It’s Halloween, that time of year when children turn into mini-sugar-commandos on a seek-and-consume mission with extreme prejudice, and when we celebrate things that terrify us. What are the most frightening spots in the NHL these days? Glad you/I asked. Here are the four scariest places in the NHL:
4. The Central Division. After Wednesday’s action, the Western Conference’s top five teams in the standings – and six of the top seven – were from the Central. Six of the seven Central teams have at least five wins and 11 points in their first nine games, and the goal differentials of all six of those teams are on the positive side of the ledger, making the Central the only division that can make that claim. And think about it – under the right circumstances, most of us can see scenarios in which any one of Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Dallas, and even Minnesota and Winnipeg going on a major post-season run. Can't really say that about the Metropolitan, Atlantic or Pacific divisions.
Yes, there’s bound to be a correction of sorts as the season continues and intra-divisional play really kicks in. But the Central looks more dominant than any other NHL division, and the fact we’ll see some excellent teams from it exit the Stanley Cup playoffs very early again this year is another argument for a simple 1-8 conference playoff ranking that could benefit stronger divisions when the games really count.
If that happens, the Central will get even scarier.
3. Calgary and Anaheim (tie). The Flames and Ducks have shared a growing number of links over the years – Jonas Hiller, Brian Burke, Ladislav Smid, and of course, their second-round playoff series last spring – and unfortunately, both have had a dismal start to the 2015-16 campaign, with just three wins in 19 games combined.
Because both teams are at different points in their competitive cycles, there’s a different kind of disappointment in each city, and as such, the early slumps will have different effects: In Anaheim, where nothing less than at least a return to the Western Conference Final would be acceptable, the Ducks’ 1-6-2 start will almost assuredly cost head coach Bruce Boudreau his job and give GM Bob Murray pause to make more changes to a team that’s had its fair share of turnover in recent seasons.
However, in Calgary, which experienced an unexpected joy last season when the Flames proved better than the sum of their parts and benefitted from an abnormally high shooting percentage, there’s no sense the job of coach Bob Hartley is in jeopardy. The goaltending has been sub-sub-par and GM Brad Treliving undoubtedly is looking to address it without parting with his core of young talent, but the organization also must continue to evolve and be willing to make bold moves to gain entry into the upper echelon of the West.
In both cities, the rest of the season will be an extended horror show if their team can’t pull out of its current tailspin. But even if one or both franchises does recover and makes a push into the playoffs, there’s likely to be the terror of roster uncertainty hanging over players for quite some time.
2. The space between the Blue Jackets’ dressing room and coach’s office. When Columbus shocked the NHL by hiring John Tortorella to replace the fired Todd Richards, they set the stage for one of the most fascinating storylines of the year – namely, whether Tortorella has learned from his more recent disastrous time in Vancouver, or whether we can expect familiar explosions from the master fireworker.
In some ways, it’s classic Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons territory, and the suspense alone should be entertaining. With the Jackets at the very bottom of the Eastern Conference, you have to think there are Jackets players who sit in their stalls and stare toward Tortorella’s office, wondering what fresh hell lurks behind that door if Columbus isn’t able to turn things around in a hurry.
1. The calendar in Steve Yzerman’s office. Each day the GM doesn’t have the signature of superstar Steven Stamkos on a contract extension, the calendar looks more menacing to the future in Tampa Bay of the Lightning’s captain. As the possessor of a no-trade clause, Stamkos is entirely in control of his destiny this year, this summer and beyond. And if he isn’t signed by the trade deadline, it would be insane for Yzerman to gamble he’d get nothing other than cap space should Stamkos walk away as an unrestricted free agent. So each day that passes represents more pressure to either lock up Stamkos to a multi-year, record-breaking deal, or to move him and focus on what still is looking like a very bright future for a deep and talented organization.
Such a scenario was snickered at when some of us were willing to consider Stamkos’ continued residence in Tampa wasn’t a fait accompli. And hey, don’t mistake the message: there’s still a chance he’ll stay for the long term. But with the trade deadline now just 120 days away, his departure is certainly becoming more of a possibility (if not a likelihood) – and one that must send chills through the spines of Bolts fans.