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January 25, 2010
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
STEPAN STEPS UP
A NATIVE OF Hasting, Minn., center Derek Stepan is in his second year at the University of Wisconsin. But the Rangers draft pick (51st overall, 2008) took a break from the NCAA season to represent the U.S. at the 2010 World Junior Championship. It was a good decision – Stepan led WJC scorers with 14 points in seven games, including a goal and an assist in the gold medal final, in which Team USA downed Canada 6-5 in overtime. Eight of the top nine leading scorers are NHL-affiliated prospects, while the other – Canadian left winger Taylor Hall – is projected to go No. 1 overall in the 2010 draft. Two teams that have a shot at winning the draft lottery in June, Anaheim and the Islanders, tied for the…
Columbus
MVP When the Blue Jackets spent the first pick of the 2002 NHL draft on London (OHL) winger Rick Nash, they envisioned building a franchise around the hulking forward. They’ve been half-right. “In my opinion, Rick Nash is the best power forward in the world right now,” said Detroit Red Wings winger Dan Cleary. “He’s big, strong and he goes to the net better than anybody. With his reach and his ability to score, he’s a unique talent.” The problem is, Nash doesn’t have the team around him. Through the Blue Jackets’ first 20 games, Nash collected 25 points and Columbus posted a 12-6-2 record. In their next 22 games, the Blue Jackets tumbled, going 3-13-7. It’s no coincidence Nash was held to just 12 points during that span. MDP A year ago, Columbus goalie…
Chicago
MVP Duncan Keith’s fingerprints were all over the Hawks’ sparkling beginning to the season. He was plus-13 in 43 games on the NHL’s top defensive team and was among the league’s blueline scoring leaders with 37 points. Keith, a serious Norris Trophy candidate, was rewarded with a 13-year, $72-million contract extension earlier this season. MDP You’ve got to search to find a Hawk with a disappointing first half. Right winger Tomas Kopecky best meets the description. He struggled to adapt to the Hawks’ system as a fourth-liner after signing as a free agent. Once Adam Burish returns from a knee injury in March, Kopecky’s playing time could come to an end.…
Anaheim
MVP Corey Perry, the agitating Ducks winger, had a club-record 19-game points streak and was on a 50-goal, 100-point pace before going cold in December. Much of the reason for that is because Anaheim lost Teemu Selanne, Ryan Getzlaf and Joffrey Lupul to injury that month. Still, Perry figures to surpass last year’s totals of 32 goals and 72 points. MDP Sure, Saku Koivu and Ryan Whitney haven’t delivered enough bang for their ample bucks and the high-salaried Lupul has been hurt. But Steve Eminger was signed to be a regular on defense and instead has been a regular scratch because of poor play in his end. His price tag also doubles from $750,000 to $1.5 million next season. Ouch.…
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