no you're right, MTL is defiantely the best team in the East, and MIN is the Best team in the West because last year they were leading the West after about the same amount of games as this year

Homer
- SpoiledByOil

Nothing worse than being a hockey fan in Alberta.

man im in no way sounding the parade bells, im trying to point out that they are a great team. the stats are saying the same thing. why is that so hard to accept? also you dont agree about said 20 players?

the leafs this year are also agreat example of a turn around. breath of fresh air in mangment and coaching and the true talents of the team come thru. carlyl has them playing the system the team is built for.
- munky123

They missed the playoffs last year, were 3rd worst overall, and have been playing good for 25 or so games this season. This does not make them great, they are not great and they will drop in the standings, especially when Boston catches up in the games played column.

The Leafs this year are also not great, or anywhere close to it. Still lots of work to do, and can still drop down in the standings. 20 or so games does not make a team great.

The only great part of all this is that its possible these two teams may meet in the first round of the playoffs.

If the Oilers are following the "Chicago model" I would suspect Tambellini gets axed soon.
- Reveen

They would of won the cup by now.

how many of the players on the current squad are newly brought in by the new management team? are they playing the same style of hockey as last year?
- BorjeFan4Ever

prust and armstrong, gally and gallagher are being given a shot. then we traded for ryder this season.

bergevin is the guy who helped build chicago. i have faith hell do a good job.

They missed the playoffs last year, were 3rd worst overall, and have been playing good for 25 or so games this season. This does not make them great, they are not great and they will drop in the standings, especially when Boston catches up in the games played column.

The Leafs this year are also not great, or anywhere close to it. Still lots of work to do, and can still drop down in the standings. 20 or so games does not make a team great.

The only great part of all this is that its possible these two teams may meet in the first round of the playoffs.
- systemtool

Right on!

The Oilers seem to think there's interest in Hemsky. People not from the Oilers seem to think there's interest in Hemsky too.
- Maxbone

i don't think he was saying there was no interest in hemsky, just that the oilers wouldn't get picks or prospects for him UNLESS they're also will to take back salary.

in other words, it's not gonna be hemsky for a 1st straight up type of deal.

he's probably right, hemsky has a big cap hit and term left on his contract. teams like pitt and boston have important players to resign next year, and hemsky's contract makes that difficult to do.

haha ok buddy, Crosby is playing with Kunitz and Dupuis, because Neal played a few shifts here and there on the line doesn't mean he's a staple there, keep trying to act smart though like Neal is Crosby's linemate because of a few shifts here and there
- SpoiledByOil

Bottom line ... Hemsky serves no purpose for Pittsburgh

Crosby-Dupuis and Kunitz. He doesn't break in there
Neal-Malkin-Bennett He doesn't break in there either.

prust and armstrong, gally and gallagher are being given a shot. then we traded for ryder this season.

bergevin is the guy who helped build chicago. i have faith hell do a good job.
- munky123

That is different than saying they are a great team. You can say they are on the right track now. That would be accurate.

suck my d!ck clouts
- Cement-head

Bottom line ... Hemsky serves no purpose for Pittsburgh

Crosby-Dupuis and Kunitz. He doesn't break in there
Neal-Malkin-Bennett He doesn't break in there either.
- Oneonta Penguin

i can agree with that... if Pits is looking for anything it would be another sniper, they don't need another play maker

the 3 small players they have? deharnais, gallagher and gionta ...outside of that whos is small?
- munky123

I have seen about half of Mtls game this year. They are a team that does have size skill heart and toughness. It is not a fluke where they are in the standings.They will probably end up 5 th or so but they are for real.

They missed the playoffs last year, were 3rd worst overall, and have been playing good for 25 or so games this season. This does not make them great, they are not great and they will drop in the standings, especially when Boston catches up in the games played column.

The Leafs this year are also not great, or anywhere close to it. Still lots of work to do, and can still drop down in the standings. 20 or so games does not make a team great.

The only great part of all this is that its possible these two teams may meet in the first round of the playoffs.
- systemtool

ok buddy, because you can you can predict the futur ill give it to ya... but because the habs are in the top 5 when it comes to offensive and deffensive stats, with the likes of pittsburgh and boston, those teams too will drop 10 spots just because.

i woudl have completely agreed with you 4 years ago when the habs were in first because of a goalie. tthe only way this team folds regualr season is baring major injuries or for some reason therrien loses the room. i cant say how theyll fair come playoff time, but i think bergevin will add a few guys to add some grit. only time will tell

Nothing worse than being a hockey fan in Alberta.
- Champ

being a soccer fan... anywhere....

I have seen about half of Mtls game this year. They are a team that does have size skill heart and toughness. It is not a fluke where they are in the standings.They will probably end up 5 th or so but they are for real.
- VANTEL

im good with that, and im glad you speak havign watched some of the habs games.. its not a fluke they are there.

They missed the playoffs last year, were 3rd worst overall, and have been playing good for 25 or so games this season. This does not make them great, they are not great and they will drop in the standings, especially when Boston catches up in the games played column.

The Leafs this year are also not great, or anywhere close to it. Still lots of work to do, and can still drop down in the standings. 20 or so games does not make a team great.

The only great part of all this is that its possible these two teams may meet in the first round of the playoffs.
- systemtool

Leafs are impressive too this year. Kadri Frattin are giving you guys some unexpected depth . They are one of the toughest teams in the league for the playoffs . Orr is an animal.

Will be intersting to see when Lupul is back Bozak Kessel and JVR have been very impressive . I don't think they should break them up.

im good with that, and im glad you speak havign watched some of the habs games.. its not a fluke they are there.
- munky123

I just got back from Mtl last week I seen 3 games that week plus about 7 others this year. I like seeing Gallagher play and Prust.

How about smid to the pens?

That is different than saying they are a great team. You can say they are on the right track now. That would be accurate.
- Champ

but i have said that, and statiscly they are a great team. what do you base "great" on?

I just got back from Mtl last week I seen 3 games that week plus about 7 others this year. I like seeing Gallagher play and Prust.
- VANTEL

man sooo slick! im stoked to see what gallagher can do next season. the guy has a sick release

Leafs are impressive too this year. Kadri Frattin are giving you guys some unexpected depth . They are one of the toughest teams in the league for the playoffs . Orr is an animal.

Will be intersting to see when Lupul is back Bozak Kessel and JVR have been very impressive . I don't think they should break them up.
- VANTEL

Both teams were so bad last year, and the Leafs for years now, that any improvement or overachievement is being blown way out of proportion. Lots of holes on both teams, and 25 or so games into a season is a short sample size.

As for Lupul, I agree. He should start with Kadri and Frattin or Mac. Has missed a lot of hockey and needs time to get back to game speed/shape.

but i have said that, and statiscly they are a great team. what do you base "great" on?
- munky123

Consistency at the top. oh...and a little thing called playoff success/winning Cups.

man sooo slick! im stoked to see what gallagher can do next season. the guy has a sick release
- munky123

The kid has no quit.

How many goal mouth scrums has he beaten out digging some 6'2 Dman to put the puck in the net.

I still think Bruins win this year, but it is nice to see the eqaulity. Too bad Ottawa has had so many injuries . Your division was turning into one of the best to watch IMO

Consistency at the top. oh...and a little thing called playoff success/winning Cups.
- systemtool

but we are talking about this year... but you raise a good point. ill give it to ya!

that said i think the leafs are a great team this year too. maybe its apoor choice of word, but they have played "great" so far

The kid has no quit.

How many goal mouth scrums has he beaten by out digging some 6'2 Dman to put the puck in the net.

I still think Bruins win this year, but it is nice to see the eqaulity. Too bad Ottawa has had so many injuries . Your division was turning ito one of the best to watch IMO
- VANTEL

ya the beaners are greta. but i think if anyteam gives them a run for their moeny itll be pitts. if they can add a pure scoring winger to play with crosby like neal and malkin... poop if iggy signed 2 years with pitts, next year hed pot 50!

they could also use a it of help on d, but i think they can take it!

the Oilers should be in buying mode regardless. how many more picks and prospects can they accumulate? at some point the focus needs to be on players who can help them win now.