Lou Lamoriello’s New Jersey Devils are the eighth oldest team, with an average age of 27.92 years.  Though the Devils are on the older side of the NHL, their young talent is often the focus of many fans.

The dynamic young duo of Zach Parise (25 years) and Travis Zajac (24 years) lead the Devils offense.

Parise, a player who can score even without his centerman Zajac, strives for success with fellow winger Jamie Langenbrunner (33 years). This line of Parise-Zajac-Langenbrunner earned the nickname ZZ Pops a few seasons ago.

Langenbrunner, known as “Pops” on the top line, became a new player when he started skating with the two young guys. Langenbrunner’s experience largely contributed to Parise and Zajac maturity and success thus far.

Before the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk (26 years), Parise led the team in goals, assists, points, plus/minus, and shots. The American left winger showcased his talent in the Olympics, letting the world see his ability. Fortunately, the Devils, like most teams, have success even without their top forward (and his line).

Among the rest of the offense, Patrik Elias (32 years) and Kovalchuk help out as well. Kovalchuk’s tenure with the Devils is still young, and at the moment his offense production (for the Devils) appears average. However, after he adjusts to the Devils and their system, his offensive numbers will likely soar.

On the other hand, Elias, one of the few Devils who began and will seemingly end his career as a Devils, is on pace for an average season overall. Elias, who has 11 goals and 20 assists, has five less goals than his worst offensive season (the year he returned after his battle with Hepatitis A).

Elias’ play, hindered by a concussion when he was knocked unconscious in Colorado, is not on par with his usual ability.

Unlike Elias and Kovalchuk, David Clarkson doesn’t influence a game through his offense. Now, I am not to saying Clarkson lacks offensive contribution offense, because he chips in with regularity, but his real impact comes from his grit and intensity.

That grit and intensity largely disappeared from the Devils’ game when Clarkson injured his ankle while blocking a shot back in November. He returned for two games at the end of December, but his injury pushed him back out of the lineup.

The Olympic break helped Clarkson, and he played in the Devils’ first game on Tuesday. His physical play and dedication will no doubt help the Devils down the stretch run.

The elder statesmen on the team, Rob Niedermayer (35 years), Jay Pandolfo (35), and Dean McAmmond (36 years) appear out of place in the Devils lineup. Their contributions may be few on the score sheet, but the three men provide the necessary experience to help mature the likes of Vladimir Zharkov (22 years), Rod Pelley (25 years) and the various Lowell Devils (AHL Affiliate of the Devils) that come into the lineup throughout the season.

Regardless of their offensive prowess among their young guys, the Devils rely on their defense and, of course, goaltender Martin Brodeur to win games.

The problem with their defense began early in the season, when after a strong overall start the Devils witnessed star defenseman Paul Martin (29) fall to a broken wrist.

The original diagnosis said Martin would only miss at most six week, and surgery was unnecessary. Then, just days before Christmas, the defenseman suffered a setback, and underwent surgery.

It’s March now, and Martin missed the Olympics and 54 games. He finally started shooting pucks, and will hopefully return to the Devils lineup before the playoffs.

Many worried about the Devils’ ability to survive without Martin, as the rest of their defense corp appears “average,” but Andy Greene stepped up his play and took over Martin’s spot.

Greene, a player who was in and out of the lineup early in the season, began to skate the puck up, and also became a reliable defenseman in his own zone. He began to see time on the penalty kill, the power play, (more) five on five, and four on four — Jacques Lemaire no longer views Greene as a liability on the ice.

With the addition of Martin Skoula (30 years) at the trade deadline, the Devils added an eighth defenseman to their lineup. When Martin returns, two defenseman will come out of the lineup. The young players, Mark Fraser (23 years) and Anssi Salmela (25 years) may get the boot.

Although there are the younger players (below the average team age), the Devils defense quickly is aging: five of their eight defenseman are twenty-nine or older.

Then, there is the back bone of the entire defense: Brodeur. After missing the majority of last season with basically his first “major” injury, many were sure Brodeur would rebound and have an outstanding season this year.

Though his statistics (59 games played, 35 wins, 20 losses, 3 OT losses) appear great for many goaltenders, Brodeur’s age is a new factor in his play. At thirty-seven years old, Brodeur is in his seventeenth season for the Devils, but lately some questionable goals slipped behind the Quebec native.

Regardless of a few weak goals, Brodeur still remains the Devils’ starting goaltender (with Yann Danis only playing in nine games to date). Brodeur stole a few games for the Devils early on in the season, but since the start of the new calendar year, his play seems off.

The issue of exhaustion always surrounds Brodeur towards the end of the season and the start of the playoffs. The Devils trust Brodeur will admit when he is tired, and needs a break. Though after the Olympic break (where he was not the number one goalie for Canada, as expected) he may feel refreshed.

Over the next few seasons, the Devils have to watch out for their aging goaltending, and their lack of big-name defensemen (like Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko). Fortunately, the Devils’ offense appears on a path for success. Are the days of the trap and defensive systems gone for the Devils? Most likely not, after all their coach this season is the same coach that developed the system that won the Devils their cups.

However, the Devils are beginning to adapt more to the post-lock out era. They have so much young talent in Parise, Zajac, Clarkson, Martin, and Salmela (acquired in the Kovalchuk trade). Parise will likely be the face of the future for the Devils, of course once Brodeur retires.

The injury bug, known as a main problem with most teams, hurt key players in both the defense and offense for the Devils with Clarkson and Martin missing significant time. The Devils, though, did not throw in the towel. Clarkson and Martin, both relatively close to the team average age, will impact the lineup down the stretch and in the playoffs.

For now, the Devils still sit near the top of the Eastern Conference (fourth place). Their age may not be a factor in the regular season, but in the playoffs, they may fall to intensity.

Katlyn Gambill
NHLHS Featured Writer
kgambill@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @freezethepuck

Keith’s point per dollar averages out to be $27,830.20 per point. As a defenseman, and a possible Norris Trophy candidate this season, Keith’s cost efficiency should not surprise many.

Keith developed into an offensive threat, while still defending his zone (often playing against the league’s best players every game).

The sturdy reliable defenseman broke his career (goals) high in January. He now has eleven goals; however, his real ability remains setting up his teammates for goals.

Although the Blackhawks resigned Keith to a 13-year ($72 million) contract this past December, his cap hit this year remains $1,475,000. The young defenseman will (most likely) finish his career with the Blackhawks, but his cost per point will become more expensive next season. For now, Keith sits among the league’s best producing players.

Even though Alexander Ovechkin, Henrik Sedin, and Sidney Crosby are the top three in the league in points, two of them (Crosby and Ovechkin) are in the bottom ten for points per dollar.

Meanwhile, the Blackhawks appear very cost-efficient (Patrick Kane ranks 11^th for points per dollar, while Jonathan Toews sits behind Kane at 12^th and Patrick Sharp comes in 19^th). Overall, at least up until this point in the season, Chicago reins supreme.

Back in November, Rich Peverley of Atlanta ranked as the best cost effective player in the league. His cap hit of 487,500 (even though he signed a new contract this season) caused his points per dollar to be $21,195.65. Now, his points per dollar status is $11,079.50, but he sits in the 66^th spot in points in the league.

As this article focuses on the top fifty scorers, Keith remains the most cost-efficient scorer.

Katlyn Gambill

NHLHS Featured Writer
kgambill@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @freezethepuck

When referencing the St. Louis Blues, a few names immediately pop up: T.J. Oshie, Erik Johnson, Brad Boyes, Andy McDonald, and David Backes. Among those players, only McDonald (32 years) is older than the team average of 27.96 years (the Blues tie with the Minnesota Wild as the sixth oldest NHL team).

McDonald, as one of the older players on the team, leads the Blues in goals and overall points. The Canadian-born center knows what it takes to win — he proved that by winning the Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. As one of the leaders in the St. Louis locker room, McDonald appears as a great model for his younger teammates.

One of those younger teammates, Oshie, has yet to face the sophomore slump. Though an injury kept him out of the lineup for a substantial period of time last season, Oshie looks to break his rookie numbers of 14 goals and 25 assists (he currently has 13 goals and 23 assists).

Similarly, Johnson, aged 21, broke his previous goal total of five, and it appears likely he will do the same to the assist column. Johnson, however, is a strong defenseman for the Blues. His offensive addition helps the Blues, but his main focus remains protecting his goaltender and keeping pucks out of his team’s net.

The leadership (captain) Eric Brewer and (alternate captain) Barret Jackman provide to the defense corp certainly helped Johnson. To have two great players (as well as Darryl Sydor) to learn from on defense can help any young defenseman transition into the NHL. Brewer missed some time from injuries, but now is back and trying to finish the season strong.

The offensive production of both Brewer and Jackman are small, but like Johnson, their main focus is defense, and the offense will come when necessary.

Back on offense, David Perron, one of the three 21 year olds on the team (Johnson and Patrik Berglund), will break his career high in goals (as he currently has 15 goals), but his assists from last season greatly outweigh his current season’s assist column.

Last season, as a sophomore Perron put up 15 goals and 35 assists, great for a player who did not even play the entire season the year before. This year, he added fifteen goals and eighteen assists, but with only twenty games left breaking 35 assists may not happen.

Backes, however, does not seem likely to break his points from last season. For the first time in his short career, Backes played in all eighty-two games last season, and had an amazing offensive season. Scoring eighteen more goals than his career best, Backes finished the season with fifty-four points. He also finished second on the team in points, only behind Boyes.

Then, comes Boyes, an offensive leader, who struggled thus far. In only his fifth season in the NHL, Boyes suffered a large drop off in production (about a thirty goal difference from two seasons ago).

The offensive leaders on the Blues are either stagnant or worse when compared to last season. This alone can devastate a team.

Then, as two of the oldest players on the team, Paul Kariya (35) and Keith Tkachuk (37),  these two players have experience and lots of practice in the tough, pressure-packed games. Unfortunately, both players seem past their prime. Each player suffered brief injuries this season, but the real focus remains their offensive production, or lack there of.

Kariya’s point total seems average when compared to his previous seasons, but long gone are the seasons where he would put up eighty points.

Somewhat similar, Tkachuk’s production dropped this season. Last season he finished with forty-nine points, but this season (through 55 games played) he has twenty-eight points.

Their age appears to hinder these two players. Both great offensive forwards in their time, but now their best abilities will serve best by mentoring and helping the younger players to develop.

In contrast, the Blues cannot blame injuries for their lackluster season. Of the twelve players that missed at least one game to an injury, seven are twenty-eight years or younger. On the Blues, the majority of the players injured at one point during this season, were at the average team age, or younger.

Comparatively, the Wild had a similar trend in injuries and age. The older teams, like the Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks, experience more injuries to the older players, but the younger teams begin to show a weak point in their youth.

Luckily, injuries did not plague the Blues too badly this year. Various key players, like Backes, Oshie, and Johnson suffered short injuries, but only three injuries were serious and long-term.

Largely responsible for the team’s success, Chris Mason backstops the Blues. He has twenty of the team’s twenty-eight wings, but his loss total (17) is too close to his win total to show a successful season. Finishing at .500 or slightly above represents a decent goaltending season, but finishing higher will only help his team make the playoffs.

As of the Olympic break, the Blues sit four points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. But, the Blues need to jump over four teams to grab that last playoff spot.

There are twenty games remaining for the Blues this season, and making the playoffs is definitely still within grasp, but the task will prove difficult.

The Blues will face many tough teams in the last stretch of games, but after a two-week break, the majority of the Blues (those not participating in the Olympics) should feel rested and rejuvenated.

The final few games will likely cement a playoff spot or hinder their chances at a Stanley Cup run. In the Blues’ case, their youth should propel them above their opponents, but only time will tell how they will react to having two-weeks between games.

Katlyn Gambill
NHLHS Featured Writer
kgambill@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @freezethepuck

As the sixth oldest team in the National Hockey League, the Minnesota Wild (average age of 27.96 years) sit five points out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

In Minnesota, the younger the player, the more likely he seems to miss a game for an injury. Of the four Wild players on injured reserve, three are younger than their team average. Pierre-Marc Bouchard (25 years) suffered a season-long concussion back in October; meanwhile, Chuck Kobasew, age 27, injured his knee on December 27, 2009. Then there is Clayton Stoner (24), who sits on injured reserve with a sports hernia since the beginning of January.

On the other hand, Niklas Backstrom at age 32 injured his hip and remains on the injured reserve list (since January 28^th). Backstrom has twenty-three wins in forty-six games this season, decent compared to his past seasons.

As the oldest player on the team, Owen Nolan, only missed five games this season from injury. Nolan earned his Alternate Captain status through experience and hard work. This season, his production is down from last year’s, however over the last few seasons appears on track to finish with more than 16 goals (achieved in two of the previous three seasons).

Turning thirty-eight this year, Nolan played in nineteen seasons (prior to the current season) with six different franchises. Not only can Nolan still produce as a third or fourth liner, but he also provides plenty of wisdom and advice to his younger teammates.

One of those younger teammates, Martin Havlat (age 28) is known for his injuries and lackluster seasons. Last season, however, he soared with the Chicago Blackhawks, and when Minnesota signed Havlat over the season, it seemed sure that Havlat’s injury-prone days were behind him.

The season began off rough for Havlat as he injured his groin just a few games into the season. He missed only two games, but his offensive prowess seemed to disappear. It took him nine games to score his first goal (after injury) and twenty games before he even got his third goal of the season.

Then, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed three games. Again, he couldn’t score at the beginning of his return.

Age can’t be the only factor in Havlat’s case, as he is just above the team average age. Also, in NHL terms, Havlat is still relatively young (and thus strong). If Havlat can stay injury-free throughout the season, he can be an amazing forward for the Wild. Unfortunately for Minnesota, even the tiny two or three game injuries seem to hurt him.

Even younger than Havlat, Minnesota Wild captain, Mikko Koivu (age 26) did not suffer from the new captain duties he received with Marian Gaborik’s departure. Koivu scored twenty goals and forty-seven assists in seventy-nine games last season. This year (through sixty-one games), he has sixteen goals and forty assists. He seems sure at least to tie his previous season’s production.

Koivu leads the team in points, but one of the older men on the team, Andrew Brunette is close behind him with forty-seven points. The thirty-six year old left-winger seems in step with his younger teammates.

Brunette is one of just five players to play in all sixty-one games this season.  The others are: Koivu, Kyle Brodziak, Nick Schultz, and Greg Zanon. Of those five, only Brunette and Koivu have over thirty points thus far.

The majority of the team’s production comes from players that missed a few games, but substantial injuries (specifically to the young guys) hurt the Wild this year.

This season, the Wild ignored age patterns. The older the player, the wiser he is, but still productive — the younger, the more likely to endure a long-term injury. However, for the Wild to jump back into a playoff spot, they need all their players, regardless of age, to step up.

**The St. Louis Blues also have an average age of 27.96 years and sit one point in front of the Wild in the Western Conference. Next week’s article will feature the Blues.

As the fifth oldest team in the league, the San Jose Sharks sit atop the Western Conference. Their average age of 28.04 years, places them as the third oldest in the Western Conference.

Their age has not hindered their overall team play and production, however, several players are affected by their age, both old and young.

To begin, the oldest player on the team, Rob Blake (40) missed eleven games this season. His sub par offensive numbers fall in comparison to his last few seasons. He scored five goals and added fourteen assists in forty-nine games this year, but something seems amiss in the forty-year old.

His time in the NHL may appear limited as the captain of the Sharks does not seem like the “top-four defenseman” quality anymore. His speed decreased in the last season. His age definitely hinders him, but at the moment (and not counting his last few games) the only thing he offers is wisdom and advice. The players can get that from their coach, or another player that can keep up with the game

Like Blake, fellow defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic’s numbers are abysmal compared to his previous seasons. Playing in only his fourth NHL season, Vlasic became known as a reliable defenseman, who will add plenty of assists to his points column. Vlasic broke out of the pack last season with thirty assists in eighty-two games. This year, he has ten in fifty-four games.

Though young talent is the increasing power behind many NHL teams, Vlasic may be one of the players on the trade block for the Sharks.

Continuing on with the defense, Dan Boyle is the number one guy for the Sharks. Physical, strong on both sides of the puck, and experienced, Boyle can handle the pressure of the top defense pairing, game in and game out.

Offensively, Boyle’s production should either tie last season’s point totals, or surpass them.

Up front, Joe Thorton, first in scoring on the Sharks, at age thirty, developed into a passer this season. His total goals are down a little from last season, but he currently has fifty-nine assists in sixty games. He only had sixty-one assists in eighty-two games last season.

Some speculate that Blake may be on his way out of the San Jose organization, and if the Sharks do trade him, Thorton will be a great candidate as the new captain.

On the other end of the spectrum, Devon Setoguchi (23) had an amazing offensive season last year on a line with Thorton and Patrick Marleau. Everyone expected his numbers to rise with the help of Dany Heatley, but instead, his production fell.

Though Setoguchi is only in his third NHL season, with his wonky consistency, he is expendable to the Sharks, and may also be on the way out the door.

Then, there is Heatley, who the Sharks acquired from the Ottawa Senators. Joining the Sharks seemed very controversial for Heatley, but his numbers are even better than last season, and are on pace to tie or pass the 2007-2008 season points.

Heatley ranks second on the Sharks in points, but he seems to have a niche in San Jose.

Former captain, Marleau, sits in third in points for the Sharks, but the Sharks relieving him of his captaincy led him to a successful offensive season. Last season, he set a career high in goals with thirty-eight in seventy-six games. This season, however, he has thirty-eight goals in just sixty games played. He is on pace to finish better, than last season.

Conversely, their goaltending does not face the same problem as the forwards and defense. Evgeni Nabokov, age 34, though on the older end, has thirty-four wins (in fifty-one games played). Tied for second in the league in wins, Nabokov probably will not match his career record for wins (46), but he is one of the largest reasons for the Sharks’ success this year.

Regardless of age, the Sharks hold first place in the Western Conference, four points ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks. Their finish last year was very similar to this season thus far, but their post-season failures outweigh all their regular-season success.

Can the Sharks go further than the second round this year? They have the talent to go far, or else they would not sit in second place in the league, and first in their conference. The Sharks, however, need to fix a few gaps in their lineup before the playoffs, or they are doomed for another post-season flop.

Katlyn Gambill
NHLHS Featured Writer
kgambill@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @freezethepuck

Mike Modano leads all USA born hockey players in points and goals but now mans the fourth line in Dallas. After he and Marty Turco blamed the team’s woes on agitator Sean Avery, which amongst other things led to his exodus from Dallas, the Stars have not played any better than their mediocre 10th seed standing.

Turco destroyed all hopes of a playoff seed last year with a 2.81 GAA and .898 SV%.  His 33-41 record accounted for 90 percent of the Stars’ starts.  So what did the Stars do to alleviate their problems? Nothing!

Modano finished with less than 20 goals for just the third time in his career.  His point totals represented his fourth lowest total while he did not eclipse the 30 goal mark for an eighth straight season.  The former first overall pick projects for 44 points on the season, a stark contrast from his high scoring past.

What do these two players have in common?

The need to step aside and allow the franchise to build around youngsters Tom Wandell, Loui Eriksson, James Neal, Jamie Benn and now Kari Lehtonen amongst others.

By GM Joe Nieuwendyk trading for the oft-injured Lehtonen he receives a tall, agile goaltender whose younger than the 34-year-old Turco and 29-year-old Alex Auld.  The Finnish netminder provides a cheap and hopefully reliable option going into next season.  He may not represent the answer, but going younger needed to happen.

With Modano, Turco, Jere Lehtinen and Steve Ott impending free agents, expect plenty of moves to be made in Dallas.  Stars owner Tom Hicks outright said he would cut costs this season as he attempts to sell the team leading to frequent speculation that both Turco and Mike Ribeiro will be traded.  With the emergency tracheotomy on Ribeiro, it appears more likely only Turco and perhaps Ott will move to another team.

The Stars need a transition and this is how they will start.  Although they traded a 21-year-old and former first round pick for a 26-year-old goaltender and added age, they took from a strength and in theory plugged a gaping hope.  Good job, Joe!

Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotstove

Third in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Canucks currently rank as the fourth oldest team in the NHL (at 28.08 years). Oddly enough, only eight of the twenty-six members on their current roster are over the age of thirty. The Canucks don’t, however, have any players under the age of twenty-three (a rarity in the league today).

Mentioned in last week’s article on the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Canucks’ and the Penguins are tied with an average age of 28.08 years. At the time, the Canucks led the Penguins in the standings by one point. Now, however, the roles reversed, as the Penguins lead the Canucks by one. In their last ten games, both teams have a record of 7-3-0.

Consequently, the two teams appear fairly similar. Also mentioned last week, the Penguins seem on pace for another successful season and post-season like last year. Thus, if the Penguins are on pace to continue their hot streak in the playoffs, are the Canucks on their way to a successful post-season as well?

To begin, their goaltending, often the central focus of the Canucks, is led by the remarkable goaltender, Roberto Luongo, age 30. He remains on pace for an average regular season for his standards. With 48 games played, he has 29 wins and 15 losses, while last season he had 54 games (35 wins, 13 losses).

His current goals against average, 2.33 goals, however, is the second lowest of his 10 season tenure in the NHL. The Captain of the Canucks, without any actual captain duties on the ice as he is a goaltender, always gives his team a shot at winning. Whether his offense and defense backs him up or he steals the game for Vancouver, the Canucks remain confident in Luongo.

This team is a melting pot of ages. The oldest, Pavol Demitra (35 years), returned from a forty-seven game injury to his shoulder. He played in 819 games before this season, about 220 more games than defenseman, Sami Salo, who is also 35 years old. As one is a forward and one is a defenseman, they are able to impart wisdom and advice to the younger players in their specific area of expertise.

Coincidentally, plagued by old age, Demitra and Salo both missed significant time due to injury. Daniel and Henrik Sedin, however, took over for Demitra and Salo. Daniel Sedin missed 18 games with a foot injury, but as soon as he returned (on November 22, 2009) he fell right back into step alongside his brother. His brother, Henrik, leads the team in points with 78 (25 goals and 53 assists). Meanwhile, Daniel Sedin has 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) and the Sedin twins’ linemate, Alexandre Burrows, is tied for third (with Ryan Kesler) with 49 points (25 goals, 24 assists).

Other than Kesler, the Canucks top three scorers remain on one-line, making much of the Canucks’ offense a one-line team.

While the Canucks’ offense mostly comes from one line, their top four point scorers are aged 28 or older. Will their offense die out soon as the top four scorers age? Well, Mason Raymond is one of the youngest (at age 24) players on the team, yet after two seasons learning from the older players of the Canucks he sits in sixth on the team in points with 40.

Regardless of offense, their post-season woes are more definitive than their regular season success. Canucks lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Semifinals last season, yet their loss last season encouraged them to compete harder this season. With twenty-six games remaining in their season, they currently sit on a two-point lead in the Northwest Division over the Colorado Avalanche.

Meanwhile, there are fifty-two possible points up for grabs for the Canucks. At the moment, they have 70 points, only 30 back from their 2008-2009 finish of 100 points. Their lineup remains fairly unchanged from the previous season, and they appear on pace to finish as well, or better as last season.

As a result, it’s quite possible the Canucks have the talent, age, and experience to go to the Stanley Cup Finals this year. Whether or not they succeed and make it that far remains unknown, however, at the current time, their age does not slow them down — their current third seeding in the Western Conference proves this.

Aside from the statistics and history, only the Canucks can determine their future. Their age doesn’t hurt them at the time, but another key injury to a veteran player, and they may fall into a deep, dank, abyss.

Katlyn Gambill
NHLHS Featured Writer
kgambill@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @freezethepuck

Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Washington are all Stanley Cup favorites this year. What do these teams have in common? How did they build their successful teams? Through the draft, specifically through obtaining high draft picks for multiple years. Teams like New Jersey, San Jose, and Detroit, prove that a team can win consistently and still build a solid team from within. But the common thread within all these teams is that they have all drafted well.

The last nine years of Montreal Canadiens hockey have been at best mediocre. The historic franchise, known for its winning tradition, has fallen from grace. This fall is akin to the career of Robert DeNiro, a great actor, who due to poor choices in films to star in is no longer putting up the great results of the past. Like DeNiro’s poor film choices, the Canadiens’ lack of success can be attributed to their poor drafting. I have taken a look back at the Canadiens’ last ten years of drafting, highlighting their first round picks, to show their mediocre drafting has led to mediocre hockey.

In 2000 the Canadiens were blessed with two first round draft picks. With the #13 overall pick the Habs chose Ron Hainsey. Hainsey, who has found success after leaving the team, only played 32 games with the Habs before the Habs gave up on him, and released him on waivers in 2005 to be claimed by the Atlanta Thrashers. In his short career with the Habs, Hainsey put up 1 goal and 1 assist with a plus-2 rating.  With San Jose’s #16 overall pick acquired in exchange for Vincent Damphousse), the Canadiens drafted Marcel Hossa, otherwise known as Marian’s little brother. After putting up good numbers in the American league, Hossa never seemed to catch on in the NHL. In 59 games played for the Canadiens, Hossa managed to score 10 goals, with 9 assists, and a plus-2. Hossa was traded prior to the 2005-06 season to the New York Rangers in exchange for Garth Murray. Hossa is currently playing for Dinamo Riga in the KHL.

In 2001 the Habs continued to draft American born defenseman when the picked Mike Komisarek with the #7 pick. Komisarek proved to be one of the few successful 1^st round draft picks this decade, playing 361 games for the Habs, putting up 12 goals, 46 assists, +13, and sitting in the penalty box for 496 minutes. Komisarek’s success on the Habs can be attributed to his slow development within the American league, as well as benefitting from being paired with top-notch defense partner Andrei Markov. Komisarek went Benedict Arnold in 2009 when he signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for 22.5 million over 5 years.

With Washington’s #25 overall pick in 2001  (acquired in a trade where the Habs acquired Richard Zednik , Jan Bulis, and said pick in exchange for Trevor Linden, Danius Zubrus, and New Jersey’s 2^nd round pick in ’01) the Canadiens drafted Alexander Perezhogin. After briefly becoming the hope of Habs fans (playing in 128 games putting up 15 goals 19 assists and +16), Perezhogin fled to the KHL where he is currently playing for Salavat Yulaev UFA. If Perezhogin decides to return to the NHL, the Canadiens retain his rights. Montreal struck gold in the 3^rd round of the ’01 draft when they drafted current number one center Tomas Plekanec #71 overall, arguably Montreal’s best pick of the decade.

Montreal was so high on Christopher Higgins in 2002 that they traded up one spot to #14 overall to insure that they drafted him. Higgins played in 282 games for the Canadiens, never managing to find the offense that the organization and fans expected out of him (84 goals, 67 assists, -13). Higgins was traded to the New York Rangers in the summer of 2009 in exchange for Scott Gomez. Unable to produce the numbers the Rangers expected out of him, Higgins was traded this week to the Calgary Flames.

Habs fans were told that Andrei Kostitsyn would have been drafted higher than #10 overall if it weren’t for his health condition. Although he hasn’t been slowed down by the seizures that complicated his early life, Kostitsyn has yet to put up the numbers expected out of him (226 games played, 64 goals, 69 assists, +15). Habs fans can name off players who the Canadiens passed over to draft Kostitsyn, but Andrei’s game has been improving year after year, as he slowly develops into the 30 goal scorer that all Habs fans want him to become. 2003 was a fruitful year for this year’s edition of the Canadiens. In later rounds the Habs drafted Maxim Lapierre (#61 overall), Ryan O’Byrne (#79), and Jaroslav Halak (stealing him with the #271 pick).

2004 brought upon another disappointing draft for Habs fans. With the #18 pick Montreal selected Kyle Chipchura. The organization had high hopes for Chipchura, hoping he would replace long time captain Saku Koivu when he left the team as the new leader. After a disappointing 68 games as a Canadien (4 goals, 10 assists, -17) and taking way too many bus trips between Hamilton and Montreal, Chipchura was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in December 2009 in exchange for a 4^th round draft pick in 2011.

With one ball in the 2005 draft lottery Montreal won the #5 overall pick. At the surprise to most Habs fans the Canadiens selected goaltender Carey Price, just one short season after Jose Theodore’s Hart and Vezina season. After posting an incredible career in junior hockey, and leading the Hamilton Bulldogs to the Calder Cup, Price became the great hope for all Canadiens fans. Price has had an up and down career in Montreal. Price currently has a 58-45-17 record with a 2.72 GAA and a .912 save percentage. The Carey Price bandwagon is constantly being jumped on and off after every Habs game. While Price’s game needs improvement, it is too early in his career to call this pick a flop. In 2005, the Canadiens also drafted Matt D’Agostini with the 190^th pick and Sergei Kostitsyn with the 200^th pick.

With the exception Max Pacioretty, the #22 pick in 2007, (86 games played, 6 goals, 19 assists, -8), the Canadiens have yet to see a draft pick from 2006-2009 play a game in the NHL. Pacioretty, who the organization is hoping becomes the power forward that the team is missing, underperformed with the Canadiens, earning him a demotion to Hamilton to give him time to improve his game.

2006 pick David Fischer (#20) is finishing his senior year at the University of Minnesota. Fischer is projected to be a stay-at-home defenseman, but he will not be skating at the Bell Centre for at least another year, while he transitions to the professional game in the AHL. Highly touted defenseman Ryan McDonagh, the #12 pick in 2007, was traded in the summer of 2009 to the New York Rangers as part of the Gomez deal. The Canadiens traded away their #25 pick on draft day 2008 in exchange for Alex Tanguay. Tanguay would go on to play one injury plagued season in Montreal before signing with the Tampa Bay Lighting.

In front of a hometown crowd the Montreal Canadiens selected Louis LeBlanc with the #18 pick in 2009. LeBlanc represents the hope of Habs fans to become the power forward that the team has been lacking for a long time. LeBlanc is currently playing his freshman year at Harvard. The constant hope beaming out of Habs fans eyes with every new draft pick has brought upon nothing but mediocre hockey in Montreal. If the Canadiens are to succeed in the NHL they will need to start developing their drafted players into quality NHL players.

Ben Ostroff
bostroff@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @bensucks

With the departure of Olli Jokinen for essentially spare parts, Flames fans believe another deal will be made.  After all, GM Darryl Sutter did effectively clear 500K off his cap after the supposed salary dump.  So is Sutter now looking to Atlanta and and acquiring Ilya Kovalchuk?

Just a few days ago, TSN’s Darren Dreger listed the supposed asking price for Kovalchuk as four or five assets, a young roster player plus a combination of draft picks and prospects.  If Sutter were to shoot for Kovalchuck, GM Don Waddell must not have liked prospect Keith Aulie.

Do the Flames now carry the assets to move for the superstar Russian.

They recently recalled their top rated forward prospect, Mikael Backlund, as the team needed secondary scoring.  It could be more of a showcase rather than a need with the acquisition of Matt Stajan.

Dustin Boyd could be showcased as well as he finds himself playing alongside Jarome Iginla regularly.  At 23-years-old he may fit the bill of a valuable young roster player.

Could Niklas Hagman be on the move again?  Sutter plays him on the third line while he projected for thirty goals.  At 30-years-old he carries a reasonable 3 million dollar cap hit while scoring at least 20 goals for three years now.

The Thrashers apparently asked the Bruins for Tuukka Rask, so one would assume prospect Leland Irving also should be in the mix.

Would a package of Hagman, Backlund, Irving, Boyd and a first round pick, Greg Nemisz or Tim Erixon entice Waddell enough to make a move? Certainly would be a healthy package.  but would other teams offer more?  One would imagine the Chicago Blackhawks or Los Angeles Kings could put together something stronger.

Note that the acquisition of Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins would maintain reasonable depth at the wings should a trade of this nature occur.

Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotStove

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded away Ian White, Jason Blake, Matt Stajan, Jamal Mayers and Niklas Hagman accounting for 38 percent of their offense.  What will the team do to replace the four missing forwards?

When questioned GM Brian Burke mentioned the one forward acquired, Fredrik Sjostrom, as one of the players likely to fill the void.  Known mostly for his penalty killing ability Sjostrom will probably play more than in Calgary, where he found himself a healthy scratch on numerous occasions.

Recent healthy scratch John Mitchell also should be reinserted into the lineup and can hopefully keep his job with a return to his early season form.  The other two players needed most likely will be Viktor Stalberg, Rickard Wallin or Christian Hanson.

Needless to say these four players will not make up the scoring lost.  The Leafs lose their top goal scorer and their fourth, sixth and eighth leading scorers putting a gigantic hole in the offense.  The return of Mikhail Grabovski should help but it will not be the answer.

Burke mentioned the shop being open for business which should mean a forward or two needs to be acquired at some point.  If the Leafs have serious interest in making the playoffs they must also improve their forward core.  Listed below are the expected forward lines after both trades.

Alexei Ponikarovsky – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Nikolai Kulemin – John Mitchell – Viktor Stalberg
Wayne Primeau – Lee Stempniak – Christian Hanson
Jay Rosehill/Fredrik Sjostrom – Rickard Wallin – Colton Orr

Probably the weakest forward core in the League with a lot of room for improvement.  Nazem Kadri looks like a reasonable candidate to make this roster out of training camp next season at this point.

Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotStove