Bleeding Blue and Green

Interesting points. I think it's a bit premature to make predictions about things 5 years down the road, as a lot can happen. I mean, what if the Kings semi-implode in a Chicago-like fashion due to cap issues? It could happen if they're not really smart about their contracts. Just compare the Canucks now to where we were 5 years ago. I bet people were thinking Auld = goalie of the future and that the West Coast Express would tear it up post-lockout. Or that naslund would stay with us for years and eventually retire, or that the Sedins would never pan out to their high draft positions.

I think Toronto's problem right now is that Brian Burke is just a bit too impatient. He's a honest guy who wants a great team but he's a little too easy with dealing out draft picks and doesn't know that it will have to take time to build up a team. It seems he's reluctant to admit that (see 'The Hour' interview). I like his personality, but he's more of a GM who can step in to a near-contender and add the final touch, rather than rebuild (after all he was successful in Anaheim). It's still too early to make a decision about the Kessel trade. I think Burke's notion of the team that wins a trade is the one that gets the best player is true. And for now, Kessel is better than Seguin.

Florida doesn't seem much of a surprise at all, given that at the moment they are on pace for a similar total as last year. A hard-working team which seems to lose talented players to other teams (see Jokinen, Bouwmeester, Horton, Luongo, Jovanovski) for better or for worse. DeBoer is a good coach and Vokoun gives them a chance most nights.

It's interesting what you said about Ovechkin doing something 20 times even if he failed the previous 20, and I find Kovalchuk is exactly the same way. I was watching a highlight video of Kovalchuk and it was all the same play. I do think though that Ovechkin's physicality and unreal release give him enough unpredictability; he's the best sniper in the league in terms of his consistent scoring.

Oh, the Adams should go to Craig Ramsay, not Guy Boucher.

Lombardi has lots of work ahead of him in order to keep the core together, which is why I said the Kings will remain competitive if he can get them to sign cap-friendly contracts. For the record, I was never a fan of Alex Auld and never believed he would be a legitimate NHL starter. The Sedins, however, I had thought topped out at 80-90 points (still debatable, really). It's hard to project the future but the Kings definitely have the right pieces.

I agree that Burke lacks the patience but keep in mind he is in a hockey mad market. He's under constant pressure to deliver. I've seen Seguin play a couple times and he's a real heady player, but also cocky. Kessel's an elite talent - the things he's managed to do without any help is quite incredible - and even though it's still too early to tell if the Bruins can land another top 10 pick it tips the scales in their favour. Two talents for one? I'll take it.

Ovechkin as a consistent scorer - do you really think so? His goal production has dropped and it's not a lack of effort. I'm playing devil's advocate here, but maybe a lot of teams have just figured him out and it's harder for him to score like he used to. Either that or teams are locking in on him, which has really allowed Semin to shine. End to end I'd say he's one of the most dangerous players but in the offensive zone he doesn't have the versatility Crosby or Stamkos provides.

I would've given the Adams to Ramsay but he's an easy pick because the Thrashers have won 6 straight. Take that streak away and they're a .500 team. The Bolts have stayed consistent most nights and the Thrashers roster is deeper. Asides from top end talent the Bolts' defense and goaltending doesn't compare to Atlanta's.