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Power Rankings: Let the Games Count! Print
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Monday, September 28, 2009 03:40
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How much movement can there be in the preseason? Ask Theo Fleury.

(Last week's rankings in parentheses)


1. Montreal Canadiens (1)
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The Habs finished out the preseason with a 4-2-1 record. The new faces have made their mark, but Carey Price still remains somewhat of a liability. Scott Gomez, Michael Cammalleri, and Brian Gionta looked solid in the 4-3 win over the Penguins on Sept. 21.



2. San Jose Sharks (4)
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Manny Malhotra is an underrated signing. He’s a good two-way center that will help the Sharks out on both sides of the puck. Jamie McGinn, 20, has a shot at making the team. Dany Heatley has posted one point, but Patrick Marleau’s effort shows he’s trying to earn the captain’s C back.


3. Pittsburgh Penguins (2)
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Is Sidney Crosby hurt? He missed the preseason finale with a groin issue. The Pens also only managed to record one victory in six tries, an overtime victory over Columbus on Sept. 15.



4. Vancouver Canucks (10)
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The Canucks went 7-1-1 in the preseason. They look terrific and Roberto Luongo seems to be on top of his game. This will be a good year in Van City.



5. New Jersey Devils (5)

alt The Devils are 3-0-1, with only a home game against the Islanders remaining in the preseason. Nicklas Bergfors looks like he is going to make the team, as is Yann Danis, who was given the only opportunities to be the backup goaltender. Only time will tell if Rob Niedermayer was a good signing. Either way, the Devils had better pray that Patrik Elias is healthy.



6. Boston Bruins (7)

alt Even though it’ll take some convincing that trading Phil Kessel wasn’t a horrible idea, this team looks built for a strong postseason run. Goal-scoring is the question mark: The Bruins scored more than two goals only twice in eight preseason games; one was a win.




7. Chicago Blackhawks (3)
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The Hawks have had a less than impressive preseason, though they only played four games through Sunday. They’re now in Europe tuning up for the season opener. While most clubs are close to deciding their opening-night roster, the Hawks still have spots open.



8. Calgary Flames (6)
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Nothing out of the ordinary in Calgary: After being reinstated by the league, Theo Fleury was given a tryout on the understanding that, if he wasn’t going to be used as a top six forward, he’d be cut. On Friday, he was cut.



9. Philadelphia Flyers (9)
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Ray Emery had a good preseason, and he better be ready for a full season: Brian Boucher left in the middle of the first period against the Devils on Saturday. If that injury is serious, the Flyers may have a goaltending issue. Other than that, this club looks strong coming into the season.


10. Detroit Red Wings (8)

alt The Wings never had much of a full roster at any time during the preseason, but there aren’t many questions about who will be on it opening night. Questions about their goaltending and speed weren’t answered but youngster Justin Abdelkader has impressed. He was thrown into the fire during the playoffs last year. Let’s see what he can do with a full season.



11. New York Rangers (14)

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We may see a very young lineup on opening night. Matt Gilroy. Enver Lisin, and Artem Anisimov look to have played their way onto the team. Marian Gaborik needs to stay healthy. He was very impressive in the games he’s played so far.



12. Washington Capitals (11)
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Life is good: The Caps went 4-2 in the preseason, and Alex Ovechkin is healthy. Alexander Semin will force people to notice him this year.



13. Anaheim Ducks (16)
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The Ducks have a very strong team coming into the season. The Chris Pronger trade seemed better for them than for the Flyers on draft day. Strong preseasons by Luca Sbisa and Joffrey Lupul (three goals, second on the team) have only reinforced that. The blue line is fast on a team with some BIG guys.


14. St. Louis Blues (12)
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The Blues are young, fast and have good leadership in Paul Kariya and Keith Tkachuk. Maybe everyone will have a career year: Thirteen players are in a contract year.



15. Buffalo Sabres (19)
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The Sabres haven’t made much noise this preseason. Besides role players Mike Grier and Steve Montador, their roster looks the same as it did last year. Without Ryan Miller in net, the Sabres don’t touch the postseason. With him, they have a chance.



16. Carolina Hurricanes (15)
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The ’Canes had a short, four-game preseason and went .500. This team has an almost certain opening-night lineup and there should be no surprises here.



17. Dallas Stars (13)
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Dallas will have up to 14 players looking for new contracts next season, which might be extra motivation for everyone — including goaltender Marty Turco. The Stars will need to score more goals in order to push for a playoff spot.


18. Edmonton Oilers (18)
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The Oilers have a young and very fast team, but talk about a mediocre preseason: 2-2, 13 goals for, 13 goals against. Nikolai Khabibulin makes this team look more playoff-worthy.


19. Minnesota Wild (20)
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Martin Havlat is having a lot of fun on his new team. Petr Sykora is also a welcome offensive addition. The Wild will be interesting to watch this year as they look to become stronger on the offensive side of the puck.



20. Ottawa Senators (17)
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The Sens had two wins this preseason as they looked less than impressive. You can’t judge fully from preseason games, but this team has a long way to go to get back in the playoffs.




21. Columbus Blue Jackets (21)
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The Jackets had a loaded eight-game preseason schedule; they won four. This gave the staff a good look at some of the young guys, especially 19-year-old Nikita Filatov, who notched a goal and four points in five games. Martin Skoula hopes his efforts (in camp on a Pro Tryout Contract) will result in a spot on the blue line.


22. Los Angeles Kings (22)
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The Kings can go either way, but have the young talent to really cause some damage. Some, like checking-liner Wayne Simmonds (five preseason games, five goals) look like they’re ready. Goaltending is still a question mark, as neither Jonathan Quick or Erik Ersberg are proven starters.


23. Tampa Bay Lightning (24)
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Looking past the ownership circus, the Lightning had a decent preseason. For once, there’s enough talent on the roster to challenge in the division. If Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman play above their age, this team will be dangerous.




24. Nashville Predators (27)
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Although the schedule was light, the Preds looked better than expected in the preseason, winning four out of six. Rookie center Mike Santorelli (two goals, four points in four games) looks ready to be the second-line left wing.



25. Toronto Maple Leafs (26)
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Ron Wilson, three days before cutting Nazim Kadri: “If I keep Kadri, you guys will say it's a stupid decision. If I send Kadri down, you guys will say it's a stupid decision.” If you insist. … Phil Kessel adds much-needed scoring. Is it enough? Not if Kessel doesn’t suit up until December.


26. New York Islanders (23)

alt All eyes were on John Tavares this preseason. He has one point. Where is DiPietro? (Maybe check the trainer’s room.) Kyle Okposo was the recipient of a Dion Phaneuf flying attack (read: dirty hit), and the Isles hope he’ll recover quickly.




27. Atlanta Thrashers (25)
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The Thrashers have looked less than impressive with two wins in six tries. Ilya Kovalchuk has the front office wrapped around his finger. Thrasher fans hope that the situation doesn’t make him bigger than the team. If keeping him is going to be such a problem, they should trade him before he becomes a free agent in a Heatley-type deal and stock up on quality players.


28. Florida Panthers (28)
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There is not enough firepower on the Panthers’ roster. The Southeast Division is getting a lot stronger, and the ‘Cats may have let themselves sink to the bottom. Sixteen goals in seven games? Then again, it’s still the preseason.



29. Colorado Avalanche (29)
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The Avs are averaging 2.5 goals per game through six preseason games. That’s not enough for a team with a suspect defense and Craig Anderson in goal.


30. Phoenix Coyotes

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Wayne Gretzky stepped down as head coach. Anyone that thinks this will impact the team negatively forgets that, without skates, Gretzky is just a name. Dave Tippett is a much better coach, but that won’t help things in the desert.

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Last Updated on Thursday, October 01, 2009 21:46