rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 It's crazy to look at the current NHL standings and see how things have fared out to this point in the season. With exception of the Atlantic and Central divisions, it's all unsuspecting teams leading. Toronto leads the Northeast, Florida is in front of the Southeast (ahead of that team that was 7-0), the oil is top dog in the Northwest (hell, the Wild are leading the Nucks in the standings), and even Dallas came back strong this year currently on top of the Pacific. Some teams may lead due to having played more games, and we know most of this will change as the season is still very young. Basically I guess what I'm trying to say is....who woulda thunk? The only ones living up to their expectations are the BJs and the Isle on the bottom of their respective territories. At this juncture, I think Columbo has already played themselves right out of the post season tourney, 14 games in, even if they manage to string something together. My thoughts: The Leafs and the Oil were destined to emerge at some point with all the high picks they've racked up as of late. I just didn't expect it to be this season. I figured the Panthers might actually be a decent team after the shopping spree they went on in the offseason. We'll see if they can sustain this level of success throughout the remainder of the season. After the departure of Richards, I didn't expect Dallas to have much left in them, but they proved me wrong rather quickly. I have not watched much of them this year, is Kari standing on his head or what is going on in the other D? http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?type=DIV#&navid=nav-stn-div Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted November 11, 2011 I had already pointed that out here: It's interesting how the standings have shaped up thus far but it's well too early to be deciding the fate of most teams for the season, especially when we're talking about the Leafs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 My thoughts: [*]The Leafs and the Oil were destined to emerge at some point with all the high picks they've racked up as of late. I just didn't expect it to be this season.[*]I figured the Panthers might actually be a decent team after the shopping spree they went on in the offseason. We'll see if they can sustain this level of success throughout the remainder of the season I expected that the Oilers would eventually be a pretty good team with the talent they have, I thought it would take a little longer to gain the experience though, we'll see how they hold up. The Leafs, well, I thought they would be okay this year, either just make the playoffs or just miss....my opinion hasn't changed much yet. In terms of your comment though that the Leafs have racked up a lot of high picks lately.....that's pretty far from the truth. They have only had 2 top 10 picks in the last 13 years, in those 13 years, they actually haven't had a pick in the 1st round in 4 of them. Their average first pick in those 13 years comes in at about #32. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 It's certainly surprising. A few years ago, Phoenix, Colorado and LA all looked better than expected, and I started a thread asking about which of those teams could keep it up. They all wound up making the playoffs. You can expect teams like the Bruins, Canucks or Wings to pick it up at some point. But I think it wouldn't be a stretch to see all these surprising teams make the playoffs as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 In terms of your comment though that the Leafs have racked up a lot of high picks lately.....that's pretty far from the truth. They have only had 2 top 10 picks in the last 13 years, in those 13 years, they actually haven't had a pick in the 1st round in 4 of them. Their average first pick in those 13 years comes in at about #32. I suppose so. I forget they like to trade them away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 I expected that the Oilers would eventually be a pretty good team with the talent they have, I thought it would take a little longer to gain the experience though, we'll see how they hold up. The Leafs, well, I thought they would be okay this year, either just make the playoffs or just miss....my opinion hasn't changed much yet. In terms of your comment though that the Leafs have racked up a lot of high picks lately.....that's pretty far from the truth. They have only had 2 top 10 picks in the last 13 years, in those 13 years, they actually haven't had a pick in the 1st round in 4 of them. Their average first pick in those 13 years comes in at about #32. If the Oilers and Leafs get into the playoffs that's when I think they will run into experience issues. It's one thing to get into the playoffs, it's another to go deep into the playoffs. But considering the recent cup wins of Pens and Hawks it can be done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaymister 71 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 The Stars have been outshot in every game i've watched them play this year, if Kari was in Winnipeg now they would be in the playoffs. It's funny how he was injured every year he played in Atlanta, so they trade him and now he's an All Star. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 (edited) The Stars have been outshot in every game i've watched them play this year, if Kari was in Winnipeg now they would be in the playoffs. It's funny how he was injured every year he played in Atlanta, so they trade him and now he's an All Star. That's what I figured. I guess a few of their guys are showing up too, though. Well, I'll be watching them play tomorrow. Edited November 11, 2011 by rrasco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 I think many fans wrote Dallas off when Richards left. Lehtonen has looked solid. Sheldon Souray has looked great, with 13 points and a +11 through 14 games. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, Jamie Benn is the real deal, folks. 18 points so far. Loui Eriksson continues to produce. Eric Nystrom has scored 4 goals in the last 5 games. Another gamble that has paid off for the Stars. Everything is going well for them right now. The real test will be: How will they respond to adversity? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 Pittsburgh seems to be doing quite well without Crosby. How are they doing it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted November 11, 2011 (edited) I think many fans wrote Dallas off when Richards left. Lehtonen has looked solid. Sheldon Souray has looked great, with 13 points and a +11 through 14 games. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, Jamie Benn is the real deal, folks. 18 points so far. Loui Eriksson continues to produce. Eric Nystrom has scored 4 goals in the last 5 games. Another gamble that has paid off for the Stars. Everything is going well for them right now. The real test will be: How will they respond to adversity? I thought Benn and Neal were the future of the Stars, until they traded Neal. And I knew I should of picked Benn up on my fantasy team when I had the chance. *face-palm* I just want them to make the playoffs and get matched up against the Wings so I can go to a playoff game, that is until the Wings eliminate them and I have to find a way to Detroit for the SCF. Edited November 11, 2011 by rrasco Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 Pittsburgh seems to be doing quite well without Crosby. How are they doing it? God's chosen team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Free_Candy 38 Report post Posted November 12, 2011 Pittsburgh seems to be doing quite well without Crosby. How are they doing it? That guy from Michigan behind the bench has something to do with it. I've had some concerns about Bylsma before but I'm also happy to admit that I can also be wrong. The players really do seem to enjoy playing for him and buy into his system, so that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted November 13, 2011 Don't look now, if the season ended today we'd be playing the Sharks in the 1st round! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jenny 315 Report post Posted November 13, 2011 Well, that's fine. It's playing the Sharks in the second round that's an issue. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted November 13, 2011 I think many fans wrote Dallas off when Richards left. Lehtonen has looked solid. Sheldon Souray has looked great, with 13 points and a +11 through 14 games. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, Jamie Benn is the real deal, folks. 18 points so far. Loui Eriksson continues to produce. Eric Nystrom has scored 4 goals in the last 5 games. Another gamble that has paid off for the Stars. Everything is going well for them right now. The real test will be: How will they respond to adversity? Just based on last year, the Stars were one of the top teams in the standings for most of the first half of the season. Then reality set in, and they had an insanely bad second half, eventually missing the playoffs. They have a similar and arguably worse lineup than they did last year. I tend to think this season will turn out pretty similar for them, but hopefully (for them) they can manage to at least make the playoffs. Benn and Eriksson, though. Those guys are beasts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted November 14, 2011 Well, that's fine. It's playing the Sharks in the second round that's an issue. And we'd have home ice this time. I want another crack at SJ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jollymania 162 Report post Posted November 14, 2011 Dallas just out hits and outworks their opponents, and the goalie helps too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
