Reflecting on how each of the seven Canadian NHL teams have fared so far in the roller coaster that is the 2019-20 season
As we hit the mid-season mark for the NHL, it’s time again to review our Canadian teams to see how they’ve done thus far. It’s also time to review my pre-season thoughts and note how inexplicably wrong I was.
Montreal “Kovalchuk” Canadiens
The Habs have had an interesting season thus far. They came out guns blazing in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division. Unfortunately for them, a number of injuries and a slew of unimpressive performances from Carey Price sit them at 25th in the NHL for points. While 42 points in 41 games is certainly nothing to scoff at, they’ll need to have a great second half to even have a chance at a wildcard berth. Perhaps Ilya Kovalchuk can save them? Unlikely.
Grade: C+
Ottawa “Tkachuk” Senators
Going into the season, the Senators obviously didn’t have a hope to make the playoffs. What they needed was to strongly develop their young core and they are certainly doing that. Brady Tkachuk continues to be one of my favourite players to watch with his combination of skill and truculence, and Anthony Duclair has been on fire with 21 goals already. Compiling 37 points in 41 games, Ottawa is surely in the hunt for Alexis Lafreniére come draft day, with not one, but two shots at the prized Rimouski Oceanic forward, (they hold San Jose’s first round pick this year from the Erik Karlsson trade, who are floundering at the bottom of the Western Conference). If you asked any Senators fans, that’s OK with them!
Grade: B
Toronto Maple “Keefe” Leafs
I know my expectations were extremely high for the Leafs coming into this season. Watching this team under previous Head Coach Mike Babcock was nothing short of depressing, and it was clear that the players had tuned Babcock out. Now that Sheldon Keefe has taken the helm, the team leads the league in points percentage, power play percentage, and goals per game. They have shot up to 8th in the league with 51 points in 42 games. Bias aside, they are a legitimate contender for the Stanley Cup if they continue to play this way.
Grade: F in Babcock Era, A+ in Keefe Era
Winnipeg “Turbulent” Jets
Going into the season, much like the Leafs, I expected big things from the Jets, and unfortunately for Jets-faithful, they’ve had an inconsistent season. At times, goalie Connor Hellebuyck has looked like the best goalie in the world. At other times, like Winnipeg’s recent 6-3 loss to Toronto, he has looked like nothing more than a mediocre option in net. Patrik Laine continues to grow into more than a one-dimensional player by setting up his teammates. The Jets sit in the middle of the pack of the Western Wild Card race with 47 points in 41 games. With a little more consistency, they should be able to solidify themselves as a contender in the West. All that stands in their way is a terrifying Central Division.
Grade: B-
Edmonton “McDavid” Oilers
Alright, early into the season my prediction for the Oilers looked absolutely idiotic. The Oilers were unstoppable early on. Unsuspecting teams seemed to come into their games against the Oilers with amnesia that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were incredible players, who are currently #1 and #2 in NHL scoring. Lately, teams have figured out that if you stop these two, the Oilers have very little firepower left. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins offers a strong secondary scoring threat but this doesn’t seem to be enough. The Oilers, like the Jets, sit in the middle of the pack with 47 points in 43 games. While their season has been impressive at times, I’m still confident that their lack of secondary scoring and weak defence will prevent them from reaching the playoffs.
Grade: B
Calgary “Gaudreau???” Flames
As a player of fantasy hockey, is there a team with more frustrating players than the Flames? This frustration directly correlates to the inability of their top players to put the puck in the net at various points this season. Johnny Gaudreau has been invisible at times, even being moved to the 3rd and 4th lines to help light his fire. The Flames have a lot of potential to do great things but, much like the Oilers, I wonder if their lack of secondary scoring and weak back-end will hamper their chances. They’ve gone on a run since the removal of Bill Peters as head coach, and with Geoff Ward behind the bench, they now have an identical 47 points in 43 games as the Oilers, so they’re certainly not out of the hunt. Would the real Johnny Gaudreau please stand up?
Grade: C-
Vancouver “Church of Elias” Canucks
Wow, what a pleasant surprise the Canucks have been. I knew Elias Pettersson was special, but not this special. Every time he is on the ice the Canucks seem to have a great scoring chance. Free agent acquisition J.T. Miller found instant chemistry with Pettersson and Brock Boeser, as the line has become one of the most dangerous in the NHL. The Canucks sit 14th in the league with 48 points in 41 games. As the Pacific Division is an incomprehensible mess at the moment, they could easily find themselves in the playoffs come April. Goaltender Jacob Markstrom’s play will largely determine their chances at some post-season play for a young Canucks squad.
Grade: A