NHL Midseason Report - Western Conference

Western Conference

Really the dominant teams in the league reside in the West. It’s scary to think that most power ranking boards that I have seen put Detroit ahead of San Jose .

San Jose is a team that comes hard every shift 1st line down to the fourth line. They are incredibly deep and score a ton of goals. They cycle real well down low especially with the Thornton unit. In my opinion Dan boyle is the best offensive d-man in the game. The goaltending tandem of Boucher and Nabokov is unbelievable. I got a chance to watch the SJ ranger match –up and this guy Pavelsky was all over the place.

Detroit plays more of a finesse game creating odd-man rushes generated from their stout d. their forwards skill-wise are the best in the game. I put SJ ahead of Detroit b/c Detroit ’s real weakness is in net. Conklin?

Possible Challengers
Chicago has 3 of the best young up and coming stars in the game Toews, sharp, and Kane. Huet can be solid in net. Khabiboulin is too old. Campbell is a good puck moving d-man. The question is how their youth will stand up down the stretch.

The flames are hot right now led by Jerome Iginla. They just had an impressive win over the sharks. I think their d is solid but their forwards are pretty old. Bourque?

On the bubble

Vancouver – relying on a 37 yr old for rejuvenation.

Minnesota – I thought zherdev on NY was an enigma until Gaborik stole the spotlight, or lack there-of.

Anaheim- I think this team needs a new core, getzlaf is a good centerpiece. Everyone one else on this team appears to be from Walt Disney’s era.

AM