CBC-Sports

Two up, two down

October 15, 2009 12:15 PM | Posted by   Mike Milbury  

Every year, NHL media types, including me, trot out their predictions. It is a sure-fire way to embarrass ourselves and yet another lesson in how the game can humble anyone, even the so-called experts.

Sure enough, right off the bat, there come some surprises. Let's have a look at two teams that most didn't expect much from and two that have tumbled unexpectedly.

Fans happy in Manhattan

On the plus side, the New York Rangers have blown out of the starting gate. Most expected John Tortorella to make a difference and it appears that he has. But give the Rangers brass and scouting staff some credit here. Who would have expected that two neophytes, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy, would be making a huge imprint on the Rangers blue-line? And Wade Redden seems to have found his pulse again.

Up front, Marian Gaborik is being deified already in a way that only Manhattan can do. Along with Vinny Prospal and Brandon Dubinsky, they seem to have a bona fide first line. This in turn takes the offensive onus off Chris Drury and lets him resume his role as a terrific two-way, second-line centre. And King Henrik is among the best at his craft.

Most of all, the attitude seems to have changed in Manhattan. The work ethic seems to have reached a different level. You can bet that they are doing a jig in the NHL and NBC offices. Deny it all you want, the league always attracts more attention when the Rangers win.

And whaddya know? The Colorado Avalanche cruised through an East Coast swing that left them an eye-popping first in the Western Conference. Their big gun, Paul Stastny, has been underwhelming but Wojtek Wolski and Milan Hejduk have picked up the slack. And the Avs have added some burning speed with the additions of Matt Duchene, David Jones and Kyle Cumiskey. Not to mention that Craig Anderson is beginning to look like the new Tim Thomas, a guy that just needed some opportunity. This has been a hard working bunch under Joe Sacco and they sure have adopted the coach's work ethic.

Leafs, Wild need a reset

On the downside, I guess most people didn't believe the Toronto Maple Leafs would be a powerhouse this season, but at least they were going to compete for a playoff spot. Coach Ron Wilson has asked for his guys to press the reset button on the season, but it won't erase the winless record to date.

There is not one facet of the Leafs game that can be looked upon as a saving grace. Goaltending has been shaky, the defence has made countless mental blunders and the forwards are punchless. No need to name names here. This has been a collective nightmare for the Leafs who now have to contend with the snarly attitude of their fans. Safe to say that the recent benching of Matt Stajan and Nik Hagman is the first shot across the bow at the troops.

Push that reset button and push it hard.

And the Minnesota Wild promised a new approach. More offence, more excitement was expected from Todd Richards’ group. Not so fast. Jacques Lemaire's method may not have been exciting, but it kept the Wild in nearly every game. What will it be now from the Wild? A return to team defence first and just let it ride for a while?

Goes to show that you just never know. And while this group will ride some up and down waves, it’s safe to say that once a team finds its rhythm during a season, good or bad, it seems to last a while. Leafs and Wild fans can only hope that I am wrong on this prediction, too.

" Previous Post | Main
  •