As the league reaches the quarter mark of the 2010-2011 season, the Montreal Canadiens, led by Carey Price, have received the best grade amongst the six Canadian NHL teams according to Hockeycentral analyst Nick Kypreos.
Covering the rest of NHL teams north of the border, Kypreos also takes a look at the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames while Hockeycentral analyst Doug MacLean assesses the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers. The Hockeycentral panel will also present the players and teams that have impressed them the most at this point in the season.
MONTREAL CANADIENS
“Price has answered the bell,” says Kypreos. “When you have great goaltending, it gives you a chance to do great things. There are some weaknesses in their game, but this is a very well-coached team.” (B+)
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
MacLean feels the Buds are not ready to contend for the playoffs just yet, but he likes their work ethic. “They have shown a propensity to bounce back and that is a good sign,” explains MacLean. “Kadri has given them more scoring talent up front. Plus, I really like the way Schenn, Kulemin and Gustavsson have progressed from a development standpoint.” (C+)
OTTAWA SENATORS
In the nation’s capital, Kypreos points out that mediocrity is the definition of the Sens play at best. “They are a .500 hockey club and that just won’t get it done,” says Kypreos. “Spezza has to be a more consistent leader but the big problem has been Leclaire’s inability to stay healthy. Elliott is no more than a back-up.” (C)
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
“The real question is if they are playoff ready,” MacLean says. “The skill and talent is there, but they are having trouble finding consistent scoring beyond the Sedins. Ballard and Hamius were suppose to put them over the top and we have not seen that yet.” (C+)
CALGARY FLAMES
According to Kypreos, things are not looking up for the Flames. “Just recently, Iginla scored 50 per cent of their goals and that has been magnified by the fact there is no true No. 1 centre. What’s really weighing them down is their cap management and lack of depth on their farm team in Abbottsford.” (D)
EDMONTON OILERS
“They really underestimated how bad their blueline was assembled,” MacLean says. “When you are getting hammered most nights, you need a strong backend to support a young crop of forwards.” (D)
Both Kypreos and MacLean agreed that the class of the NHL is the Detroit Red Wings as the best team in the league. When it came to the team that has surprised them the most, MacLean took the Phoenix Coyotes while Kypreos went with both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Hockeycentral duo could not see eye-to-eye on their picks for the surprise player at the 20-game mark. Kypreos is amazed with the goal-a-game pace of Lightning forward Steven Stamkos while MacLean marvels at Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom with his consistent mistake-free game at age 40. Kypreos chose Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby as the best player so far season while MacLean could not resist selecting Stamkos as his top player.
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