Top 3 Eastern Conference seeds show NHL has changed... for the better
The NHL season is only a month old, but the division leaders in the Eastern Conference show the NHL has changed as parity has leveled the icy playing field. Below is a synopsis that may shed some light on why the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens lead their respective divisions:
New York Rangers: Nobody, and I mean nobody, picked this team to do a damn thing this year. Their off season moves to get younger were, at best, laughable. However, this club leads the Atlantic for two reasons, Jaromir Jagr and a new-found work ethic. Jagr is energized and has popped in 14 goals. His play on the Ranger power play has been lethal and he is again working through traffic with dogged determination to get the puck to the net. Vintage Jagr if I must say so myself. In fact, the entire team plays with passion now. Coach Tom Renney deserves praise for this turn around. Goaltending has been a pleasant surprise for the blueshirts. Rookie Swede Henrik Lundqvist played extremely well when Kevin Weekes was injured. Will another forward do the same now that Martin Rucinsky is out with a MCL sprain?
Carolina Hurricanes: Flashback to 2002. The Hurricanes were in the Stanley Cup finals and were eventually defeated by the Detroit Red Wings. Even in defeat, the Canes were impressive and the future looked bright. The Canes never again played even remotely like that 2002 team...until now. Look at this team closely. They share a lot in common with the Rangers. They have a superstar forward, a strong work ethic, and an underrated goaltending tandem highlighted by a veteran player and a rookie. Let's talk about the superstar forward first. Center Eric Staal, the number 2 overall pick in 2003, has played amazing hockey. His 26 points leads the league. Carolina has never had a marquee player like Staal. His play, like Jagr's, energizes his teammates and the Canes finally have a player they can lean on in crucial situations. The Canes are also getting contributions from veteran players like Rod Brind'Amour and Matt Cullen. Martin Gerber was inked to be the starter in net, but he has only 22 career wins. 5 of those wins have come this year. If he, and surprise rookie Cam Ward, can hold up in net, this team could snatch the Southeast division from Tampa Bay.
Montreal Canadiens: GM Bob Gainey seemingly built the Habs for the new NHL before the lockout. They do one thing very well, they skate. I dare you to scan through their roster. If you do, you will notice each and every player can skate. Speed kills and the Habs can turn a counter attack on an opponent faster than Paris Hilton could cancel her own wedding. Injuries are the only thing that could possibly slow this team down while they try to outrace the dangerous Ottawa Senators for the Northeast division crown.
The Owl
The NHL season is only a month old, but the division leaders in the Eastern Conference show the NHL has changed as parity has leveled the icy playing field. Below is a synopsis that may shed some light on why the New York Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens lead their respective divisions:
New York Rangers: Nobody, and I mean nobody, picked this team to do a damn thing this year. Their off season moves to get younger were, at best, laughable. However, this club leads the Atlantic for two reasons, Jaromir Jagr and a new-found work ethic. Jagr is energized and has popped in 14 goals. His play on the Ranger power play has been lethal and he is again working through traffic with dogged determination to get the puck to the net. Vintage Jagr if I must say so myself. In fact, the entire team plays with passion now. Coach Tom Renney deserves praise for this turn around. Goaltending has been a pleasant surprise for the blueshirts. Rookie Swede Henrik Lundqvist played extremely well when Kevin Weekes was injured. Will another forward do the same now that Martin Rucinsky is out with a MCL sprain?
Carolina Hurricanes: Flashback to 2002. The Hurricanes were in the Stanley Cup finals and were eventually defeated by the Detroit Red Wings. Even in defeat, the Canes were impressive and the future looked bright. The Canes never again played even remotely like that 2002 team...until now. Look at this team closely. They share a lot in common with the Rangers. They have a superstar forward, a strong work ethic, and an underrated goaltending tandem highlighted by a veteran player and a rookie. Let's talk about the superstar forward first. Center Eric Staal, the number 2 overall pick in 2003, has played amazing hockey. His 26 points leads the league. Carolina has never had a marquee player like Staal. His play, like Jagr's, energizes his teammates and the Canes finally have a player they can lean on in crucial situations. The Canes are also getting contributions from veteran players like Rod Brind'Amour and Matt Cullen. Martin Gerber was inked to be the starter in net, but he has only 22 career wins. 5 of those wins have come this year. If he, and surprise rookie Cam Ward, can hold up in net, this team could snatch the Southeast division from Tampa Bay.
Montreal Canadiens: GM Bob Gainey seemingly built the Habs for the new NHL before the lockout. They do one thing very well, they skate. I dare you to scan through their roster. If you do, you will notice each and every player can skate. Speed kills and the Habs can turn a counter attack on an opponent faster than Paris Hilton could cancel her own wedding. Injuries are the only thing that could possibly slow this team down while they try to outrace the dangerous Ottawa Senators for the Northeast division crown.
The Owl
posted by The Furnace at
Sunday, November 06, 2005
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