GLHL Review

The GLHL season is in full swing, approaching the 1/3 mark of the year. Teams now have a good idea of what they need to improve on as the All-star break nears. Some GMs have already starting thinking for next year, while others try and add the right pieces to make a run for the playoffs. The following is a review of each teams first 25 or so games of the year.

Anaheim Ducks. Record 15- 8- 4

The high power offense of the Ducks has worked for the most part so far this year. Scoring goals is not the problem for the Ducks, as they have potted 119, 3rd best in the league. The 97 goals against is the main concern for Anaheim. With a lack of depth up front and in the back end, the Ducks need to find a way to win with just two lines. They rely on Andrew Raycroft on a nightly basis, and if they don't score, they don't win. A team like this is always dangerous come playoff time, as they can catch fire and not look back. But in the long run, a well balanced team like Detroit or Minnesota should not have a problem moving past them in a seven game series.

Atlanta Thrashers. Record: 19- 6- 0

The Thrashers have been good for a long time and are the team to beat in the East. With the emergence of Brian Campell, they are even more deadly. With 38 points in his first 25 games, he makes this team of the the best in the league. With Jose Theodore in between the pipes, this young team will continue to win for a long time. Atlanta can roll four lines very effectively and can walk over teams that aren't as well rounded. While some of the GLHL power houses start to age and lose some star players, the Thrashers have a bright future ahead, and can only get better.

Boston Bruins. Record 8-15- 0

The B's are in full rebuild mode. With a good solid young d-core and Ryan Miller in the net, the team does appear to be on the right path. A big blow could be dealt to this team however, if youngster Alex Radulov is allowed to play in Russia this coming season. The lack of right wingers and the loss of the young star in the making would be a crushing blow for the Bruins. Time is needed for this team in order to be competitive again. A few more years of good drafting and patience is needed.

Buffalo Sabers. Record 12-10-1

The Sabers have one reason why they are over the .500 mark. His name is Evgeni Malkin. This kid is a stud, and has 40 points now in just 24 games. Malkin continues to dominate his younger class of Sid the kid and A.O. Adding veteran Alexei Yashin to this team will help tremendously as GM James Schafer sees a chance to make the playoffs. It should be a tight battle until the end, but look for Buffalo to squeak.

Calgary Flames. Record 15-8-3

By far the best team in GLHL, ever!! Ok, not really. But the future is bright for the Flames, with a good young core. GLHL freak Kyle Wellwood continues to collect points, and on pace for his second 90+ point season. Add youngsters Jason Pominville and Dion Phaneuf to the mix, the this is a team that can win a lot of hockey games. That being said, it could be a long time before the Flames can win a cup. Minnisota and Detriot have strangle hold on the West, and do not look like they are willing to let go any time soon.

Columbus Blue Jackets. Record 7-16-2

On paper, this team looks great. Unfortunately, they don't play like it. However that being said, this is a team the will be a force in the future, without a doubt. GM Paul Canosa has been brilliantly patient with his team, and it will pay off in the long run. Jordan and Eric Stall, Rick Nash and David Legwand are just the start for this team, who continue to grow and look forward to the future.

Chicago Blackhawks. Record 11-11-3

A team very similar to Anaheim in the fact they have a great offensive first two lines. But the 3rd and 4th lines are killing them. With a lack defense as well, this team looks to be going into rebuild mode. Once a dominate force in GLHL, guys like Jagr, Roenick and Shanahan will only be around for so long. The time is now for this team to think for the future. With a lack of young talent coming up for the hawks, the future looks dark indeed. One bright spot may be the goal tending, Huet and Halak will be great for years to come. With a few good trades and good drafting, this team may be not be down and out long. Time will tell if GM Richard Poelker is up for the challenge.

Colorado Avalanche. Record 4-18-2

Well... they have Ovechkin. Thats good... but thats about all thats good. Even he is off to a horrid start with just 11 points and a -15 in 23 games, and is the main reason they're managing an embarrassing 2.13 goals a game. Good drafting will be the key as this team rebuilds. The picks should be high, and with the likes of AO, Keith and Timonen, its not all bad in the mile high city. Lets hope the Aves can string together some wins, because a 35 point season would make me want to throw up.

Dallas Stars. Record 16-9-2

This Stars team is sick. Iginla, Thornton, Kariya, Semin, Vanek, Rolston, Toews. Enough said. Give this team a legitimate number one goalie, and a 3rd or 4th defensemen and they will be as good as anyone. However, until then, they will remain on the cusp of greatness. Look for this team to make a strong run into the playoffs, but I cannot see this team winning a championship until the goaltending and defense issues are taken care of.

Detroit Red Wings. Record 18-4-3

I would be really pissed off if my team was off to a 18-4-3 start and not number one in the league. Damn you Blake Wendt! The wings, as always, are amazing. They're gearing up for another run for the cup with the acquisition of Mr. Eric "trolley tracks" Lindros. Turco is a stud in net, and they may have the best scoring punch in the league. Not a bad combo. It will be a great race to see who takes the presidents trophy this year. It should go down to the wire, but my money is on the Wild.

Edmonton Oilers. Record 5-17-4

Kevin Lowe is a no talent ass-clown. Just kidding. Speaking of kidding, the Oilers are not doing that with anyone. With just 5 wins to start the year, things are not looking good in oil country. They must continue to draft well and be patient as the youth develops. Look for Mark Recchi to be on the move before the dead line, as this team rebuilds.

Florida Panthers. Record 7-18-2

Another team in rebuild mode, they must continue to go young and look for high draft picks. Well nobody knows how good Carey Price will be (and as long as he plays in Montreal, who really cares), he is still undoubtedly the best goalie prospect out there. Drew Stafford is off to a hot start with 16 goals in the early going. Guys like Bonk, Czerkawski and Sundstrom have been on the block for a while, and look for at least one of them to be on the move before the deadline.

Carolina Hurricanes. Record 9-14-4

The lone team in GLHL without a GM has a long road ahead of them if they want to be good once again. Well it may get worse before it gets better, the right moves are being made by Commish Derek Chaiken. With Yashin out, and Modano not far from it, the team is getting younger. With good young goalies in Ellis and Harding, this team will be a fun one to play with once a GM is found.

Los Angles Kings. Record 9-12-3

Much like Chicago, they time is now for the Kings. It was a good run well it lasted, but things must change. Selanne, Murray and Mogilny are to old for this team to be considered a threat. With that beind said, they will still attract a lot of value, and with a good year or two of drafting, and smart trades to make the team younger, it may not be all that long before they are competitive again. With Kipper in net, the team will always have a chance to win.

Minnesota Wild. Record 21-2-2

Well, not much to say about this team. They are awesome. With the first championship won last year, they are even better this year. I don't think we're talking about a re-peat, a two-peat, or even a three-peat. We're talking minimum eight-peat. With coach Ditka behind the bench, they may never lose again. Blake Wendt has done an amazing job over the last few years, and it has payed off. I say we skip this year, give them the cup and start fresh. Any takers?

Montreal Canadians. Record 10-13-4

The habs are off to a slow start, but that could change with a few smart trades to wake up the team. Mike Dunham is not a number one goalie. Like many, if not all teams, they need help on the back end as well. If you add a number one goalie, and a few key blue liners, this team should be able to climb the rankings and make the playoffs.

Nashville Predators. Record 8-13-3

The Preds are better then the record indicates. The main problem is Lalime and Thibault in net. Nashville is allowing an astonishing 4.29 goals a game. That makes it very hard to win hockey games. Cutting down the GA should be the main focus for this team as the season moves along. A better PK is needed. Trying to find a number one goalie, although hard, is a must for this team if they want to make the playoffs in a tough western conference.

New Jersey Devils. Record 8-14-3

A good core of young talent is the future of this team. They will be dangerous as time goes on. This would be another really fun team to manage, as there are a lot of options a GM could take. Look for the Devils to remain just below .500 for a while more. But as time goes on, this team is only getting better. All hope is on young Ersberg, as GM Simon Leon hopes he develops into a number one goalie ahead of Dan "uh oh" Cloutier. Speaking of Cloutier, he just signed a 2 year deal with my mens 'C' league roller hockey team. Financial terms were not disclosed, but he is rumored to be paid in sandwiches.

New York Islanders. Record 11-11-2

The on again, off again rebuild mode of the Islanders is an interesting battle. The team can look great at times with GLHL freaks Tkachuck, Nolan and Nevded lighting it up. The team can also look a little off at times, with John Slaney eating up 20 minutes a game. The big three mentioned above are all rumored to on the way out. But it is always tempting to make a run at the GLHL cup. With a .500 record, they could go either way. The smart move would be to go with the ever popular youth movement, but the smartest move is not always the funnest.

New York Rangers. Record 12-11-3

Great young talent in goal, and Marek Svatos off to a hot start has this team over the .500 mark. Svatos's +6 leads the team, while line mate and Finnish star Saku Koivu shits the bed with a -16. This team does have some good young talent in Kessler, Svatos, Perry and Erik Johnson. A .500 finish this year would be good for a team that needs more time to find itself. Goalies will not be a problem for this team, finding enough talent up front will be.

Ottawa Senators. Record 16-5-4

The Sens are the most surprising team this year, off to a red hot start. Amazing goal tending by Dwayne Roloson has this team flying on all cylinders. Lidstrom is off to a great start, averaging over a point a game, while shutting down the leagues top lines. Gary Roberts adds another level to this Senators team who are in the running for the leagues top record. The question is, can they keep it up. Time will tell if this team is for real.

Philadelphia Flyers. Record 11-9-4

You cannot help but feel this team is under achieving. With a crop of forwards like Crosby, Heatley, Spezza, Beregeron and Gionta and JS Giguere in net, this team should be ripping up the league. LD is the weak spot on this roster, and a few moves could really make this team a force to be wrecking with. Look for the Flyers to be active around the trade deadline as they should beef up for a run to the cup.

Phoenix Coyotes. Record 7-16-0

Hockey in the dessert is not well. Phoenix continues its struggles, that have lasted for years. The 'Yotes do not look half bad on paper, but it's just is not working. Changes must be made. They have a lot of depth players to work with, and it may just be a lack of chemistry that is keeping this team down. Smarter line combos as well as a few well timed trades could turn this season around for the Coyotes. If not, it will be another long season for the club.

Pittsburgh Penguins. Record 9-14-2

This young Penguins team is on the right track. It will be a while yet before they are the Pens of the NHL, but as we have seen with teams like Columbus, time will heal all wounds. A few more high draft picks, and this team will be ready to compete. If Mike Smith can develop into a good number one goalie and the likes of Mueller, Brown and Suter continue to get better, this team will be much better off.

San Jose Sharks. Record 12-7-4

San Jose is a turned some heads this year. A team staked with high scoring right wingers, and the surprising great goaltending from Mark Denis have this team off the to a hot start. Danny Briere is red hot with 32 points and a team high +16. This team is only going to be as good as the goalie however. As long as Denis is hot, this team will win. But I am not sold on him yet, and feel its a only a matter of time before Denis comes back down to earth.

St.Louis Blues. Record 12-9-4

The Blues have been singing the blues as of late. Just 5-5 in there last 10 games has them off to a disappointing start. Brodeur is off the a poor start by his standards, and currently holds a 3.35 GGA and a unflattering .892 save%. Even with the slow start by Martin, the Blues are winning. If and when he starts playing good hockey, this team could go on a serious run. A trade may be needed to shake things up in St.Louis.

Tampa Bay Lighting. Record 14-7-4

David Aebischer is playing lights out, and the Lighting are off to there best start in recent memory. Well balanced scoring, and a good smart tight defense has this team winning a lot of hockey games. Unfortunately for the Bolts, they are in the same division as the Thrashers. But with O'Neill, 16 goals, and Lang, 29 points, leading the way up front, this team hopes to continue is winning ways. Minus Luongo in Minnesota, Aebisher would be the front runner for the Veniza so far.

Toronto Maple Leafs. Record 11-14-2

This is a younger looking team now, that has come a long way from the old days. Gone are Lindros and Roberts, in are Frolov and Parise. This is yet another team that is on the way up thanks to some good trades. The Leafs look like they will be a contender is the next few seasons. The Leafs of the NHL could learn of few things from the Leafs of GLHL.

Vancouver Canucks. Record 7-11-7

A team that has be re-modeled three times over is off to a slow start. GM Barry Sheppard must be disappointed in the results of the first 25 games. A lack of scoring has hurt the defensive minded 'Nucks. Don't let that fool you though, as we have seen Sheppard make more moves then a hooker in an old folks home. This is a team thats needs to add some scoring power, and I don't think it will be long before that happens.

Washington Capitals. Record 11-12-3

The Caps are interesting team for sure. They plays great one game, and fall asleep in another. The Morrison/Hossa combo continues to be great. Goalteding will be an issues, and Eddie the eagle has pasted his prime by about a decade. Trades will be needed to get this team back to where it needs to be. It would be nice to see something positive out of the Capitals, as they have sat idle and mediocre for to long in GLHL.