With these rankings, I'm going to post my rankings counting down from 30 to 1 with a little blurb about how I think each team is doing. This week, I'll explore each team's trade options before the olympic break.
30)Edmonton Oilers (18-31-6): Things are tough in Edmonton these days, and Sheldon Souray's days as an Oiler are numbered. Since winning back to back games, they've lost three straight and only scored three goals. Ouch.
29)New York Islanders (23-27-8): Losers of seven straight, the magic of John Tavares' rookie season is quickly coming to an end. 0 for 17 on the powerplay during that span as well. Gotta wonder what the tone is from management come trade deadline.
28)St. Louis Blues (25-25-9): Gotta think St. Louis is gonna pack it and trade what talent they can for future prospects come the deadline. Keith Tkachuk, as much as it pains me to say this, will likely be dealt. A monumental collapse in Denver against the Avalanche on Monday really seals these guys in as sellers.
27)Carolina Hurricanes (21-30-7): Cam Ward is hurt again. I see this team dealing Ray Whitney before the Olympic Break, possibly to the Pittsburgh Penguins, themselves desperate for a winger. Good sign for the future with Eric Staal as captain, 6-2 in their last 8.
26)Toronto Maple Leafs (19-30-11): Good trades for this team as Brian Burke is beginning to assemble a core for this young team moving forward. And that core seems to be based on physicality. For this season though, maybe Burke has another big deal up his sleeve come deadline.
25)Columbus Blue Jackets (24-27-9): This is a team that has tried with all its might to find an identity. Steve Mason for some reason, has struggled, as has Rick Nash. And it seemed that this team was going to contend for the Central division crown this year at the outset. I don't see this team doing much at the deadline other than moving salary around.
24)Florida Panthers (24-25-9): They've lost three in a row, and the playoffs are getting further and further out of their reach every day. As of right now, they stand two games back, very much in it. They must be praying Vokoun doesn't get overworked in Vancouver while playing for his native Czech Republic. This team could make a big splash at the deadline, as they have the caliber of prospects and veterans necessary for a blockbuster deal.
23)Atlanta Thrashers (25-24-8): No Kovalchuk, no playoffs. Unless this team goes out on the deadline and gets a legitamite first line scorer, they're not going anywhere. And Don Waddell does not want to start trading away all the prospects he's put together the past few years. I still think he didn't get a fair return on Kovalchuk. Don't expect them to risk a prospect for a rental.
22)New York Rangers (26-26-7): This team is still struggling, but they're beginning to pick it up since acquiring Olli Jokinen. I think they'll be satisfied with him, and won't be aggressive on deadline day. He may lead them to the playoffs.
21)Minnesota Wild (29-25-4): Another team that is beginning to find a bit of a rhythm after a slow start. If they make the right moves at the deadline (another gritty winger a la Clutterbuck and maybe another solid defender), they'll move back in the race for the Northwest division, providing Nicklas Backstrom can provide the goaltending necessary to do so.
20)Boston Bruins (24-22-11): Boy, that 10 game losing streak hurt. Took them right out of a tight race for the Northeast, now looking like a sprint between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators. Don't necessarily need to make a move to make the playoffs, but if they don't do something to change the pace of their season, they'll be on the outside looking in come mid April.
19)Detroit Red Wings (27-21-10): Losers of their last 2, the Red Wings are still struggling to find goals. Injuries have devastated this team, but in addition this team has started to age. Some players on the roster simply can't be effective professionals anymore, and their record is starting to reflect that. Barring a huge deal, there's a bigger chance than not that Detroit misses the playoffs.
18)Anaheim Ducks (28-24-7): This is a team that has allowed 181 goals this season, and before this season had a reputation of being particularly stout. The dominance they showed in the playoffs last season is gone, and they're lucky Ryan Getzlaf isn't hurt worse than he is, and will only remain day-to-day. Definitely need to upgrade their roster to keep playing once the playoffs start.
17)Dallas Stars (26-21-11): They remain competitive in the Western conference despite not having Mike Ribeiro in the lineup. Need players like James Neal to step up and lead this team to the playoffs. Maybe need to get more physical on the blue line at the deadline to secure an eight seed at best.
16)Nashville Predators (31-22-4): 3-6-1 in their last 10, they are quickly falling out of a playoff spot. Their defense is stout, and this mid season slump of the Predators should fade after the Olympic break. Have to go 4 of 6 on the road before that though. If they don't pick it up, yikes.
15)Tampa Bay Lightning (25-21-11): Sticking around in the eighth and final spot in the East, the young guns of this team appear to be bringing about some change. They've won 7 of 10, and are certainly carrying momentum with them into the Olympic Break.
14)Montreal Canadiens (28-26-6): With Bob Gainey now gone as GM of the team, this is a team looking for answers. A losing record at the Belle Centre certainly does not bode well for some of these players when the deadline comes around.
13)Philadelphia Flyers (29-25-3): Just above .500, the Flyers continue to hang around despite poor goaltending. They have got to start winning some games on the road if they want to make the playoffs, or even avoid a first-round date with a team like Washington.
12)Calgary Flames (29-21-9): Beginning to turn things around in the post-Phaneuf era in calgary, they are still only 3-4-3 over their last 10, and hopes of catching Colorado and Vancouver are fading rapidly for this team. More changes await this team, maybe even another big transition and another superstar in Calgary if they continue to lose ground.
11)Ottawa Senators (33-22-4): An awfully impressive 11 game win streak recently cut short, the Senators are right back in the middle of the race for the Northeast. Need Pascal Leclaire to find a healthy place for his game, because if he goes down again, they're done.
10)Buffalo Sabres (32-18-7): Losers of 8 of their last 10, Ryan Miller might be looking ahead to the Olympics in Vancouver. That or what little support he was getting from his defense is crumbling. Trending down, while Ottawa seems to be trending up. Could see a trade to try to reverse fortunes, maybe they could pursue a Scott Hannan out of Colorado for the right price.
9)Pittsburgh Penguins (35-22-2): They're beginning to get healthy again, and it is obvious this team is not necessarily interested in pushing with everything they've got just to win the Atlantic. Probably going to finish a deal for Ray Whitney any day now, and pairing him with Sidney Crosby would be dominant. Threw away that game on Sunday in Washington.
8)Los Angeles Kings (36-20-3): This team is looking better and better every week. They could easily finish with the fourth seed in the Western Conference and home ice advantage. Johnathan Quick leads the league in wins (34).
7)Phoenix Coyotes (36-19-5): Dave Tippet is an absolute magician with this roster thus far this season. Can tell they love playing in Phoenix still, with a 22-8-2 record at home this year. Bryzgalov will only gain confidence with his upcoming trip to the olympics. Don't need to trade for anything, but might pick up a veteran or two anyway to try to cement their spot in the top 8.
6)Vancouver Canucks (35-20-2): Another team that is looking better and better each week. Henrik Sedin has been outstanding, and certainly must be considered an MVP candidate (though at this juncture Ryan Miller of Buffalo must be considered the favorite). Don't need anything at the deadline, may try to get more physical though to challenge the Avalanche to do the same.
5)New Jersey Devils (36-20-2): Only won 3 of their last 10, they are hoping that Kovalchuk can seal a division for them. With him on their team, they really don't need to trade for anything else at the deadline.
4)Colorado Avalanche (33-19-6): The depth of young talent on this roster is simply mind boggling. Some credit must be given to ex-GM Francois Giguere for drafting the likes of Chris Stewart, who had the Gordie Howe Hat Trick on Monday against the Blues. Matt Duchene should win the Calder. If anything, the Avs would like to get one or two more hard working veterans to cement the squad. Craig Anderson is an MVP candidate.
3)Chicago Blackhawks (38-15-5): Though they've only been .500 over their last 10 games, they still have scored the fourth most goals this season (trailing only Pittsburgh, San Jose and Washington), while allowing the second least amount of goals (behind only New Jersey). Don't need a thing at the deadline, although to win a Cup it is this writer's opinion that they need a better goalie.
2)San Jose Sharks (39-11-9): Cruising right along for the Sharks, 8-1-1 over their last 10. Looking good going into the playoffs, I think the Sharks roster is more or less set for the rest of the season. The only mission left for this team is in the postseason.
1)Washington Capitals (41-12-6): Beginning to look dominant, the Capitals lead the league in goals with 234, 34 more than the Sharks' 200. Offensively, this team is special. Defense and Goaltending wise, this team may struggle when the playoffs get deeper and deeper. If this phrase is applicable to anyone right now, it'd be the Caps, "Defense Wins Championships." If they can go out and add A) a legitimate starting goaltender and B) another strong defender, they may have enough to overwhelm the likes of Pittsburgh and New Jersey in the Eastern Conference.
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