Sports Logic

By Wayne Coristine

Owning the Podium?

I've been watching an unhealthy amount of sports in the last week due to the Olympics and a few things stand out to me. First off, it's amazing how after a few short minutes of watching a less popular sport, we become experts. Watching moguls, I was screaming at my TV about how each run went and that was only day one. I now know what a double cork and double McTwist are, I'm adept at catching the difference between a clean triple lutz and one that wasn't just a little off and I'm fully aware that you need quiet arms in the ski jump because that's what the judges are looking for after all.

But there are other things at the Olympics that caught my eye, major issues that the Canadian team needs to address. First off, CTV's consortium of announcers need to learn that being critical of favoured Canadian athletes is allowed. If you're going to bill them as saviours, you have to hang the goat horns on them when they fail too. For example, in both long and short track speed skating, the Canadians would be hyped as having great shots at medals but as soon as they falter, our announcers make excuses like "this isn't her best event" or "he's using this as a warm up for the 1,500!"

Another issue is the feature on the high stakes of events like ski jumping, aerials, snowboard cross, downhill skiing, the half pipe and even figure skating. The part of the story that really irked me was when a sports psychologist for the Canadian athletes said she would never tell an athlete to take a major risk in competition if they have any doubt. Here's the issue about this. Canada's slogan at these games is "Own the Podium," which means they need to be taking risks to win. That's why the Americans take medals away in massive numbers, aside from their greater finances. The American athletes – with all that swagger and arrogance we as Canadians and the rest of the world despise – come to the highest pinnacle in sport with one goal in mind: win at all costs.

The reality is most these athletes get at most three sets of Olympic Games to shine and to not lay it all on the line is like asking for a participation ribbon. Canada isn't a great summer Olympics nation but with our abundance of winter and facilities to practice, there is no excuse for being happy with placing in the top ten when only the top three are remembered.

Concern on Ice

Well, it's already time for me to overanalyze the Canadian Olympic hockey team. After a nice little blowout of the lightweight Norway team, Canada – in the easiest draw in the tournament, laid a massive stinker in the second game against the Swiss. Yes, the Swiss. The team that thoroughly embarrassed Canada 2-0 in the 2006 Turin Games.

From the start of the very start of the tournament, I've had a few concerns with the Canadian team. Actually, I've had concerns with the team since it was named, but now that they have a couple games under their belt, my concerns are mounting. First off, the team's makeup. I'm all for chemistry on a hockey team. It's vital to any team's success and I understand that's why the coaches are playing regular teammates together on this team. However, the issue I have is very simple. Those guys should already have the chemistry needed to play well together in a tournament of the elite. It's the players from other NHL teams playing together that need to build chemistry in order to succeed when the games count. Which brings me to the fact that the Patrick- Marleau-Joe Thornton-Dany Heatley line and Ryan Getzlaf-Corey Perry line are playing too much so far? You could debate that the Sharks line (also known for their respective ghost impersonations in big games) are the best Canadian line so far. You could argue Getzlaf and Perry are playing well with Eric Staal and were just snake bitten against the Swiss. Doesn't matter, those guys are supposed to play well together.

However, people and the media want to dump on Sidney Crosby and the other seven players up front for not creating enough. Which gets my dander up in a big way? You see, Mike Babcock and Co. should be using the early rounds to put these guys out there a lot to see who works best with whom. And to build the chemistry between a Sidney Crosby and a Rick Nash or a Jerome Iginla. They should be getting Mike Richards and Jonathan Toews on the ice along with Brendan Morrow and even Patrice Bergeron. The only way those players are going to gel is by playing more than token minutes in a revolving door system on the bottom two lines.

Most importantly, Sidney Crosby is easily the best player on this team. He's their leading goal scorer and point getter coming into the tournament. He's a pressure player capable of carrying a team on his back and has the leadership chops at 22 that neither Joe Thornton nor Patrick Marleau have ever shown as they approach 30. Not using Crosby on the first unit power play is criminal and having him on the ice for what anything less than top three player minutes is bordering on irresponsible.

The other issue I have is burying a guy like Jerome Iginla, rather than using his experience as the only Team Canada forward with an Olympic gold medal. He also has the grit that is necessary when the going gets tough to score when it matters. I'm not saying that the Sharks and Ducks' players aren't carrying their weight; but we know they play well together, so Canada should have used the first two games to find out what they had with the players with less familiarity.

On the back end, I've never liked two of the picks: Dan Boyle and Scott Niedermayer. In addition to essentially bringing the same skill set, both are showing they are prone to giving the puck away, with Niedermayer being a sad shell of his former dominant self. His best tool – his speed – is failing him at this point in his career. His regular season is nothing short of abysmal as a big time minus player and yet he's playing top four minutes when his contribution is that of a sixth or seventh defenseman…

As for Boyle, he's what Steve Ludzik would call a Riverboat Gambler. He's about the same size as Niedermayer and has the same best attribute: speed. However, he doesn't think the game particularly well and is nothing short of mediocre defensively. Take into account that he's a plus four on a powerhouse Sharks team and you can see that he bleeds goals. It's a good thing Martin Brodeur is there to save his bacon.

That said the defence needs to play more of its young horses – both at even strength and on the power play. Coming into the Olympics, Duncan Keith is easily their best player back there and Drew Doughty is the likely number two. What they may lack in experience, they make up for in smarts and skill. Yet Keith is not getting any power play time despite being the highest scoring Team Canada defenseman coming in and Doughty got the bench for a giveaway while the veterans like Niedermayer and Boyle who commit garish turnovers are consistently sent over the boards.

Basically, Canada needs to be better from top to bottom to really put their stamp on this tournament. Efforts like the game against the Swiss are inexcusable and that's on the coaches every bit as much as it is on the players.

Non-Olympic Sports Talk

To borrow a nice little trick from Elliotte Friedman, one of the very best hockey journalists in the country, I'd like to switch gears to the Tiger Woods saga. This morning he finally faced the music with a 13 and a half minute statement about his affairs. First off, he went way farther than anyone predicted and hit on issues most thought he'd gloss over or make excuses for. Sure, he was rigid and it was obviously a carefully crafted statement, but he deserves a lot of credit for not taking the easy road like the vast majority of celebrity apologies.

We need to take a couple things into account with his press conference. Woods' words were sincere even if his delivery of them was awkward. I compare it to most school speeches and presentations you've ever delivered or witnessed. The speaker knows their stuff, but between nerves, pressure and even fear, it comes off as stiff and robotic. And that's for an audience of 30 without a video camera.

Woods' was under enormous pressure to come clean about the err of his ways and his audience was millions of people. The subject matter is also deeply personal and much more difficult than anything we presented in school, not to mention he has a hell of a lot more at stakes than getting a C-. As for being robotic…that's what Woods is. He was raised as a machine – as a golfer and as a person. It's what makes him so good at what he does, but it's also a big part of his demise.

The pressure of being a young phenom and billed by his own father as "being more important than Gandhi" at a young age is ridiculous. Woods was never allowed to have a normal life and like any sheltered kid from acting out at some point. Unfortunately, for Woods, he acted out as a married man and he got burned by it. He also got what he deserves for getting caught in his own mess.

But to go back to his statement today, I think Tiger Woods did what he had to do, even if he was about three months late to the party. He took responsibility and blame, he didn't make excuses and he explained how he's going to continue his rehabilitation. He's no longer seen as a perfect citizen and role model as he was before, which is a good thing; if we're going to look up to people, we should look up to those that can admit mistakes, take responsibility and show their warts rather than a carefully manufactured image.

This week's Manic Monday is one question and it's very straight forward. If you were the General Manager, who would be on your team, and if you're so inclined, why?

Wayne's Strategy

My selections are based on stats, styles and hunches. I'm not a believer in taking players on "experience" just because they were at the Olympics before – especially considering the 2006 disaster in Italy.

Another factor is there just aren't that many veteran players in the league today as decorated as the Joe Sakics, Steve Yzermans and Mario Lemieuxs of previous years, I'm looking at the group of good, young players in the league that are being compared to those players.

My team is built on skill, speed and grit – in that every player picked fits that description. I built a complete team around complete players – no powerplay specialists or shutdown player with no offensive upside. The coaching staff should be able to roll four lines and six defencemen without worrying about a drop-off in production or responsibility.

Forwards:

Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) – This was a no-brainer. He's a point-producing machine and just so happens to be a proven winner. Plays the game with skill and grit and is no slouch in the faceoff circle, Crosby will be a huge part of Team Canada's attack.

Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks) – Getzlaf is the prototypical player for my Team Canada. He's a big guy who can skate, has great vision and hands and doesn't mind mucking it up.

Dany Heatley (San Jose Sharks) – If you're going to play a skill game, you need to have a few snipers to finish. Heatley fits that role to a tee with his knack for getting open and his lightning quick release and accurate shot.

Jarome Iginla (Calgary Flames) – Iginla is the elder statesman on my forward corps. He's a combination of sniper and playmaker with more than enough sandpaper. Add good speed and leadership and he's a lock.

Brendan Morrow (Dallas Stars) – Morrow's not the biggest guy in this lineup, but plays like it. He isn't fancy but has good hands and is very hard to play against, making him the kind of responsible two-way checker needed for a short tournament.

Rich Nash (Columbus Blue Jackets) – Outside of Heatley, Nash is the best pure sniper in this lineup. His speed and hockey sense makes him a breakaway possibility every shift and he has the power forward game to free up space for his linemates.

Dustin Penner (Edmonton Oilers) – I start with a caveat here: this is a blatant homer call. Penner is playing well enough this season to merit consideration (likely as a late cut), but I have him on my team for a few reasons: He's getting the bulk of his points five-on-five, he's very responsible defensively and of course…CTV/TSN are covering the Olympic Games. I would love to see Craig MacTavish's reactions on TSN.

Corey Perry (Anaheim Ducks) – Perry is the most well-rounded agitator in the game today. His chippy style drives opponents crazy and he has high-end talent and toughness to back it up.

Mike Richards (Philadelphia Flyers) – Mike Richards is the ultimate two-way player in the game today. He's often compared to Bobby Clarke, but I see him as Michael Peca with much more talent. Richards skates well, hits like a truck, kills penalties and contributes in every area of the rink.

Eric Staal (Carolina Hurricanes) – Staal is my flyer pick. I know he's struggled a bit this season with consistency and injuries, but he's got the speed, size, reach and skills to carry a team on his back. At his best, he's a bull in a china shop and I'd love to see him on the biggest stage.

Joe Thornton (San Jose Sharks) – Without a doubt, the best passer in the game. His ability to see the ice, slow down the play and thread perfect feeds to linemates for easy goals should be enough to get him on the team. The fact that he has something to prove as a big game player certainly doesn't hurt.

Jonathan Toews (Chicago Blackhawks) – He may only be 21 years old, but being compared to Steve Yzerman from the day he was drafted doesn't hurt. He has the smarts, skills and leadership of the Team Canada GM and he's at his best on the big stage.

Late Cuts – The Battle for the 13^th Forward Spot:

Patrice Bergeron, Jeff Carter, Shane Doan, Mike Fisher, Patrick Marleau, Brad Richards, Marc Savard, Patrick Sharp, Ryan Smyth, Martin St. Louis

Despite his injury history, my hunch is telling me to take Ryan Smyth. Veteran would better understand role in press box and if called upon, his game is simple enough that it won't take long to fit into a fourth line role.

Defence:

Jay Bouwmeester (Calgary Flames) – Bouwmeester's skating ability allows him to close gaps and join rushes with little risk. Has the hockey sense and positioning to log minutes in any situation.

Drew Doughty (Los Angeles Kings) – It's hard to believe he's 19. Watching Doughty play such a well-rounded, responsible game is a treat. He's great defensively and very smart offensively. Add in his poise and he's the complete package.

Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks) – Keith is a smooth skating shutdown player defender with offence to go with it. He's a Norris Trophy type of player and should be an anchor on this team.

Chris Pronger (Philadelphia Flyers) – Pronger brings the nasty edge to this crew. He's a monster of a man at 6'6" and knows how to slow the game down when things get frantic. His ability to control a game from the defensive side is invaluable.

Brent Seabrook (Chicago Blackhawks) – Teams with Keith in Chicago as arguably the best duo in the league. Seabrook is a smart, hard-nosed defender who plays physical without taking penalties.

Shea Weber (Nashville Predators) – Weber has one of the hardest shots in the game and knows exactly how to use it. On top of that, he's a workhorse defensively and delivers punishing checks in shutting down opposing scorers.

Late Cuts – 7^th Defenceman:

Dan Boyle, Mike Green, Scott Niedermayer, Dion Phaneuf

Even though I think he's lost a step and has been passed by the five younger players on my list, I think Scott Niedermayer's presence with the team would have a calming influence. He's a proven winner and could step in should someone get hurt or struggle.

Goaltenders:

Martin Brodeur (New Jersey Devils) – Easily one of the best goalies in hockey history, Brodeur grabbed the starter's job with his play this season. He's a big game goalie and that's exactly what you need in a short tournament like the Olympics.

Marc-Andre Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins) – He's come a long way since his gaffe at the World Juniors huh? Fleury's maturity and ability to make the big save when it matters backstopped the Penguins to the Stanley Cup…and as far as I'm concerned, cemented him as Brodeur's backup.

Roberto Luongo (Vancouver Canucks) – While I've never understood his unofficial title as the best goalie in the world, Luongo is nothing if not talented. However, his inability to carry the Canucks consistently year after year – particularly when the expectations are high – raises a huge red flag for me and relegates him the third string status.

Late Cuts: Goalies

Marty Turco, Cam Ward

Wayne's Lines:

Nash-Crosby-Iginla

Heatley-Thornton-Staal

Penner-Getzlaf-Perry

Morrow-Richards-Toews

Smyth

Keith-Seabrook

Pronger-Doughty

Bouwmeester-Weber

Niedermayer

Brodeur

Fleury

Luongo

Shaun's Strategy:

For my team, I basically slotted the centers first (Since those positions are the most obvious) and I put them with players who would be the best fit. I don't care about prior service with the Hockey Canada program, and I also didn't base my decisions solely on 35 games this season, which seems to be a popular sentiment among the media these days…but in some cases it didn't hurt.

Forwards:

Michael Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens – Right off the bat, I have to defend my most controversial pick. Obviously he won't be making Steve Yzerman's team, but I'd like to ask why not. He is a top goal scorer in the league, can play the PP with the best of them, is an underrated passer of the puck, and for a smaller guy plays a big man's game. In addition to that, his defensive play is much improved this season (+10) which has been his bugaboo his entire career.

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins – This is obvious, and I have space to fill. So in 2006, Crosby was left off the team along with Eric Staal and Dion Phaneuf in favor of Todd Bertuzzi, Kris Draper and Bryan McCabe. Just think about that for a second…

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks – He will probably be the 3^rd line center on the team, but he is more than capable of adjusting his game to fill that role. Getzlaf is one of the best setup men in the game and knows what it takes to be a winner. He had a slow start, but offseason surgery will do that to a guy.

Dany Heatley, San Jose Sharks – Believe it or not, Heatley was my last pick. I don't think he brings the right attitude to the team, but he can put the puck in the net with the best of them. And if he wants to play the ego card in this dressing room, Godspeed Mr. Heatley.

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames – Upon closer inspection, Iginla will be the oldest forward on my team. With his leadership and prior experience, he is my choice for captain, but that shouldn't be a shock. I figure if he's considered the best leader in hockey, why would they pass him up for the C?

Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars – The first of my checking line makes an appearance. Morrow is an excellent 2-way player, in the mold of a Michael Peca in 2002. If I recall, that worked out okay for everyone.

Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets – After making strides in his own end last season, Nash has had a bit of a setback early on this year. He is still far too important to leave at home, and hopefully playing with other top flight players will motivate him to rekindle that defensive awareness.

Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks – With his play this season, Perry has jumped ahead of guys like Jeff Carter and Vinny Lecavalier. Perry is a guy you hate when you watch him play, but you'd love to see him on your team. If there's one thing Canada lacked in 2006, it was grit. With his nose for the net and penchant for mixing it up after whistles, Perry will be this year's version of Theoren Fleury in 2002.

Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers – With all due respect to Pavel Datsyuk, Richards should have won the Selke last season as the best defensive forward. His penalty killing is exceptional, and has enough offense to hold his own.

Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks – Speaking of players in the mold of Mike Richards… Sharp brings a penalty killing element, like Richards that will be priceless in a short tournament. With a PK of Richards and Sharp up front, teams may actually have to take the extra second to think or it's going the other way in a hurry.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes – To quote Doug MacLean "To leave Staal off the team because he has had a bad 30 game stretch is idiotic." Well said Mr. MacLean…well said indeed. I don't know if anyone remembers something called the "playoffs", but Eric Staal is in the elite in terms of big game players.

Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks – At the other end of the spectrum of big game players is Joe Thornton. But, how can you justify leaving the leading scorer in the league at home? Simple answer: you can't.

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks – Toews is my 13^th forward on this team. That isn't to say he doesn't deserve a regular shift. His versatility is such that he can fill in for a role player, or if Mr. Thornton struggles for example, he could be a #2 center.

On The Bubble: Jeff Carter (Flyers), Shane Doan (Coyotes), Vincent Lecavalier (Lightning), Patrick Marleau (Sharks), Dustin Penner (Oilers), Rick Rypien (Canucks)ß
J

Defence

Jay Bouwmeester, Calgary Flames – Last year when I previewed the Olympic team I left Bouwmeester off the team. Watching him now on a regular basis, you get an appreciation for the guy. Unless you're looking for him on the ice, you'll never notice him, and that is the greatest compliment a defenseman can get in my opinion.

Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings – I'm hesitant to include Doughty on the team. I wonder if the pressure of the situation will rattle him. There's no doubt the talent is there, but is the mental make-up at this stage of his career. Don't be surprised if Doughty is left off the team for that reason alone.

Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks – I need to make sure everyone understands how good this guy is. He is the best defenseman in this country, and I don't think it's even close anymore. He can shut down the league's elite one minute and rush the puck up the ice the next. He is a stone cold lock for this team.

Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames – Phaneuf is my 7^th defenseman. Everyone knows I am a huge fan of his, but even I can't deny his defensive shortcomings. In his defense (no pun intended) he is light years ahead of Dan Boyle or Mike Green in his own end.

Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers – If this tournament were 6 more months down the road, I can envision a scenario where Pronger doesn't make the team. By all accounts his attitude has shown up again in Philadelphia, and how's that working out? In the last month, Pronger has 3 assists and is a -4 in 15 games. That's not Olympics worthy in this deep class.

Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks – He is more than Duncan Keith's wingman. Seabrook is an excellent skater, who is versatile enough to quarterback a power play or be the lead defender on the penalty kill. I recently read a story by 8 members of Sun Media picking their teams. Seabrook got one vote out of 8…words can't describe how I felt when I saw that.

Shea Weber, Nashville Predators – Is there a more unknown defenseman in the league? Could you imagine the publicity this guy would get in a city like Detroit or Toronto. Actually, I'd rather not think about Weber in Toronto because I like him.

On The Bubble: Dan Boyle (Sharks), Mike Green (Capitals), Scott Niedermayer (Ducks)

Goalies

Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils – The greatest goalie of our generation is the starter in Vancouver, and even the most die-hard Canucks fan has to understand that. Brodeur is hands down the best goalie in this country going into the Olympics and barring a collapse of CuJo proportions, he will be the starter at the end as well.

Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins – Practice with me Marc, "Mr. Brodeur, do you need your water bottle refilled?" Also it would be nice if he packed a couple of suits because I would guess his playing time in these Olympics will be equivalent to Luongo's Vezinas…I kid because I love.

Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks – Luongo will be the backup in this tournament. But can't we all picture the day where Luongo gets his token game against Norway and pitches a 10 save shutout and suddenly there's a hue and cry to make him the starter? I sure can.

On The Bubble: Cam Ward (Hurricanes)

Shaun's Lines:

Heatley-Crosby-Iginla

Nash-Thornton-Staal

Cammalleri-Getzlaf-Perry

Morrow-Richards-Sharp

Toews

Pronger-Doughty

Keith-Seabrook

Bouwmeester-Weber

Phaneuf

Brodeur

Luongo

Fleury

After a one week hiatus, I have returned with the power rankings. I'm feeling a little under the weather this week, so I may have to "Brophy" these rankings a little. Last week he only made 3 blatant errors, which actually may have won you money if you chose the under.

1. Washington Capitals (18-5-6) LW: 3 – Even without Alex Ovechkin in the lineup, the Capitals keep winning. Putting up 14 goals in their last 2 games without the best player in the league is an impressive feat, I don't care if you like them or not. (You know who you are)

2. Chicago Blackhawks (18-7-3) LW: 2 – I couldn't possibly put the Sharks ahead of the Hawks after that 7-2 drubbing a week and a half ago. At one point in the 2^nd period, the shots in that game were 28-6. To go into San Jose's barn and embarrass them like that is something special.

3. San Jose Sharks (19-7-5) LW: 1 – Even with their impressive start, there are already signs of the Sharks getting ready to gag come playoff time. When the Sharks have had to play the 2 and 3 seed in the West, they have come up short in both games, and more troubling, Heatley, Marleau and Thornton were shut down relatively easily.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (20-9-1) LW: 4 – Since the return of Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have their game back on track. They are 5-1-1 in their last 7, which is good. On the downside, Sidney Crosby is having groin issues again.

5. Calgary Flames (18-7-3) LW: 8 – Who wants some "expert analysis"? I'm probably as much of an expert as John Shannon is, so here goes nothing. Calgary is really good in the defensive zone, they are decent in the offensive zone, and they are awful in the neutral zone. Next time you watch a Flames game, watch how often they lose the puck in the neutral zone.

6. New Jersey Devils (19-7-1) LW: 5 – They are 5-1 in their last 6 and that one loss was an absolute dud. Martin Brodeur is allowed a stinker every now and then, and did he ever use it on Wednesday night?

7. Buffalo Sabres (16-7-2) LW: 6 – It took me almost 24 hours to complete something on the Sabres and nothing came to mind. So, I'll use some of that Brophy magic. "Ryan Miller is a good goalie" Outstanding.

8. Phoenix Coyotes (17-11-1) LW: 14 – As unlikely as it sounds, the Coyotes may actually be for real. They are riding a 4 game winning streak and are starting to loosen up a little defensively. Maybe a winning/exciting team will bring fans to the rink in Glend...HAHAHA, I almost finished that sentence.

9. Los Angeles Kings (17-10-3) LW: 15 – Slowly and surely, I am on my way to losing the "Kings won't make the playoffs" bet. The Kings are 4-1-1 in their last 6 and are doing it without any production from Anze Kopitar or Dustin Brown. On top of that, Ryan Smyth is injured, and they still keep winning.

10. Boston Bruins (15-9-5) LW: 19 – You think the Bruins are regretting the 4 year contract extension they gave Tim Thomas? Not that Thomas is playing well, but Tuukka Rask looks like he's ready to become a #1 goalie. Maybe the Bruins could trade Rask to Vancouver for Andrew Raycroft, right Leafs fans?

11. Atlanta Thrashers (15-8-3) LW: 18 – Dear Kari Lehtonen, please pack your things and address them "To be determined on March 4^th" (My guess is Detroit). Ondrej Pavelec has struggled of late, but insert Johan Hedberg who is 7-2 this season with a 2.16 GAA.

12. Detroit Red Wings (14-10-2) LW: 12 – The Wings look like they have finally given up on Chris Osgood. So you know what that means. Jimmy Howard will get them into the playoffs, give up a suspect goal and get yanked for Osgood, who will go 16-0 with a 0.00 GAA on their way to another Stanley Cup.

13. Nashville Predators (16-11-2) LW: 11 – After winning 9 in a row, the Predators look like they are on their way back to earth. Their only win last week was over the lowly Chicago Blackhawks. Wait, I'm getting something...The Hawks are good? When did that happen? But TSN never mentions them...surely TSN would give us the straight dirt on teams right?

14. Vancouver Canucks (16-13-0) LW: 16 – I wasn't being sarcastic when I said it was a terrible coaching decision by Alain Vigneault to sit Luongo against the Hurricanes. Why he would play Luongo in a back to back situation and gave him Saturday afternoon blows my mind. Andrew Raycroft HAS to play that Philadelphia game after Luongo won the night before in New Jersey.

15. Colorado Avalanche (16-9-6) LW: 13 – Every week when I do these rankings, I always seem to drop the Avalanche further down the list. Eventually I will be right for doing so, but for now they are making me look like an idiot. They're even winning without Craig Anderson now.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-11-5) LW: 7 – Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the coldest team in the NHL, the Columbus Blue Jackets!!!! I don't know if it's a Manic Monday topic, but Ken Hitchcock might be the next coach to get fired. He's bickering with the franchise goalie...that's a surefire way to lose your job, right Ted Nolan?

17. Ottawa Senators (14-10-4) LW: 9 – According to That's Hockey, Jonathan Cheechoo is "hot" because he has 3 points in his last 4 games. For a guy who scored 56 goals a few years ago, if that constitutes "hot" the Senators are doomed.

18. Dallas Stars (13-8-8) LW: 17 – Lost another game in a shootout huh? Well, I'll comment on you when you go a week without doing so.

19. St. Louis Blues (12-10-5) LW: 23 – Now this is what we expected from the Blues. Apparently all it takes to get them motivated is John Davidson looking for stamps to mail Andy Murray his pink slip.

20. Philadelphia Flyers (13-12-1) LW: 10 – It's absolutely mind blowing that a team with this much talent could be playing this bad. Did Chris Pronger's wife think Philly is too cold and they secretly moved to Cabo? Is that Sean Pronger in Chris' jersey? By the way, what a terrible hire Peter Laviolette was. And I'm not just referring to the 8-2 beating they took in his debut.

21. Minnesota Wild (13-12-3) LW: 27 – When we last spoke I wrote that if you wore a Minnesota Wild jersey you had to pick up your game. Since that fateful day the Wild are 5-0-1. They are also 10-3-3 in their last 16, but don't let anyone know...they might actually start believing they are good.

22. New York Rangers (14-14-0) LW: 22 – Remember when the Rangers were at the top of these rankings? I don't either...but I remember saying they weren't a playoff team. I'd like to see that blow up real good in New York. Not because I don't like the Rangers, but I really really don't like Glen Sather.

23. Tampa Bay Lightning (11-9-8) LW: 24 – I made a mistake on this one. The Lightning lost 3 in a row last week and I moved them UP in the rankings. That won't happen again...

24. Montreal Canadiens (13-14-2) LW: 20 – Maybe it was the emotion of the centennial ceremony, but the Canadiens really got the job done against the Bruins on Friday. That could possibly be the highlight of their season.

25. Edmonton Oilers (12-13-4) LW: 25 – With Ales Hemsky having shoulder surgery and missing for the rest of the season, it's times like these that Oilers fans can thank their lucky stars that they have Shawn Horcoff...

26. New York Islanders (11-11-7) LW: 26 – What can we say about the play of Jack Hillen this season? He's 2^nd on the team in plus/minus. And you thought he wasn't capable of being a shutdown defenseman. PFFT!!

27. Florida Panthers (11-13-5) LW: 21 – I don't care if it is predictable...We can sum of the entire Panthers franchise right HERE

28. Anaheim Ducks (10-12-6) LW: 28 – Last week the Ducks beat Calgary and Chicago and looked to be on their way up the standings. Then they lost 5 in a row. Such is the life of a Ducks fan without BURKEY!!!!

29. Toronto Maple Leafs (8-13-7) LW: 30 – For once, I actually don't have anything to say about the Leafs. Sure they are winning more games lately, but beating Tampa, Florida, Montreal and Columbus isn't exactly worthy of planning a parade route. And with that, someone read this and crumpled up their blueprints.

30. Carolina Hurricanes (6-16-5) LW: 29 – Good news for 'Canes' fans!!! Cam Ward is due back this week. So that means the Hurricanes can go back to relying on their goalie to make 45 saves a night in a 7-1 loss. Hooray for everything!!!

Should the NHL participate in the Olympics beyond 2010 in Vancouver?

SHAUN SAYS: In an ideal situation, the NHL would be able to pick and choose to participate in the Olympics. Since you can't be half pregnant, I will say that yes, the NHL should continue their Olympic participation.

Sure there will be some Olympics, like Japan in 1998 and Italy in 2006 where hockey won't be the featured attraction, but look at the crowds in Salt Lake and undoubtedly how they will react in Vancouver.

The NHL will get the necessary exposure from these Olympics to deem it necessary to continue their participation, even if they only reap the direct benefits every eight years instead of every four.

WAYNE SAYS: Absolutely. This is the fourth edition of the Olympics Games with NHL players and the second time in a hockey country. With no disrespect to Nagano or Turin/Torino, the support for the hockey aspect is at its best in countries like Canada, Russia and the US where fans are (or in the case of the US, can be) rabid.

The NHL already has a shaky arrangement with Russia over NHL players, and it would not get any better to decide that Sochi is the time to bow out. On top of that, the three biggest Russian stars are already saying they would take whatever discipline necessary from the league to participate in the Olympics at home. The fact that Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeny Malkin and Alex Ovechkin all play for pay in the US, it would be a nightmare to have all three suspended at the same time…while they get the hero's welcome in Russia on the biggest stage in sport.

For a league that has a rather dubious record in the public image department outside of Canada, it would be yet another factor relegating hockey to second citizen status among the major sports. But then again, we all know the geniuses running the NHL also thought cancelling an entire season was necessary.

2. Which player, currently deemed a candidate to make Canada's Olympic hockey team would you leave off the team?

SHAUN SAYS: As noted in Pierre Maguire's Team Canada version 33.2, you can clearly see the depth of the team will be on defence. With that in mind, it's most likely that a deserving defenseman will be left at home. If I were in charge of the team, that man would have to be Scott Niedermayer.

I know what Niedermayer brings to the table; he has speed, smarts, is excellent both ways, and he has experience. While he still might possess all of those traits, they aren't what they used to be and Niedermayer's Olympic time has come and gone. By my count, Niedermayer could be as low as 9^th on the depth chart behind Pronger, Doughty, Seabrook, Keith, Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, Weber, Boyle and Green.

If Niedermayer does make the team, it will be on past accomplishments, and not on present play, which I believe is what led Canada to a 7^th place showing in Torino in 2006.

WAYNE SAYS: I agree with Shaun here, but in the interest of making this a better read, I'll offer another option. As good as he's been this year on the Sharks, Patrick Marleau is my pick. I know Don Cherry says that line should make it and stay together, but as Elliotte Friedman said, the trio of Marleau, Thornton and Heatley haven't exactly excelled in big game situations.

So why do I single out Marleau? Because I don't think he's all that valuable when he's not scoring and he's not nearly as lethal a shooter as Heatley – who isn't exactly great away from the opposition's net either. The other issue I have with Marleau is that the Sharks stripped him of the captaincy to start the season after years in that role. We've seen plenty of great players not win the big one in their prime finally win it later in their careers under diminished roles. But Marleau isn't Ray Bourque or Dave Andreychuk.

After the debacles of 1998 and 2006 where veterans were the name of the game, I think it's time to see what the younger group of Canadian players can do on the big stage. I'd rather see a player like Jonathan Toews – who brings the same skills as Marleau without the history of underachieving at the wrong time – make this team.

3. Which player currently not on Team Canada's radar would you include on the team if you were the General Manager?

SHAUN SAYS: To preface the question, this is pure fantasy. Obviously there are 30 or so players who are being watched on a nightly basis. But if I have to go off the board and pick someone who Steve Yzerman should strongly consider, I'm going to the best team in the league (in my opinion) and taking Patrick Sharp.

While he's not quite a point per game guy, Sharp has the skill to play on a top 6 forward line, or he can have the grit and tenacity to play on a shutdown line. It's that kind of versatility that has been the key to Canada's success in international competitions in the past. Whether it's Brent Sutter in the 1987 Canada Cup or Ryan Smyth, Shane Doan and Michael Peca in 2002, the role players have always played an important role.

I think a "4^th line" of Mike Richards, Shane Doan and Patrick Sharp would cause fits for opposing countries, especially guys like Malkin and Ovechkin, who as the 2003 World Juniors proved, can be erased if you stay in their face for 60 minutes.

WAYNE SAYS: To continue off Shaun's earlier point about Niedermayer being left off, I'd say the young player who most closely resembles what Niedermayer was for years should make the team: Drew Doughty.

On top of that, he's a better all-round player than Dan Boyle and could team well with Jay Bouwmeester on a fast, smart blue line along with Keith, Seabrook, Pronger, Weber, Niedermayer/Boyle.

The Olympic Games are a different animal than the NHL season, where teams don't have anywhere near this kind of blueline depth and as a result play their horses for up to 30 minutes a night. With the mobility, skill and youth of this group, Canada would be able to balance out the minutes…which keeps everybody fresher in a short tournament.

4. Which country poses the biggest threat to Canada at the 2010 Olympics?

SHAUN SAYS: I'm not the most patriotic guy you'll find, but Canada is going to be tough to beat in Vancouver if they pick their team properly. Most of the other teams in the tournament are going to have some kind of deficiency that will hinder their success. Sweden and Russia have questions on the blueline, Finland is aging up front and might have problems scoring goals and the other usual countries don't have the depth to get the job done.

You'll notice one country I neglected to mention above...The United States have everything and more to cause Canada a headache at these Olympic games. In goal, the Americans have an embarrassment of riches. When reigning Vezina winner, Tim Thomas might not even make the team, you know you're stacked. Their defence is gritty and skilled enough to compete with Canada, and their forwards, led by Zach Parise and Patrick Kane could run roughshod over the less skilled defensemen in this tournament.

Adding to this is the fact that American hockey players never lack the confidence needed to play at a high level tournament, and it could very well end up being Canada vs. The United States in the gold medal game in February. And honestly, who doesn't want to see that?

WAYNE SAYS: The European teams all seem to have the most depth in the crease, which is a strength…except only one goalie can play at a time. Sweden's core players are suddenly much older with few young stars replacing them. Finland doesn't seem to have the high skill level of the other teams in the tournament, the Czechs have a good balance at every position, but their goaltending isn't as good or proven as it used to be. The United States will be much better than 2006 and could be back in the medal hunt. But for my money, it's Russia.

I agree that their defence is a bit of a question mark, but there are a few factors that make me worry as a Canadian hockey fan. First, they have the most dangerous offensive attack along with Canada. They're also pulling half their talent from the KHL, which is a second rate league to the NHL, but still has several of the best Russian players toiling their trade in their home country. The third factor goes back to my response to our first question. The Russians will be very motivated in Vancouver to show off why the NHL should attend the Olympics in Russia in 2014.

The stakes are high for Canada on home ice, and with these teams breathing down their necks; we're in for a hell of a tourney.

5. What's bugging you?

SHAUN SAYS: I'm going to step away from hockey for this one. What's really bugging me this week is people who couldn't be bothered to even flip on a CFL game during the regular season, but the second the Grey Cup comes around, they act like they are lifelong fans.

I make no bones about it; I don't like the CFL. I never have watched it and I never will. The CFL has a minor league feel to it, and I don't care to get caught up in all the canadiana around it. I don't care if the game is Canadian, Ukranian or Burkino Fasoan, compared to the NFL, the CFL game stinks.

So when I go on facebook or twitter and I see people commenting on the Grey Cup game when I clearly know they haven't watched more than 2 quarters all year, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I could rant further, but I'm sure everyone gets my point by now, the CFL to NFL comparison is honestly like comparing to a Senior A hockey league to the NHL. And how many people watch the Allan Cup game? What's that, it's not on TV? My point exactly.

WAYNE SAYS: Mine is a combination of two things: the rigidity of the salary cap structure, and the stupidity of some GM's at managing it. I like the idea of a hard cap to keep spending fair and having a salary floor so teams can't spend nothing and collect revenue sharing dollars, but the current structure makes trading key players virtually impossible.

Combined with GM's trying to lock players into huge money, long-term deals, the art of improving your team via trade is virtually dead. I think the league needs to provide a specific trade buffer that does not kick in until a third of the way through the season. Say the salary cap is $55 million, under the trade buffer, teams could spend $50 million by training camp and would have $5 million of trade space to use throughout the season to address needs and deal with unanticipated shortcomings.

The unfortunate thing about this kind of a rule is the league's GMs seem unable to leave themselves any trade space and require such a rule to help them do their jobs. I understand the pressure they feel to improve their teams in the offseason, but I don't recall a trophy for being the best preseason team.

By Wayne Coristine

A new segment! Every week (watch for it Wednesdays), I'm going to weigh in on issues around sports, particularly hockey. So, without further ado, let's get this show on the road.

Out-of-Whack Economics

The more I follow sports, the more I learn just how disconnected the industry is from real life. Everything about sports is measured in millions and billions of dollars to cover the ever-growing salaries and state-of-the-art stadiums. Like so many others, I love watching and playing sports but reality started to sink in when I attended my first NHL game of the season recently.

Thanks to EBay and a large amount of luck, Shaun Deering and I were able to buy tickets for slightly less than face value…we each paid $70 for seats that normally sell for $77.25. That part I was okay with since it would seem that any event or concern is going to run you somewhere in that same neighbourhood. Of course, when thirst and hunger entered the evening, that's when I noticed things really went off the rails.

A visit to Rexall Place's concession stand resulted in paying $4.50 for a bottle of pop and a $5.00 for a bag of Peanut Butter M & M's. The worst part was that I wasn't really surprised at the gouge job. But what bothered me is knowing what the ridiculous profit is going towards: Player Salaries.

I'm sure Shawn Horcoff, Steve Staios, Sheldon Souray and the rest of the Oilers are good guys, but the mere fact that 20 players combine to make over $50 million a year to play a game for a living is beyond ridiculous. And what's even more ridiculous is that we as fans not only watch, but rationalize the dollars teams throw at the best available players as long as it means a few more wins.

It wasn't too long ago that small market teams in the NHL couldn't afford to chase those players and we as fans griped about how unfair that was. Now we have a salary cap and revenue sharing program that means every team should be able to chase down the best players – as long as the team manages the cap. But for all the benefits the new structure added to the NHL (the NFL and NBA have cap systems as well, but I'm not as familiar with them so I will use the NHL model; baseball has no salary cap and I will touch on that debacle in a later column) there are a plethora of major problems. Teams who draw fans will make more money on tickets and overpriced foods, but there are several teams whose attendance figures are generously listed at averages around 11,000 per home game. Yet, the salary cap remains as high as it is on the backs of teams with strong fan bases.

That means fans in places like Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, etc. are not only paying for the players on their home teams; they're also shelling out so teams in Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Miami, Phoenix, and other poor markets can pay player salaries. For a multi-billion dollar industry, it's hard to believe so many teams can be in financially difficulty…until you realize just how much money each player makes.

Player Salaries in Relative Terms

What does this all mean and where am I going with this? Well, I believe the problem was allowed to fester for years as sports leagues took full advantage of the passion of hard working, average people and their modest incomes to make athletes so rich they completely lose touch with reality.

Take a look at the average Canadian's salary versus the NHL minimum wage. An average Canadian makes $40,000 per year – or roughly $20 per hour. Yet, the minimum salary for an NHL player, as long as he spends – but doesn't necessarily play – the whole seasons in the league, is $450,000. That's the minimum an NHL player can make. I don't know about you, but I can count on one hand how many people I know that make that kind of money.

And if you think the billionaires who own teams as their play things are dipping into their own deep pockets to pay the massively inflated salaries, think again. It comes from when Joe Average decides to treat his family to a live game. Say he takes his wife and two kids to a game at Rexall Place. Joe buys four average seats – for $61.07 a pop (price from 2007). Then he parks the family minivan near the rink and pays $12 for the privilege. Joe, being the nice dad he is, decides to get each member of his family a hot dog and a bottle of water. To do so, he spends another $36. Even if Joe breaks his kids' hearts and tells them he can't afford to buy them any souvenir merchandise, treating his family to ONE hockey game cost him roughly $300 for the evening. To afford this one evening of hockey with his loving family, Joe had to work about 20 hours.

Meanwhile, a player making the league minimum who likely spends as much in the press box as he does on the ice, makes Joe's annual salary in about five weeks. The high paid star players (say, $5 million per year) make Joe's salary in three days.

Disturbing Trend

But you want to know the worst part? Players and the agents who negotiate these contracts seem to think this is all part-and-parcel of today's professional sports landscape. All they think about when it's time to negotiate contracts is how much money they can possibly ask for and have the team management sign the deal. That means comparing the player's statistics to those of the highest paid similar player and call that the starting point. If it's unrestricted free agency, it means using the comparisons and starting a bidding war by telling teams how great the player will be for years to come.

And when overpaid players struggle, I find it impossible to feel bad for them. In fact, I start to cheer against that player because one thing comes to mind when I think about his salary: how do the legends from the past feel about middle of the pack players making more in a three year span than they made in their entire careers?

I wonder how Gordie Howe feels about Shawn Horcoff making $7 million dollars this season. It used to be that professional athletes worked real jobs in the off-season and played the game for the love of it and a little bit of money. Forgive me for wishing those days could return.

Chasing the Dream is Now More about Chasing the Money

Sadly, professional sports are not only in their rapidly rising costs to the average person. Athletic kids used to play one sport in the winter and another in the summer. In Canada, that meant hockey in the winter and soccer or baseball in the summer. Not anymore. The costs of minor sports skyrocketing to the point that many families can't afford to register kids in multiple sports. So they pick the sport the kid has the best chance to succeed at and hope he or she is good enough to have professional aspirations. Some parents go as far as living vicariously through their child because they hope to cash in when he or she ends up in the big leagues.

Nowadays, we see players who, for all intents and purposes, are professional athletes from the time they're 16 years old playing junior. These kids spend their summers working with strength trainers because they, along with their parents, see dollar signs if they can make it to the big time.

It's too bad the economics of professional sports have corrupted amateur and minor sports because the problem will only get worse. We're going to see more and more bad sports parents who see their kid's skill as potential pay dirt and even more kids that can't play the games they love because the costs of registration and equipment priced them out before they even got the chance to start.

While we're walking down the street these days, people often ask us who we think are the quarter-pole NHL award winners. So with that in mind, we will tell you in one convenient document. Enjoy.

1. Who is the Hart Trophy (MVP) winner at the quarter pole?

WAYNE SAYS: My Candidates: Joe Thornton, Sharks; Anze Kopitar, Kings; Dany Heatley, Sharks; Alex Ovechkin, Capitals; Chris Pronger, Flyers; Marian Gaborik, Rangers; Zach Parise, Devils; Ilya Kovalchuk, Thrashers

Let's start with getting the big one out of the way. I really, really like the way Joe Thornton is playing this year and the numbers him and Dany Heatley are putting up in San Jose. Seeing what a healthy Marian Gaborik can do is mighty impressive. However, for my money this is a three-horse race between Ilya Kovalchuk, Anze Kopitar and Chris Pronger.

I don't see any other player making such a massive impact on his team. Kovalchuk is the Atlanta Thrashers. His 1.50 points per game is tops in the league and he can dominate the game with his stick handling, shot and passing abilities. Kopitar is rewarding LA's patience with gaudy numbers good enough to lead all NHL scorers. His combination of size, speed and skill is nearly impossible to handle and he leads an upstart Kings team into playoff position at the quarter pole. With Pronger, he brings a level of poise to the Flyers' blue line that's been missing for years. He eats minutes like few others in the league while making smart plays with the puck and uses his size to grind on the opposition's best players…while putting up great offensive numbers.

For my money, I'd take Chris Pronger as the early MVP. Philly was close to beating the Penguins in the playoffs last year and adding a premiere all-around defenceman to shut down the opposition's best player puts the Flyers in the thick of Cup Contender discussions.

SHAUN SAYS: This was hands down the hardest award to pick. On the one hand, you have a guy like Anze Kopitar, who is leading the league in scoring. That is normally a ticket to pick up the Hart, but not in my eyes. I also don't buy into this "most valuable to his team" garbage that some people seem to fall into.

With that in mind, my first quarter MVP is Zach Parise from the New Jersey Devils. He is a top 10 scorer in the league, he is the highest rated forward in terms of plus/minus and all of this without a wing-man with the skill of a Nicklas Backstrom. Not to mention the Devils are a top 5 team in the league, and he's being coached by a guy who seemingly hates offensive players.

Parise is not just an offensive player though. As his plus/minus indicates, Parise can play both ways, and has to be put in a group with guys like Pavel Datsyuk and Mike Richards in terms of two-way play.

Honorable Mention: Anze Kopitar, Kings; Ryan Miller, Sabres

2. Who is the Norris Trophy (Best Defenseman) winner at the quarter pole?

WAYNE SAYS: My Candidates: Chris Pronger, Flyers; Drew Doughty, Kings; Duncan Keith, Blackhawks; Jay Bouwmeester, Flames; Tyler Myers, Sabres; Brent Seabrook, Blackhawks; Dan Boyle, Sharks; Shea Weber, Predators

Are those my choices for best defenceman in the NHL or a potential Olympic blue line? Outside of Myers, each of those guys could very well be headed to Vancouver in February. I like smooth skating, smart defencemen who can also contribute on offence and each guy fits that bill.

Doughty is already the anchor of the Kings blue line in his second season and Myers is playing a similar role for the Sabres as a rookie. In Chicago, Keith and Seabrook form the core of the Hawks stingy defence. Bouwmeester is quite possibly the smoothest skater in the NHL and is more rover than defenceman when the puck moves up ice. Shea Weber's one of those guys that can do it all...plus has one of the best powerplay point shots in the game. Then there's the older fellas. To see Pronger's effectiveness, look at his last three teams after he left. The Blues and Oilers missed the playoffs for three straight years and the Ducks are wallowing at the bottom of the Western Conference. Dan Boyle does nothing except put up huge numbers while facing top everybody's top players on the perennially contending Sharks.

While I think of Pronger as the most valuable player in the league, I see Keith as the league's best defenceman. His smarts with and without the puck, skating ability and the fact he spends little time in the penalty box while playing big minutes. It also doesn't hurt to be the key cog in the second-best defence in the league…especially when the biggest question mark on your team is goaltending (although both Huet and Niemi have been very good).

SHAUN SAYS: Something really irks me about this award. Often the nominees are the best offensive defensemen with no regard for their defensive play. There are some years that you can get the best of both worlds. In this instance, that's exactly what has happened.

In the offseason, when the Flyers traded for Chris Pronger, it was obvious that their intent was to solidify their already capable back-end. I'd have to believe what they were hoping to get was the Pronger who played in Edmonton or Anaheim. What they got was a rejuvenated Pronger, similar to the Hart Trophy winner in St. Louis. He is third in the league in plus/minus and has 4 goals and 14 assists to help the Flyers get off to a solid start. As an added bonus, he's turned Matt Carle into a top 4 defenseman after it looked like he was a 6-7 guy for much of his career.

Honorable Mention: Drew Doughty, Kings; Duncan Keith, Blackhawks

3. Who is the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) winner at the quarter-pole?

WAYNE SAYS: Tyler Myers, Sabres; John Tavares, Islanders; Matt Duchene, Avalanche; Ryan O'Reilly, Avalanche; James van Riemsdyk, Flyers; Evander Kane, Thrashers; Michael Del Zotto, Rangers

With so many good players under 25 in the league today, it's no surprise the rookie class is so deep. What's really surprising is how many of the rookies are complete players. Duchene, O'Reilly, van Riemsdyk and Kane can not only put up points, they are all very responsible defensively. On the back end, Myers and Del Zotto have impressed in all situations and especially on the power play. John Tavares is the most pure shooter and scorer of the bunch and will be a slam dunk winner if he gets on a hot streak.

This is the tightest race at this point of the season, and my vote goes to Myers because of how surprisingly well the Sabres with him logging major minutes.

SHAUN SAYS: Having seen him live last week, I am really tempted to say Matt Duchene. He will be a factor before the year is out, but as of right now, it has to be John Tavares. Not since Sidney Crosby has a player come into the league with so much hype behind him, and Tavares is delivering the goods. He is leading the NHL in rookie goals and points, and is giving his team a chance to win on a nightly basis; something the Islanders haven't had since the early 80s.

In addition to that, he has elevated the play of people around him. Matt Moulson has gone from Manchester Monarch to top line New York Islander overnight, and he has the playmaking ability of Tavares to thank for it.

Honorable Mention: James van Riemsdyk, Flyers; Tyler Myers, Sabres

4. Who is the Vezina Trophy (Best Goaltender) winner at the quarter-pole?

WAYNE SAYS: My Candidates: Ryan Miller, Sabres; Pekka Rinne, Predators; Craig Anderson, Avalanche; Evgeny Nabokov, Sharks; Ilya Bryzgalov, Coyotes; Martin Brodeur, Devils; Mikka Kiprusoff, Flame, Ray Emery, Flyers

Apparently, Olympic years bring out the best in goaltenders. Finland has Kiprusoff and Rinne, Russia touts Nabokov and Bryzgalov, the US features Miller and Anderson (wasn't it supposed to be Tim Thomas?) and Canadian goalies are playing well with Brodeur and former Bad Boy Emery.

Despite this year being heavy on great tending, the early season Vezina has to go to Ryan Miller. Nobody expected the Sabres to be this good and it's largely on the back of Miller. He's ridiculously sound technically and stopping pretty much everything that comes his way. And it's not even a close race when you factor in his league leading goals against average, second best save percentage, wins and shutouts.

SHAUN SAYS: This is an open and shut case. Ryan Miller is tied for 3^rd in wins (12) , 1^st in goals against average (1.97), and 2^nd in save percentage (.931). Plus, when you watch a Sabres game, you quickly realize that if Miller isn't in top form every night, the Sabres have no chance. Fortunately for the Sabres, he has been in top form pretty much every one of the 17 games he's played this season.

I don't really have much more to say on this topic, but two lines doesn't seem like enough. But I did preface it by saying it was an open and shut case. Does that make up for my lack of detail? Maybe I can just ramble on to fill another couple of lines and no one will know the difference…done and done.

Honorable Mention: Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks; Ilya Bryzgalov, Coyotes

5. Who is the Jack Adams (Best Coach) winner at the quarter-pole?

WAYNE SAYS: Joel Quennville, Blackhawks; Todd McClellan, Sharks; Lindy Ruff, Sabres; Terry Murray, Kings; Dave Tippett, Coyotes; John Stevens, Flyers; Barry Trotz, Predators; Joe Sacco, Avalanche

Another close race with the surging Hawks, steady Sharks surprising Sabres, dynamic Kings, much improved Coyotes, tough-and-talented Flyers, lunch pail Predators and albatross Avalanche all buying into their coaches' systems.

My pick is Joel Quennville slightly ahead of Ruff based on team schedules and the task to refocus the young Blackhawks after their long run to the Western Conference Final. Seven wins in a row at the time of writing certainly doesn't hurt his case.

SHAUN SAYS: There is an expression in baseball that "momentum is only as good as the next day's starting pitcher". Well in hockey, a coach is only as good as his starting goalie. Lindy Ruff has a pretty good one in Buffalo, as I just mentioned, and that is why he is my choice for the Jack Adams.

If that weren't enough, he has been coaching the Sabres since 1997-98 and he still manages to get effort out of the Sabres on a nightly basis. Coaches usually have a shelf life, but Ruff has managed to re-invent himself to keep the message fresh.

Honorable Mention: Barry Trotz, Predators; Jacques Lemaire, Devils

Since we're nearing the quarter-pole of the season, wouldn't it be fun if I looked back and gave you my picks for the quarter season MVP and such? I think it would be and your opinion doesn't matter to me, so here are this week's rankings.

1. San Jose Sharks (16-5-4) LW: 2 – MVP: This one is a tie. Joe Thornton (7 goals, 25 assists, +5) and Dany Heatley (18 goals, 10 assists, +5) Player who needs to step up: Devin Setoguchi (8 goals, 2 assists) maybe he is just the guy who lost key minutes when Dany Heatley arrived on the scene

2. Chicago Blackhawks (14-5-2) LW: 7 – MVP: Duncan Keith (5 goals, 11 assists, +8) plays against other team's top forwards. Player who needs to step up: Dustin Byfuglien (7 goals, 2 assists, -4) stepped up in the playoffs last season, but has regressed this season.

3. Washington Capitals (13-5-5) LW: 4 – MVP: Is there anybody else? Alexander Ovechkin (16 goals, 9 assists, +10) Player who needs to step up: There aren't many, but Chris Clark (minus-7) needs to be better as a defensive player.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (15-8-0) LW: 6 – MVP: The Penguins were lost without
Evgeni Malkin (6 goals, 13 assists, +4). Player who needs to step up: Due to the injuries it's hard to single out a player, but Brooks Orpik (0 goals, 6 assists, -6) could probably be better.

5. New Jersey Devils (14-6-1) LW: 1 – MVP: Zach Parise (13 goals, 14 assists, +10) has been outstanding even in a Lemaire system. Player who needs to step up: Brian Rolston (6 goals, 3 assists, -4) looks like he's slowing down. Only two and a half years to go on that contract.

6. Buffalo Sabres (12-6-2) LW: 3 – MVP: Ryan Miller (12-3-2, 1.97 GAA, .931 save %) has been Vezina, possibly even Hart worthy. Player who needs to step up: Jochen Hecht (2 goals, 2 assists, -2) has never been a top flight player, but he's not this bad.

7. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-6-3) LW: 12 – MVP: Rick Nash (14 goals, 11 assists) has been good offensively, but the minus-7 needs work. Player who needs to step up: Steve Mason (8-5-3, 3.44 GAA, .889 save %) has been the worst statistical goalie in the league for most of the season only a year after being a Vezina nominee

8. Calgary Flames (13-6-2) LW: 5 – MVP: Miikka Kiprusoff (12-5-2, 2.61 GAA, .914 save %) might not have the best numbers in the league, but his saves have been timely. Player who needs to step up: David Moss (4 goals, 3 assists) has been a ghost on most nights this season. In his defence, he is playing on a checking line where opportunities to score lowered.

9. Ottawa Senators (11-6-3) LW: 17 – MVP: Mike Fisher (9 goals, 11 assists, +6) has stepped up this season offensively, and he still kills penalties like a champ. Player who needs to step up: I don't know who is worse, Alex Kovalev (4 goals, 6 assists, -4) or Jonathan Cheechoo (2 goals, 2 assists, -5).

10. Philadelphia Flyers (12-7-1) LW: 10 – MVP: Chris Pronger (4 goals, 14 assists, +13) has been exactly what the Flyers hoped he would be when they traded for him, and possibly more. Player who needs to step up: No one has been playing too far from their potential in Philly so far, but Danny Briere (8 goals, 4 assists, -3) could be a bit better for that type of money.

11. Nashville Predators (12-8-1) LW: 19 – MVP: Pekka Rinne (9-4-0, 2.38 GAA, .914 save %) got off to a very slow start, but is now heating up. Not coincidently, so are the Preds. Player who needs to step up: Martin Erat (2 goals, 4 assists, -9) is far too valuable to the Predators to carry those numbers)

12. Detroit Red Wings (11-6-4) LW: 8 – MVP: In a close race, I'll give the nod to Henrik Zetterberg (9 goals, 15 assists, +3) Player who needs to step up: With all of the injuries, the Wings absolutely need Todd Bertuzzi (3 goals, 6 assists, -5) to be better. Personally, I think this is as good as he can be.

13. Colorado Avalanche (13-7-3) LW: 9 – MVP: This might be the easiest selection to make. It's Craig Anderson (12-6-3, 2.52 GAA, .923 save %) hands down. Player who needs to step up: Marek Svatos (5 goals, 3 assists, -11) has been a complete ghost. He was also invisible in person last week.

14. Phoenix Coyotes (13-9-1) LW: 14 – MVP: Ilya Bryzgalov (12-6-1, 2.04 GAA, .922 save %) is another goalie having an outstanding season. Player who needs to step up: What has happened to Peter Mueller (1 goal, 3 assists, -3) this season? He looked like a star in the making and now this? When did Dave Tippett become Jacques Lemaire?

15. Los Angeles Kings (13-9-2) LW: 11 – MVP: Anze Kopitar (14 goals, 19 assists, +5) may be the MVP of the entire league, let alone just the Kings. Player who needs to step up: Jack Johnson (2 goals, 4 assists, -11) wants to be known as an offensive and defensive player. Right now he is neither.

16. Vancouver Canucks (12-10-0) LW: 15 – MVP: While Henrik Sedin put up points without his brother, the majority of them came during garbage time in a game. Mason Raymond (8 goals, 6 assists, +2) used his speed in the first quarter to provide scoring and at key times in the game. Player who needs to step up: Kyle Wellwood (0 goals, 2 assists, +1) might find himself in either a) the press box or b) a different sweater soon enough.

17. Dallas Stars (10-6-6) LW: 18 – MVP: James Neal (11 goals, 11 assists, +6) has been outstanding this season. In addition to his numbers, he is quickly becoming one of the best power forwards in the game. Player who needs to step up: Maybe Steve Ott (2 goals, 3 assists, -4) should spend less time trying to take people's knees out and actually play the game the way he can.

18. Atlanta Thrashers (10-7-2) LW: 16 - MVP: Normally when Rich Peverly (8 goals, 16 assists, +4) is your MVP, you should be at the bottom of the standings. Not so in Atlanta. Good for them. Player who needs to step up: Bryan Little (2 goals, 6 assists) is a 30 goal man in the NHL and those numbers are killing my pool. Come on Bryan, pick it up.

19. Boston Bruins (10-8-4) LW: 21 – MVP: Zdeno Chara (1 goal, 11 assists) has been a tower of power on the back-end through an injury plagued first quarter in Boston. Player who needs to step up: David Krejci (2 goals, 7 assists) is still finding his game after off-season hip surgery, but I'm sure the Bruins still expected more than they're getting.

20. Montreal Canadiens (11-11-1) LW: 22– MVP: Michael Cammalleri (11 goals, 9 assists, +9) has provided the Habs with a consistent threat up front that they have been lacking for years. Player who needs to step up: Guillaume Latendresse (2 goals, 1 assist, -4) is literally providing the Canadiens with nothing. NOTE: While typing this up, Latendresse was traded. My word spreads quickly apparently.

21. Florida Panthers (10-9-2) LW: 26 – MVP: This even feels weird to type, but Steven Reinprecht (10 goals, 7 assists, +7) has rejuvenated his career in Florida. Player who needs to step up: Michael Frolik (5 goals, 4 assists) seems to be suffered the old sophomore jinx.

22. New York Rangers (11-10-0) LW: 13 – MVP: For years people have wondered what Marian Gaborik (16 goals, 12 assists, +5) could do when he's healthy. Now we're finding out. Player who needs to step up: Is Christopher Higgins (2 goals, 3 assists, -5) done as a top 6 NHL player? It sure seems that way.

23. St. Louis Blues (8-8-4) LW: 25 – MVP: Erik Johnson (2 goals, 12 assists, +7) is the Blues leading scorer this season. The team isn't playing as well so far, but it makes you wonder how good they could have been last year with him in the lineup. Player who needs to step up: David Backes (1 goal, 3 assists, -4) needs to have a bigger impact on games if the Blues want to repeat last year's success.

24. Tampa Bay Lightning (8-5-7) LW: 20 – MVP: Even though I doubt he'll make the team, Steven Stamkos (15 goals, 9 assists, +4) is making it hard to Steve Yzerman to deny him a spot on the Canadian Olympic team. Player who needs to step up: Sure Vincent Lecavalier (4 goals, 15 assists, -2) is almost a point per game player, something in him died when the Montreal trade rumours came to light.

25. Edmonton Oilers (9-11-3) LW: 23 – MVP: To all of those people who were jeering Dustin Penner (13 goals, 12 assists, +11) last season (Mark Spector), Penner is sticking it down your throats. But it wasn't Craig MacTavish's fault that he's playing better; it's that he has "matured". Whatever helps you sleep at night Spec. Player who needs to step up: Shawn Horcoff (4 goals, 5 assists, -5) has been a flat out bust this season. It's almost like he's not work the $7 million he's getting paid this season...or the average of 5.5 he's getting paid over the next five and three quarters.

26. New York Islanders (8-8-7) LW: 24 – MVP: Unlike a certain highly touted rookie on the Islanders, Matt Moulson (10 goals, 8 assists, +5) is defensively responsible while playing on the same line for most of the year. Player who needs to step up: I know he's been injured and had the H1N1, but Doug Weight still doesn't have a goal on the season (0 goals, 6 assists).

27. Minnesota Wild (8-12-2) LW: 28 – MVP: Niklas Backstrom (8-9-2, 2.66 GAA, .909 save %) hasn't been spectacular, but on this team, he's as good as it gets. Player who needs to step up: If you wear a Minnesota Wild jersey and you don't wear goalie equipment, you need to step up.

28. Anaheim Ducks (7-11-3) LW: 27 – MVP: I know teams hate playing against him but Corey Perry (13 goals, 14 assists, +6) is a guy that every player in the league would love to call a teammate. Player who needs to step up: For a guy who the Ducks rely on to be a shut down forward, Todd Marchant (-8) sure is doing a poor job.

29. Carolina Hurricanes (5-12-5) LW: 30 – MVP: I am waiving my right to name a team MVP at this time. The entire team has warts. Player who needs to step up: I used that snappy jersey line on Minnesota, so I will pick Rod Brind'Amour (2 goals, 5 assists, -18). No, that wasn't a typo, he is actually -18 less than 3 years removed from a Selke nomination.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (4-11-6) LW: 29 – MVP: Tomas Kaberle (2 goals, 20 assists) still leads all NHL defensemen in scoring. Player who needs to step up: He's injured right now, but Mike Komisarek has been awful for the Leafs so far. Stupid penalties, not blocking shots, making hits at the wrong time, the guy is a mess on the ice.