The Canadian Education System Part II - Revelations

After teaching for two years, I have come to two conclusions (specifically about the Secondary system, as I'm fairly ignorant about how the Primary system works). 1 - The education system runs in two separate ways. The first being how the teachers actually run it, and the second is how the Ministry wants it to be run. 2 - The Ministry is full of idiotic personel who create jobs for themselves by giving traditional teaching methods new names, and packaging them as "revolutionary". Now, while these conclusions may not seem all that novel to some (and perhaps even to me), there are a few new conclusions I have reached as a result of these two, which I will come to in a moment.

Before I shed light on this new epiphany, I must say that, after having taught for about two years now in Canada's public education system, I can honestly say that I believe there are few jobs I would enjoy more than teaching. The secondary school sytem in Canada, while being funded by bureaucrats in the Ministry of Education, is built on the backs of teachers; teachers with a common goal, and fueled by common sense. And as a society, we should be grateful for this. Grateful that there are people out there with enough sense to ignore the passing fancies of an ignorant bureacracy. Harsh words, perhaps, but one must really be a part of the system in order to truly understand the depths of stupidity achieved by this particular administration.

Unlike what they would have you believe, teaching has not changed much in the past thousand years or so. Teachers teach, and students learn; in all honesty, that's all there really is to it. There's no "trick" to it, despite what some might have you believe. Anyone can do it, as long as they have the necessary knowledge, and they have the ability to control a class of 30 children. The only true difference between a good teacher and a bad teacher is that a good teacher cares about the success of his/her students, and a bad one doesn't. A bad teacher is not defined by their "teaching style or method", and a good teacher is not defined by following Ministry guidelines and curriculum, and being able to incorporate Ministry buzzwords into their job interviews (the latest being "differentiated instruction" and "implementation of IEPs" and "student success"). In fact, for those in the business, it's worth noting that the most effective teachers, the older, more experienced teahcer, will NEVER buy into what the Ministry sells. EVER. These teachers have seen it all, have done it all, have tried it all, and have always gone back to what has worked, which is whatever works for them. Unlike what Ministry lapdogs will tell you, there is no right and wrong way to teach. There are no fundamental skills that you need in order to be able to teach. Even wild animals, who do not have the cognitive capacity to logically solve problems, still manage to teach their offspring, and their offspring, who are equally unevolved, are able to learn.

This brings me to my next revelation, and that is, while the Ministry of Education hass clearly been selling sour milk for a while now, it's only the young, inexperienced teachers who are dumb enough to buy it. Much like inexperienced travellers in foreign countries who get fleeced by local vendors because they are unaware of the local market, young, inexperienced teachers often get "brainwashed" into believing that there is a right and a wrong way to teach. This was made abundantly clear to me after another session of "Professional Development", hearing about young new teachers playing psychologist, and Ministry lapdogs spewing buzz lingo.

While the sessions was specifically for "new teachers", it was presented entirely by persons under the age of 35. How could a person of the age of 35 possibly have enough experience to reveal the truth of the business to a crop of equally inexperienced teachers? For those new teachers out there who are wondering why they never see teachers over the age of 45 doing a "Professional Development" presentation on new Ministry mandates, here's a hint: they're not that dumb.

Which brings me to my next revelation. I've always wondered why the Ministry never hires experienced teachers (and when I say experience, I mean a minimum of 10-15+ years) into positions of influence, the general public might learn the horrible truth; that teaching isn't that complicated. Now, this is not saying that it doesn't take a "special" person to teach, because it does, and this isn't saying that teaching isn't a difficult job, because it is. However, I'll be the first (amongst hopefully many) that will tell you that teaching is not rocket science. Now, you ask, "What would happen if this terrible, dark secret ever got out?" Simple; the hundreds of Ministry created positions to address progressive teaching would be defunct. And in case you're thinking that I'm a backward thinking traditionalist, this couldn't be further from the truth. I understand that these people truly believe that they are forward thinking, and are constantly trying to improve our practice. However, they are trying to improve on a practice that has been established for thousands of years. It's something akin to trying to improve a tire by making small improvements here or there in it's SHAPE. Every time they spend hundreds of millions of dollars to "try something out", only to find that the original way worked better every time.

So what can we conclude about this age-old conflict of head versus wall? There are two conclusions we can reach from this sort of behaviour. The first is that they are cunning, evil, avaricious bastards who are creating a market to support their own financial gain. The other is to conclude that they are making well-intentioned, but childish, ignorant, artless, and inept attempts at improving something they know very little about, and are too obtuse to find out anything about it. They are the only two logical conclusions one can draw when seeing this kind of behaviour. If one were to see two people about, one running into a brick wall again and again, and the other standing there laughing, there are only two conclusions one could draw about the one standing there laughing. Either he's really callous and mean, or he's just as dumb as the one crashing into the wall.

I prefer the latter, because I truly believe these government lackeys truly have the best of intentions. That leads me to my final revelation. The singular truth about the Ministry and their initiatives and mandates. While it has become abundantly clear that the Ministry has no clue as to how to properly run the education system, I have come to the conclusion that they cannot be held at fault for the many poor decisions they have made in the past. How can this be, you ask? Think about this: A dog cannot be blamed for it's actions, such as biting in self defence, or barking when the doorbell rings. It's just a dog. We cannot expect the dog to understand logical thinking processes because it is well beyond it's cognitive means; it is impossible. By the same token, the Ministry cannot be held repsonsible for it's mandates. Understanding what truly goes on in the Education system is simply impossible for people so far removed from it. Much like a dog will growl, bark, and bite in self defense when threatened in a corner, the Ministry is simply making reactive actions based on public appeal, political philosophy, and positive intent. There is no malice behind their idiocy. They are not actively trying to destroy the Canadian education system. This is simply a case of what happens when people who are not sufficiently intelligent nor qualified get into a position to make decisions which affect the whole.

Still don't understand? Think of it this way. There are hundreds of thousands of "average Joe" sports fans out there possessing an average intelligence, and an average understanding of their particular game. Each one of them is an "armchair GM", believing that they could do a good job of creating a winning team. However, they are so far removed from the game (that is, they do not actively play the game at any marketably competitive level, they have never been involved with the professional side of the game, and do not possess an understanding of the game deep
enough to warrant making a decision which could affect the future of a big market club), that allowing them to make the kinds of decisions that would affect the success and future of the club would surely be suicidal. No proper owner in their right mind would ever allow one of these "average Joe armchair GMs" to make a decision which could affect their club at a critical level... yet these decisions are made every day. Every day, there are "average Joe armchair GMs" who possess neither the intelligence nor the understanding to make critical decisions, yet make them
day in and day out.

Wesley Snipes (aka "Blade") said it best. "Some motha-fuckas always tryin to skate uphill". Instead of actually testing their methods out in a controlled, scientific environment, the Ministry spends billions of taxpayer dollars trying out new initiatives, and when they realize that they don't work, move on to the next big thing. And, of course, the ironic thing is, they must be held blameless. Would you blame a dog for being a dog? No. Then why would you blame an idiot for being an idiot. Ignorance, in this country at least, is not a crime. Whether we can cast blame for remaining willfully ignorant is another story. It's the difference between blaming them for bumping into furniture in the dark, or blaming them for not having the wherewithal to turn on the light.

JFJ

For those of you outside of "Leaf Nation" (again, I refer to "Leaf Nation" as the geographical area defined by television broadcast coverage), you may not be as familiar or well acquainted with good 'ol John Ferguson Jr. "JFJ", as they call him, has just recently been hired by TSN (my beloved sports network) as a guest analyst. Now, I love TSN. Really, I do. But some of their recent broadcaster acquisitions have me shaking my head. They started off their run of guest panelists with the "loveable" Tie Domi, former enforcer of the Maple Leafs. Yes, good idea. Let's ask a meathead enforcer what he thinks about hockey, because we know he's way up there in hockey IQ with Brian Burke and Bob McKenzie. Okay, so that didn't work out so well. Well, let's try our hand with another complete bonehead in Mike Milbury. Yes, the same Mike Milbury who made possibly some of the worst deals in NHL history. Let's ask him what he thinks about hockey, because he's clearly right up there with Tie Domi. Okay, so those first two haven't worked out quite so well. Hey, I've got a great idea! Let's hire John Ferguson Jr. The ex-GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, if you get fired as a GM from a hockey team, that's a pretty good indication that you're not doing a very good job, but if you get fired as the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, good GOD, stop what you're doing right now and try something else, because you clearly don't have the aptitude for this job. Now, I'm not saying that JFJ doesn't know anything about hockey, I'm just saying that he took a bad team, and made it even worse. Whether or not he knows anything about hockey, I'll leave that for you to decide. Incidentally, not only did he leave the team in shambles, but he gave half the guys he signed gigantic contracts, and then gave them No-Trade clauses so that they couldn't be moved. Just something to consider...

Now, as if hiring this dumbass as a guest analyist on the TSN panel wasn't enough, Hockey Canada, for reasons beyond me, have gone out and hired this guy as a scout for the 2010 team. Wait wait wait... Just a sec... Isn't this the same guy that gave Bryan McCabe a 7 million dollar long-term deal? Isn't this the same guy that's paying Pavel Kubina 4.5 million dollars a season? Isn't this the same guy that gave No-Trade clauses to all of his moveable assets, making it an uphill battle to acquire any kind of prospect or draft pick? Isn't this the same guy who's done absolutely nothing right since he became GM in 2003? Hm.. Maybe I'm thinking of a different John Ferguson Jr. Granted that he was left twisting in the wind by MLSE, made the fall guy of the entire franchise, and was finally fired after what seemed an eternity of inane bureacratic filibustering. Granted that, and feel sorry for him if you must, but he still didn't do a good job, and he still doesn't know anything about hockey. Please, if there's anyone from TSN or Hockey Canada reading this, please, please stop the insanity. This man has done nothing to merit his selection as a scout for Team Canada, and he has done or said nothing remotely intelligent to make anyone believe we should listen to what he thinks. He was brought on board the TSN panel to give a frank and unbiased GM's opinion about the trade deadline. What did he have to say? He said that if he was still in charge, the For Sale sign would be out, and that the Leafs need to recognize their opportunity and make a move, and that (quote):

I was preparing and making calls for six to eight weeks before January 22 when I was let go. Those discussions were well under way. You had to have that plan in place and we did.

That quote was directly from the TSN website (tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=229652&hubname=nhl) folks. There hasn't been any embellishment. He actually said that. Okay, so we know he can state the blatantly obvious. Is there anything else he does well? Until he proves otherwise, I'm going to go ahead and say, "No".

Vancouver 2010 Part III - Notable Omissions

There were a number of notable omissions that were left of either list. Here they are:

Todd Bertuzzi - About five years ago, Todd Bertuzzi was the premier powerfoward in the NHL. That was pre-Steve Moore. Post-Steve Moore, Bertuzzi has been a shadow of his former self. Whether it’s because he can’t bring himself to play physically anymore, or whether it’s because he hasn’t forgiven himself, or whether it’s because he can’t deal with the scrutiny of the crowds, or for whatever reason, Todd Bertuzzi simply isn’t the player he once was. That being said, this year has been a bit of a breakthrough for Bertuzzi, scoring 11 goals and 29 points in 43 games, with a +5 rating and 43 PIMS. Perhaps Bertuzzi is over the psychological hump that has dogged him post-Moore. If Bertuzzi can get his confidence back, and play like he played pre-Moore, he is, and will be a force to be reckoned with.

Mike Cammelleri - While having the potential to become a prolific goal scorer in the NHL, he’s not there yet. Also, compared to vast talent that Canada has to choose from, Cammelleri, like Kariya, becomes more of a one dimensional player. If Cammelleri can consistently light it up for the next two years until the tournament, he may have an outside chance of making the cut.

Corey Perry - Corey Perry has experienced a breakout season playing alongside former Canadian Junior team mate, Ryan Getzlaf. Perry, by himself, brings a very unique skill set to an international tournament such as this. Known to have agitating qualities, Corey Perry also possesses great puck control skills, creativity, vision, and offensive acumen. However, there are other, more skilled players that can fill the role of Corey Perry, and do the things he does well, but better. If Corey Perry makes the team, it is his agitating qualities that will set him apart. His ability to rile up the opposition and utilize his offensive cunning is a unique combination that very few players possess. If he can consistently, and effectively combine these traits for the next two years until the tournament, he might just have a chance of making the cut.

Jonathan Cheechoo - After Cheechoo’s magical 05/06 year winning the Rocket Richard trophy, things have gone downhill. The following year, Cheechoo only scored 37 goals and 69 points in 76 games, and this year, has an abysmal 11 goals and 18 points in 45 games. Whether or not Cheechoo is a one-hit wonder remains to be seen, but for the moment, and for Sharks fans, it’s not looking good.

Patrick Marleau - Marleau moves quick for a big man, has a great release, and quarterbacks his team’s powerplay. However, for a big man, Marleau under-uses his size which could be a tremendous asset in opening up the ice, and could probably stand to shoot the puck with more frequency. Marleau has also struggled with consistency issues, being somewhat of a streaky player at times. All these things would spell disaster in a short, single-elimination tournament like the Olympics, and unless Marleau can vastly improve his overall value, Canadian brass will more than likely pass him over.

Kris Draper - Draper’s checking presence on his club team has helped the Wings become a dominant force over the years. His checking presence in the 2004 World Cup alongside Joe Thornton and Shane Doan dominated the tournament, both defensively and offensively. However, his presence in the 2006 Olympic tournament went largely unnoticed. I was actually shocked when he was selected for the 2006 tournament, and not just in retrospect, because for anyone who knows their game, they should know that checking becomes considerably more difficult on the larger ice surface. Checking is all about taking away time and space, and when given more space, skilled players can create their own time, while manufacturing more space for their team. Kris Draper, although highly effective on NHL sized ice, is a role player, and one whose effectiveness is diluted on the big ice surface. I like Kris Draper, the leadership and attitude he brings to a team, his willingness to accept his role, and the skill set he brings. However, I believe it was a mistake to select Draper for the 2006 Olympic tournament, and I believe it will be another mistake to select him for 2010. This is not because I don’t like Draper and the package he brings, nor is because I have no respect for what Draper brings to a team. It is simply because Team Canada is a team with very limited roster spots, and Canadian brass cannot afford to fill those valuable spots with role players, especially ones with as many limitations as a player like Draper.

Mike Fisher - Mike Fisher is in a very similar situation to Kris Draper. Despite his tenacious forechecking ability and two-way play, it's simply impossible to take a player like Fisher. His play is more suited to the smaller ice surface (much like players like Morrow, Draper, and Doan), he doesn't possess the skill of a Getzlaf or Nash, and in the end, as much as I like what Fisher brings to the table (and I do, being a big Sens fan), he's just not good enough.

Vancouver 2010 Part II - The Cuts

The Cuts:

Now for the players I took a pass on. Naturally, a strong argument can be made for any of these players; some of them people will undoubtedly wonder why they're even on my list, and for those absent, some will wonder why they didn't make the short-list. Here is my short-list of bubble players who didn't make the cut.

Daniel Briere - Briere is quick, shifty, and has the soft hands of a sniper. He is equally adept at setting up plays as finishing them, and can play under intense pressure situations. Defensively he's not a liability, offensively dangerous; on the big ice surface, his agility would be a welcome addition to Team Canada’s offence. However, while Daniel Briere brings with him an impressive skill set, each of the bubble players I’ve chosen fills a particular niche within the team. Nash brings his unbelievable stick skills and foot speed, Gagne with his speed and two-way savvy, Staal with his all-around ability, decision making, and net presence, Getzlaf with his poise, patience, and balanced play, and Spezza with his unparalleled passing and puck movement skills. While Briere is a considerable threat on offence, he is simply not able to fill those gaps to the level that these other players can.

Marc Savard - While Savard is an excellent playmaker, and prolific point getter, like Briere, there is simply no room for the skill set he brings. His skating is not as strong as Gagne or Nash, his playmaking ability is not up to the level of a Spezza, Crosby, or Thornton, and he doesn’t provide the big body presence, poise, and savvy of a Getzlaf or Gagne. While he is an invaluable asset to his club team, there is simply no room on a team as tight as Canada.

Mike Richards - Two years might seem like a country mile from here, because in that time, it might very well be impossible to cut Richards from the team. In his young career, Richards has captained the Canadian Junior team to a gold medal, brought his Junior club, the Kitchener Rangers success in the playoffs, and has quickly become an integral part of his NHL club, the Philadelphia Flyers. Seeing Mike Richards play reminds me a lot of another monstrous player for Sweden that you might recognize: Daniel Alfredsson. Richards displays plenty of poise, two-way savvy, and like the aforementioned Alfredsson, his feet never stop moving. He is currently on par to eclipse his previous season highs, and he has been referred to with reference as the future captain of his NHL club. Whether in the coming seasons he separates himself from the rest of the pack is something only time will tell, and he is certainly a case that will have to be revisited in the 09/10 season.

Brendan Shanahan - Brendan Shanahan has had immense success, both at the NHL level as well as the international level. His previous involvements with Team Canada have all been successful, and the skill set and leadership he brings to any team would be valuable indeed. However, this is no ordinary team, and these are no ordinary players. While Shanahan is still effective in the offensive zone, his skating has never really been his strongest asset, and on the big ice, strong skaters are essential to a winning team. In 2010, Shanahan will be pushing 40 years, and with the combination of age, skating ability, and his skill set, it would be impossible to fit him within the structure of the team. Shanahan, you will be missed!

Rod Brind'Amour - Yes, I had “Rod the Bod” on my short-list. Most pundits, websites, and armchair hockey fans wouldn’t even mention his name on a list as “prestigious” as the one Canadian brass looks at. However, there are a number of reasons why I think Rod Brind’Amour should at least draw significant consideration. Brind’Amour is a born leader, both vocally and by example, his faceoff skills are impressive, and he is a warrior through and through. Aside from Adam Foote, there is no player who exhibits the toughness, both physical and mental, that Rod Brind’Amour does. While he is not the fleetest of foot, or the best puck mover in the league, he is solid in both ends of the rink, an invaluable penalty killer, he is consistently effective in the faceoff circle, he has been consistently productive for the last three seasons (including this one), and his play without the puck is probably as strong or stronger than his play with the puck. However, when looking at the skill and skating level of some of the names that were taken (and even some of the names that weren’t), there just simply isn't any room for Brind'Amour and his unique skill set.

Paul Kariya - Paul Kariya, like Rod Brind’Amour, brings a very valuable and very unique skill set to his team. He’s experienced success, both internationally and in the NHL (although he hasn’t won a Cup yet), and brings with him a positive attitude and leadership skills. His experiences with Team Canada have been productive, and in the 2002 Olympic tournament, generated many quality scoring chances with his blazing speed, bullet shot, and adept finishing skills. Unfortunately, the speedy Kariya can be a one dimensional player at times, and while his foot speed will serve him and his team well on the big ice surface, he can’t open that ice up as well as players like Staal, Thornton, or Heatley. His finishing skills are admirable, but are not equalled by his passing, and many players like Getzlaf, Staal, and others present more of a balanced package, which can keep goalies a little more on their toes. While I would like nothing more than to select Kariya (if anything to represent the Asian population), he simply isn’t good enough to make the cut. And that is not a knock against Kariya, that says something about the amount of skill available to this team.

Jonathan Toews - Toews has a bright future ahead of him in the NHL, but as of now, is only in his rookie season. Even Sidney Crosby was passed over for selection in the 2006 Winter Games, and Toews, while holding vast potential, is no Sidney Crosby. There are still two years left before the 2010 games, and that may be time enough for Toews to prove his worth, but one look at the talent available for selection, and becomes abundantly clear just how high of a mountain he needs to climb. Be that as it may, he is certainly a case that will need to be revisited in two years in 2010. Best of luck, Jonathan Toews.

Shane Doan - “Doaner” as he’s known, brings another unique blend of checking, scoring, and physical presence to the team. In the 2004 world cup, he played alongside Joe Thornton and Kris Draper on a “checking line” which dominated the tournament. However, as much as I like the game that Shane Doan plays, and the skill set that he represents, unlike Ryan Getzlaf, I don’t believe it’s a skill set that will translate well onto the bigger ice surface. While both are very physical players who display two-way savvy, Getzlaf’s poise, patience, and natural flair for playing in the middle are all translatable to the larger ice surface, while Doan’s run and gun style and tight checking are more conducive to a smaller surface. It would be fun to watch how Doan adapts to the larger ice surface, but that is a luxury that these kinds of tournaments do not afford.

Brenden Morrow - Brenden Morrow brings a very similar skill set to that of Shane Doan; a physical, run-and-gun, two-way playing style which can dominate the smaller ice surface, and check opponents into the ground. Unfortunately, like Doan, this style suffers from the same drawbacks, as checking opponents becomes more difficult, particularly when speedy, puck moving forwards are given larger areas to work with. Cutting out time and space becomes more difficult, and that is a keystone to Morrow’s game; forcing offensive zone turnovers and opportunistic play.

Dan Boyle - Last of the “big 4” for Tampa Bay, Dan Boyle is slick and fast. He can make clean, crisp outlet passes, rush the puck, and quarterback the powerplay. Boyle has developed into a very balanced defenceman for both Canada and his NHL club, making him a very difficult cut. His style of play lends itself nicely to the big ice surface, but he lacks the size and international experience of other bubble players like Jovanovski and Bouwmeester. However, Boyle’s leadership qualities, foot speed, tight defensive zone coverage, ability to quickly and effectively move the puck out of the danger zones, and transition offence would be a welcome addition to the team. Boyle's direct competition would be Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanovski, who may very well be interchangeable on the team.

Rob Blake - Age has become a factor with Rob Blake, as he is just too slow. Being a “complete package” defenceman means relying heavily on skating and positioning as cornerstones of his game; both of which have never really been Blake’s strongest assets. In his younger years, he could rely a little heavier on his foot speed to get himself out of trouble, but now with the onset of age, he is a step slower, and doesn’t have that impeccable positioning to keep him out of trouble, nor the foot speed to give him the recuperative ability get him out of trouble when he gets in deep. His body is not as well conditioned as Foote or Brind’Amour, so playing into his 40’s is going to be a problem, and in short, despite his vast experience and success internationally and in the NHL, his swan song has sung, and his boat has left. Thanks for the many great years, Mr. Blake, you will be missed!

Brian Campbell - If "slickness" was a trait, Brian Campbell's got it in spades. His ability to move the puck on the powerplay and confidence with the puck are difficult to match, and he carries with him a penchant for open ice hits (apropos R.J. Umberger of the Flyers in the 05/06 playoffs and others). Unfortunately, while Campbell possesses a most desireable skill set, I had to reject Campbell for mostly the same reasons as I rejected Boyle. While he is able to do a number of things very well, there a number of Canadian defenseman who can do the same things he can do, but do them better. And while he can run the powerplay with aplomb, significantly better than a d-man like Phillips, Phillips is far tighter on the defensive zone coverage, is more physical in the defensive zone, has better recuperative ability, and makes cleaner and smarter outlet passes.

Shawn Horcoff - I know many people would not even consider Horcoff for the Canadian Olympic national team. Some of you might think that I'm adding his name on my short list just because he was selected for the All-Star team. Not so. For anyone who's seen this guy develop, they know that Horcoff brings much more to the Oilers than just being a first-line centre. The argument could be made that Horcoff doesn't have the skill to be a true top-line centre, and that argument might be justified. He doesn't have the mind-bending puck control of a Rick Nash, or the easy skating stride of a Jay Bouwmeester, or even the wicked release of a Martin Havlat or Thomas Vanek. What Horcoff does bring to the team is blazing speed, tenacious forecheck, a nose for the net, and the typical Oiler attitude of going "balls to the wall" 110% until the whistle blows to end the third period. And unlike other tenacious forecheckers like Draper or Fisher, Horcoff owns a much more desirable offensive upside, and much like other Oilers, has the ability to simplify his game when things aren't going right. However, all that being said, as much as I'd like to see Shawn Horcoff play in a Canadian jersey, I just don't think there's room for him on a roster as tight as Canada's.

Robyn Regehr - Robyn Regehr was another very difficult player to cut, because of what he can bring to the team. International experience and success, big body presence, physically intimidating with a mean streak, and positionally sound. However, there are other players who possess these attributes, and have an offensive upside to boot. Regehr, while relatively sound positionally, lacks the foot speed to keep up with quicker forwards, particularly on the big ice, and this could lead to critical breakdowns in the defensive zone coverage. He is not able to recuperate as quickly as other defenseman, and at the end of the day, he's a bit of a one dimensional player. As far as defensive defenseman go, Robyn Regehr is at the top of many people's lists, but in terms of finding a roster spot on Canada's already tight roster, there's just no room.

Brad Richards - Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe winner in 2004, part of the “big 4” in Tampa Bay, Brad Richards is arguably one of the most intelligent puck movers in the NHL, and one of the few forwards who can effectively quarterback a powerplay. Brad Richards was one of the most difficult cuts to make; his success and experience both internationally and in the NHL speaks for itself, his intelligent decision making, and his clutch ability to produce in a big way at the most crucial times under the most intense pressure make him a valuable commodity. However, with the leadership of players like Joe Sakic, Adam Foote, Jarome Iginla, Ryan Smyth, and others, his experience pales in comparison. Players like Eric Staal and Ryan Getzlaf are also intelligent puck movers, but carry with them a hard, physical edge that Richards lacks. His clutch play and two-way savvy will be missed, but on a team like Canada’s, there is only room to fill the essential gaps, which leaves Richards on the outside looking in.

Shea Weber - While many people have Shea Weber on their lists, I personally didn't select him for my team, and I'll tell you why. While he may have internation experience playing along side Dion Phaneuf at the World Juniors (as Bob McKenzie was apt to point out), and while he may bring a good, hard physical edge to the team, and while I certainly like what he brings to a team, in my opinion, he's simply too raw. Defenseman like Phillips and Bouwmeester have far greater potential as shut-down defenders, and both can skate far better than Weber. Phillips, Boyle, and Campbell are all better puck distributors than Weber, and Phillips and Bouwmeester have the potential to be equally physical, and Jovanovski and Phaneuf (along with other Canadian defenseman I selected) can play with a real mean streak and hard physical edge. There's nothing that Weber can bring to the team that hasn't already been selected for. However, we're still two years away from the Olympics, and things can change greatly from here till then. Weber, who is already the No. 1 defenceman for Nashville, still has time to develop into an elite tier defenceman, which he has the potential to do. At this point, I wouldn't take a player like Weber over players like Phillips or Bouwmeester because of their skating and puck distributing abilities, but Weber makes a strong case to be revisted in 2010.

Vancouver 2010

It's not but two years away, and the time has come once again for the great debate of the Canadian Olympic team. Who gets the nod and who gets bumped? Will there be great surprises, or will Canadian brass go with the "usual suspects"? As always, with a list as long and as talented as the Canadians, there will always be notable omissions. Players from teams that homers feel should have gotten a second look, or young prospects that people feel should be given their due. There is never a shortage of controversy when it comes to cutting talent from a team with as much choice as Canada has, so let's break it down. Who's available (or at least, should be available) in 2010, what prospects might have made the grade by then, and who's in and who's out. Incidentally, there's a TSN web poll that you can also participate in, located at: http://tsn.ca/olympics/canadasteam/

So, without further philibustering, here is the long list of Canadian players that could potentially (realistically) make the team.

The Forwards

1. Jason Spezza
2. Vincent Lecavalier
3. Joe Sakic
4. Dany Heatley
5. Martin St. Louis
   
6. Ryan Smyth
7. Mike Fisher
   
8. Brad Richards
   
9. Paul Stastny
10. Marc Savard
11. Nathan Horton
12. Kris Draper
13. Patrice Bergeron
14. Brad Boyes
15. Paul Kariya
16. Eric Staal
    
17. Andy McDonald
18. Jason Arnott
19. Rod Brind'Amour
    
20. Justin Williams
    
21. Rick Nash
22. Sidney Crosby
    
23. Jonathan Toews
24. Jordan Staal
    
25. Shawn Horcoff
    
26. Joe Thornton
27. Daniel Briere
    
28. Dustin Penner
    
29. Patrick Marleau
30. Simon Gagne
    
31. Sam Gagne
    
32. Jonathan Cheechoo
33. Jarome Iginla
    
34. Ryan Getzlaf
35. Joffrey Lupul
    
36. Alex Tanguay
    
37. Corey Perry
38. Mike Richards
    
39. Owen Nolan
    
40. Chris Kunitz
41. Jeff Carter
    
42. Shane Doan
43. Brenden Morrow
44. Brendan Shanahan
    
45. Pierre-Marc Bouchard
    
46. Mike Ribeiro
47. Mike Cammelleri
    
48. Todd Bertuzzi

The Defencemen

1. Wade Redden
   
2. Kevin Bieksa
   
3. Kyle McLaren
4. Chris Phillips
   
5. Brent Burns
   
6. Brian Campbell
   
7. Robyn Regehr
   
8. Brent Seabrook
9. Braydon Coburn
   
10. Adam Foote
    
11. Cam Barker
12. Dan Boyle
    
13. Rob Blake
    
14. Duncan Keith
15. Jay Bouwmeester
    
16. Philippe Boucher
    
17. Shea Weber
18. Mike Green
    
19. Trevor Daley
    
20. Barret Jackman
21. Sheldon Souray
    
22. Ed Jovanovski
    
23. Chris Pronger
24. Dion Phaneuf
    
25. Francois Beauchemin
    
26. Eric Brewer
27. Adrian Aucoin
    
28. Scott Niedermayer
    
29. Jason Smith
30. Nick Shultz

*And for those Leaf fans out there, no, I did not forget Bryan McCabe*

The Goalies

1. Ray Emery
   
2. Martin Biron
3. Marc-Andre Fleury
   
4. Martin Brodeur
5. Cam Ward
   
6. Roberto Luongo
   
7. Jean-Sebastien Giguere
8. Manny Legace
   
9. Marty Turco
10. Jonathan Bernier
11. Mike Smith

The Locks:

No doubt some of the names on these lists will stir debate, some will have people saying, "Why is this guy even ON the list", and some will have people questioning why this guy isn't at the top of an unordered list because he's THAT good. No matter how deep and talented your stable of players is, there will always be those players that stand out so far from the pack, that it's egg on your face if you don't choose them.

Sidney Crosby - Doi. This guy is good. Unbelievably good. After a single season, and at the tender age of 20 years, "Sid the Kid" has quickly become the most coveted forward in the NHL. The pundits had him chosen as a lock for the Hart, and were it not for the high ankle sprain he suffered about two weeks ago, he would probably have gotten there. He is the complete package. Offensively explosive, defensively reliable, plays a hard, physical game without ever crossing the line, a solid team player with no ego, and a team leader to boot, both vocal and by example. Believe the hype, because with Sidney Crosby, there is no downside. None. He is the epitome of what young hockey players aspire to be, and the player every coach wants to have.

Joe Sakic - Even mentioning this guy's name on this list might have some people saying, "Huh? Won't he be 40 in 2010"? But consider this. In the past 20 years or so, besides the name "Steve Yzerman", is there another name in the league that has commanded the level of respect as the name "Joe Sakic"? In some places, and with some people, the name is spoken with reverence. Small countries in Europe have erected shrines in his honour, and worship him as a deity. Okay, maybe not that far... but his accomplishments speak for themselves. 9th in all-time NHL scoring points, 11th in all-time assists, 14th in all-time goals, six 100+ point seasons, has averaged 1.2 points per game over 1300+ career games, is first overall amongst active players in scoring points (1611), one of the longest serving captains of one team (17 years), winner of the Hart and Conn Smythe trophies, member of the triple gold club, tournament MVP on the gold medal winning 2002 Canadian team, two Stanley Cups, destined for the Hall of Fame. Will he be 40 years old in 2010? Sure he will. Will he still be able to contribute to the team. You better believe it. While Joe Sakic is getting a little older, his consistency of play, his leadership skills, and the commanding presence he brings into the dressing room are things that could never be replaced. If Team Canada leaves for Vancouver without Joe Sakic (who was incidentally born in Burnaby, B.C.), they'll be worse off for it, I guarantee it.

Joe Thornton - Aside from Sidney Crosby and Jason Spezza, Joe Thornton is likely the best playmaker in the league. His big body presence up the middle, unparalled vision, and utter domination down low will be an invaluable asset in opening up the big ice surface for his teammates. While he's not the fastest skater on the team, nor the most vocal team leader, his ability to focus on the task at hand, play through the pain, lack of any sort of ego, and personality that will accept any role given to him without complaint will be a boon to the Canadian team. Mike O'Connell, GM of the Boston Bruins possibly made the worst trade in history by trading away Joe Thornton (who went on to win the Hart and Art Ross trophies that year). Mike Milbury possibly one-upped him (retrospectively) by trading Zdeno Chara and 1st round pick (Jason Spezza) for Alexei Yashin. Fortunately, neither Mike Milbury, nor Mike O'Connell will be running Team Canada.

Vincent Lecavlier - An offensive dynamo. Unbelievably creative with eyes in the back of his head, hands like velvet, an emergent leader, and a temper like quicksilver. Vincent Lecavalier will create space for his team, run the powerplay, and has the potential to turn defenders inside-out. One of the most complete offensive players in the league; for those not entirely in tune with his talents before his breakout, his numbers have begun to speak for themselves. A Team Canada without Lecavalier is like a Sundae without icecream.

Martin St. Louis - Like Lecavalier, he is also part of "the big 3" (now "the big 4" with the inclusion of Dan Boyle). Martin St. Louis may be small, but his heart is as big, and shines as brightly as the sun. Slick, shifty, and tight in the corners, coupled with an attitude that refuses to back down from any challenge, physical or mental, St. Louis leads by example. Penalty kill, powerplay, big ice, NHL ice, checking or scoring, it doesn't matter to St. Louis who he's playing against, who he's playing with, how much ice time he gets, or what role he's given. Martin St. Louis will give 110% every time, every game, every shift. Even if you've never heard of Martin St. Louis, that's as much as you need to know.

Jarome Iginla - Possibly the happiest guy in the league, Jarome Iginla brings an upbeat, positive attitude, zero ego, and a never quit attitude to compliment a lethal shot, powerful skating stride, and physical dominance. A true triggerman, Iginla lives in the slot, and from there, he can be one of the most dangerous players in the NHL. Amongst powerfowards, Iginla is amonst the best. On the Calgary Flames, he is the heart and soul. Jarome Iginla will never quit, he will never stop, he will always inspire, and he will be a constant menace on offense.

Dany Heatley - One of the most dangerous players in the NHL in the offensive zone, Dany Heatley is as good as setting up as he is at finishing. While not as creative as players like Sidney Crosby or Vincent Lecavalier, his shot is as hard as it is accurate, and his one-timer is amongst the best in the league. Physically big and strong, he's as dangerous in the slot as he is in front of the net as he is from the half-boards, and just to further confound defenders, he's just as likely to pass as he is to shoot.

Ryan Smyth - Nicknamed "Captain Canada", when Canada calls, Ryan Smyth will answer, even if he's only got one leg to stand on. The only player to possibly rival St. Louis in terms of sheer will, Ryan Smyth lives and thrives on effort. While not the most flashy, creative, or physically dominant player in the league, there is no player in the league that will sacrifice more for his team than Ryan Smyth. His epic battles, goals scored, and punishment received in front of the opposing net have been made into inspiring ballads by some bard living in some remote country watching Edmonton games on television. (As a matter of fact, of his 281 career NHL goals, 280 of them were probably scored from within five feet of the goal line). There is no player in the league that battles as hard as Ryan Smyth, night in and night out. He creates goals out of sheer will. His ability to simplify the game has been a blessing on his team on innumerable occasions. He leads by voice and by example, and his tenacity is unmatched. Even for a player unpossessing of a skillset like Ryan Smyth's, that kind of dedication is impossible to ignore.

Scott Niedermayer - Four Stanley Cups on two different teams, gold medal winner, Norris trophy winner, Conn Smythe trophy winner, Scott Niedermayer has done one thing over his career, and that is win. As smooth a skater as there has ever been, a slick puck mover, powerplay quarterback, stalwart defender, vocal team leader, and a consumate professional who never gets rattled; Scott Niedermayer does it all. The only question about Scott Niedermayer's involvement with Team Canada is, if he retires in the next couple years, how hard will Canadian brass have to beg him to get him to come back?

Chris Pronger - Big, strong, and physical with a wicked mean streak, great reach, a bullet shot from the point, the ability to quarterback a powerplay, and the ability to log a tonne of minutes. His accolades include a Norris trophy, a Hart trophy, a gold medal, a Stanley Cup in 2007, and almost single-handedly carrying Edmonton on his shoulders during their Cup run to the finals in 2006; what left is there to say? Pronger is the complete package, and everything a coach could ask for in a blueliner. Throw away all those bulky old one-dimensional players. With Chris Pronger, your satisfaction is guaranteed, or your money back!

Adam Foote - Surprised? It would be no surprise that many people would not have this man on their lists. However, take this into consideration. For the past decade, Adam Foote has been a stalwart defender for Canada. While he will be 38 come 2010, Adam Foote remains as tough as nails, and I would challenge anyone to find a player in the NHL that's tougher (and I'm not referring to enforcers). This guy eats nails for breakfast. I've seen him do it. He may be getting a little older, but his positioning is still as uncanny as ever, he's virtually impossible to beat one-on-one, and he's seemingly immune to breakdowns in defensive coverage. There is not a Canadian defenceman who has more experience or has experienced as much success, both internationally and in the NHL, than Adam Foote (except for possibly Scott Niedermayer). That experience and leadership, both vocal and by example, will not only be an invaluable asset to the team, but more importantly to the younger members of the Team Canada's blueline.

Martin Brodeur - I won't even bother going through the reasons why Martin Brodeur should be included on this list, or the accolades he's accumulated over the years. To Team Canada, Martin Brodeur is Martin Brodeur. Sure, he'll be 38 come 2010, but he's also Martin Brodeur; arguably one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of the NHL. He makes his biggest saves at the most crucial of times under the most intense pressure. A true clutch performer, in the big games, there's no one better.

Roberto Luongo - Canada's best goalie aside from Martin Brodeur. Big body presence in net, positionally sound, consistent, and a pressure performer. Roberto Luongo is the next big show in goaltending, and when he's at the top of his game, he's nigh unbeatable. While not as flashy as Martin Brodeur, he's coldly and ruthlessly efficient, he's always in position, and he's unflappable in net. Not only is Roberto Luongo arguably the league's best goaltender, but under the intense pressure of international competition, and playing on the big international ice surface, those qualities will only make him better.

The Supporting Cast:

Here's where it gets interesting. After that list of 8 forwards, 3 defense, and 2 goaltenders, that leaves a mere 5 forward positions open, 4 defense positions, and 1 available goaltender position. This to split amongst a very, very talented list of players. Here's my two cents:

Jason Spezza - One of the most skilled forwards in the NHL, if he could ever play a complete season, with the points per game he acquires year in and year out, he could realistically compete for the Art Ross every year. While he may be defensively weak, and he may not be as fleet of foot as some of the speedier players, his vision and passing skills are unparalleled, rivaling or perhaps even surpassing those of Sidney Crosby or Joe Thornton. He commands fantastic stick handling skills, the soft hands of a sniper, and long reach which he often uses to his advantage. On the powerplay, there may not be a better centre in the league.

Simon Gagne - Perhaps the least offensive threat from the thirteen forwards, Simon Gagne brings much more to the table than being an offensive menace. His international experience with Team Canada and his leadership role on the Flyers are both important contributing ingredients to a winning team. His speed and creativity will open up ice for his teammates, his finishing polish and quick release make him offensively capable, and his two-way savvy will be a boon on the penalty kill. These things, along with Gagne's previous international involvement with Team Canada make him a tough cut.

Eric Staal - Tall and lanky with a nose for the net, Eric Staal is a constant menace on offense. Great long reach, a natural goal scorer, leadership qualities, a mean streak, and one of the very few forwards in the league who can effectively quarterback a powerplay. Eric Staal has a desirable skill set, and one which will give the coach heaps more options than he would otherwise. But perhaps what sets Eric Staal apart from the rest of the pack is his intelligent decision making with and without the puck. It is this decision making that always has Staal in the right place at the right time, and it is this intelligence that allows him to safely quarterback the powerplay. With Eric Staal in the lineup, the coach will have some very tasty options at his disposal.

Rick Nash - Another tall powerforward with long reach similar to Staal, but unlike Staal, Nash brings something very different to the table. While he is not as defensively responsible as some of his Canadian peers, or is not as adept a playmaker as he is a finisher, his smooth, effortless skating stride, long reach, mindbending one-on-one ability and puck control, and undeniable offensive intelligence make him possibly the most dangerous player in the tournament on the big international ice surface. While he has yet to produce up to his potential in the NHL, his skill is irrefutable, and on that merit alone, Nash is a virtual lock. He's that good.

Ryan Getzlaf - Another controversial pick, I'm sure, but consider what Ryan Getzlaf can bring to the team. While he's not as fast a skater and does not possess the one-on-one puck possession of a Rick Nash, he brings a skill set could be considered more suited to a smaller ice surface, but could be equally effective on the big ice under the right circumstances. A big body presence up the middle, competent and capable in all three zones, can play effectively 5-on-5, on the powerplay, or on the penalty kill, can make clean, crisp, tape-to-tape passes, and is equally fluent at finishing as he is at creating plays and passing. He plays with the poise and patience of a veteran ten years his senior, and while he possesses a vicious mean streak, will rarely allow the opposition to rattle his cage. Calm, cool, and polished in all three zones, Getzlaf will bring a very balanced skill set to the team.

Jay Bouwmeester - The only player in the league who can make skating look as effortless as Scott Niedermayer. Bouwmeester moves faster than any big man in the league, and while he hasn’t broken out of his offensive shell yet, he’s an intelligent blueliner who makes smart decisions with the puck. Turnovers in his own end are rare, he’s tight on the defensive coverage, excellent one-on-one defender, and amazing recuperative ability; crisp and clean outlet passes, the ability to lead the rush, and smart pinching. Combine these offensive and defensive traits along with the ability to log a tonne of minutes (30+ on many nights), and Jay Bouwmeester is one of the most balanced defenseman in the league. His potential as a shut-down defender, and balanced ability to play under any circumstance will add heaps of options to a coach’s arsenal.

Chris Phillips - Another terrific skater, although while not possessing as effortless a stride as Bouwmeester or Niedremayer, he remains one of the quicker big men in the league. Strong on the body, tight on the defensive zone coverage, long reach, which he often uses to his advantage, and can execute the outlet pass with aplomb. In the defensive zone, Phillips is one of the best defenseman in the league. While his acumen in the offensive zone leaves something to be desired, his ability to quickly and cleanly move the puck out of danger, his recuperative ability, his consistency and intelligent decision making, leadership skills, and his strong body presence in the defensive zone make him an invaluable asset to Canada’s defense.

Dion Phaneuf - Some have dared make the comparison between Phaneuf and the incomparable Scott Stevens in terms of his ability to make bone-crushing open ice hits, and in many respects, the comparison is justified. While he may not be up to the level of Scott Stevens yet, Dion Phaneuf is well on his way. While his defensive zone coverage is not as tight as other defenseman, and his outlet passes are not crisp and clean as players like Pronger, Niedermayer, Boyle, or Campbell, in terms of sheer intimidation, there is no one better. His ability to line up hits and intimidate the opposition with his physical presence and canon from the point will keep the opposition with their heads on a swivel, and prevent them from daring to cut into the middle. His intimidating presence will keep forwards honest and help the team both mentally, and on the score sheet, and his ability to walk the line will open up shooting and passing lanes on the powerplay.

Ed Jovanovski - There are few enough “complete package” defenseman in the league, and Ed Jovanovski is one of them. His vicious mean streak and physical presence can intimidate opponents, and his offensive acumen allows him to make smart outlet passes, make timely and smart pinches in the offensive zone without hurting his team, and quarterback a power play. Ed Jovanovski brings a very desirable skill set to his team, as like many of the premier “complete package” defenseman, he can do many of the things a “specialist” can do, and on many occasions, he can do them better.

Cam Ward - Considering that the third goalie on Team Canada will be relegated to playing maybe one game in the round robin (and even that's not very likely), particularly in light of the fact that he's backing up Roberto Luongo and Martin Broduer, both of whom are not only considered by many to be the best goalies in the league, but also play over 70+ games on their club teams, the choice of third goaltender is relatively inconsequential. Nonetheless, a team is a team, and in a case like this, the best choice is a goaltender with a positive team attitude, and maybe one with a future with the idea to give him international experience for future tournaments. Cam Ward is an excellent young goaltender with a mature attitude, and a potential for future Team Canada starts. While Turco and Giguere are also great goaltenders, why not give the kid some international experience. Even if he won't see a single game (which is very likely), the experience of travelling overseas with a team as strong as Canada's to compete in a foreign country on a stage as big as the Olympics will be the experience of a lifetime. And for a goaltender with a future as bright as Ward's, why not?

Our Beloved Maple Leafs

Leaf Nation... I use the term loosely as a term for a physical, geographical area which is defined by broadcast television coverage. In short, if you're forced by your regional sports coverage to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs every single game, you're probably in Leaf Nation. Leaf Nation is not a good place to be. It's full of blind zealots, something akin to a cult, who follow the will and behest of their ruling overmind, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Leaf Nation is the perfect example of how media is able to control what people think, and when they deem it appropriate to think it. Take, for example, the telecast of the Feb. 5 broadcast of the Panthers/Leafs game. It started off with ominous music, followed by the narration of Joe Bowen stating that the young Leaf prospects were finally reaching the potential Leaf management thought they would, and that they were "showing why they were chosen".

Of course, for any pundit out there not affiliated with MLSE, we know that the Toronto Maple Leafs HAVE NO PROSPECTS. They were referring to Jiri Tlusty, chosen in the 1st round, 13th overall, Robbie Earl, chosen in the 6th round, 187th overall, and Carlo Colaiacovo, chosen in the 1st round, 17th overall. However, if one were to delve a little deeper past what MLSE is trying to sell, one would notice that their top prospect, Jiri Tlusty has 8 points in 30 games, and is a -8 with 4 PIMS. Given he's only 19 years old, but those are not exactly impressive numbers. Robbie Earl, who after ONE game has become the saviour of the Leaf franchise, and has 30 points in 67 games in the AHL Toronto Marlies. Impressive, no? Finally, we come to Carlo Colaiacovo, who after four seasons, has played a grand total of 81 NHL games, is 25 years old, and has a bit of a mountain to climb to catch up to a real prospect like, oh I don't know... Dion Phaneuf, Brent Burns, or Ryan Whitney.

But relax everyone in Leaf Nation. Everything is going to be okay... Shhhh.... It's okay... *said in cooing voice* Robbie Earl will save you. Robbie Earl will make it allll better. And if he doesn't, then Bryan McCabe will. Or maybe 25 year old "prospect" Carlo Colaiacovo. Shhhhh... Don't worry about a thing... Shhhhhhhh..........

Mid-season predictions (Part 2 - The West)

1. Detroit Red Wings
I feel like I owe an apology to the Wings and their fans, because for the past five years or so, I've been quick to condemn them to the junk heap for various reasons. Dominik Hasek and Chris Chelios are too old, they'll never make it. Nope. Steve Yzerman is retiring, they won't be a strong contender without him. Nope. Past Datsyuk and Zetterberg, the Wings won't have any depth. Nope. Every year, I come up with another reason why the Red Wings won't succeed, and every year, they throw my words back in my face. And really, I suppose I couldn't be happier. As one of the original six teams, not only is the Wings organization a class act in every way, but their talent is home grown, and flies in the face of the philosophy of teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers. There are only two possible explanations for this. 1. The Detroit Red Wings have a signed contract with the devil. Or 2. The Wings organization is spending all their money in the right places. I prefer the latter to the former, but to each his own.
Analysis: Even if you're not a fan of the Detroit Red Wings, it's almost impossible to not give the proper respect to what they've done over the past 10 or 20 years of hockey (not to mention since their conception). Three Cups in the last 10 years, including back to back years in 96/97 and 97/98, five President's trophies for most points in the NHL, four cup final appearances, and never finishing below 3rd in the East for the last ~15 years. 'Nuff said. Will the Wings make the playoffs? The question is not whether the Wings will make the playoffs or not, but rather how deep will they go?

2. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have played like studs in the regular season, but have somewhat fizzled in the playoffs. They currently stand 2nd in the West, first in their division, and 2nd in the NHL with 57 points. And their top scorers (besides Big Joe) are currently "slumping".
Analysis: Will they make the playoffs? Will they lead their division all the way to the end? Will they succeed in the playoffs? Many of these questions depend on the health and play of Evgeni Nabokov, who has played in all but 1 game for the Sharks. Whether or not he's started all 43 games is really inconsequential at this point for a goalie that's on pace to play 80 games. Ouch. Will Nabokov have anything left in the tank for the post-season? Even Martin Brodeur only plays 70+ games, and has only played over 75 games twice in his career. Will the Sharks make the playoffs? They should almost surely finish within the top 5 in the West, if not the NHL, but whether or not they will be successful with a dog-tired goalie is another story.

3. Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild seem to have finally come to terms with the quirky little team that is the Minnesota Wild. Any team playing a defensive system with the likes of Marian Gaborik, Pavol Demitra, and Brian Rolston is a team with an identity crisis. Fortunately, over the past couple years, Gaborik has been playing more games, and has been starting to change the team identity. Goals are up, defense is still strong, netminding is always a plus, even with the loss of Manny Fernandez.
Analysis: While the Northwest division is fairly competitive, the Wild make a strong argument for first place. If the Wild don't finish in the top three in the East, there's no reason to think that they should finish below top five in the West.

4. Dallas Stars
While the Stars are another perennial candidate to make the playoffs, their roster just dosn't seem strong enough on paper to be a good playoff candidate. Modano is starting to show signs of age, and behind Mike Ribeiro, they really don't have much depth down the middle. Depth on the wing is also a concern as they really don't have a legitimate top six. Besides Brenden Morrow (who's not a natural goal scorer by any stretch of the imagination), the Stars having anyone in top 20 in league scoring will be a surprise.
Analysis: The Stars, on paper at least, seem to be overachieving, mainly on the shoulders of Mike Ribeiro and Brendan Morrow. Will they keep it up until the end of the season? Possibly. However, if their roster is any indication, they may not finish in the top five, but should make the playoffs.

5. Vancouver Canucks
Roberto Luongo.

6. Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames, who have in years past been offensively challenged, have recently become a scoring threat. Captain, Jarome Iginla, is amongst top five in NHL scoring with 62 points in 48 games, and his supporting cast of Kristian Huselius, Daymond Langkow, and Alex Tanguay are all on pace for 20 goals or more. However, in their quest for more offense, they seem to have lost their identity as a hard working, grinding, defensively minded team. They have also done nothing to address their gaping hole up the middle. While Craig Conroy and Daymond Langkow are both good centres, neither one is truly a No. 1 centre, and neither one can truly support Jarome Iginla to the level he needs to maximize his scoring potential.
Analysis: Despite their early season struggles, the Calgary Flames will undoubtedly make the playoffs. However, playing in a division as competitive as the Northwest with teams like Minnesota, Colorado, and Vancouver, who are all separated by no more than two points, taking the division title will be a challenge. Regardless of how they fare in their division, the Flames should finish no lower than 5th in the West. However, as competitive as the top eight teams are in the West, you never really know.

7. Anaheim Ducks
As you can see, standings can drastically change within the span of just a few games. When I started this analysis, the Ducks were in 7th, and now they are currently second in the West with 58 points. While the Ducks had a bit of a rocky start, they seem to have found their stride, and with the return of Scott Niedermayer (and possibly Teemu Selanne), they have once again become a Cup contender. While the loss of Andy McDonald and Dustin Penner might hurt in the short run, the emergence of Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry as premier, top-line scorers is quickly healing the wound. Coupled with depth on the blueline, including all-star defencemen Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer, and the goaltending of Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Ducks, at least on paper, are amongst the top teams in the West.
Analysis: The Ducks have recently moved into second in the West, and have passed San Jose for first in the Pacific division. Don't be surprised if they stay amongst the top 3 or 4 in the West for the remainder of the season.

8. St. Louis Blues
The Blues have experienced a rebirth since the colossal disaster that was the last two seasons. They've gone from dead last in the NHL with a total of 57 points for the entire 05/06 season, to 9th place in the West with 50 points and 22 wins already, which is a significant improvement. The acquisition of Paul Kariya and Andy McDonald, along with the emergence of Brad Boyes from Boston and prospects, Eric Johnson and David Perron, has the future of the Blues looking relatively healthy. While the Blues may not make the playoffs this year, they have made significant strides in the right direction. They still lack depth beyond their top six forwards (if you consider it a legitimate top six), but their blueline is (or will be) amongst the top in the league with the likes of Barret Jackman, Eric Brewer, Erik Johnson, Jay McKee, and Christian Backman.
Analysis: If the Blues can string some wins together, they may be able to grab the last playoff spot at the end of the season. However, more than likely, the Blues will finish the season 9th or lower.

9. Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche, for many years, have been a playoff team, but heavy losses of the likes of Forsberg, Foote, Deadmarsh, Tanguay, Drury over the past five years or so have significantly impacted their lineup. While players like Milan Hejduk, Marek Svatos, and Paul Stastny have somewhat filled the void, Stastny is currently on the IR, Hejduk is inconsistent at the best of times, and Svatos has yet to prove that is 05/06 season wasn't a fluke (and yes, I realize he's on pace for 30 goals, but he's also on pace for 7 assists. Yes, that's not a typo. He's on pace for 34 goals and 7 assists). The Avs have also been feeling the injury bug with Sakic on the IR until mid-March, and Smyth out until late February.
Analysis: The Avs may have enough young talent to partially temper the losses of great players over the year, and the acquisition of Ryan Smyth will help the team greatly in the playoff hunt and beyond. However, with injuries to key players (namely Smyth and Sakic), their hopes are quickly diminishing. They may squeak into the playoffs this year, but it is unlikely that they will finish any higher than 7th position in the West.

10. Columbus Blue Jackets
While the Jackets seem to have a decent roster on paper, they have a history of lackluster, uninspired play. Prospects like Nash, Zherdev, Brule, Brassard, Fritsche, and Leclaire were supposed secure the future of the club, while acquired veterans like Foote, Peca, and Fedorov were supposed to balance the team and provide much needed leadership. For whatever reason, despite his immense talent, Nash has yet to break out, and Zherdev is only recently coming into his own. It will be a couple of years yet until the likes of Brule and Brassard become a factor, and it seems like age has caught up with Fedorov and Peca (who is only 33 years old) as they appear as mere shadows of their former selves.
Analysis: The Jackets have a good team on paper, and they have many prospects, either in the system, or on the ice. While there are still positions that should probably be addressed (centre and defense), this is a team with reasonable potential for the future. While I don't think they will be successful until they address their needs, they may possibly make a run for the last playoff position. However, if the last few years have been any indication, there is usually significant disparity between 8th and 9th position in the West. I just don't feel the Jackets will ever be a serious contender, either for a playoff position or for a Cup, until they find depth up the middle. A bubble team this year, and for the years to come until they address the holes in their lineup. But then again, that's the way I felt about the Calgary Flames...

11. Phoenix Coyotes
The dogs have had a surprising season this year with the likes of Hanzal, Mueller, and Vrbata having strong starts to the season, and the waiver acquisition of goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. With 26 wins and 54 points, they currently sit 2 points out of a playoff spot, and have a firm hold on 11th spot in the West, 3 points over 12th seeded St. Louis; a significant improvement over past seasons.
Analysis: Even with young prospects like Hanzal and Mueller (and possibly Vrbata), I don't believe the Coyotes have the firepower to become a significant playoff threat. While the acquisition of Ilya Bryzgalov has addressed a desperate void in net, Bryzgalov is not Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo. What they have on paper is simply not enough. They may have enough to make a push towards the bubble, but more than likely, come playoff time, they will be on the outside looking in.

12. Nashville Predators
While it looked like Nashville was finally past the "expansion hump" into being a real playoff contender, the firesale that took place at the trade deadline last year has effectively taken them out of the running. The departure of Tomas Vokoun to Florida, Paul Kariya to St. Louis, and captain Kimmo Timonen to Philadelphia have left the Preds with some gaping holes in their lineup.
Analysis: Prospects Shea Weber and Ryan Suter seem to be developing nicely, but the rest of the team is still struggling to catch up. J.P. Dumont, Jason Arnott, and Martin Erat are good top six players, but none are bonafide top line players. Although the Preds are only 1 point out of a playoff spot, their lineup on paper just doesn't match up well with the rest of the Western conference. With Vancouver, Colorado, Calgary, and Columbus the most likely teams they will have to battle just for bubble position, Nashville will more than likely be duking it out for 9th to 12th in the West.

13. Edmonton
For the past 10 seasons or more, there is one thing that Edmonton Oilers could never be accused of, and that is lack of effort. The loss of numerous high-profile players to free agency, such as Doug Weight, Bill Guerin, and the infamous Ryan Smyth or Chris Pronger debacle have cut the Oil off at the knees. Still, every year they continue to give 110% in their search for a playoff berth. While most seasons they've managed to grasp the last playoff spot on the merit of pure will and effort, this year, it may not be enough. The Oil are going through a rebuilding process (sans Ryan Smyth and Jason Smith), and while they have burgeoning young talent like Gagne, Penner, Hemsky, Horcoff, Pitkanen, and Nilsson, the loss of the leadership and guiding presences from players like Smyth and Smith is great. However, Ethan Moreau may just be capable of filling the gap on his own until Horcoff and Souray (if he sticks around) pick up the slack.
Analysis: While there is an outside chance that the Oil will make the playoffs (and I'm a big Edmonton fan, so I'd like it to happen), it is unlikely at best. The line of Horcoff, Hemsky, and Penner is playing well, but it's not enough to give any significant worry to bubble teams like Vancouver, Colorado, Calgary, and Columbus, who will be their most likely targets come the end of the regular season. Edmonton will probably finish somewhere below 10th in the West.

14. Chicago Blackhawks
The Hawks are another team experiencing something of a resurgence, with rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews leading the rookie scoring race. A developing blueline, including Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Cam Barker, Brent Sopel, and the surprising performance of Dustin Byfuglien (pronounced BUFF-lin, if you're curious) is also showing signs of consistency. Round out that cast with Havlat, Lang, Sharp, Ruutu (who incidentally is still struggling to play up to his prospect status), and goaltender Khabibulin, and you've got an effective roster.
Analysis: While the Hawks are an interesting dark horse with plenty of depth, both up front and on the blueline, their biggest strength (youth) may also be their biggest area of need, as aside from Robert Lang, they really don't have a player on that team who can grab the reigns and steer them in the right direction; incidentally, Robert Lang, while providing much needed leadership, has not been known to do that. No one can argue that the Hawks are talented, but whether or not they will make the playoffs is another story. 14th place in the West with 23 regulation wins and 50 points; it's still better than the Leafs, but it's a long way to climb to battle teams like the Jackets, Blues, 'nucks, Avs, and Preds for the final playoff spot. Expect Chicago to finish below 11th in the West.

15. Los Angeles Kings
If one were to have seen the season opener between the Kings and the Ducks, one might think that they would have had a decent shot at making a playoff run. 51 games into the season, the Kings have a measly 20 regulation wins (tied with the Leafs for dead last in the NHL), a whopping 29 losses (most in the NHL), 42 points, and last place. Who knew? Jonathan Bernier is still a year or two (or three) away from being a #1 goalie, and #1 defenseman Rob Blake is a few years from retirement, but the Kings also have prospects Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Patrick O'Sullivan, Alex Frolov, and Jack Johnson. The rest of the cast are inconsequential roster players (and yes, I'm including Lubomir Visnovsky in that group for those of you who think offensive powerplay specialists are impact players).
Analysis: The Kings are a year or two yet away from developing a good core group of players. And while Jack Johnson will provide a good anchor on the blueline, the Kings may need more than one to succeed. Even with their young talent in the years to come, being a consistent playoff team may be a struggle as they have far too many floaters out there who don't provide enough support for the core. Thinking about making the playoffs while being dead last in the NHL after 51 games, and 14 points out of the last playoff spot? Let's just settle on stringing a few wins together first.