I love the new All-Star Game format.

31. All the Brad Richards trade talk is really starting to annoy me. 1) The Rangers always prop up as a possible destination. I doubt the Rangers will have enough cap space to sign him, and I can't see Sather moving a guy like Dubinsky, Callahan, or Michael Del Zotto to acquire him. 2) Dallas is currently second in the Western Conference.

32. If the Marco Sturm to Los Angeles trade does eventually go through, it'll be a very nice addition for the Kings. Sturm is an excellent penalty killer, a very capable top-sixer, and is a good team-guy by all accounts.

33. I'm banging my head for not acquiring Kris Letang in all of my fantasy leagues this summer. You could see it last post-season - it's all clicking for him at the NHL level. The kid's tough, too.

34. Calgary isn't going anywhere with their current line-up. Time to blow it up. I understand ownership's hesitancy to move Jarome Iginla, but it's got to start there. He'll fetch a nice return (obviously), even though he's clearly lost a step.

35. Without Miikka Kiprusoff the Flames would be an absolute joke.

36. The Flyers are scary good. Their overall depth is the best in the league.

37. Chicago really needs to ease up Duncan Keith's workload. Forget the spring, he'll be burnt out by the new year at this pace.

38. Ondrej Pavelec has been unbelievable since his return to the ice for Atlanta (as anyone who follows Allan Walsh on Twitter can attest to). It's nice to see a guy return from such a scary injury and excel.

39. Teemu Selanne and Nicklas Lidstrom are truly ageless.

2010-2011 NHL Predictions

If you look across the many eras of NHL hockey, there are certain facets that stand out about each. In the late 90's and early 2000's we had the "dead puck era," a time when scoring was down across the board and teams often looked to scratch, claw, and hook their way towards victories. What defines the NHL's post-lockout era?

Parity.

While a few teams have found ways to continue to be the cream of the crop (Detroit being the most obvious), we are now in an era where an eighth-seed (Montreal) can take out a number one seed that ran away with the Presidents' Trophy, then upend the defending Stanley Cup Champs in the second round, only to lose to the seventh-seed in the Conference Finals. An era where only 10 of the 16 teams in last spring's playoffs were in the playoffs the year before. Since the lockout we have had five different champions in five years, with eight different teams making a trip to the Cup Finals. In the ten years before the lockout, we only had five different champions.

I say all this, not to supply you with a disclaimer before embarking on my predictions, but rather to highlight the tremendous parity which the NHL now boasts. While the salary cap and the three-point game certainly create much of this parity, the equality of the teams still shines through during the playoffs.

Here are my predictions for what is sure to be another exciting, up-and-down, crazy NHL season...

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals*
Playoff demons to exercise? Certainly. But, there is little reason to expect anything but excellence from Bruce Boudreau's Club during the regular season. Their defense should be improved as John Carlson and Karl Alzner step into the lineup full-time, and I'd make a case their goaltending is better with Michal Neuvirth stepping in as the opening night goalie. Remember, this is a team that was 7-2-1 even without Alexander Ovechkin in the lineup. The Capitals are deep, star-studded, and should be in store for another special regular season.

2. Boston Bruins*
Claude Julien's club is much improved on paper from a year ago. While the injury to Marc Savard won't help matters offensively, this is still a team that added Nathan Horton and Tyler Seguin during the summer. With Zdeno Chara healthy on the back-end, Tuukka Rask and back-up Tim Thomas in between the pipes, and a coach who has been very successful during his tenure in Beantown, I'd expect big things from the B's this season.

3. Philadelphia Flyers*
It's often talked about how difficult it is to bounce back the following season after losing in the finals the previous spring. But for the Flyers, I look at their playoff run as a springboard for the 2010-2011 season. Chris Pronger is coming off of surgery but should be alright, the offense is as deep as ever and added Nikolai Zherdev (who has shown a lot of promise skating alongside Claude Giroux this preseason), but as always, there are some questions in net - especially with Michael Leighton currently out due to injury. Regardless, the Flyers will be amongst the class of the East.

4. New Jersey Devils
While most of the questions directed towards Lou Lamoriello's team concern the salary cap, they still have some questions on the ice. Can Martin Brodeur still carry the workload in net? Will Ilya Kovalchuk fit in on this Devils team? Is the defense good enough to win a Cup? I'd say probably, yes, and no. The Devils will be a contender, but I have my concerns about their defense, which is fairly underwhelming. I wouldn't be surprised to see Zach Parise emerge as a Hart Trophy candidate.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Three big questions for the Penguins: 1) Will their Sergei Gonchar-less defensive unit, plus Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek, be an improvement over last season? I think it will be - don't forget Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski are each one year the wiser. 2) Can Marc-Andre Fleury and Evgeni Malkin bounce back from down seasons? Without doubt I think they will. 3) Can their wingers get the job done? This is the biggest question, and in my estimation the answer will determine how far the Penguins can go. One thing's for sure, you know Sidney Crosby can't be happy about a second round exit.

The next four spots (6th-9th) I had a lot of trouble with...

6. Ottawa Senators
The number one reason I believe the Senators will return to the playoffs this year? Cory Clouston. The Senators have shown a resiliency since he took over at the helm that can be quantified best by their 11-game winning streak last season despite an assortment of injuries. Expect a nice bounce back season for Jason Spezza, as well as a career year for sparkplug Nick Foligno. Their defense, on the whole, should be improved with the addition of Sergei Gonchar and the experience gained last season for Erik Karlsson (both should more than offset the loss of Anton Volchenkov, who is somewhat overrated). If the Senators can get some good goaltending (I don't think they will get anything better than "average"), they could be in store for a very strong season.

7. Tampa Bay Lightning
I have the Lightning finishing seventh for a few key reasons. First, I expect a big bounce back from Vincent Lecavalier, who will always have two legitimate wingers regardless of who he lines up with because of the addition of Simon Gagne. Their top six is very, very good. Second, their defense is improved, with the addition of Pavel Kubina and the maturation of Victor Hedman. Third, while I like Rich Tocchet (his work with Steve Downie and Steven Stamkos should be applauded), you have to think Guy Boucher gives them a boost in the coaching category. I think they'll score a lot, which should offset some deficiencies in net.

8. Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo needs a few things to go their way to stay within the top-eight in the East. 1) Tyler Myers better be as good or better than he was last season, because the defense as a whole is worse. 2) Ryan Miller needs to be as good as he was last season, which is almost unfair to Miller, as his play last season was, at times, other-worldly. 3) Tim Connolly needs to stay relatively healthy again, as he's their best offensive player when in the line-up. If Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford can up their play, that would also be a huge lift. At the end of the day, I think they'll be good enough to find a ticket to the spring formal.

9. New York Rangers
Marian Gaborik's health permitting, the Rangers are definitely improved from a year ago. Their young players, both on offense and defense, have another year under their belt. Gaborik has a first-line talent in the form of Alexander Frolov to play with. Last time I checked, Henrik Lundqvist is still suiting up in net. Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, and Matt Gilroy should all be better. The big point of emphasis - if the Rangers young forwards show some improvement, score at a better pace than last season, and play more consistently, the Rangers are a playoff team. They are certainly in better shape to execute that offensive goal this year.

10. Carolina Hurricanes
Don't sleep on Carolina this season. While they are certainly in "rebuild mode," they still have more than enough pieces in place to make a playoff push. Jeff Skinner and Patrick O'Sullivan should prove to be nice additions, Joni Pitkanen's play is still on the rise, and Cam Ward and Eric Staal will be the driving force behind Jim Rutherford's young team. They are young, but oozing with talent.

11. Montreal Canadiens
Why do I have the Canadiens falling to the eleven hole? Two big reasons: 1) Not a fan of their offense. Outside of Scott Gomez, Brian Gionta, Tomas Plekanec, and Michael Cammalleri there's not really anything to get excited about. 2) It's just not a good situation for Carey Price. There's too much animosity and pressure between Price and the Montreal Faithful, and I think these factors outweigh his talent.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs defense should be solid, and I think they'll get some decent goaltending. But, I don't see this team scoring enough goals to consistently win hockey games. The positives? I expect Phil Kessel to build on his proficient first season in Toronto, and have little doubt that Toronto will not be an easy team to play against. If Dion Phaneuf gets his game together, that would go a long way, as it is a foregone conclusion that Phaneuf will be logging big minutes whether he's playing well, or not - they have too much invested in him to do otherwise.

13. Atlanta Thrashers
A lot of people have been quick to praise Rick Dudley for his moves since taking over in Atlanta. My reply? Eh. While Atlanta certainly has some nice assets to build around - Zach Bogosian, Evander Kane, Bryan Little, Tobias Enstrom, Niclas Bergfors and Alexander Burmistrov - I can't see this team doing much in 2010-2011. They'll be physical, and far from a walk-over, but their top guys they will be relying on aren't good enough to get them into the playoffs.

14. New York Islanders
Significant injuries to Kyle Okposo and Mark Streit before the season even starts? Ouch. It's hard to see a young Islanders team contending for a playoff spot, now. That being said, they are rebuilding, have a great foundation in place (Okposo, Streit, John Tavares, Josh Bailey, Nino Niederreiter, Matt Moulson, etc.) and could still surprise. But, I wouldn't bet on it.

15. Florida Panthers
If there's one team that seems content on sucking this season, it's Florida. They've made no qualms about their intentions to rebuild, and have started the process of deciding which players will be part of the solution. The one reason they might not be that bad? Tomas Vokoun and Jacob Markstrom are damn good goalies.

Western Conference

1. Detroit Red Wings*
I expect the Red Wings to once again climb atop the standings out West for a few reasons, with the central reason being the obvious - they're healthy. Last year they were injury ravaged for the vast majority of the season. But, they're back, healthy, improved (Jiri Hudler, Mike Modano), and on top of that seem to have a goaltender who will give them a strong outing night in and night out. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will both see an increase in their offensive production from a year ago, too. Expect big things in the Motor City.

2. Vancouver Canucks*
Vancouver has nearly everything a championship team could ask for. A top-end first line, a reigning MVP, a 70-point Selke Trophy candidate, and a goaltender who is the cream of the crop when he's on his game. While they may lack a bona-fide number one defenseman, they do have a strong group on the blueline from top to bottom. I expect another great season from Daniel and Henrik Sedin (I think both will be 90+ point players - last year was no fluke, they work hard at their craft), and expect a strong effort from Roberto Luongo, who should be better than last season. It helps that they play in the weakest division in the Western Conference, too.

3. Los Angeles Kings*
While the Kings didn't make a "huge" splash in this summer's free agency as many expected, I like what Dean Lombardi did. While Alexei Ponikarovsky is a downgrade over Alexander Frolov, Lombardi didn't make the rash move of caving to Ilya Kovalchuk's demands, stayed the course, and added one of the best shutdown defensemen around in Willie Mitchell, who will be a big help for both Jack Johnson and (not that he needs it) Drew Doughty. The Kings will be even better in 2010-2011.

4. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago's off-season losses have been well documented, and yes, they do hurt. But, this Hawks team will still be a contender in the West. There's still a lot of depth coming up through the system, they got some decent returns for the pieces they had to part with, and the core is still intact. But, for the Hawks to reach the "Promised Land" once again, they will need even better efforts from their top-end guys. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews still have some room to grow, Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp will continue to be excellent two-way talents, and Duncan Keith will need to lead a defensive unit which just suffered a big loss in the form of a Brian Campbell injury.

5. Phoenix Coyotes
I think Phoenix will repeat their successful run of last season. Why? First and foremost, great goaltending and coaching. In addition to the talents of Ilya Bryzgalov and the tutelage of Dave Tippett, they'll have some new talent in the form of veteran Ray Whitney, top-end prospects Kyle Turris and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and a healthy Scotty Upshall. It's clear that the 'Yotes have bought into what Tippett's teaching, and I'd expect that to continue this season.

6. San Jose Sharks
Oh, the Sharks. The perpetual underachievers. Does anybody really buy the theory that they overcame their playoff demons last spring by beating Detroit in the second round? Did the pundits who abide by that theory happen to catch the next round shellacking handed down to them by Chicago? This year's version of the Sharks continues to boast a great forward core, but their back-end is quite different. Gone is Evgeni Nabokov, in are Antero Niittymaki and the Cup-Winning Antti Niemi - I'd argue this is a slight improvement, or at the worst a lateral move (I never was a Nabokov fan). But, the Sharks have some big holes on their defense, due in large part to the loss of the retired Rob Blake. They're talented, but I don't see them getting very far in the playoffs.

7. St. Louis Blues
While the Blues may have taken a step back last year, their outlook is still very bright. Their young team has another year of experience under their belt, and they improved by leaps and bounds in net in the form of playoff hero, Jaroslav Halak. Health permitting, the Blues have a very underrated and deep defensive unit, as well. How far the Blues go will be indicative of how much some of their younger players have matured - guys like T.J. Oshie and David Backes will bring it every night, but will talented youngsters like Patrik Berglund and David Perron put forth consistent efforts every night? The Blues are still a few moves away from being a contender, but they have a very solid team going forward.

8. Nashville Predators
I'll never bet against Barry Trotz's Preds. Every year, they seem to suffer losses, and nearly every year they find a way into the playoffs. This summer, they lost Jason Arnott and Dan Hamhuis, but added the speedy Matthew Lombardi and the troubled Sergei Kostitsyn. Shea Weber and Ryan Suter will lead the club on the back-end, and Pekka Rinne is turning into one of the league's best in net. Nashville will need a few of the younger guys to step up and find a way to help Nashville's scoring by committee, which I don't think will be a problem..

9. Calgary Flames
The Flames are an interesting team. Their core comprises a workhorse in net (Miikka Kiprusoff), a superstar who seems to have lost a step (Jarome Iginla) on offense, and a defenseman (Jay Bouwmeester) who, by all accounts (whether you think he can be an offensive defenseman or not), underachieved last season. Add two players who were jettisoned away from Calgary (Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen), and then brought back into the mix, and you have one very, for lack of a better word, "weird" team here. I think that they still have enough talent to find a way into the playoffs, but I also wouldn't be surprised if they simply imploded.

10. Colorado Avalanche
For starters, let me begin by saying the Avalanche's '09-'10 season was unbelievable. They had a multitude of guys who came out of seemingly nowhere to perform at a very high level, a first-year coach who seemed to push all the right buttons at all the right times to put his young players in positions to succeed, and a goalie who made unbelievable save after unbelievable save. While I really like Colorado's build and future prospects as a team and organization, I see them taking a small step back this season. I expect more of the same from Chris Stewart (no fluke there) and future superstar Matt Duchene. Last year they employed the "bend but not break" style to great success, I'm just not sure if they can pull it off again this year.

11. Minnesota Wild
The Wild's success is contingent on three main points of emphasis: 1) They need to continue to buy into second year Coach Todd Richards' game plan. I thought they looked more comfortable under his system as the year progressed. 2) Brent Burns and Martin Havlat need to a) stay healthy and b) play to their potential. 3) Mikko Koivu needs to elevate his play even higher. He's the engine that drives the Wild, and he needs to perform at a near Datsyukian/Zetterbergian level for the Wild to make the playoffs.

12. Dallas Stars
The Stars are a team that's stuck in no man's land. Ownership problems, money problems, and a roster that isn't good enough to be considered a contender, but isn't bad enough or young enough to be considered rebuilding. The Stars have enough talent offensively to make the playoffs, but their defense is "so-so," and they have big questions in net with the oft-injured Kari Lehtonen. For the Stars to reach the playoffs, they'll need another solid effort from the James Neal - Brad Richards - Loui Eriksson line, secondary scoring from Mike Ribeiro, Brendan Morrow, Jamie Benn, and Steve Ott, to go along with a healthy Kari Lehtonen and an overachieving defense...it's a lot to ask for, but it's not impossible.

13. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets will be an interesting team to watch this season. They have promising offensive youngsters Jakub Voracek, Nikita Filatov, and Derick Brassard who will all start in their top-six, and Captain Rick Nash, who is looking to break through from "star" status to "superstar" status. Their defense is very "bland," and they could certainly use an offensive defenseman to help the power play. The biggest question mark - Steve Mason. Was his rookie season the true Steve Mason, or was it his "sophomore struggle?" I'd hazard a guess at somewhere in between. For Columbus to be successful they'll need much of the same as Dallas - more balanced scoring, their defense to play better than the sum of its parts, and a much better season in net.

14. Anaheim Ducks
Ugh. That's the first sound I made when I took a look at Anaheim's defense a few weeks ago. Factor in Toni Lydman's ailment and they are in even worse shape. Lubomir Visnovsky will be in tough to play a lot of minutes, and it'll be interesting to see how the 20-year old Luca Sbisa, who has some upside as a very steady two-way defenseman, fares. Upfront, the Ducks aren't in too bad of shape. They will try to spread out their offense a bit over three lines, but I'm not sold on that working. For the Ducks to make the playoffs, Ryan Getzlaf will need to put forth a "Hart"-like effort, and Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, and the ageless wonder Teemu Selanne will need to have great seasons. There goaltending is strong with Jonas Hiller, and he'll need to be a workhorse as Anaheim is sure to get peppered in their defensive zone. Their best strength will probably end up being the power play, where they will need to be deadly.

15. Edmonton Oilers
The "Oilers Faithful" are excited, and they should be. With Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajarvi, the Oilers have three seemingly sure-fire prospects just oozing with potential. But, I wouldn't expect any overnight miracles. Their defense looks horrible on paper. I'm not a Ryan Whitney fan (especially not as a team's number one defenseman), and the Kurtis Foster addition has been overhyped (I could've put up points playing on Tampa Bay's top power play unit). If everything falls into place, the Oilers have a shot at pushing for a playoff spot. Do I see it? No.

The best part about the West? There isn't one team I would completely rule out for a playoff spot.


Eastern Conference Finals
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins

Western Conference Finals
Vancouver Canucks vs. Detroit Red Wings

Stanley Cup Finals
Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Red Wings

Stanley Cup Champions
Detroit Red Wings

Rangers Preseason Roundup: Handing out Some Grades, My Opening Night Blueshirts Lineup

The Rangers preseason action has come to a close, culminating with an 8-5 loss at the hands of the Ottawa Senators last night. John Tortorella and Rangers Brass are now faced with evaluating their regular season roster - who goes, who stays, and where does each player slot in?

A couple of these decisions may be postponed for the time being, with both Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal slotted to start the season on the injured reserve, opening up two more spots on the offense for the plethora of forwards competing to find their way into the Rangers lineup (Tortorella has said he intends to carry 14 forwards to start the season).

Here's how I'd grade each player of note - which I'll define as players competing for either a spot on the team or a more important role with the club...

*I excluded both Mats Zuccarello and Dale Weise, who were sent to Hartford but brought up for last night's game. Expect both to start the season in the AHL.*

Brian Boyle: A+
Boyle is by far the most improved Ranger heading into this season. His skating has improved ten-fold, his execution along the boards was excellent, and he made things happen every time he stepped out on the ice. He threw his body around, made his presence known offensively, and stood out regardless of his ice-time or line mates (remember, a lot of his ice-time is spent killing penalties). Tortorella certainly took notice - Boyle wore an 'A' on his shoulder in last night's preseason finale, the only Ranger to have a letter that night.

Sean Avery: A
While Avery headed into camp as a certainty to line up with the Rangers this season, his role (i.e. ice-time and line mates) was certainly partially contingent on his preseason performance. He was excellent, both offensively and as a shift-disturber.

Derek Stepan: A-
Stepan had an excellent camp, whether it be lining up on the first unit or the third line. He was solid in all three zones, displayed his exponentially high hockey IQ, and did everything he needed to earn a roster spot, which seems to be guaranteed (at least for the start of the season) with Drury and Prospal injured. It will be interesting to see if he's okay with the speed and tempo of the regular season - he's far from fast, but has shown he can get to all the right places at all the right times. I'd be lying if I said Stepan doesn't have me foaming at the mouth.

Ruslan Fedotenko: A-
He certainly earned a spot - I'll be shocked if he doesn't receive a contract. He showed the ability to play very well on a third-line type of unit with Avery, and also showed that he can help the power play.

Artem Anisimov: B+
Outside of a weak first two periods of his preseason action, Anisimov was a very effective player. He ended last season on the fourth line (a very productive one, it should be noted), so a good camp was just what he needed in terms of confidence.

Matt Gilroy: B+
Gilroy was solid, sound, and confident from start to finish. I'd be shocked if he didn't start the season on the Rangers third d-pair.

Ryan McDonagh: B
McDonagh showed that he is ready to play in the NHL. He's sound positionally, has quick feet, and showed the ability to throw the body around a bit. He'll get caught running around at times to start, I'm sure, but that's got to be expected of a defenseman of his age making the jump from college.

Mike Sauer: B
Sauer did what he does best throughout camp - play hard, solid, mistake-free defensive hockey and use his body.

Pavel Valentenko: B-
I really like what I saw from somebody who I assumed was merely a "toss-in" as part of the Scott Gomez trade. While there were some times he got caught running around, and he took his fair share of penalties, his ability to throw the body and shoot the puck has led me to believe he can be a serviceable NHL defenseman down the line. He's a tough kid who is perfectly suited for the North American game.

Tim Kennedy: B-
Kennedy showed off much of the same that I saw in Buffalo - he's tough, smart, and has decent skills. He's a very versatile player who can slot in pretty much anywhere in the lineup. To be honest, I would've liked to have seen a little bit more offensively, although I wouldn't expect much more than 35 or 40 points even if he does find himself in the perfect situation.

Todd White: B-
White was good - solid, but unspectacular. Based on his age and the Rangers position with so many young forwards, I wouldn't mind seeing him as the odd man out once Drury and Prospal return. No slight to White or the effort he's given, just part of the business.

Erik Christensen: C-
Christensen had an up-and-down preseason...what a surprise. At times he was completely invisible; at other times he was wheelin' and dealin.' He's so inconsistent it's maddening - you see the flashes, but other times he's horrible.

Steve Eminger: F
He is beyond bad. A -4 in three games and it could've been a lot worse.

............

Here's how I would open up next Saturday versus Buffalo, assuming that Drury and Prospal cannot go (a safe assumption):

Alexander Frolov - Erik Christensen - Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky - Artem Anisimov - Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery - Derek Stepan - Ruslan Fedotenko
Tim Kennedy - Brian Boyle - Brandon Prust

Marc Staal - Dan Girardi
Michael Del Zotto - Michal Rozsival
Ryan McDonagh - Matt Gilroy

Henrik Lundqvist
Martin Biron

Spares: Todd White, Derek Boogaard, Mike Sauer
Injured Reserve: Chris Drury, Vinny Prospal
Cut: Steve Eminger, Pavel Valentenko

Reasoning & Notes...

- Start Christensen on the top-unit in a position where he can get off on the right foot. If he doesn't perform, he's a definite candidate to be riding the pine pony when Drury and Prospal return.
- Allowing Stepan to begin on the third-line with two line mates that he's been successful with during the preseason keeps the pressure off of his shoulders and supplies him with two very able wingers.
- It's not Torts' style to roll four lines, but his fourth line is a very good one - lots of interchangeable pieces to play with if he detects that his team needs a spark at some point in the game.
- No reason for Boogaard to dress versus Buffalo. I'd rather see someone like Kennedy, Prust, or Christensen in the lineup.
- When Drury and Prospal return, there will be some very tough choices.

A First Look at The Rangers

Last night's tilt between the Rangers and Devils gave us our first look at some fresh faces, as well as some younger guys with some tenure in New York, competing for spots on the '10-'11 version of Glen Sather's Club. On the whole, the positives certainly outweighed the negatives. Here are a few things I took away from the game:

- Marian Gaborik and Alexander Frolov should be great together. Frolov's a smart player that works well in the corners, and he looked to already have a good feel for how to play off of the Rangers go-to-guy offensively. Frolov should be good for a plethora (I'm thinking 30-35) of goals scored around the net this season.

- I have little doubt Derek Stepan could jump into the NHL to start the season and be successful. I got my first look at Stepan playing against him while he was at Shattuck St. Mary's, and then again as he led the U.S. to a first place finish at the last World Junior Championships. He fits into much the same mold of a Paul Stastny or Patrice Bergeron - there's no physical attribute that really gets you out of your seat; he's not the fastest, the quickest, or the biggest. But, his mind for the game is off the charts, he's a very weighty player with the puck, and he is able to get to all the right spots at the all the right times - both offensively and defensively - because of his high "Hockey IQ."

- Erik Christensen, who took Stepan's spot in between Gaborik and Frolov for the second half of the game, was a non-factor. I respect Christensen's talent, but players with his lack of toughness - both mentally and physically - aren't the kind of guys you're going to win with. If Stepan continues to outplay Christensen, it will be interesting to see how Rangers Management allows the situation to play out. That being said, there's still a lot of camp to be played.

- Tim Kennedy was solid, but unspectacular. I've been echoing the same sentiments concerning Kennedy all off-season - he's a solid player who can slide into a number of situations and combinations, but he'll never be a top-sixer at the NHL level. He works hard and has a good head on his shoulders, though.

- Ruslan Fedotenko, on a tryout with the Blueshirts, had a few chances but didn't really do much to excite me. He certainly has a chance of earning a contract, but looking at the large number of forwards competing to make the club - with nearly all of the competing parties younger in years - he could be in tough to make that happen.

- Mats Zuccarello showed off a lot of the skills that made him such an intriguing player during his strong season both with Norway at the Olympics and Modo of the Swedish Elite League. I love what he brings on the power play, and he showed a willingness to consistently backcheck up the ice. I don't think some time in the AHL would be the worst thing for him, which would allow him to dominate at a lower level and gain some confidence on a North American-sized rink. I'm very confident he will be a good NHL player.

- Brian Boyle was phenomenal. He only played 8:15, but he threw the body around each and every shift, got into a fight with Adam Mair, and scored a nice goal, to boot. I've been reading about Boyle's decision to skate with an Olympic Skating Trainer throughout the off-season, and read about his successful camp up this point - last night's showing was the living proof. His skating was much smoother and faster, and it allowed Boyle to get to the right places on the ice with much less wasted motion. Boyle's always been a favorite of mine since his time with Boston College - he was a big man with excellent hockey sense and a prominent point producer. During his first AHL season he registered 31 goals and 31 assists in 70 games, despite starting the season playing defense, and capped off his first professional season with four goals in his first eight NHL games. He's got some upside as a very serviceable third-line center and net presence on the power play, but I'm not sure he's going to get that chance in New York (so many 2nd/3rd line caliber guys ahead of him on John Tortorella's depth Chart). Regardless, I love what I saw out of him last night.

- Ryan McDonagh is NHL-ready. He moves very well, plays a very crisp, sound, and physical game. I'd be shocked if he didn't lock down one of the spots on the third d-pair.

- On the Devils' side of things - there's little doubt in my mind that the Ilya Kovalchuk - Travis Zajac - Zach Parise combination will be very successful, despite Kovalchuk's move to the right side of the ice. They looked very good last night (boy, Parise really is a beauty).

The Top 50 Players in the National Hockey League

With the pre-season fast approaching, I though now would be as good a time as any to rank the top players in the NHL. The Hockey News often makes a list comprising the top 50 players in the league, a list that I’ve thought about making, myself, for a while now – but with a slight twist.

I decided to exclude goalies, as their overall value is more greatly derived from their team, situation, etc. that those outside of the blue paint. For instance, I know that Tomas Vokoun is a much better goalie than Evgeni Nabokov (pretend he’s still in the NHL), despite the fact that Nabokov’s win totals trump that of Vokoun’s, due largely (okay, wholly?) to his situation.

So without further ado, here’s how I’d rank the top 50 players outside of the crease in the National Hockey League.

1. Sidney Crosby (Center – Pittsburgh Penguins)
While many pundits may feel the best player in the world resides in Capital City, I’d grant Crosby that honor both unquestionably and unequivocally. The “working man’s superstar” leads, scores, and wins. If you want somebody who’s going to win you a battle – along the boards, in the faceoff dot, in front of the net – you want the Penguins’ Captain. What makes Crosby better than everybody else isn’t just his tremendous skill, but rather his drive, and his desire to improve each and every part of his game. In a few short years he’s vastly improved his defensive play, his faceoff abilities, and his goal scoring. If his line mates weren’t pathetic his offensive numbers would be even better.

2. Alexander Ovechkin (Left Wing – Washington Capitals)
Five years in the league…five first-team All-NHL Honors…two Hart Trophies…Three Lester Pearson Trophies…269 regular season goals. Ovechkin is a high-light film waiting to happen, and is perhaps the greatest goal-scoring winger since Mike Bossy. Ovechkin loses out to Crosby for a few reasons…1) Ovechkin has won just one playoff series, and while his 20 goals in 28 playoff games are phenomenal, his play has been way too up-and-down come spring time. 2) His defensive game is miles behind Crosby. 3) Crosby is a better overall leader.

3. Evgeni Malkin (Center – Pittsburgh Penguins)
When he’s going, he can be the best on the planet. When he’s not going, he’s still a top-ten NHL player. A lanky pivot that sees the ice unbelievable well and can fore check like a vulture when he’s on his game, “Geno” can be a true nightmare for NHL defenseman. While some of his “off” season in ’09-’10 can certainly be attributed to injuries, there were still far too many nights when Pittsburgh’s Alternate Captain was just going through the motions. It’s worth saying twice – imagine what Malkin and Crosby could do in a non-salary cap world where they could actually have some help on the wing?

4. Pavel Datsyuk (C – Detroit Red Wings)
Simply put, the guy’s the best two-way forward in the game. When arguably the most entertaining player in the game (he’s my favorite player to watch) is also the league’s best defensively…well, you can put two and two together. In TSN’s “Top Ten Most Skilled Players of All-Time,” the slick Russian checked in at number ten, and rightfully so. Datsyuk’s skills and smarts are off the charts, and even if he went pointless for an entire season, he’d still be a heckuva hockey player.

5. Drew Doughty (D – Los Angeles Kings)
For as much press as Dean Lombardi’s first round draft choice in 2008 finally began to receive in the latter part of last season and into the playoffs, it still wasn’t enough – this kid is un-freaking-believable. Doughty uses his stocky build – reminiscent of Raymond Bourque – and his witty instincts – shades of Brian Leetch – to terrorize opponents at both ends of the ice. Names like Bourque and Leetch shouldn’t be thrown out lightly, but make no mistake, Doughty has all the tools to be of the same breed. He’s not the next big thing; he’s already there.

6. Nicklas Backstrom (C – Washington Capitals)
With Ovechkin, Mike Green, (the most overrated player in the NHL, but I’ll get to that later…) and Bruce Boudreau grabbing a majority of the headlines in Washington, many in the hockey world seem to forget the special player that anchors Washington’s top line. Backstrom is essentially Peter Forsberg reincarnated – amazingly strong on the puck, possessing unbelievable vision, and more physical than given credit for down low, often throwing a shoulder into a defender before they initiate contact. Backstrom is a 100-point talent with or without Ovechkin, and will eventually earn his place amongst Swedish Hockey Royalty.

7. Duncan Keith (D – Chicago Blackhawks)
With quickness, speed, simplicity, and smarts, the reigning Norris Trophy winner employs an ideal defensive style for the “New” NHL (hard to believe I’m still calling that after five seasons). Keith is a great puck mover and the anchor of the Chicago club. #2’s puck-moving abilities and skating should make him a top-tier defenseman for years to come.

8. Nicklas Lidstrom (D – Detroit Red Wings)
Don’t be deceived by his age – this six-time Norris Trophy winner still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Despite a statistically weak start to last season offensively, Lidstrom still finished with 49 points and a +22 rating for an injury ravaged Wings team, to go along with four goals, 10 points, and a +7 in 12 playoff games. If you think he’s regressed and just gets recognition because of his name and team, try watching a Detroit game – you’re in for a surprise.

9. Henrik Zetterberg (C – Detroit Red Wings)
A tenacious forechecker and defensive forward, Zetterberg is one of the hardest working players in the NHL…and one of the best. Matchup your top line versus Zetterberg, and I’m putting my money on the Swede every time. Zetterberg is smart, always makes the right play with the puck, and is just as talented on the power play as he is on the penalty kill. In short, he’s a beast in all situations.

10. Henrik Sedin (C – Vancouver Canucks)
Last year’s Hart Trophy winner really came into his element last season. It became apparent early in the season that Henrik and Daniel were quicker, their passes even crisper, and their drive even deeper. Henrik is as slick as they come in terms of passing, and alongside his brother forms the most dangerous “half court” team in the NHL. That half court game has been there for a while, but his quickness helped transcend their offensive prowess to the offensive rush side of the coin, as well.

11. Daniel Sedin (LW – Vancouver Canucks)
If not for a broken foot, brother Daniel would’ve been right up there Henrik near the top of the NHL points leader board. Daniel has never been better, and should have another great season here in the ’10-’11 season.

12. Ryan Getzlaf (C – Anaheim Ducks)
The probable heir to the Ducks’ captaincy, Getzlaf boasts a rare combination of size, grit, and skill. The skilled centerman uses his dirty hands and excellent vision to create offense and run the Anaheim powerplay. You’ll here a lot of talk about several Canadian pivots, but after Crosby, Getzlaf is the best. Randy Carlyle’s workhorse is money in the bank in the playoffs, logs big minutes in several situations, and is the driving force behind the Anaheim attack.

13. Zach Parise (LW - New Jersey Devils)
If someone asked me to describe the Devils’ Zach Parise I respond, “Think of a slightly less skilled Crosby playing on the wing.” Parise never stops moving, gives 110% every night, and drives the net as good as anyone out there. If you asked me to describe the perfect winger, I’d simply build a bigger version of the “Zach Attack.”

14. Marian Gaborik (LW – New York Rangers)
The entire Rangers offense…err, I mean Marian Gaborik, is a sharpshooter with speed and vision. The man who once scored five goals in the same game versus his current club has one of the top releases in the NHL, which looms deadly when combined with his world-class speed. Gaborik was heading for a dream season prior to an inevitable groin/hamstring problem slowed him down. When completely healthy, there are few better.

15. Chris Pronger (D – Philadelphia Flyers)
What has made Chris Pronger so successful for so long, and a playoff dynamo? Size, smarts, and positioning. While far from the fleetest of foot (say that five times fast), Pronger is able to still log big minutes, conserve his energy properly, and come up huge when it matters most. While his Olympic effort was far from Pronger-like, there are still few other defensemen I’d want anchoring my defense come springtime – “Prongs” has reached the Stanley Cup Finals three times in the last five years with three different teams. Gee, I wonder what the common denominator was there…

16. Zdeno Chara (D – Boston Bruins)
What do you want from your leader and team captain? Hardest worker on and off the ice? Check. Grit and the ability to play through injury? Check. 110% every night? Check. “The Big Z” is Boston’s backbone – just take a look at how their defensive would shake out without him. The hardworking Chara leads by example both on and off the ice, and his size and reach make him a nearly impenetrable force on the blue line.

17. Jonathon Toews (C – Chicago Blackhawks)
A Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold Medal, Conn Smythe Trophy, and a “Best Forward” distinction at the Olympics…not a bad season, eh? Toews isn’t the most talented player, he will never put up ridiculous regular season point totals year in and year out, and there are plenty of guys out there that are bigger, stronger, or faster. But Toews just has that “IT” factor about him. He’s a phenomenal leader, is a stand-out player in all facets of the game, and is the consummate professional. Hmmm…kind of reminds me of some guy we like to call “The Messiah” in Manhattan…

18. Martin St. Louis (RW – Tampa Bay Lightning)
Lecavalier is the Captain with the mammoth contract. Stamkos is the young star and the future. But, Marty St. Louis is the engine that runs the Lightning. The diminutive forward is unbelievably gifted and gritty along the boards down low, and simply knows how to put points on the board. St. Louis leads on and off the ice (his workouts are stuff of Sports Illustrated lore), and his professional demeanor through the ups (Stanley Cup) and the downs (ownership battles, horrid teams) is to be admired. Watch one Lightning game and you’ll understand why he is the most important player to Steve Yzerman’s new squad.

19. Steven Stamkos (C – Tampa Bay Lightning)
Remember early in 2009 when the words “Stamkos” and “bust” were being thrown around together alarmingly often by much of the hockey world? Well a strong finish to the ’08-’09 season and a 51-goal, 95-point Rocket Richard winning season will usually turn something like that around. Stamkos improved his size and speed in the off-season (helped greatly by Gary Roberts) – his skills were and are unbelievable - and the results were instant (aided greatly by Tampa's #26). Honestly, did it not seem as if “Stammer” was scoring a goal from the top of the circle on a one-timer with Tampa on the power play almost nightly?

20. Ilya Kovalchuk (LW – New Jersey Devils)
He’ll go down as one of the best goal-scorers in NHL history (assuming, of course, he signs in the NHL), yet, he has just one playoff win. While he was granted a reprieve from many pundits during his time in Atlanta, his poor performance in last spring’s first round exit with the Devils has left many wondering if he has what it takes to succeed in the playoffs. I love Kovalchuk’s talent and goal-scoring capacity, but he needs to learn to better play off his teammates when the going gets tough.

21. Patrick Kane (RW – Chicago Blackhawks)
Kane is an undersized player lacking good speed…so why is he so good? Quickness, great hands, great vision, and a great mind for the game. Kane’s worked hard at improving his shot speed (his accuracy has always been off the charts), understands the ebbs and flows of the offensive game, and knows where best to go in the offensive zone. He can be deadly on the power play, and even made strides defensively last season. What will never be questioned are his mitts, as he possesses some of the filthiest hands in the world – and no, I’m not referring to their usage in beating cabbies.

22. Joe Thornton (C – San Jose Sharks)
“Jumbo Joe” has the size, the skill set, and the vision of a top-5 NHL player. What he lacks is the toughness and the playoff pedigree that sets the top-tier superstars apart. Wile last spring’s performance was marginally better, I’d still be hard pressed to my faith in Thornton in a pivotal series or playoff game.

23. Mikko Koivu (C – Minnesota Wild)
When the Wild’s franchise player hit pay dirt this off-season, many pundits screamed of overpayment. My response? Watch this dude play. He’s a supreme defensive talent, is already a near point per game player on an absolutely anemic Minnesota offense, and has the necessary intangibles to become one of the best leaders in the game. As the Wild get better (they can’t get much worse, right?) the hockey world will begin to take notice of Koivu’s “Datsyukian and Zetterbergian” effect on his opponents – he’ll shut down your top guys and lead his team offensively, to boot.

24. Brad Richards (C – Dallas Stars)
The former Conn Smythe winner enjoyed his second 90+ point season in ‘09-’10, and displayed much of the skills and on-ice vision that earned Richards his big contract from former Tampa Bay GM Doug Feaster. Richards is a key cog in all situations – he runs an NHL power play with authority and purpose – and seems to have developed some excellent chemistry with Loui Eriksson and James Neal.

25. Marian Hossa (RW – Chicago Blackhawks)
While Hossa may take a backseat to much of the news and noise coming out of the Windy City, he still remains one of the best two-way players in the game. Finally snagging his first Cup after two unsuccessful trips to the Finals, Hossa fit in nicely behind Pat Kane on the Hawks right wing. He may be the best back-checking forward in the game today – always going 110%, and always being hard on the stick.

26. Daniel Alfredsson (RW – Ottawa Senators)
He may be old and he may be “Cup-less,” but Daniel Alfredsson is still Ottawa’s best player. Cory Clouston used Alfredsson in a variety of roles last season – alongside Jason Spezza on the top unit, moving to the second line to balance out the offense, and matching up against the other teams’ top lines in various contests. Don’t let the fact that he’s yet to win a Cup fool you – Alfredsson is a top-end leader and a dynamic talent.

27. Eric Staal (C – Carolina Hurricanes)
It seems like a long time ago that Eric Staal was posting a 100-point season and helping to lead Carolina to a Stanley Cup. While the eldest Staal has been unable to match his efforts of the ’05-’06 season to this point, he has continued to be the driving force behind the Hurricanes attack. When Staal’s got jump, he’s a handful and a half for his opponent, as he uses his big frame to drive the net and generate scoring chances. While he may never jump back to 100-point status, he’ll continue to be a superstar in Raleigh.

28. Rick Nash (LW – Columbus Blue Jackets)
He’s taken over as the Jacket’s true leader and Captain. His defensive game has significantly improved. But, he’s still not there, yet. Nash has the skills to be one of the best, as anybody who has watched Nash in certain games or international appearances can attest to. When he’s going, he’s dominant. But, he’s still not “going” enough of the time, yet. The maturation of Columbus’ young offensive weapons should only help improve Nash’s offensive output.

29. Shea Weber (D – Nashville Predators)
Shea Weber’s got all the makings of a franchise defender. Size, a booming shot (vast understatement), and the right temperament to create a trickle of fear in his opponents. In the Olympics, he was one of Canada’s top players and probably their best defenseman. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard more about the Predators’ new Captain, look no further than location.

31. Anze Kopitar (C – Los Angeles Kings)
The leader of the Kings’ offensive attack, the slick Slovenian has the all the makings of a perennial top-ten scorer. He’s got size, talent, and the smarts to continue to improve as an upper-echelon first line pivot. Kopitar saw his production dip tremendously after his torrid start, and you can bet that the Kings will need to see their young stud produce at a more consistent clip.

32. Dan Boyle (D – San Jose Sharks)
Dan Boyle is the kind of guy you want on your team. He gives 110% every night, is an excellent and efficient puck mover, and understands what it takes to run and NHL power play - and more importantly, to win - at the NHL level. If San Jose ever overcomes their playoff demons, Boyle will be a big reason why.

33. Patrick Marleau (C/LW – Sharks)
One player who should never be blamed for the Sharks’ playoff failures is ex-Captain Patrick Marleau. The Canadian Olympian has notched 45 goals in 106 playoff games, and has been one of the few players to perform consistently come springtime. Marleau enjoyed arguably the best season of his quality NHL career, and was a force for San Jose in all three zones.

34. Ryan Kesler (C – Vancouver Canucks)
Ryan Kesler’s make up? Great speed, phenomenal two-way play, and “a whole lot of nasty” (to steal a line from Pierre McGuire’s arsenal). As important as the Sedins and Roberto Luongo are to the Canucks ultimate success, a case can be made that Kesler’s presence is nearly just as important. The American pivot handles a vast majority of the difficult minutes – penalty kills, challenging matchups, and crucial face offs – lessening the burden for the Sedins’ unit. Kesler’s all around affect on a hockey game should never be taken for granted.

35. Andrei Markov (D – Montreal Canadiens)
While injuries marred Andrei Markov’s ’10-’11 season, he still deserves recognition as one of the top d-men in the National Hockey League. Markov runs the Habs’ powerplay soundlessly, year in and year out, makes quick smart passes out of his own zone, and provides the Habs with leadership both on and off the ice. While an injury will keep Markov on the shelf to start the season, expect a nice bounce back upon his return.

36. Mike Richards (C – Philadelphia Flyers)
A little over a year and a half ago, I would’ve had Mike Richards in the top-ten or 15 of this list. But, ever since the end of the regular season in ’08-’09 and into that year’s playoffs, I can’t help but notice a drop in Richards play (a torn labrum of the shoulder doesn’t help). His passes, which seemed to always hit paydirt, have become increasingly off the mark. His prowess on the power play has been dimmed. Simply put, he just looks a bit “off” to me. That being said, he’s still a great two-way, heart and soul type player who understands what it takes to lead a hockey team. A great season in ’10-’11 wouldn’t surprise me, in the least.

37. Jason Spezza (C – Ottawa Senators)
Jason Spezza “Cliffnotes” – A supreme offensive talent who is a turnover machine and still has a great deal of space to improve offensively. Ottawa’s new whipping boy has all the tools to regain his 90+ point form, but I’m beginning to wonder if his overall game will ever round out. His turnovers are in the worst possible situations with regards to both time and location, and his defensive play, though slightly improved, still has a ways to go. Then again, taking the good with the bad, his offensive game is still that of a top-level first line center. In my estimation, he’s getting a raw deal from the Senators’ Faithful.

38. Dany Heatley (RW – San Jose Sharks)
While Dany Heatley’s goal scoring and point production continue to cement his status as one of the top wingers in the game – you can’t undervalue a guy who continually puts pucks in the back of the net - his ’10-’11 season was still far from the Wisconsin Alum’s best. There were far too many stretches were Heatley became invisible, and his two goals in 14 playoff games had to leave San Jose fans disappointed.

39. Brian Rafalski (D – Detroit Red Wings)
Rafalski has never seemed to garner the press and accolades that he deserves. First, he was behind the plethora of talented defensemen in New Jersey. Now, he’s on a team with the likes of Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg. But Rafalski’s talents shouldn’t go unnoticed – his play at the Olympics saw him earn a spot on the “First Team All-Stars,” and his breakout passes and prowess on the power play fits in seamlessly with the Detroit game plan.

40. Sergei Gonchar (D – Ottawa Senators)
Sergei Gonchar’s importance to the Pittsburgh Penguins was undeniable, with Exhibit “A” being his return to the line-up during the Cup winning season two years ago. Now, he’ll be sliding into a power play which includes Alfredsson, Spezza, and future stud (perhaps sooner than later) Erik Karlsson. But, don’t undervalue Gonchar’s defensive acumen, which is often overlooked due to his ability to run the power play. It’ll be interesting to see how he fairs without Brooks Orpik.

41. Alexander Semin (LW – Washington Capitals)
If you want to talk most skilled players in the game today, Alexander Semin is right at the top of that list. His shot is first-class, his hands are filthy, and his production follow suit…but not in last season’s playoffs. Semin’s performance during Washington’s playoff exit was laughable, and he’s still too much of a perimeter player to be considered amongst the league’s very best.

42. Mark Streit (D – New York Islanders)
When you think of the Islanders, the first thing that comes to mind is probably their young nucleus of talent – John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Joshua Bailey, Nino Niederreiter, etc. But their best player? Without a doubt Mark Streit. Most people know about Streit’s offensive arsenal on the man-up, but in his time on Long Island he’s become an excellent defenseman in all three zones. If the Islanders make the playoffs this season, Streit will probably be the biggest reason why.

43. Tyler Myers (D – Buffalo Sabres)
The #12 overall selection in the 2008 Draft was supposed to be a project; a raw prospect with a lot of potential. Last season’s performance proved otherwise. The 6’8’’ behemoth was the central pillar of Buffalo’s defense, and was the second biggest reason (the number one reason? See: Miller, Ryan) for Buffalo’s playoff appearance. Myers is a good passer, is a phenomenal skater, and has a good head on his shoulers. With his confidence and skill set, Myers should be a perennial Norris Trophy threat.

44. Mike Green (D – Washington Capitals)
Okay, okay, I know what you’re thinking. How the f*%k do you have Mike Green, Norris Trophy Finalist, at number 44? I’ll summarize with three brief points: 1) His numbers are greatly inflated based on his situation – he’d still be a marquee scoring defenseman on other squads, but his output wouldn’t be nearly what it is on the Caps (ridiculous power play unit, lots of ice time on a top scoring team, and the perfect system). 2) His defensive play is horrible. Don’t let the plus minus fool you – watch a game. He’s prone to the five-star mistake…essentially a forward playing defense. 3) His playoff performances have been abysmal. In short, he’s excellent offensively, horrible defensively, and has stunk in the playoffs.

45. Vincent Lecavalier (C – Tampa Bay Lightning)
Lecavalier could be a top-five player. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s talented, he’s won a Cup, and he’s been a 100-point player before. But of late, he’s looked more like the young, underachieving player he once was rather than that 100-point, top-end talent. If Lecavalier’s finally 100% healthy entering this season, a return to top form could be in order.

46. Ales Hemsky (RW – Edmonton Oilers)
Hemsky is an ultra-talented player who tends to get injured and has struggled at times with consistency. But, when he’s going he’s one of the best. Hemsky is willing to go into the dirty areas to make a play, a trait that separates the big time point producers from the rest of the pack. As the Oilers improve, Hemsky’s production will sky rocket – health permitting.

47. Corey Perry (RW – Anaheim Ducks)
Corey Perry is everything you want in a top-line winger – he’s a winner, performs well when it matters most, and plays hard. He’s not the flashiest player, and doesn’t stand out in any particular facet of the game. But he consistently puts points on the board, irritates his opponents, and is able to make a difference, one way or another.

48. Paul Stastny (C – Colorado Avalanche)
Much like Perry, there is nothing flashy about Stastny’s game. But, he does everything well. He can win faceoffs, plays strong in his own end, and consistently produces offensively. A relatively poor skater, Stastny is able to utilize his top-end hockey sense to get to where he needs to be efficiently and consistently. With Stastny and Matt Duchene (he’ll be the Avs’ best player for a long, long time – one of my favorite players in the league already) centering their top two lines, the Avs are set down the middle.

49. Phil Kessel (RW – Toronto Maple Leafs)
It took a little while, but it all came together for Kessel in his last season as a Bruin. The former US NTDP standout registered the first of his 30+ goal seasons, and began to understand how to play off his teammates and attack in the offensive zone at the NHL-level. Kessel has the speed and quickness to become one of the top snipers in the NHL, if he isn’t there already. Don’t be so quick to dismiss the Kessel trade as a loss for Brian Burke’s squad – Kessel has all the tools to become something special.

50. Jarome Iginla (RW – Calgary Flames)
One of the most respected leaders and faces in the NHL, Jarome Iginla has been an offensive dynamo for nearly a decade now. But, it was crystal clear that he lost a step last season. Iginla has made due without a true top-line center for a long time now, but it appears clear the lack of support is finally starting to catch up with him. I’d still expect 30+ goals next season, regardless.