As most teams will be getting closer to the 20 game mark of the season,I thought it would be idea to look at their record after same amount of games last year.I placed the teams by divisions and by the amount of points they got.So let’s start with the Eastern Conference teams. Teams in red,missed the playoffs.
Eastern Conference
NorthEast Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
| Buffalo | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 |
| Ottawa | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 |
| Boston | 20 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 20 |
| Montreal | 20 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 18 |
| Toronto | 20 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 12 |
Atlantic Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
| New Jersey | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 |
| Pittsburgh | 20 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 26 |
| Philadelphia | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 |
| Rangers | 20 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 23 |
| Islanders | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 21 |
SouthEast Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
| Washington | 20 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
| Atlanta | 20 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
| Tampa Bay | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 23 |
| Florida | 20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
| Carolina | 20 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 11 |
Western Conference
Central Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
| Chicago | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 28 |
| Columbus | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 |
| Detroit | 20 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 24 |
| Nashville | 20 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 23 |
| Sr-Louis | 20 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 20 |
Northwest Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
| Calgary | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 |
| Colorado | 20 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 25 |
| Vancouver | 20 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
| Edmonton | 20 | 8 | 10 | 2 | 18 |
| Minnesota | 20 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 16 |
Pacific Division
| Team | GP | W | L | OTL | PTS |
| San Jose | 20 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 29 |
| Los Angeles | 20 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 24 |
| Dallas | 20 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 24 |
| Phoenix | 20 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 22 |
| Anaheim | 20 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 17 |
As you can see,even with a good start,Calgary, missed the playoffs. I now its pretty hard to compare one season to an another, as a lot of teams change their personel year to year.Either signing free agents or change coaches.But in the end,its order for one and only reason,win the Stanley Cup.We often mention playoff races,but in reality it’s a marathon.Winning the grand prize in hockey, is the hardest of all major sports.
In January, I will take a look at where the teams where at midpoint in the season in 2009-10.
The Salary cap
I try to stop myself from laughing everytime I read a Gm mention that its hard to make trades under the cap system.Nobody, told you that you had constantly bump against the cap limit every year.Keeping yourself some space in case of possible injuries,slow starts and make shake ups would have been a great idea.You can always go the owner and ask them why they allowed a cap system based on average salary instead of actual salary.Gentlemen,before the lockout, the average payroll per team was about 43.5 million per team,based on actual salary.Today,under the present system,its about 55 million.So much for cost certainty.Don’t expect too much sympathy from the fans in the next CBA negociations.
The Canadiens traded defensemen Ryan O’Byrne to the Colorado Avalanche in return for centerman,Michaël Bournival from Shawinigan of the Quebec major junior league.The Canadiens had them on their list in 2009,but Colorado grabbed in the third round.It’s a good trade for both sides.it also gave Habs Gm Pierre Gauthier some cap space he needed,but also O’Byrne will see more ice time in Colorado than he could of in Montreal.Thank you,Ryan for your services in Montreal,I’m sure you will take what you learned will help your career in Colorado.
Philadelphia Flyers,resigned restricted free agent Jeff Carter to an 11 year,58 million dollar contract,which take effect in 2011-12.With this signing, the Flyers have 57.5 million committed to 18 players.If the cap stays the same next season,Paul Holmgren could be forced to trade a player.
That’s all for now. !
