The NHL all-star break is an opportunity to reflect on the “unofficial” first half of the season. Here’s a look at some of the “studs” and “duds”.
Canucks MVP: Ryan Miller. Although his numbers are not staggering with a 2.30 GAA (tied for 10th in the NHL) and .918 save percentage (17th) he is tied for 6th in wins (23) and tied for 2nd in shutouts (5). More importantly, his presence, poise and confidence rubs off positively with his teammates. Miller is dependable and solidifies the Canucks most important position. After recovering from sickness last week, he led the team out of a three game losing skid by delivering back to back road shutouts on consecutive days, the first Vancouver goalie to do so. Miller had his personal-best shutout streak end at 200:45.
Most improved Canuck: Alex Edler. The coaching change made an impact on several of the Vancouver players, none more than Edler. Under John Tortorella, he was a league worst -39 in 63 games and finished with 22 points. In 45 games this season under new coach, Willie Desjardins, Edler is a plus 7 and 15 points. He also leads the Canucks in ice time per game (24:20) and has been the Canucks most dependable defenceman and arguably player.
Most regressing Canuck: Zack Kassian. In and out of the line-up, Kassian has never lived up to the billing of a 2009 first round (13th overall) pick of the Buffalo Sabres. Kassian is sitting with just two goals and three assists in 24 games and 30 penalty minutes. Moreover, he has the second worst plus-minus on the team at -7. It’s fair to suggest the Kassian-Cody Hodgson trade of nearly three years ago was a bust for both teams. Hodgson has a paltry two goals and five assists in 46 games with the Sabres and is -19. Ouch!
Most improved team: New York Islanders. The Islanders were 14th in the Eastern Conference last season (14 points out of a playoff spot) and have climbed all the way to 2nd in the Conference, just a point behind Tampa Bay.
Most diminished team: Philadelphia. The Flyers finished 42-30-10 and 6th in the East in 2013-14. Today, they are 19-22-7 and 12 points out of the playoffs. This despite the fact Philadelphia has two of the top five scorers in the league.
Most laughable team: Edmonton. The Oilers are arguably in more disarray than anyone else although Sabre fans may disagree. In the turtle derby for last overall, the 12-26-9 Oilers are just two points in front of Buffalo. Disposed coach Dallas Eakins had the audacity, after he was fired, to suggest that GM Craig MacTavish is the right guy to get the team out of this mess. Sure! Eakins also told Edmonton fans to be patient. Hello, they haven’t been to the playoffs in nearly nine years. The Oilers lack chemistry, play in a toxic environment, and have many underachieving high first round draft picks.
Oh Canada: Montreal remains the best Canadian team followed by Vancouver and Winnipeg. Yes, the Jets are slightly ahead of the Canucks in the standings but I suspect Winnipeg will fade more than Vancouver. Calgary is also in contention for a playoff spot as coach Bob Hartley continues to get the most out of a lunch bucket group. I prefer Ottawa’s roster more than Toronto’s but neither the Leafs nor the Senators will be in the playoffs. The Oilers are a front-runner for Connor McDavid. Poor Connor! Three Canadian teams have already fired their coach (Edmonton, Ottawa and Toronto) with no significant upgrade.
Here and there:
No one could have predicted the scoring leader to be Jakub Voracek of the Philadelphia Flyers (56 points) although his personal success has not translated into team success.
The NHL has no clear MVP; Pekka Renne or Carey Price have been the best goalies, Marc Giordano or Shea Weber have been the best defenceman and Jack Capuano (NYI), Peter Laviolette (Nashville) and Paul Maurice (Winnipeg) are the leading candidates for top coach.
Yes, every season brings its share of surprises and successes but thank goodness for the constant turbulence with such teams as the Maple Leafs, as their upheaval to self-destruction under
constant scrutiny never seems to get tiresome.
From the Quote Rack:
Three Toronto fans who threw their jerseys on ice have been banned from attending Maple Leafs games. There is also a punishment involved.
Vancouver Comedy writer Torben Rolfsen
During The Tampa vs Pittsburgh NHL game, a referee vomited on the ice. Don’t get any ideas, Maple Leafs fans.
First there was Air Jordan, then Air Coryell and Air Canada (Vince Carter) – and now we have Air Belichick.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
I heard the New England Patriots Super Bowl theme song is gonna be “Under Pressure.”
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin
In 1995, Robert Kraft bought the New England Patriots for $172 million. That’s $125 million in today’s dollars when adjusted for deflation.
A large number of Seahawk fans left the stadium and were not around for Sunday’s wild finish against Green Bay. Thus, only 775,000 will claim that they were there to see it.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Seahawks vs Patriots. A lot of people just really don’t care who wins the Super Bowl. At least Katy Perry will give millions of men two reasons to watch.
The bleachers at Wrigley Field won’t be ready by Opening Day, and due to renovations will be closed at least all of April, and possibly May. Longtime Cubs bleacher bums are upset, they already know they’ll miss October.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
And in case you missed it:
New Zealand police charged a man who was biking in the nude; to enforce a crackdown. (That’s a bummer).
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
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