Versteeg to the Leafs? Yes, please!

Here I am, preparing to sit and watch the 4 hour bore-fest known by TSN as "Free Agent Frenzy" tomorrow to see what our Toronto Maple Leafs do to improve, and out of left field comes this message - "Leafs Acquire Kris Versteeg". It took a second to sink before I reacted to the news...

Awesome. For weeks we have heard stories about how Brian Burke has been searching for a top six forward, a player that can step in a contribute right away. Names from Marc Savard and Nathan Horton to Brayden Schenn and Bobby Ryan have all been thrown about. Many of the rumours have been incredibly far fetched and illogical. Now, we have seen Burke and the Leafs HQ come through, bringing in a genuine top six forward who has already proven himself to be a good offensive performer.

I am excited to see that the Leafs have managed to bring in a player like Kris Versteeg. Versteeg is only 24 years old and exploded onto the scene in 08-09. Last season, the Blackhawks added some players and Versteeg was bumped to the third line, playing with John Madden, and he still was able to put up over 40 points and score 20 goals despite limited ice time. Versteeg is good in his own end, and has great offensive instincts. He may be a little small, but that hasn't limited him so far in his career.

The cost for Versteeg is what makes this deal amazing. To get him and prospect Bill Sweatt from Chicago, the Leafs gave up Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico, and prospect Philippe Paradis. Out of the three leaving Toronto, only one has played time in the NHL (Stalberg) and none looked to be more then third line players - something the Leafs have plenty of. This deal works for Chicago because they still needed to clear some cap space, and Stalberg should still be a good player for them on their third line.

The best part is that the Leafs were able to keep Tomas Kaberle. Since his no-trade clause was lifted, it has seemed like a certainty that Burke would peddle Kaberle. Many thought that the only way the Leafs could add a legitimate top six forward was if Kaberle was part of the deal. Now, the Leafs have added that top six forward and kept Kaberle. Burke can now move Kaberle to continue improving our group of forwards, or he could keep the smooth skating defenceman and longest serving Leaf and start working on a contract extension with him.

By adding Versteeg, the Leafs have improved offensively and now have more options going forward towards "Free Agent Frenzy". I have to tip my hat to Brian Burke and the Leafs for this pleasant surprise.

Free Agency Preview

The countdown to Christmas for hockey fans, July 1st at noon ET is only 24 hours away. Although this years free agent class is not as stellar as years past, we can still expect lot's of player movement and lot's of owners cash being spent. The rumors have been rampant for months now building up to this point. We will rank our top ten free agents of 2010 and their likely suitors.

#1 Ilya Kovalchuck New Jersey LW 27 years old

How much is a two-time 50 goal scorer and elite sniper worth? Kovalchuck is simply the best free agent available in 2010. He has never scored less than 29 goals in his eight year career, has breathtaking speed and a lethal slapshot. The one knock on Ilya is that he has never won a post season series. Actually, he has only won one playoff game in his career. Spending 7 1/2 years in Atlanta attributed to that mark, but still it is something that burns inside this guy. The question for a potential suitor becomes, Do we spend $8 million or so a year on one player? Only a few teams have the cap room to afford Kovalchuck, and there is always the possibility of big money being offered from the KHL.

Likely Destinations: St.Louis, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Colorado

#2 Evgeni Nabokov San Jose Goalie 34 years old

Sharks GM Doug Wilson has indicated that Nabakov will not be back with San Jose and reportedly has granted permission to the Philadelphia Flyers to speak with his agent. The bottom line with Nabby is that he was getting paid $5.4 million this season and most teams that are looking for goaltending do not have that much money available under the cap. He may be offered more money in the KHL

Likely Destinations: KHL, Philadelphia, Washington

#3 Sergei Gonchar Pittsburgh D 36 years old

Very key part of the Penguins defense, especially on the power play. Although Gonchar is getting up in age he is still one of the top offensive defensmen in the league. Gonchar was severely missed from the Pittsburgh lineup when injured for 20 games this season. He also missed 57 games last season and while he was out the Penguins were in danger of not making the playoffs. The question with Sergei will be length of contract to a player that is 36. He is seeking at least two years and that may be a risk for some teams.

Likely Destinations: Pittsburgh, Buffalo

#4 Anton Volchenkov Ottawa D 28 years old

To succeed in the NHL playoffs today, teams must have stay at home shutdown defensmen. Anton Volchenkov fits that bill. At 6-1 226 lbs. this bruising defensemen is someone who becomes invaluable during big games. Think how difficult teams found it to play against a Hal Gill or Chris Pronger type of player. Volchenkov only produced 14 points last season for the Senators, but he will be paid for his defense not offense.

Likely Destinations: Washington, Pittsburgh, NY Islanders, NY Rangers

#5 Ray Whitney Carolina LW 38 years old

One of the more underrated players in the league today. If you're looking for a solid veteran to chip in 25 goals, probably score around 65 points, and play a second line role, this is your guy. Yes, he is 38, however he played 80 games for Carolina and was their third leading scorer. Whitney will not cost as much as Kovalchuck and could put a team that is close to winning the cup over the top. He has indicated in the past about wanting to play in Pittsburgh.

Likely Destinations: Pittsburgh, Toronto, Los Angeles

#6 Dan Hamhuis D Nashville 27 years old

His rights have already been traded twice, first to Philadelphia, and most recently to Pittsburgh. It appears that he will head into July 1st as a free agent as talks with Pittsburgh have reportedly stalled. It sounds like Hamhuis is looking for a deal in the $5 million per year range which may be a bit pricey for a guy with limited offense. Hamuis is a solid player that can log twenty plus minutes of ice time and be effective in his own end. Just not worth huge bucks in our opinion.

Likely Destinations: Vancouver, Pittsburgh, St.Louis

#7 Chris Mason G St. Louis 34 years old

Chris Mason is a true starting goaltender in this league in our opinion. The Blues traded for Jaroslav Halak last week as he will now assume duties as the St.Louis netminder. Mason played 60 games last season and had a record of 30-22-8 2.53 GAA .913 SV%. He made $3 million last season and will probably get an offer similar to that. With Nabakov and Marty Turco commanding considerably more, Mason is a good option for a better price.

Likely Destinations: Atlanta, San Jose, Washington

#8 Alexander Frolov LW Los Angeles 28 years old

Frolov scored the fewest number of goals this year besides his rookie season. He was even a healthy scratch at one point by the Kings this season. When Frolov is on his game, which is not every night, he is one of the strongest players in the league at controlling the puck. He should be good for 25-30 goals and has scored big goals in the past for the Kings. Frolov is probably a second line player on a good team. Fortunately for him, this years free agent class is lacking on goal scorers so he is one of the best available.

Likely Destinations: Montreal, KHL, NY Rangers

#9 Marty Turco Dallas G 34 years old

We contemplated not even putting him on this last after watching him play so poorly last season. Granted the Dallas Stars play more of an open system under Marc Crawford where playing defense is optional. He may find his game in another uniform, but again the price will be hefty for a 34 year old goaltender that may not be a difference maker at this stage in his career.

Likely Destinations: San Jose, Philadelphia, Washington

#10 Zbynek Michalek Phoenix D 27 years old

Another defensemen who is not known for offense, but will block a ton of shots and will rarely be caught out of position. He is not overly physical as Volchenkov but does what it takes in his own end. Michalek missed ten games this season which led to his drop off in points, but when he plays a full 82 games he is capable of producing close to 30 points. Will not cost as much as Volchenkov or Hamhuis and his stock appears to be on the rise.

Likely Destinations: NY Islanders, NY Rangers, Philadelphia, Ottawa

Draft Day Eve Notes

Lot's of news going on around the league and we touch on topics such as these;

Byfuglien traded to Atlanta:

Does it bother anyone that only two weeks after winning the Stanley Cup three key players from that championship team have been traded already? Shouldn't fans have at least a month to enjoy their team winning the Stanley Cup? Another reason why I would love it if the playoffs ended by June 1, and trades began on draft day. Just my two cents.

As for the deal, I feel that both teams will benefit from this trade. Obviously, Chicago had to move some players off their roster for cap reasons. Brent Sopel and Ben Eager are good players, but can be replaced. Dustin Byfuglien is another story as he was the main reason why the Hawks beat Vancouver and he was tremendous against San Jose as well. Chicago may not miss him in the regular season, but by the first puck drop of the postseason the Hawks will miss him immensely.

The question for Atlanta becomes, how motivated will Dustin Byfuglien be playing in a non hockey city in front of 10,000 fans as opposed to the 20,000 plus in hockey-crazed Chicago? To acquire Byfuglien, Eager, Sopel, and prospect Akim Aliu, the Thrashers gave up Marty Reasoner, Joey Crabb, a first and second round pick in tomorrows draft, and an interesting prospect in Jeremy Morin. I give Atlanta credit for trying to improve the club and with youngsters, Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian, the Thrashers are closer to a playoff spot. They did however give up on Morin, who was ranked in the top 50 best prospects by the Hockey News, in addition to valuable draft picks.

Revolving Goaltenders:

Perhaps this position will have the most intrigue heading into July 1st. They're plenty of serviceable goaltenders available, but perhaps not enough job openings. What we know is that Evgeni Nabokov will not be back in San Jose which makes the former Vezina winner the best available, but at a hefty price tag. It also appears that the Sharks will look for a veteran to compete with Thomas Greiss and Alex Stalock. Former veteran starting goalies, Marty Turco, Steve Mason, Jose Theodore, Dan Ellis, Michael Leighton, and Antero Niittymaki are all available this summer.

Looking at the other clubs that are in the market for goaltending, the Washington Capitals head the list. Washington has $15 million or so in cap room according to Capgeek.com. However, Washington has a big need on defense to address, and must sign their own restricted free agents. Only eight Capital forwards are under contract.

Philadelphia always seems to be looking for a goaltender, but has salary cap restrictions to deal with. Rumors out of Philadelphia had a potential deal with Michael Leighton in the works. Atlanta is also in the market for a netminder to rotate with the promising Ondrej Pavelec. Throw in Tampa Bay, which may look to upgrade from Mike Smith into that mix as well. That's still only five teams looking for starting goaltenders. In addition to the free agent class, there are options available via trade, such as another former Vezina winner, Tim Thomas.

Finally, the NHL salary cap was increased to $59.4 million for the 2010-2011 season. I'm thrilled the league is doing well, but can't help but ask the question if ticket prices are going down? Didn't think so.

The Most Important Three Weeks in Islanders History?

It may be an overstatement, but HockeySureShot believes that this offseason is the most important this franchise has ever seen. As we know, one of us is a season ticket holder for Islanders home games. That same person is writing this blog with the hopes that Garth Snow and Charles Wang realize the same thing.

The Islanders were the last Professional sports team of the four major sports to win four championships in a row, including 19 straight playoff series. Since then, almost nothing has gone right for this once proud organization. The Islanders are basically irrelevant on the sports map as drafting John Tavares last season was probably the most positive news they made in years, and that decision was a slam dunk. As the draft is less than 24 hours away and with free agent signing period beginning on July 1st, let's take a look at where the Isles have been and where they must go to keep the promise to their fans and help solidify their existence which currently is in question to some degree.

Hockey fans everywhere know about the history the Islanders have. Islanders fans know the history since. Frankly, we're tired of it. For those of you that don't know, the Islanders have not won a playoff series since 1993 and since have made the playoffs just 5 times going 6-20 in those 5 series. In the mid 90's Mike Milbury was hired to take over as GM. During his time as GM, the Islanders saw ownership changes, including one that faked his way into the owner's box and eventually went to jail. See John Spano. The Islanders payroll was consistently around 15 million dollars and from the shortened 95 season through 2001 season, the Islanders missed the playoffs 7 straight times. The Islanders didn't come close to making the playoffs in those 7 seasons, reaching 70 points only twice.

A renewed hope was given to the franchise before the 2000-2001 season when Charles Wang and Sanjay Kumar purchased the Islanders. During that offseason, Charles Wang gave Mike Milbury the financial backing that every GM needs to be successful. Mike Milbury made a slew of trades and made many free agent signings. The Islanders had a 44 point improvement and made the playoffs in 2002 and forced a 7th game before losing to Toronto. Looking back, the Islanders probably made some poor decisions that affected the team negatively in the long term that offseason, like trading away Zdeno Chara and not drafting Jason Spezza, and that 10 year Yashin contract but it did bring hope to the fanbase and an exciting season.

Since then the Islanders have made the playoffs 3 times. All 3 times losing in 5 games. The Islanders have now missed the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 seasons and on top of that, the fans are in danger of losing their team. When push comes to shove, I believe the Islanders will stay however the franchise and owner Charles Wang have been blocked by the Town of Hempstead to develop land around the existing Nassau Coliseum and have the hockey arena upgraded. Wang's Lighthouse Project seems to have hit a dead end and fans worry that after the 2015 lease is up, the Islanders will pack their bags. If no other site locally is found, the buses could head anywhere.

Why is this offseason so important? After a surprising and heroic playoff birth led by then coach Ted Nolan in the 2006-2007 season, the Islanders stayed committed to building through free agency mainly, and built a team led by veterans. The 2008 Islanders stayed competitive through the trade deadline but quickly fell out of the race. At the end of that season, Islanders management questioned and polled fans asking if they would sit through a rebuild which would be a slow process designed to give the organization staying power. The answer was yes, and the Islanders acquired draft picks by moving down twice in the 2008 draft and selecting Josh Bailey. At the time it wasn't a popular move, but the Islanders came away with 13 picks in the seven rounds which replenished a farm system that was dry. The Islanders then finished last overall in the 2008-2009 season, a result that many expected. The good news was, the Islanders selected first overall in the 2009 entry draft and were given the privilege of selecting John Tavares #1 overall. Garth Snow got creative and moved up 14 spots after acquiring a second first round pick from Ottawa via trade to the #12 spot and drafted defensemen Calvin De Haan. Also acquired in the 2nd round was goaltending prospect Mikko Koskinen. A towering man at 6 foot 7 inches tall, many consider him the steal of the draft. A few weeks later the Islanders signed Matt Moulson via free agency who finished the season with 30 goals, a huge surprise as Moulson was hoping to just crack the lineup with the big club. Rob Schremp was then claimed on waivers. The former first round pick with Edmonton fell out of favor and the Islanders gave him a chance. Schremp showed his playmaking skills and quickly became a fan favorite. The Islanders improved during the past season, finishing with 79 points and at times played some of the best hockey their fans have seen in years. A step in the right direction yes, but still much work to be done.

So here we are. The wee hours of the morning on draft day 2010. The Islanders hold the 5th spot in the draft and hold 10 picks over the 7 rounds. Another important day for GM Garth Snow and Assistant GM Ryan Jankowski. I will not speculate on the draft. Besides last season, the Islanders just about never do what you expect them to do historically so lets wait until the chips fold. However there is much work to be done after draft day. Currently the Islanders have just 8 forwards signed for next season. They also have decisions to make on their current Restricted Free Agents. Matt Moulson and Rob Schremp will almost definitely be signed. However the Islanders have decisions to make regarding Sean Bergenheim and Jeff Tambellini. Bergenheim had a career high in goals in 2008-2009 with 15 but has never seemed to fully realize his potential with the Islanders. The man plays with heart and another year is not out of the question. As for Tambellini, he seemed to fall out of favor with coach Scott Gordon. Tambellini has shown the ability to score at every level except the NHL. He did show some flashes this season but lack of physical play and some poor decisions on the ice kept him a healthy scratch most of the season. The Islanders biggest problem lies with their defense. They have several defensive prospects and may draft another one tonight. Calvin De Haan, Travis Hamonic, Mark Katic seem on their way to making the big club in the next few seasons, if not this one. Andy MacDonald and Jack Hillen proved they can play at the NHL level and will only get better. The Islanders will need to sign at least one defensemen and probably two with NHL experience to help Mark Streit lead the blueline. The Islanders will also need to acquire a veteran goal scorer. Alex Frolov could be that man, he has proven to be a 2nd tier goal scorer the Islanders could use and add to their depth of solid young forwards. The Isles are currently about 12 million under the cap floor according to NHL numbers which gives them plenty of room to make these small moves. Rick DiPietro and goaltending is another issue that will be written about shortly.

Why is this so important? On the last day of the season, the Isles play a spirited game at home against Pittsburgh. A game that saw John Tavares lead a 3 goal comeback in the 3rd period in front of a sell out crowd. After the game, both owner Charles Wang and GM Garth Snow told fans in a Newsday Article that next year the goal is to make the playoffs. Whether the Islanders make the playoffs or not, their management must prove to the fans they are trying. Islander fans won't sit through another losing season in the stands at Nassau Coliseum and rumors are that they have already lost season ticket holders. If the Islanders fail to be competitive this season and lose more fans at the gate, the chances of the team moving become more and more realistic. The Islanders don't have to abandon their plan of building through the draft to accomplish this. A few shrewd signings during free agency and the Islanders can be in it come playoff time.

My fellow Islanders fans want to be waving towels next April for a few home playoff games, and if we don't, it has to be because the Isles just weren't ready, not because Charles Wang refused to open his checkbook and Garth Snow fed us lines that their current group is playoff ready. It's now time for the Islanders to keep their promise to the fans they made after the end of the season, and try.

NHL Draft Preview

Let's start off by saying that we at HockeySureShot mainly focus on watching the NHL and do not pay as much attention to junior hockey as perhaps we should. That being said, the NHL draft is one of our favorite nights on the NHL calender. We did a bit of research by watching video clips on the top prospects and read the scouting reports from TSN and the Hockey News. Some experts have said this is a deep draft, others have said that it thins out after the top eight or so. Regardless,we can expect a lot of wheeling and dealing on the draft floor at Staples Center on Friday night. Here are the top ten draft picks as we see it:

#1 Edmonton Oilers: Taylor Hall LW 6-1 185 lbs.
Ranked #1 by the Hockey News and by draft guru Bob McKenzie. Saw him play at the World Junior Championship for Canada and this player caught my attention early. Brilliant skater, drives hard to the net, and scores goals. Should be a premier forward for the Oilers for years to come.

#2 Boston Bruins: Tyler Seguin C 6-1 186 lbs.
By all accounts Hall and Seguin stand out from all the rest. As of Tuesday night, Edmonton still did not confirm who they would take, which leaves Boston to grab who's left. Seguin is more of a playmaker than Hall and makes his teammates around him better. Although Hall has achieved more success on the junior level, some scouts fell that Seguin may be the better pro. We love what Boston did today by acquiring forward Nathan Horton, and now it appears they will add another dynamic forward to their roster.

#3 Florida Panthers: Eric Gudbranson D 6-4 200 lbs.
It's very hard to pass up on a 6-4 shutdown defensemen with a mean streak, and a blistering slapshot such as the case with Gudbranson. However, the Panthers with new GM Dale Tallon, expect to be active on the trade front, and have already traded Nathan Horton for Dennis Wideman and the 15th overall pick in this years draft. If they hold on to the pick, Gudbranson seems to be a wise choice.

#4 Columbus Blue Jackets: Brandon Gromley D 6-2 187 lbs.
Gromley is probably more offensively gifted than Gudbranson, but not nearly as physical. Very solid prospect who can do anything that is asked of him. Columbus has needed an offensive defensemen forever it seems and this would be a wise pick for the rebuilding Jackets.

#5 New York Islanders: Cam Fowler D 6-2 190 lbs.
The American born defensemen was tremendous in the US gold medal win over Canada at the World Juniors. When watching that game you clearly noticed Fowler's presence on the blueline. Very smart player with an outstanding upside especially on the offensive end. New York drafted John Tavares last year that added to a solid nucleus on offense with Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey, and Blake Comeau. Now it is time to add a legit prospect on defense.

#6 Tampa Bay Lightning: Brett Connolly RW 6-2 182 lbs.
Two years ago Tampa drafted stud forward Steve Stamkos, last year it was stud defenseman Viktor Hedman. Does new GM Steve Yzerman go for a goalie such as Jack Campbell? I say he goes for the very skilled, but oft injured Connolly. The only concern for this elite scorer is the hip injury suffered last season that caused him to only play in 16 regular season games. As most scouts will tell you, they're trying to project how these players will be in 3 or 4 years from now. This is a talent that is too good to pass up in my opinion.

#7 Carolina Hurricanes: Nino Niederreiter LW 6-2 205 lbs.
Big Swiss forward who had a eye catching performance at the World Junior Championships. Scored 60 points in 65 games in the WHL. Scouts view him as an imposing power forward with a great attitude.

#8 Atlanta Thrashers: Jack Campbell G 6-2 185
Gold medal winning goaltender for the US Team at the WJC. He has drawn comparisons to Carey Price. For a team like Atlanta which has building blocks such as Evander Kane and Zach Bogosian, it would make sense to draft a goaltender.

#9 Minnesota Wild: Ryan Johansen C 6-3 195 lbs.
Johansen had a huge year in the WHL and his value is skyrocketing. One scout actually compared him to Joe Thornton or Eric Staal. This big physical center plays a solid game on both ends of the ice and will only get better when he matures. Will probably be a few years away from the NHL, but is an intriguing prospect with tremendous upside.

#10 New York Rangers: Vladimir Tarasenko RW 5-11 202 lbs.
What team is willing to take a gamble on a Russian forward who is considered to be the most skilled player in the draft as well as the biggest wildcard in the draft? Glen Sather could either be a genius with this pick, or be vilified even more. Supposedly, Tarasenko is built like a tank and is the most physically imposing prospect in this years draft. If he were born in North America he may be considered first overall. However nobody is sure if he wants to play in the NHL or play for more money in Russia's KHL. It's a risk that the offensively inept Rangers may be willing to take.

Post Season Grading...

Anaheim Ducks F The Ducks missed the playoffs for the first time since the lockout. Expectations are always high in Anaheim after they won the Stanley Cup. The Ducks did have several key players that suffered injuries during the season and if you are a Ducks fan I wouldn't worry too much. The key pieces are in place but the tough Pacific Division and Western Conference are your biggest enemy.

Atlanta Thrashers C- The Thrashers once again failed to make the playoffs however showed some promise at the end of the season, coming together after the trade of Kovalchuk and playing some very meaningful games down the stretch. GM Don Waddell traded the face of the franchise and although he was under scrutiny for the move, it looks like the return of solid defensemen Johnny Oduya and rookie Niklas Bergfors will pay off for the Thrashers as Kovalchuk might make a run home for big money in the KHL. The Thrashers, despite their glum history are a team on the rise. A solid draft and a couple of free agent signings this summer could see the Thrashers make the playoffs in 2011.

Boston Bruins B The Bruins and their fans will probably spend the summer lamenting on what could have been. A game away from the Eastern Conference Finals, the Bruins found a way to lose 4 straight to the Flyers including a blown 3-0 lead in game 7. The Bruins however found a way to beat the Sabres in the first round of the playoffs and be two periods away from a trip to the Eastern Finals. The Bruins must find a goal scorer this offseason as they were last in the NHL in goals this past season.


Buffalo Sabres B- The Sabres exceeded expectations by winnings the Northeast Division and having the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. They fell short of overall expectations by getting bounced out in the first round. The Sabres are a very deep team forward wise but lack a superstar that can score at anytime. Tomas Vanek has lost some of his scoring touch and too much pressure is put on the defense and in our opinion over rated Ryan Miller. The Sabres could be a team that looks for an explosive offensively player this offseason.



Calgary Flames F The Flames were a team that many had in the elite of the Western Conference. Now ironically enough, their 40 wins and 90 point season put them ahead of the Eastern Conference Champion Philadelphia Flyers, however the Flames seemed to have locker room turmoil all season and it led to the trading of star defensemen Dion Phaneuf. The Flames have changed coaches several times this decade and expect more changes in Calgary as a missed playoff season doesn't sit well with fans and management. We also question Mikko Kipprusoff. He seemed to quit on his team in the Olympics and refuses to ever take a game off without making a stink. Should be an interesting story that develops in Calgary.



Carolina Hurricanes Incompelte Carolina got off to a brutal start this season and then got ravaged with injuries. When the team got healthy, so did their winning ways. They went 25-14-3 in the calendar year 2010 and played up to their capabilities. Hurricane fans should throw this season out the window and be excited for next year.


Chicago Blackhawks A+ Congratulations to this storied franchise. One of the leagues original six, the Blackhawks fell on hard times for many years and stayed committed to rebuilding. Their vision became a reality this season as they hoisted the Stanley Cup for the first time in 49 years. The current Hawks might look a bit different next year as some of their players will become salary cap casualties.





Colorado Avalanche B- The Avalanche posted a 29 point improvement from the 08-09 season and that was good enough to find the 8th playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Avs took San Jose to six hard fought games in the first round of the playoffs. Matt Duchene had a solid rookie season and the young talent on the Avs will have them back to being playoff regulars.





Columbus Blue Jackets F The Blue Jackets were unable to feed off the momentum of making the playoffs for the first time the previous season. The Blue Jackets have yet to win a playoff game and fans of the young franchise are becoming restless. Coach Ken Hitchcock defense first attitude was lost among the young players this season and the direction of this team has been questioned again. Lots of work to do to fix this team.




Dallas Stars D The Stars looked their age this season as many as their star players were aging. Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen weren't the same as in years past and Marty Turco might have played his final game in a Stars sweater as he had a brutal year. The Stars have decisions to make as to rebuild or give it a go with free agents and compete for the playoffs.




Detroit Red Wings B+ The Red Wings once again found a way to have a very successful season. The Wings started out slow and even fell below the playoff line at the Olympic Break but turned it on to fly into the playoffs and beat the Cinderella story Phoenix Coyotes in the first round. The Red Wings know how to win and we fully expect them to be a top team in the West again next season.



Edmonton Oilers F The Oilers finished last in the NHL by a whopping 12 points this past season. The Oilers were out of it from the beginning and in our opinion have too many guys that are exactly the same player. The Oilers have a lot of rebuilding to do and we question if the right management is in place.





Florida Panthers D- The Panthers missed the playoffs for the 10th time in the last 11 seasons. Florida always seems to be in the same spot every season, either 3rd or 4th in the Southeast division but never really seems to get better. The Panthers have trouble keeping their talented young players and until they are able to do that, the Panthers will remain irrelevant.


Los Angeles Kings B The Kings met expectations by making the playoffs and gave the Canucks all they could handle for most of that series. Vancouver was probably the toughest matchup for Los Angeles and the eventually fell in 6 games. The Kings are miles under the salary cap and are loaded with young talent and even more prospects waiting in the wings. The Kings will try to increase team speed and add one dynamic scorer to the solid core of wingers. Look for Los Angeles to continue to get better.


Minnesota Wild D- This was the 3rd straight season where the Wild had fewer points then the previous season. The Wild lack any superstar talent and have plugged holes with players outside the organization rather then up through their minor leagues. The Wild have a way to go in the tough Western Conference before they find their winning ways.



Montreal Canadiens A The Canadiens get an A for a couple of reasons. The first is that Montreal had 12 different players in their opening night lineup from the previous season and the second and bigger reason is there playoff run. The take-down of Washington and the defending Cup Champs in back to back rounds was very impressive. The Canadiens today traded playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to St. Louis and we doubt highly that Montreal is for real. Look for a down year in 2011.


Nashville Predators B The Predators had 100 points and qualified for the playoffs for the 5th time in the last 6 years. The Predators just run into better teams every post-season and haven't found a way to bring in that top free agent or haven't finished poor enough to draft a future star. Barry Trotz in our opinion is the most under-rated coach in the sport as he has the Predators going toe to toe with every top team in the league barely falling short. The Predators should remain a playoff team and hopefully can find themselves a star sniper that could get to the 2nd round for the first time in their history.

New Jersey Devils C+ It's tough to give a team just a C+ grade that finished with over 100 points. However the majority of the Devils quit on their now retired coach and got bullied in a quick ousting at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Kovalchuk trade now looks like an absolute bust and the Devils start the offseason looking for someone to compliment Zach Parise. Every year we say the Devils are do for a down year and every year they get 100 points. So until they miss the playoffs, the Devils have to be considered a top Eastern team.

New York Islanders C It's amazing how the team that won the Atlantic Division gets a C+ and the team that finished last gets a C. However, the Islanders rebuild continued taking positive steps as just about all their young players got better and the team played some of the best hockey the fans have seen in years. John Tavares finished with 24 goals and the final 13 games showed why he could be the 40 goal scorer the team has need for years to come. The Islanders now have some solid prospects coming along the way, including 2 goalie prospects. If the Islanders can work out the Rick Dipietro situation or he somehow gets healthy and regains his form, the Isles can be a dangerous team the next couple of seasons.

New York Rangers C- For a team that has won just two playoff series since 1998, their fanbase has extremely high expectations going into each season. However on paper, the Rangers are a borderline playoff team and that is exactly what we saw this season. The Rangers got their money's worth from Marion Gaborik and goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist stood on his head most of the season as a weak and overpaid defense didn't do the job. The one highlight on the blueline is Marc Staal. The young d-man did his share and got better as the season went along. I still see the Rangers attempting to buy their way out of their hole. Until they draft better and bring young players along slowly, the Rangers will struggle to be an elite team.

Ottawa Senators C+ The Senators are trying to regain their spot as an elite Eastern Conference team and took a step closer to that this season. Ottawa had 94 points and finished the season flying into the playoffs only to lose to the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Ottawa will need to sure up their defense and maybe find a better goalie to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Philadelphia Flyers A The Flyers underachieved all regular season while battling throughinjuries and coaching changes. The Flyers got into the playoffs on a shootout in the last regular season game of the season against the rival New York Rangers. They then took out the Atlantic Division winning New Jersey Devils in relatively easy fashion, and for an encore became the third team in NHL history to come back from a 3 games to 0 deficit including a 3-0 deficit in game 7. The heavy underdog Flyers gave the Blackhawks all they could handle in 6 hard fought games in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers are a team built for the playoffs and Peter Laviollete might be the next all time great coach. His resume speaks for itself.

Phoenix Coyotes A- The Coyotes were this years true Cinderella story. A team playing to less than 5,000 a night in the early season that was doomed to move found a way to stick together and create one of the best and heartwarming regular season runs in NHL history. 50 wins were by far the most in Coyotes history and they took the Red Wings to a hard fought 7 game series. The Coyotes are young and have a nice mix of veterans to be a solid team for the next few years.



Pittsburgh Penguins B The Penguins once again had a solid season winning a playoff round after going the distance the previous two seasons including a Championship in 2009. After all the hockey the Penguins have played, it would have been a lot to ask of them to return to the Cup Finals. The Penguins lost some depth due to salary cap restrictions and will have to find another winger and another defensemen if they want to win again.




San Jose Sharks B The Sharks finally got out of their own way in the playoffs with two good series wins against Colorado and Detroit. The Sharks however were outclassed and outworked by the Cup winning Hawks in the Western Finals. The Sharks will make some changes this offseason as they only have 12 players under contract for next season. Will the Sharks continue with this core of players or has enough chances been given to this underachieving team?


St. Louis Blues C+ The Blues got off to a poor start but found themselves playing well down the stretch to finish the season with 90 points. The young Blues took another step forward today acquiring goaltender Jaroslav Halak from Montreal. St. Louis will be on our list to make the playoffs next season.



Tampa Bay Lightning C Tampa Bay found a way to take a positive step this season through the turmoil of ownership changes. Steven Stamkos is as dynamic as any scorer in the league and the Lightning have many offensive weapons. Tampa needs to overhaul their defense and find a true #1 goalie before they take the ultimate step back to the Stanley Cup.


Toronto Maple Leafs D+ Brian Burke made some bold statements and bold moves acquiring Dion Phaneuf and J.S. Giguere via trade. The Leafs will not be able to take advantage of a high draft pick because they traded it to Boston for Phil Kessel. Still, Brian Burke will have all the resources available and will be bold enough to do anything he has to to make the Leafs rebuilding process a lot quicker than most teams would have to go through. The Leafs will continue to get better but we question if they will ruin their organizational depth by trading away picks and prospects along the way.

Vancouver Canucks B Vancouver did everything they could for their fans to be satisfied although they probably aren't. The Canucks were 3rd in the West and in reality probably 3rd best on paper. They beat the 6 seeded Kings in the first round after have a 103 point season which included a 14 game road trip because of the Olympics. The Canucks were then knocked out by eventual Cup winners Chicago. The good news is that Chicago and San Jose both have lots of questions with salary cap and players unsigned this offseason while Vancouver has their core intact. The Canucks could find themselves being the team to beat in the West next season.

Washington Capitals B- How can a 121 point season be disappointing? When you get knocked out in the first round by losing 3 straight (including 2 at home) to the 8th seeded Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals dominated at home going 30-5-6 and scored 85 more goals then they gave up. The Capitals still need to toughen up as their 17th ranked defense was exposed during the playoffs. The Capitals might want to look at a free agent goaltender to work with Semyon Varlamov as it would surprise us to see Jose Theodore back with the team.