Guest Commentary: Christmas Naughty And Nice

by Cory Lavalette on Dec 22, 2008 11:53 AM EST

Note: Adam is a Canes Country reader and avid hockey fan — I don't think there's anyone I know who watches more hockey and knows all the players around the NHL as well as him. He gave us some observations on the NHL heading into the brief Christmas break. — Cory

As we approach the halfway point of the season, I thought it would be fun to look at what may be the most disappointing and most surprising teams so far.

We all knew Tampa Bay and the Islanders would struggle, but who knew Ottawa would be this bad. They currently sit 12th in the conference and are two games under .500. The biggest question mark around this team has to be secondary scoring. The trio of Daniel Alfredsson, Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza, aka "The Capital Punishment line," have put up 36 goals and 43 assists for 79 points, and are plus-7 combined. They also also make up about $23.5 million in payroll. But the Sens' secondary tier of Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly and Antoine Vermette have combined for just 24 points and are a minus-19 at a cost of $11 million this season. That's obviously not enough production for the amount of money they are making. Coach Craig Hartsburg finally split up the big three to try to get the rest of the team going, but Alfredsson went down with an injury Sunday. While the Ottawa captain said he didn't think the injury was too serious, there's no word if he will miss any time. That makes another more hurdle for the Senators to leap over.

Out West, Chicago was expected to be much improved, but perhaps not this much. The Blackhawks sit fourth in the conference and are 12 games over .500. If you are bored one night and they are playing, be sure to watch this team. They are fast, fun, skilled and can play physical. The scariest part is that the average age of the players on their top four lines is about 24 years old, with the oldest of the bunch being former Carolina winger Craig Adams at 31. To compare the surging Hawks to the sliding Sens, Chicago's top three scorers (Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews) are a combined plus-12 with 43 goals and 51 assists for 94 points — all for less than $11 million in cap damage, about the same price tag as the three struggling secondary scorers from Ottawa mentioned above. The Blackhawks' second group of Kris Versteeg (keep your eyes on this kid), Martin Havlat and Andrew Ladd (another ex-Hurricane) have combined for 50 points, and their plus-41 — led by Ladd at plus-17 — makes them a bargain at just a touch more $8 million. Those numbers make it is pretty easy to see why this team is having so much success.

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Just so all of you know a bit about me as well, I’m not a journalist or writer. I’m a social worker by trade and am just an avid fan of hockey. So if there are grammar mistakes, sue me!! No wait, don’t, I have no money, remember I’m a social worker.

As for the article I could have went with more “obvious choices” but that would have been too easy. I really think CHI could be a dangerous team, yes they are young but man are they calm and poised. This is not a team I want to face. Even against EDM recently where they played an average game, they found a way to win. Always the sign of a good team on the verge of something special. I also really like this BOS team. They have really come together this year and are playing some outstanding hockey.

I may be doing some more guest commentary in the future, not sure yet.

by Adam on Dec 22, 2008 12:19 PM EST reply actions

Nice read adam. I really enjoy the stuff that is not canes related. I surf the web all day for canes stuff and watch all the games so although I always want more canes news I think if there is news I know about it.

What I love is opinions about other teams from ppl that are not fans of said teams. Like I said I really enjoyed it.

I vote for a daily or atleast weekly “around the leauge” post

Ps. Sorry for the grammer and puctuations (or lack there of). I’m on my blackberry

by Charlie on Dec 22, 2008 5:15 PM EST reply actions

It’s not the capital punishment line – it’s the ‘pizza’ line ;)

I would also think that the reason for Chicago’s bargains in terms of scoring is bc so much of their team is young and on entry-level contrats. I like the team as well, but we all know that Havlat is a few games away from a season-ending shoulder injury. I think they probably have enough depth to win without him.

by repenttokyo on Dec 22, 2008 11:52 PM EST reply actions

Amazing thing, Repent, is those numbers aren’t even actual salary, they’re the cap numbers, which are inflated b/c the CBA says the max amt. of bonus has to be factored into the cap. So some of those guys on entry-level deals may actually make less than their cap number (though the way Kane and Toews are playing, you have to think they’re hitting all their numbers in term of performance bonuses.

Both Chicago and L.A. will be very scary the next few seasons with the talent they amassed (by stinking for so long).

by Cory on Dec 23, 2008 9:21 AM EST reply actions

By way of introduction, I am a VERY distant relative of Adam’s. I want to inform the readership that Adam comes by his love of hockey honestly. He grew up a NY Islanders fan, though he was only three to three-and-a-half at the time my beloved Isles began the 4-in-a-row Dynasty in 1979-80.

Of course he then had to move to Raleigh and desert his roots.

But his mother and I are not bitter.

No, really.

by papabearkrb on Dec 24, 2008 12:11 AM EST reply actions