Here we are, the trade deadline. As the trades come flying in while I write this weeks rankings, the Sabres drop down to number two, with the Preds reclaiming their throne. Dallas has started to make moves to the top, while the Kings are the worst team in the NHL not from Philly. Where did your team end up before the deadline?
Rank (Pv) |
Team |
Record |
Comments |
| 1 (2) |  |
42-18-4 | Paul Kariya continues his campaign for Hart Trophy. |
| 2 (1) |  |
41-16-5 | The fans want to pay Ruff’s fine. More riots may happy, the Sens and Sabres may end up meeting in the second round of the playoffs. |
| 3 (3) |  |
39-16-8 | Reason number 6754638 I hate the Red Wings, they acquire Todd Bertuzzi at the deadline. |
| 4 (4) |  |
39-18-6 | John Madden may miss the next game after taking a puck to his face. |
| 5 (5) |  |
37-17-10 | The second line has to pick up their play, especially with the Stars and Sharks that close to them. |
| 6 (7) |  |
37-21-3 | Mike Smith has the Stars wondering about the future of Marty Turco. |
| 7 (6) |  |
38-24-1 | Evgeni Nabokov should return this week, meaning the Sharks aren’t close to out of this yet. |
| 8 (8) |  |
36-21-5 | Roberto Luongo is among the tons of goalies in the Hart race. |
| 9 (9) |  |
36-22-4 | Ray Emery thought he was an enforcer this week, and decided to fight. For that, Emery gets the “Idiot of the Week” award. |
| 10 (11) |  |
36-25-3 | Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier are still the best 1-2 punch in the NHL. |
| 11 (12) |  |
35-23-5 | Niklas Backstrom has become the team’s number one goalie. |
| 12 (10) |  |
33-19-9 | Sidney Crosby. That’s the answer to every question in Pittsburgh. Who’s the Pirates’ opening day starter? Sidney Crosby. Who’s going to quarterback the Steelers? Sidney Crosby. See, it works. |
| 13 (13) |  |
33-21-9 | Alex Tanguay has found his way to lead the Flames in assists. Jordan Leopold has found his way to lead the Avalanche in games missed due to injury. Who looks to have won that deal now? |
| 14 (16) |  |
33-26-6 | The Habs are thinking that Cristobal Huet on a skid is still better then David Aebischer anytime. I agree. |
| 15 (15) |  |
32-23-10 | Steve Rucchin says his head injury isn’t a concussion. Then what is it? |
| 16 (14) |  |
32-25-7 | Erik Cole should be back in time for the playoffs. If the Canes make it, watch out. |
| 17 (18) |  |
31-23-8 | The Isles have to resign Jason Blake. |
| 18 (17) |  |
30-24-9 | Mats Sundin is having a career year. |
| 19 (20) |  |
29-25-5 | Zdeno Chara has to step up his game on the blue line in order for the B’s to have a shot at the playoffs. |
| 20 (21) |  |
30-27-6 | Ryan Smyth gets traded at the deadline. Is this a sign that the Oilers have mailed in the season? |
| 21 (19) |  |
29-27-6 | Brendan Shanahan expects to return before the playoffs. They need him to even make the playoffs. |
| 22 (22) |  |
29-29-5 | Welcome back Scott Parker! |
| 23 (23) |  |
26-27-9 | The Blues prepare for their long rebuilding process after the deadline. Brad Boyes should anchor this defense for a long time. |
| 24 (24) |  |
26-33-3 | The great desert sell-off is over. Gretz is going to be busy in Columbus. |
| 25 (25) |  |
24-26-13 | Bertuzzi is gone. Belfour should be next. |
| 26 (26) |  |
24-29-10 | Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin are a good 1-2 punch, but the Charlotte Bobcats can play better defense. For that matter, West Florence High School can play better defense. |
| 27 (28) |  |
24-32-7 | Fredrik Modin has resigned, could that mean Zerdev is on his way out? |
| 28 (29) |  |
23-30-9 | Martin Havlat was not dealt during the deadline, in one of the more shocking non-moves. |
| 29 (27) |  |
21-32-10 | A LA Defenseman was traded. No, it wasn’t Rob Blake. |
| 30 (30) |  |
16-37-9 | Could Antero Niittymaki be on his way out draft weekend? |
2 replies on “Final Pre-Deadline NHL Power Rankings”
Matt You do a great job with the power rankings. The Rangers kill me. After a great regular season last year, it appears we’re back to the Sather formula: 10th place, false hope, zero legitimate impact prospects on the horizon. Tell me I’m wrong here.
I Wish I could… You’re dead right. Slats has never been a great GM.
it seems that even in the salery cap age he’s found a way to have a bloated budget with overpriced stars.
Although, if they can get Shanny back soon, they may still have a shot, but after the deadline moves in their own division…the better bet is…Mets baseball.