Which Division is Tops?

One point of contention I always enjoy debating concerns which division is the best in the NHL. The debate changes every season as each team, and by extension, division, endures some degree of changes and moves further along, or backward, in their maturation process.

Starting from the bottom, here's how I'd rank the six NHL divisions.

6. Southeast Division

- Commonly referred to as the "South-Least Division," this division has remained in the NHL cellar for a while now. Here's a quick breakdown of this division's recent playoff appearances:

2008-2009: 2
2007-2008: 1*
2006-2007: 2
2005-2006: 2

*Keep in mind the one team that actually made the playoffs from this division, the Washington Capitals, garnered only 94 points - the same amount as the eighth place Boston Bruins.

However, it is true that the Southeast Division could lay claim to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2004 (Tampa Bay Lightning) and the year after the lockout in 2006 (Carolina Hurricanes).

Although this division is certainly improved this season, they are still far removed from being what one could term a strong division. Of their three current playoff hopefuls - the Caps, Lightning, and the Atlanta Thrashers - expect no more than two of these teams to find themselves engaged in spring hockey.

5. Northeast Division

- The Northeast Division has found itself in the midst of a downward spiral. The Battle of Ontario has lost much of its luster, the Ottawa Senators window of opportunity to win a cup has closed, and the division's top returning team, the Boston Bruins, has started a bit slow out of the gate (though injuries have had much to do with it).

In fact, they are nearly neck-and-neck with the Southeast for the title of worst division in hockey.

Once considered one of the tougher divisions in hockey, the Northeast Division has struggled mightily here in the first quarter of the '09-'10 season.

4. Northwest Division

- Looking at the teams in the Northwest Division, it's hard to find a team that you can get really excited about.

The Calgary Flames possess an excellent defense and a top-end tender, but looking at their offense - does anyone really think these guys will be able to manufacture enough offense come playoff time? Same story for the Vancouver Canucks, although the playoffs are certainly not a given for this B.C. team. The Colorado Avalanche have been a nice story with their hot start, but they are very young and get out shot nearly every game. The Edmonton Oilers are very "eh," while the Minnesota Wild have less talent than nearly every team in the league.

Although this division is far from weak, their top teams have too many holes in their games. A Cup champ from this division in '09-'10 is very unlikely.

3. Pacific Division

- The Pacific Division possesses the top regular season team in the league (San Jose Sharks), three greatly improved teams compared to a season ago (Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars), and one floundering team that still boasts some of the top players in the league (Anaheim Ducks).

Simply put, no coach, player, or fan likes when their squad is playing against the teams in this division. The Sharks are simply better than you, the Kings and Coyotes employ super-tight defensive game plans than will stymie you, the Stars are far from a bunch of "nice guys," and nearly every game they play is a one or two goal game which will have you pulling out your hair, and the Ducks, well, no one enjoys playing against the Ducks' old school physical style of play (until they are on the power-play for half of the game) which will leave you black and blue.

2. Central Division

- The Central Division has a great blend of quality teams. You have the perennial Cup contending Detroit Red Wings, a soon-to-be perennial Cup contender in the Chicago Blackhawks, the up-and-coming Columbus Blue Jackets and St. Louis Blues, and the always tough to be play Nashville Predators.

In '08-'09 the Central Division featured four playoff teams, five of the top ten teams in the Western Conference, and a Conference Final that featured two Central Division teams (the Wings and Hawks).

The Central Division had a great season in '08-'09. The future could be even brighter.

1. Atlantic Division

- Coming into this season, I would've probably given the slight edge to the Central over the Atlantic Division as the top division in hockey. But with the very impressive play of the Jacques Lemaire coached New Jersey Devils and the surpisingly solid start of the New York Islanders, it's clear that there is no better division than that of the Atlantic.

In each of the past three seasons the Atlantic Division has featured four teams in the playoffs. The division features elite goaltending (Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc-Andre Fleury, a resurgent Ray Emery, and a vastly underrated Dwayne Roloson) and a plethora of star power upfront, as well (Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Zach Parise, Marian Gaborik, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, and John Tavares).

Not to mention, they possess last year's Stanley Cup Champions (Pittsburgh Penguins), and for my money, this year's Cup favorite (Philadelphia Flyers).

The Atlantic Division is an all-around force.

Somebody Might Want to Show This to Ovechkin...

Check out this great goal celebration gone wrong.

When Swedish goal celebrations go wrong

Beauty of a goal, as well...

A Few Friday Thoughts

Here are a few things that I'm pondering as we head into the weekend...

1. Peter Forsberg...coming back?
- Is he going to come back? While the "will he?" or "won't he?" talk usually drives me crazy (cough, cough, Brett Farve, cough, cough), I'll definitely be monitoring how the Forsberg situation plays out. I'm not a doctor, so I won't bother attempting to dissect how his funky foot is holding up. All I know is that when this guy steps out onto the ice, he's a difference maker. The last we saw of Forsberg he was putting up 14 points in just nine games with the Colorado Avalanche in '07-'08, despite not playing for nearly the entire season. If he goes to a team where he doesn't have to be relied on as a go-to-guy (ex: Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals), that team will be greatly benefited. So far the Flyers, Caps, Vancouver Canucks, Colorado Avalanche, and New York Rangers have all publicly claimed interest in signing the Swedish playmaker. For now, Forsberg wants to put his foot through the paces a little while longer before committing to a contract, whether it be in the NHL, KHL, or Swedish Elite League. Could you imagine a top six featuring Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Peter Forsberg? Yikes...

2. The boys in Philly are scary good.
- How many other fans of teams in the Atlantic Division broke whatever they were holding when the Philadelphia Flyers traded for and then signed Chris Pronger? The Flyers were already a force to be reckoned with, but adding Pronger has made them the class of the Eastern Conference...easily. Literally the only question the Flyers faced coming into this season was 'how will Ray Emery hold up?' Well, it's clear he's going to hold up just fine and dandy for the orange and black. As a Ranger fan - at least they are up tight against the cap. Could you imagine if the Flyers added their old captain back into the fold? Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, Danny Briere, Simon Gagne, Scott Hartnell, Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk, and Peter Forsberg? I'd rather not even think about it...

3. Those freakin' Devils...
- There's a reason Lou Lamoriello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday. It's because the guy's an absolute genius. By now, most hockey fans should've come to the realization that there will always be three constants in New Jersey:

1. They will make the playoffs.
2. They will have good goaltending (Martin Brodeur will own nearly every goalie record in the book by the time he hangs up the skates).
3. They will have "smart" hockey players.

Lamoriello's genius is simple in theory. Find smart hockey players with good work ethics and a coach who can get the most out of them. Every single player on Lamoriello's teams works their butt off and utilizes their smarts to fit into whatever system their coach employs. It's very fitting that their current and future star player, Zach Parise, is probably the single hardest worker in the NHL. The names and faces may change, but the song always remains the same for Lou Lamoriello's New Jersey Devils.

Some Early Tuesday Night Ramblings

When Ryan Smyth was moved to the Los Angeles Kings, I assumed one of the central beneficiaries would be the Kings' number one center, Anze Kopitar.

However, never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that Kopitar would be leading the NHL in goals and points nearly midway through November. In Los Angeles' first 18 games, the Kopitar / Smyth connection has tallied 22 goals, 48 points, and a +15 rating in the plus minus column, while helping lead the Kings to a solid 10-6-2 start.

The acquisition of Smyth has allowed King's Coach Terry Murray to balance his scoring amongst his top three lines. The Kings currently have seven players with 13 points or more, including franchise cornerstone defenseman Drew Doughty, who garners 15 points here in the early season.

When the Kings signed Kopitar to a seven-year, $47.6 million contract extension last October, they expected to have a star on their hands in the near future. They were right. The future is now for the slick skating Slovenian center, and a playoff berth is a definite possibility in Los Angeles....

The Nashville Predators have just 31 goals in 15 games. Atlanta's Rich Peverley, who the Predators put on waivers last season, has seven goals and 17 points in 14 games.

Despite back-to-back seasons in the AHL with over a point per-game, the Predators never gave Peverley a fair shot to consistently be placed in an offensive role at the NHL level. Barry Trotz does an excellent job of producing average results with less than average talent, but his lack of willingness to put young offensive players in roles in which they can succeed is questionable...

The Anaheim Ducks clearly don't miss Chris Pronger at all...neither did the Edmonton Oilers before them...or the St. Louis Blues before them...HA!

The Edmonton Oilers have yet to make the playoffs since Pronger's departure in the summer of '06, while the Blues found themselves in last year's playoffs, which was their first since Pronger left St. Louis after the '03-'04 season.

Despite the many accolades thrown his way, is it possible that Chris Pronger is underrated? There are not many players in the NHL that are able to impose their will on all facets of the game like Pronger. Since moving to the Blues as a 20-year old in 1995, no team he has played for has missed the playoffs. That's not a coincidence, folks....

Kudos to Wayne Gretzky for showing up at the Hockey Hall of Fame Inductions Ceremony last night. Due to the Phoenix Coyotes situation, the former 'Yotes bench boss has found himself in an awkward and unjust position.

It would've been completely understandable if he chose to stay away from the inductions, but Gretzky decided to cast aside his personal issues for a night to pay homage to some of the best that the NHL has ever seen. Having skated alongside Brian Leetch with the Rangers, Brett Hull with the Blues, Luc Robitaille with the Kings, and Steve Yzerman with Team Canada, it just wouldn't have been the same if "The Great One" wasn't in attendance...

Around The Rink: Jovo Cop, Shooting Stars, Ovie Out

Here's a few thoughts heading into an action-packed Thursday which will see 20 NHL squads take to the ice...

My early dark horse candidate for the Norris Trophy? Ed Jovanovski. "Jovo Cop" has done it all for 'Yotes' coach David Tippet. He's playing on a vastly underrated shutdown pairing with arguably the best shot-blocker in the game in Zybnek Michalek, is running the first unit power-play, and has been utilizing his size and reach to play a vital role for Phoenix on the penalty kill.

Jovanovski leads the 'Yotes in goals and points, to boot. If he can continue to pile up the shots and stay out of the penalty box, the 33-year old defender could be in for a career year...

When you're talking about the best forward groups in the game, the Dallas Stars don't usually come to mind.

They should.

Led by up-and-coming power forward James Neal and a revitalized Brad Richards, the Dallas Stars possess a talented, well-rounded forward core. Now at full health, the Stars lined up like this last night versus Calgary:

Loui Eriksson - Brad Richards - James Neal
Brendan Morrow - Mike Ribeiro - Jere Lehtinen
Steve Ott - Mike Modano - Jamie Benn
Fabian Brunnstrom - Tom Wandell - Brian Sutherby

Marc Crawford's Stars currently sit sixth in the league in goals-per-game. They should finish around that spot, and possibly higher. Richards has finally found the linemates he has been looking for, and has been running the Stars' power-play from the point as well as he used to for John Tortorella back in Tampa Bay. Despite battling a sore groin, Richards is starting to look like the Conn Smythe Trophy winner of 2004, once again...

Come on, you didn't eventually see this coming?

The Caps' Alex Ovechkin is currently out with a "shoulder strain" (separated shoulder, maybe?) - that has him listed as "day-to-day" in some spots and "week-to-week" in others - it depends who you ask.

It was only a matter of time before Ovechkin found himself nursing an injury. The self-titled "Big Russian Machine" plays one of the most physical games in the league, so an eventual injury(s), big or small, was inevitable.

Here's hoping the Great8 gets better quickly - so long as he's not playing your team, what hockey fan doesn't like watching Ovechkin?

Early Thoughts: Canadian Olympic Team

Talk about a daunting task.

Steve Yzerman, the head honcho in charge of assembling Canada's Olympic team, recently annouced that Hockey Canada will declare their selections for the 2010 Canadian Olympic Team sometime between Christmas and the New Year.

With a host of hopefuls to choose from, 'Stevie Y' will have to weigh several possibilities. It goes without saying that Canada expects Gold - anything short would be classified as catastrophic. After a seventh place finish in 2006, and this year's games being held on home turf in Vancouver, the pressure on Team Canada's players, coaches, and management will be intense, to say the least.

With the selections about two months away, I decided to play the role of Yzerman for a day. If the Olympics started next week (I will do this again sometime before Christmas), and under the assumption of 100% health, here's what my Team Canada would look like...

Forwards

Scoring Line 1: Rick Nash - Sidney Crosby - Ryan Smyth

Analysis: It appears evident from Canada's orientation camp that Nash will be riding shot-gun with Crosby on the top line. This is a great move - Nash's game compliments Sid's well, and his international resume is top notch. At this point your probably asking yourself, "Ryan Smyth...top line?" Many people probably won't even have Smyth on their rosters. I like him in this situation because he compliments the games of Nash and Crosby - especially Crosby - perfectly. Smyth can cycle the puck with the best of them, gets to the front of the net, and is by and far one of the saviest players around. His hot start playing alongside Anze Kopitar in Los Angeles shows just how much he can benefit top-end players. He can kill penalties, play the front of the net on the power-play - really any situation and he fits the role well.

Scoring Line 2A: Corey Perry - Ryan Getzlaf - Martin St. Louis

Analysis: While Ryan Getzlaf's play early in the season has left many wondering how it will affect his Olympic chances, I just don't buy it. Getzlaf is, and should be, a cert barring little to no improvement in his play - something he has already begun to rectify. Getzlaf is big, skilled, and imposing. The guy has a ring, as does this whole line, and was arguably the best player in the last year's playoffs up until the Ducks were eliminated. Corey Perry is an absolute vulture around the net, and has also performed well on the big stage, both during his World Junior experience and the playoffs. Think these guys are good with Anaheim? St. Louis will make them ten times better. St. Louis is savy with and without the puck, and can nicely compliment the cycling ability of the two big Ducks. These guys will score some beautiful goals - but, more importantly, they will get some greasy ones, as well.

Scoring Line 2B: Shane Doan - Joe Thornton - Jarome Iginla

Analysis: This would be my Team Canada's most experienced line. Although I still question Thornton's overall toughness, he is just too skilled not to make the team. Guys like Iginla and Doan could definitely bring out the best in Thornton. This line brings plenty of size, plenty of scoring, and plenty of smarts. Also, no coach of this trio is going to bat an eye if they happen to be out against the other team's top line. In a tournament with enormous pressure, you cannot discount the leadership of Iginla and Doan.

Checking Line: Jeff Carter - Mike Richards - Brendan Morrow

Analysis: Alex Ovechkin, do you know Mike Richards? This threesome is the ideal checking line for Team Canada. Richards and Morrow are in your face players who will batttle with a vengeance every single second of every single shift. Carter is a vastly underrated defensive forward who would have no problem shifting to the wing, a spot he occupied playing alongside Richards during the orientation camp. Also note you have a center who can take faceoffs on the left side (Richards), and one who can take faceoffs on the right side (Carter). This trio of 200 feet players are no slouches offensively, either.

Extra: Steven Stamkos

Analysis: Plenty of candidates here, but I'd go with Stamkos. If things start off slowly, the team will need a spark - someone who has the talent to come in and be a game-breaker. Stamkos, even at his tender age, possesses this game-breaking ability. He is off to a torrid start, and has shown he can fit in well with elite players (St. Louis).

Defense

- First, let me prelude by saying I decided against designating a shutdown pair. Rather, I have paired atleast one defenseman who is more than capable of playing in a shutdown role (Pronger, Bouwmeester, Staal) with a defenseman who is a bit more on the offensive side, but still quality defensively (Doughty, Niedermayer, Boyle).

Pair 1: Chris Pronger - Drew Doughty

Analysis: I'm sure 99% of those out there guessing what Team Canada will look like don't have 19-year old Drew Doughty on their prospective rosters, at least not currently. They should. Doughty has been an absolute monster this year at both ends of the rink. Forget his age - I could care less. I want his puck moving and poise on my Team Canada. If there is any reserve about his experience, well, that should be eased by the fact that I have him paired with Chris Pronger. There is not much that needs to be said in the case of Pronger -he will undoubtedly be Canada's anchor on the back-end.

Pair 2: Scott Niedermayer - Jay Bouwmeester

Analysis: You will not find a faster possible defensive pairing on the planet than that of Niedermayer and Bouwmeester. Bouwmeester is essentially a younger, bigger, better defensively but less offensively advanced version of Scott Niedermayer. Together, these two can help bring the game's tempo to whatever level Team Canada wants it set.

Pair 3: Marc Staal - Dan Boyle

Analysis: John Tortorella's current number one defenseman meets Tortorella's old number one defenseman in this Team Canada defensive pairing. Boyle is best when he is free to roam. Staal is best when he is free to stay at home. It's a match made in heaven. Don't forget Staal's exploits on the World Junior circuit, not to mention a playoff MVP in the OHL. When the stage is grand, so is Staal's play.

Extra: Duncan Keith

Analysis: Keith brings speed, poise, and smarts. The only reason I have him as the seventh defenseman is because I better like the way my top six fits together. Make no mistake about it, Keith is a great option.

Goalies

Starter: Marc-Andre Fleury

Analysis: Give me the (most recent) winner. Fleury's early season play has been excellent. In fact, dating back to the 60, or so, game mark last season, you'd be hard pressed to find a goalie that has been more consistently on his game than Pittsburgh's tender. Although this spot will be most subject to a possible change come Olympic time, right now I want the goalie with the top-end confidence. Fleury has been oozing with it for a while now.

Backup 1: Roberto Luongo

Analysis: Barring injury, Luongo is nearly a cert to make the team. If he is hot come tournament time, he's Team Canada's starter, no questions asked. Right now I just think Fleury is better.

Backup 2: Martin Broduer

Analysis: He may be old in years, but the guy's still a heck of a goalie. The one thing that scares me with Brodeur is his tendency to give up weaks goals from bad angles.

Noteable Omissions

Vincent Lecavalier - Stamkos has been much better in the early season and towards the end of last year. He just hasn't played at an Olympic caliber since his shoulder surgery.

Dany Heatley - It was tough leaving a great goal scorer like Heatley off my team. The fact of the matter is goals are great, but my Team Canada will score plenty of those already. Heatley isn't a 200 foot player and isn't hard to play against.

Brad Richards - Although he's hardly on anbody's radar, I think his early season play warrants consideration. Richards is a quality two-way player who can run a power-play from the point and fit into a lot of situations.

Mike Green - He's just not good enough defensively. I'd actually argue he's below (NHL) average defensively. The power-play will be A-Okay without him.

Dion Phaneuf - I don't like how he matches up against top-end talent (Ovechkin, Datsyuk, Malkin). Much like Green, the power-play will be fine without his help.

Shea Weber - He warrants serious consideration, but I just simply think the players I picked are better fits.

Cam Ward - If Ward starts playing like he did the second half of last season and into the playoffs, he should make the team, even at the expense of a guy like Brodeur.