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Evaluating the Canadian NHL teams halfway through the season
There are plenty of storylines surrounding each of the seven Canadian NHL teams as the 2013 season reaches its halfway point. But while the first 24 games (or in some cases 25 or 26) have brought their share of surprises and disappointments each Canadian team seems to have one theme that has engulfed their season thus far.
Ottawa Senators (13-8-5): Losing Jason Spezza, Erik Karlsson and Craig Anderson to injury in the first month of the season was supposed to quickly end any hope Ottawa had at a playoff spot. But rather than falling to the basement of the Eastern Conference, the Senators have held their ground in the standings with an injury-riddled roster. Much like they did last year when many had predicted them to finish near the bottom of the East, the Senators are once again proving they’re capable of overcoming the odds. After 26 games they sit in sixth place in the East.
Montreal Canadiens (17-5-4): Without a doubt Montreal is the biggest surprise of the 2013 season thus far as nobody could have predicted that at the halfway mark they’d be sitting alone in first place in the Eastern Conference. Other than Alex Galchenyuk, Brenden Gallagher and Michael Ryder their roster is nearly identical to the one that finished 28th in the NHL last year, but there’s something to be said for the fresh faces that are running the organization in general manager Marc Bergevin and head coach Michel Therrien. Both deserve a lot of credit for the team’s success.
Toronto Maple Leafs (15-10-1): There were little to no expectations on the Leafs heading into this season, however head coach Randy Carlyle has them playing a defensive minded, physical brand of hockey and it’s clearly working. Halfway through the season the Leafs are fifth in the East and their success has some even considering Carlyle as a potential Jack Adams Trophy nominee. But coaching can only take a team so far and the Leafs wouldn’t be where they are without the surprising play of Nazem Kadri, who is leading the team in points with 25, and a host of others including James van Riemsdyk (14 goals), Matt Frattin (11 points in 11 games) and Mark Fraser (plus-17 rating.)
Winnipeg Jets (12-11-2): Much like they were halfway through the 2011-2012 season the Jets are on the outside of the playoff picture, but just barley. After 41 games last season the Jets were in ninth place, one point behind eighth and after 25 games this season they’re only two points out of the final playoff spot. The Jets have yet to carve out a true identity for themselves and are still battling inconsistencies. While they managed to grab five of a possible eight points on their recent four-game road trip, they have struggled at home having won just one of their last five games at the MTS Centre. Will the real Winnipeg Jets please stand up?
Vancouver Canucks (11-7-6): A quick glance at the Western Conference standings and you’ll notice something a little unusual – the Canucks aren’t leading the Northwest division. While the Sedin’s are both on a point-per-game pace, Ryan Kesler has played just seven games due to injury and halfway through the season they’ve still yet to name either Cory Schneider or Roberto Luongo as their starting goalie.
Calgary Flames (9-11-4): It seems to be the same old story in Calgary as the Flames have struggled to find any sort of groove in this shortened season and sit in last in the Western Conference. And what happens when the Flames aren’t winning? The Jarome Iginla trade chatter begins. While it’s hard to imagine Iginla playing for a team other than Calgary, as Y! Sports blogger Harrison Mooney wrote Monday, with his contract expiring at the end of this season Jay Feaster needs to at least look into his options with regards to his captain as if he doesn’t, he risks losing him for nothing this summer.
Edmonton Oilers (9-11-5): Many thought this would be the year that the young, up-and-coming Oilers would make the post-season especially after the immense success both Jordan Eberle and Justin Schultz had in the American Hockey League during the lockout. But halfway through the season the Oilers haven’t shown any major signs of progress. They still struggle in the defensive end, and even some their talented young forwards haven’t been producing. Ryan-Nugent Hopkins has just one goal in 24 games and while Jordan Eberle has six points in his last seven games, he hasn’t scored a goal in eight games. The Oilers still need plenty of work in order to become a contender in the West.
