Mid-Season Canadian Team Report Card | 
Calgary: For the first time in recent memory, there hasn’t been the question of whether the Flames can score, as they are fourth in the Western Conference with 145. This is due mostly to a balanced scoring attack led by captain Jarome Iginla. Iggy is tied for 10th in the league with 54 points, and off-season acquisitions Mike Cammalleri [44 points], and Todd Bertuzzi [31 points] have been major contributors. With team defence as good as it’s ever been, and Miikka Kiprusoff on pace to beat Martin Brodeur’s single season record of 48, set in 2006-07, the Flames are the cream of the crop of the six Canadian teams.
Grade: A-
Montreal: Jumping out of the blocks to the top of the Eastern Conference winning eight of their first 10 games, the Habs have slowly sank back down to reality. Key injuries to some of their top players, including Christopher Higgins, Saku Koivu, and Carey Price have helped the reality check. They have held their own despite the injuries, and occupy fourth spot overall in the Eastern Conference. With Price back, and sitting in the top 10 amongst all goalies in save percentage (.919), and goals against average (2.35), and with Higgins and Koivu on the mend, the Canadiens are set up to make a solid run towards the playoffs.
Grade: B+
Edmonton: Being a relatively young team with low expectations, many believe that the Oilers are over-achieving in the Western Conference. However, I feel as though they have overcome a lot of adversity, including a goaltending controversy. Switching consistently between now starter Dwayne Roloson, rookie Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, and the recently traded Mathieu Garon was an undesirable situation. If forwards Sam Gagner and Erik Cole continue to heat up, and defenceman Sheldon Souray continues to put up big numbers, the Oilers should be able to snag a playoff spot for the first time since their trip to the Stanley Cup finals in 2006.
Grade: B-
Vancouver: For a team with as much expectation as the Canucks had coming into this season, and with the addition of highly sought after free-agent Mats Sundin in December, it seemed that the only place they could go was up. However, with a key injury to starting goalie Roberto Luongo, and only two goals from Sundin, the Canucks have stumbled into the break losing eight of their last nine. If the slide continues, and they see themselves slip further and further down the standings, Alain Vigneault could be the next NHL coach fired.
Grade: C+
Toronto: Pretty much as expected. The Leafs limp into the break sporting the fourth worst record in the league at 17-23-8. It leaves them sitting in a position to dump all of their assets at the trade deadline to make a run at the top overall pick. General Manager Brian Burke stated at the all-star game that once the first big name is traded, you will see the flood gates open. Many are speculating, including TSN’s Pierre McGuire, that Tomas Kaberle could be the first to move, potentially to rival Montreal. Despite all that is bad in Toronto, they boast one of the top rookies in defenceman Luke Schenn, who has been deemed the only “un-touchable” on the Leafs roster.
Grade: D
Ottawa: What is wrong with the Senators? It could be the biggest question from the first half of the NHL season. Many people around the hockey world are wondering how a team can go from an Eastern Conference powerhouse, to having the third worst record in the entire league. People in Ottawa are suggesting that General Manager Bryan Murray blow up the team and shoot for the number one pick. Others, like myself, feel that all Ottawa is missing is a puck moving defenceman (ie. Kaberle or Jay Bouwmeester). All-in-all, for a team that was supposed to challenge Montreal for top spot in the Northeast Division, all Ottawa has done is go from first in goals last season, to dead last, and put their once starting goalie Martin Gerber on waivers. Major change is needed in Ottawa, but at whose expense?
Grade: F
Topics: Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks
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