Leafs, Habs, Sens, Nucks, Flames, and Oilers?

[Parker 1st MRB]

What is going on with the Canadian NHL teams? When is the cup gonna come back to Canada. Oilers and Leafs 14th in their respective conferences. Nucks and Habs are 10th and 11th. Sens are 7th and the best so far are the Flames in 3rd, but we all know how bad they choke come playoffs time.

Leafs - I am a hardcore leafs fan, but man am I getting tired of losing every year. Phil Kessel was a great pick up, but was he worth 2 1st rounds and a 2nd? So far I would say yes, 15 pts in 16 games (10 goals) after coming back from shoulder surgery I would say thats pretty good. This guy is a natural goal scorer, he reminds me of Brett Hull. The defense is starting to improve, the forwards and goalies need work. I could go on for days about the Leafs, so I'll stop it here...

Habs - a.k.a Team Cammalleri, this team has no other weapon then that guy. Gionta and Gomez are choking so bad it hurts to watch, Plekanec is doing what he normally does - great faceoff player and good on the powerplay. Their powerplay is struggling without Markov, who I believe returns in January. With him in the lineup you can expect a huge boost to their powerplay with that bomb from the point. Price or Halak? I play goalie and I have to say Price has better technique than Halak, but his problem is consistency. They have the same goalie problems as the Leafs.

Sens - I can't believe they are where they are in the standings. Their top players Kovalev and Spezza are non existent right now in Ottawa. I gotta say, Mike Fisher good old Toronto boy has stepped it up big time for the Sens. He has really earned that A on his jersey. Their defense is a big problem, they have no puck moving defenseman. They have a very young blue line who are top 8 defenseman at best. Brian Elliot is a backup goalie, not a starting goalie. The goaltender issue seems to be a reoccurring theme in the East.

Canucks - Is Luongo struggling? I think he was, but it looks like he's back in form. Great SV% and GA. Sedin twins doing what they do as always. Henrick has really stepped up his game since Daniel went on the IR and now that Daniel is back he seems to be continuing is point production. What really surprised me this season about them is Mason Raymond. This guy is so fast that he draws the D to him creating opportunities for his teammates. I saw him play a few times and man can that guy fly.

Flames - Jarome is getting it done. He's been lights out so far for the team. Alot of people have been saying that Phanuef has lost his scoring ability, but i don't think that to be the case. He has greatly improved his technique on defense to the point where he is even harder to play against. Making the hits and taking the blocks, his doing his part for the team. The only disappointment this year for the Flames is Jokinen. Not at all playing up to his standards, but he's making plays, but the flames picked him up for his scoring, not passing. Mikka has progressed like Luongo, a bit shaky at the start but outstanding right now.

Oilers - No hope. Hemsky was a point per game guy for them and now he's out for the season. Who's gonna pick up the slack? Their team is fairly young and is still developing. Under Pat Quinn they should do fine, he has a track record for having youngsters play well for him.

My two cents...

[GMoney BAR]

I dunno. The teams play a similar hockey style to American teams. Perhaps they're distracted with the Olympics being in Canada this year. lol

[Gooderham 1st MRB]

Having read Parker's review, I do tend to agree with him. Although, I have a few more bits I can add.

Leafs - After there terrible start, things look like they *might* be turning around. Kessel's return has helped this team shake off its earlier woes, 5-3-2 in the last 10 games. The problem for the Leafs is there inability to finish a game. Having 7 OT losses will hurt any record, but that additional seven points would put them in a tie for 8th.

Habs - Not exactly sure what the game plan was for the Habs at the beginning of the season, but it must have involved some wishful thinking. The team will continue to compete as a playoff contender, but is going to have to really work for it.

Sens - Because the Senators have been relying heavily on the 2nd and 3rd lines for scoring it will be interesting to see what will happen when Kovalev and Spezza return from their vacations. The team will have a competitive edge, but will never be competing for more than a playoff berth if they don't get a goalie.

Canucks - Having struggled early with injuries the team looks ready to become what it should be. Daniel has been reunited with his brother, Luongo is back, and the team is not playing with half of the Manitoba Moose. As already mentioned, Mason Raymond has been playing excellently, utilizing his speed to create chances and draw penalties. Ryan Kesler has truly stepped up and is great leader on the second line.

Flames - A solid competitor in the West. Kiprusoff is good, but will not be able to return to his glory years. And while Iginla is an incredibly talented player, the team will need to start working with him.

Oilers - Parker said it all. A young team missing its veteran, but under the watchful eye of one of the greatest coaches in the league. Under his command the team will move into a rebuilding year but will definitely come out the wiser, and maybe have a playoff run reminiscent of the St. Louis Blues streak in the 2008-2009 season.

[Parker 1st MRB]

The teams play a similar hockey style to American teams. Perhaps they're distracted with the Olympics being in Canada this year.

That's not true. There is no difference between American teams and Canadian teams, especially because most coaches are Canadian. There are a couple of styles to play hockey - when you have the puck and when you don't. It all depends on what style the coach prefers to teach. Ron Wilson (Leafs Head Coach) who is an American likes to play a pinching style of play, whereas Jacques Lemaire (Devils Head Coach) is a Canadian who likes to play the neutral zone trap.

If it's the fact that the Olympics are being held in Canada this year, then what about the other years? This has been going on for awhile now.

[Yamagata 1st MRB]

I'd go to Hockey if I knew where to go...

[Fong 1st MRB]

Joker is highly overrated. He just doesn't have the vision and creativity to become a superstar player though.

Other than that, the rest of the team isn't doing badly all things considering. But having Regehr out last night against the Kings shows how important he is though. At least the team is doing better tha nlast year IMO.

Its too bad my Wings are sinking The only good thing sofar is that Howard finally replaced Ozzie as he should've done like a year ago.