Monthly Evaluation: Western Bottom Feeders

Colorado (5-7-0): The former powerhouse of the NorthWest division is going through a slow yet steady decline. Gone are the days of attracting big free agent fish with prospects of playing in June. Now what Denver attracts is Tucker & Raycroft. Ryan Smyth was a bigger fish but his play is gone dramatically down... or was it overhyped all that time among Edmonton's hockey fanatics?


Regardless, this group of forwards will not scare many especially as things quickly dry up after the first two lines. Veterans are occupying almost every spots and while they work hard, the upside is hard to find. With Sakic & Smyth already old and Hejduk creeping up too, this team cannot afford to lose Paul Stastny and must find ways to surround him with better talent.


The youngest member of the blueline group is John-Michael Liles at 28 and while the rest are very responsible defensively, such a slow moving group is simply not enough when your net is protected by the likes of Raycroft & Budaj.


This team looks old and seriously need an infusion of young talent. 11th in the Conference seems about right and this will be a very hard battle to find a playoff spot.


Rating: F
Outlook: same




Dallas (4-6-2): Who knew Sergei Zubov was so essential. Only Detroit looked stronger than the Stars late last year and many predicted a run at the Pacific division title with the arrival of Brunnstrom and Avery. This forward group is one of the strongest of the conference with talent, strength and nastiness.



The backend however is awful without Zubov. Boucher is looking old and slow (well, slowER than he already was) and the rest of them are not impressing anybody. Of course, that still does not excuse a .837 save percentage but unless there is some undisclosed injury, Turco should rebound and get back to being one of the most reliable puck stoppers in the league... hopefully, that rebound will happen before the Stars fall out of contention.

Rating: F
Outlook: same for November, it will take a few more weeks for things to kick into gear here


Columbus (4-6-2): "Things are looking up" has become a mantra in Columbus in the last few years... but it is true! Night-after-night production is an issue right now but I like a group formed by Nash, Brassard, Huselius, Voracek, Umberger, Chimera & Modin.

More depth and consistency is needed but you have a group worth building around.

Sadly, I don't see the same with the blueline. Tuytin, Commodore and Klesla are serviceable but they really belong further down the depth chart and not as the 20mins workhorses. Much has been expected from Kris Russell and comparaisons to Rafalski were numerous. Except similar size, it is time to let those go to rest and for the jackets to lay their hopes somewhere else for a powerplay quarterback.

Pascal Leclaire is not having the same success as last year but a kid with legs this quick and strong technique will rebound and give his team a chance to win most nights.

Rating: D
Outlook: same


Phoenix (4-5-0): That has to be a major disapointment in Arizona... if anybody cares about hockey at the overloaded sports area. With a full year of Bryzgalov, the arrival of Olli Jokinen and Patrick Kane 2.0 (Kyle Turris), this was supposed to be the year the Coyotes would actually compete.

There is some nice pieces up front but the talent falls off sharply and opponents can focus on stopping the big lines to stop the whole offense.

I do not know who is responsible for assembling this defense corps but their evaluation skills are seriously deficient. The two guys developed from within, Yandle & Michalek, are good pieces but the rest of the squad is one overrated veteran after another. Jovanovski anyone? two more years at 6.5mil for zeeeeroooo pt in 9 games and -6 rating! Mr overrated himself Derek Morris maybe? also 0 point in 9 games and only -4!! Ken Klee? David Hale? Kurt Sauer?? Where is Jyrki Lumme when you need him!

Rating: D
Outlook: same


Los Angeles (3-6-1): The roomy spot in the cellar was expected but did anyone expect this bunch to be this awful?? Will anyone reach 60pts?

I won't go into details about the awful lineup and the great young players on this team except to say that rebuilding is on the right track in LA but there is lots of work yet to be done.

Rating: F
Outlook: looks great for 2011!