|
|
Pacific Division Power
Rankings
All-Star Edition
This past weekend the NHL revealed the participants
for their annual All-Star Classic, with the usual suspects once again finding
themselves on the invite list. For those lucky enough to be playing in this
February spectacle, the break provides a nice opportunity to celebrate the
game; while giving fans exactly what they want: access to the players when they
are just having fun.
However, for the teams in the Pacific Division,
all-star daydreaming is still a distance away; with lots of meaningful hockey
still be played between now and then. Along the way, management and players
need to find a way to address the holes in their line-up, and position their
squads for a successful stretch drive. Maybe they'll even acquire an all-star
or two to bolster their roster.
With that in mind, this edition of the
Power Rankings will take a look at which all-time All-star each of the 7
Pacific teams could most use on their bench for the rest of the season. In
other words, if the entirety of franchise history was open to a GM, who would
they take, and why?
#1 - Anaheim Duck (Teemu Selanne)
Alright, so this one was very easy. If the Ducks could reach into their past
and bring back one player it would be the gentlemen whose jersey they just
retired: The Finnish Flash Teemu Selanne. Not only was Selanne the heart and
soul of this team, but in his prime there was not a more lethal goal scorer in
the league; and that consistent game breaking offense would fit in well with a
hard-working Anaheim club. Plus, there was rarely a player who wanted to win
more than Teemu, yet he still managed to play within the rules. This lesson
would also serve the Ducks well, especially when the playoffs start and tempers
get hot.. Honourable Mention: Paul Kariya - lots of goals, and an effort level
that never quit.
Last Ranking: 1
#2 - Vancouver Canucks
(Pavel Bure)
It's getting progressively hard to rank teams 2 -5 in
the Pacific, but the Canucks get the nod here due to how much they've surpassed
expectations. This team works hard, gets good goaltending, and continues to
play consistent hockey at home and on the road. Now, that might all sound very
good, but the one thing Vancouver is lacking is someone who is a pure goal
scorer, and who will score nearly every night. That's where Pavel Bure would
fit in, as the Russian Rocket did one thing very well: score goals. Not only
would a pure sniper like that take some pressure off of the Sedin's, but it
would also take the relieve Ryan Miller by providing him more offensive
support. Just what the doctor ordered. Honourable Mention: Markus Naslund - A
shooter who would mesh perfectly with the Sedin's, finally completing that top
line.
Last Ranking: 3
#3 - Calgary Flames (Joe
Nieuwendyk)
Once again the Flames continue to impress. While things
have gotten rocky as of late, Calgary is hanging tough and right now finds
themselves just outside a playoff spot in the Western Conference. It might seem
like the last thing they need right now is more offense, but adding former
captain Joe Nieuwendyk to this roster would almost ensure they qualified for
the post-season; and maybe even won a round or two. Even though there is no
shortage of leadership on the Flames right now, the one thing they are lacking
is experienced winners. Face it, this club is full of rookies and cast-aways
that have come together to create a sum that is greater than the individual
parts. A strong veteran presence, who can still put up the points would be a
perfect fit, and no one did it better then Joe. Honourable Mention: Al MacInnis
- because shooting the puck 100 mph and playing rugged D never goes out of
style.
Last Ranking: 5
#4 - Los Angeles Kings (Zigmund
Palffy)
Something is wrong in LA this season, and you can see it
every time the Kings take to the ice. Maybe it's the Stanley Cup hangover,
perhapsthe players are tired of Darryl Sutter, or it could be age but Los
Angeles is not the same team everyone is used to seeing. One of the biggest
issues has to do with a lack of scoring, as far too often this team has relied
on the youngsters to carry the load - a fact which has led Coach Sutter to call
out several veterans publically, to no avail. What this team needs is a shot of
pure offense, a game breaker like ole Ziggy Stardust himself. Can you imagine a
line of Gaborik, Palffy, and Kopitar coming at you? Sure, Palffy wasn't the
best in his own zone, but with this team that wouldn't matter as keeping the
puck out of the net isn't the problem. Besides, isn't the best Defence a good
Offense? Honourable Mention: Marcel Dionne - As one of the greatest to ever
lace up the skates, Dionne would be welcome on any team at any time. Still, he
was too easy of a choice, so that's why Palffy got the nod.
Last
Ranking: 4
#5 - San Jose Sharks (Owen Nolan)
Alright, as
a Sharks fan I'm sure you are well aware that consistency and work ethic are
not San Jose's strong suits. This goes far deeper than not having a captain,
and stretches into the very identity of a club that seems to go away when the
going gets tough. It's for these very reasons why the injection of Captain Owen
Nolan is exactly what this squad needs, as it would mean accountability, work
ethic, and a never say die attitude. Picture Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau
being spurred on to give their all every shift. Imagine Logan Couture, Tomas
Herlt, and the other youngsters being taught professionalism by the man who
bled teal. Not only would it change the shape of this season, but it could even
refashion the entire franchise. After all, the Sharks went far without talent
when Nolan was there, and they've gone far without heart (after Nolan left);
with talent and heart they might just be able to go all the way. Honourable
Mention: Sandis Ozolinsh - An offensive defenceman, and PP quarterback, who
still took care of things in his own end; like Dan Boyle or Brent Burns only
far better.
Last Ranking: 2
#6 - Arizona Coyotes (Jeremy Roenick)
Here's the good news: the season is already half over. The bad news? Arizona
continues to be just good enough to put a Top 5 pick in jeopardy. As it stands
right now, the Coyotes are 4th worst in the league, but their determination to
play .500 hockey as of late means that they are in danger of moving up in the
standings and perhaps costing themselves a shot at McDavid or Eichel. No matter
what the end result is, Arizona faces a rebuilding job that is going to take
time, though a return of JR would definitely speed things up. Long before
Roenick was a talking head on TV, he was actually a really good NHL player who
brought fire, passion, and a scoring touch to whatever team he was on. Those 3
traits are sadly missing from the current Coyotes, who often pay lackluster and
boring hockey, with no sign of changes on the horizon. Even if Roenick couldn't
single-handedly save this team, he would make them interesting, and give the
handful of remaining fans something to cheer about. Honourable Mention: Keith
Tkachuk - Nasty to play against, and a prototypical power-forward who twice
scored more than 50 goals in a season. He'd be welcomed with open arms.
Last Ranking: 6
#7 - Edmonton Oilers (Mark
Messier)
Wait!? Did I just say Messier instead of Gretzky? Yes I
did, as right now the Oilers need a LEADER, and the Moose was one of the best
Captains in NHL history. While the current squad often takes shifts off, plays
selfish hockey, and leaves the goaltender out to dry, a Messier captained team
was known for work ethic, passion, and selflessness - or exactly what this
franchise needs. Additionally, as rumours fly that Taylor Hall and Jordan
Eberle might be a little drunk with power, and perhaps into the party lifestyle
too deeply, a healthy dose of Messier would also clear that right up and set
those youngsters back on the path to success. I suspect that this would lead to
a vast improvement in the standings, as the Oilers are NOT as talent-less as
their record would indicate. Honourable Mention: Wayne Gretzky - Okay, yes the
greatest player in the history of the game would help. A lot. Can the Oilers
have him both?
Last Ranking: 7
Contact Ryan at at
ryanhall@letsgosharks.com
|
|
| What did you think of
this article? Post your comments on the Feeder Forums |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
