RLD 3 Stars of the Month:
1. Craig Anderson, COL
2. Alexander Ovechkin, WSH
3. Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX
It’s time to hit the panic button in… Raleigh
The Carolina Hurricanes are pathetic right now. They’ve lost eight in a row, the offense is nonexistent, and the back end is average at best. This team is in danger. Before they went on a tear to finish the 08/09 campaign, the ‘Canes were middling in the East and sitting on the bubble. It was an unbelievable run they made in the spring, but I’m beginning to think this is the real Hurricanes team. Pull out that panic button, ‘Caniacs.
Hangover? What hangover??
Dan Bylsma has done an excellent job getting his team focused on a new year, and not looking up to the rafters to look at their championship banner from last season. Everybody is playing their roles well, and Marc-Andre Fleury has been very solid in net. I like what I’m seeing from this club, who’s head-above-shoulders the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
Coaches on the hot seat… Randy Carlyle and Ron Wilson
Neither would get the hook until later on this season, but both have to feeling the heat after a lackluster October. Carlyle’s Ducks have been a disappointment. I picked them to win the Pacific, which is looking bleak at this moment. They have too much talent to keep this going, right?? Wilson’s Leafs have been downright awful. Jonas Gustavsson has been alright, but the rest of Burke’s pickups haven’t paid off yet. Phil Kessel will be under a ton of pressure when he finally makes his debut. If these two coaches aren’t careful, they could be looking for a new gig this spring.
They aren’t who we thought they were… Colorado and Phoenix
The NHL’s two biggest surprises lie west of the Mississippi River. The Avalanche and Coyotes have come out of the gate like gangbusters. A lot of their success is credit to their goaltenders. Craig Anderson and Ilya Bryzgalov have been tremendous. Anderson was brought in this summer, and has turned into one of the biggest bargains in the league. Bryzgalov has been a wall between the pipes for Phoenix, turning into their best player. Both teams also had coaching changes, which have worked wonders. Can they keep up this success in November?? Stay tuned.
It’s nice to see you again… Dustin Penner
I had a feeling that Edmonton’s coaching change would turn Penner’s career around. His ongoing rift with Craig MacTavish obviously affected his play. Whatever Pat Quinn has done has worked well. Penner is thriving on the top line next to Ales Hemsky, leading the team in points (19). Suddenly, he’s worth the $4.5 million he’s making!
Montreal Canadiens… the makeover has and has not worked
Many had questions about Bob Gainey’s extreme makeover from this summer. Out goes Kovalev, Koivu, and Tanguay… in comes Cammalleri, Gomez, and Gionta. The Habs have had inconsistent success thus far. The three new Habs are each in the top five of the team’s point leaders. But if the team continues to sit around .500 and juggle Halak and Price in net, Montreal’s makeover may turn into a disappointment quickly.
These two have taken the next step… Anze Kopitar and Steven Stamkos
A pair of players who have taken off are Kopitar and Stamkos. Kopitar is a big reason why the Kings have gotten off to such a great start. He’s second only to Ovechkin in the NHL point race. Ryan Smyth has been a great addition and has made a difference next to Kopitar. Stamkos has turned into a scoring machine for the Lightning. He leads the team in goals (10) and tied in points (15). His skill and capability is finally showing. Last year’s #1 pick is emerging as a superstar in this league!
New end-of-season predictions…
Eastern Conference
1. Pittsburgh
2. Washington
3. Buffalo
4. Philadelphia
5. Boston
6. NY Rangers
7. New Jersey
8. Ottawa
Western Conference
1. San Jose
2. Calgary
3. Chicago
4. Detroit
5. Vancouver
6. Phoenix
7. Colorado
8. Los Angeles
Watch out for Nashville in November…
I know I’m a bit of a homer here, but watch out for the Predators this month… seriously. Nashville has won three in a row, picking up impressive victories over conference foes. Pekka Rinne has found his groove, looking like the goalie that led the Preds to a furious charge in last year’s second half. November is usually a kind month to this team.
They start off on the left coast this week with four big road games. If the Preds come through unscathed, they will finish the month with eight of nine at home. Jason Arnott and Martin Erat should be back in the lineup soon, and the youngsters are stepping up. This winning streak comes at a perfect time, and it could set up a very successful November in the Music City!
2. Alexander Ovechkin, WSH
3. Ilya Bryzgalov, PHX
It’s time to hit the panic button in… Raleigh
The Carolina Hurricanes are pathetic right now. They’ve lost eight in a row, the offense is nonexistent, and the back end is average at best. This team is in danger. Before they went on a tear to finish the 08/09 campaign, the ‘Canes were middling in the East and sitting on the bubble. It was an unbelievable run they made in the spring, but I’m beginning to think this is the real Hurricanes team. Pull out that panic button, ‘Caniacs.
Hangover? What hangover??
Dan Bylsma has done an excellent job getting his team focused on a new year, and not looking up to the rafters to look at their championship banner from last season. Everybody is playing their roles well, and Marc-Andre Fleury has been very solid in net. I like what I’m seeing from this club, who’s head-above-shoulders the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
Coaches on the hot seat… Randy Carlyle and Ron Wilson
Neither would get the hook until later on this season, but both have to feeling the heat after a lackluster October. Carlyle’s Ducks have been a disappointment. I picked them to win the Pacific, which is looking bleak at this moment. They have too much talent to keep this going, right?? Wilson’s Leafs have been downright awful. Jonas Gustavsson has been alright, but the rest of Burke’s pickups haven’t paid off yet. Phil Kessel will be under a ton of pressure when he finally makes his debut. If these two coaches aren’t careful, they could be looking for a new gig this spring.
They aren’t who we thought they were… Colorado and Phoenix
The NHL’s two biggest surprises lie west of the Mississippi River. The Avalanche and Coyotes have come out of the gate like gangbusters. A lot of their success is credit to their goaltenders. Craig Anderson and Ilya Bryzgalov have been tremendous. Anderson was brought in this summer, and has turned into one of the biggest bargains in the league. Bryzgalov has been a wall between the pipes for Phoenix, turning into their best player. Both teams also had coaching changes, which have worked wonders. Can they keep up this success in November?? Stay tuned.
It’s nice to see you again… Dustin Penner
I had a feeling that Edmonton’s coaching change would turn Penner’s career around. His ongoing rift with Craig MacTavish obviously affected his play. Whatever Pat Quinn has done has worked well. Penner is thriving on the top line next to Ales Hemsky, leading the team in points (19). Suddenly, he’s worth the $4.5 million he’s making!
Montreal Canadiens… the makeover has and has not worked
Many had questions about Bob Gainey’s extreme makeover from this summer. Out goes Kovalev, Koivu, and Tanguay… in comes Cammalleri, Gomez, and Gionta. The Habs have had inconsistent success thus far. The three new Habs are each in the top five of the team’s point leaders. But if the team continues to sit around .500 and juggle Halak and Price in net, Montreal’s makeover may turn into a disappointment quickly.
These two have taken the next step… Anze Kopitar and Steven Stamkos
A pair of players who have taken off are Kopitar and Stamkos. Kopitar is a big reason why the Kings have gotten off to such a great start. He’s second only to Ovechkin in the NHL point race. Ryan Smyth has been a great addition and has made a difference next to Kopitar. Stamkos has turned into a scoring machine for the Lightning. He leads the team in goals (10) and tied in points (15). His skill and capability is finally showing. Last year’s #1 pick is emerging as a superstar in this league!
New end-of-season predictions…
Eastern Conference
1. Pittsburgh
2. Washington
3. Buffalo
4. Philadelphia
5. Boston
6. NY Rangers
7. New Jersey
8. Ottawa
Western Conference
1. San Jose
2. Calgary
3. Chicago
4. Detroit
5. Vancouver
6. Phoenix
7. Colorado
8. Los Angeles
Watch out for Nashville in November…
I know I’m a bit of a homer here, but watch out for the Predators this month… seriously. Nashville has won three in a row, picking up impressive victories over conference foes. Pekka Rinne has found his groove, looking like the goalie that led the Preds to a furious charge in last year’s second half. November is usually a kind month to this team.
They start off on the left coast this week with four big road games. If the Preds come through unscathed, they will finish the month with eight of nine at home. Jason Arnott and Martin Erat should be back in the lineup soon, and the youngsters are stepping up. This winning streak comes at a perfect time, and it could set up a very successful November in the Music City!
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