Around the NHL (24-1-2007)

Well it's the All-star break and nobody is sturring, not even a mouse. All the Gm's are in Dallas, so we should be hearing some juicy rumours, but nothing yet, or at least something worth reporting besides league executives hoping to land Mr.Forsberg, who has said that he does not want to leave Philadelphia and hoping to return to Sweden and start getting his foot ready for next season.

No wonder Forsberg is in high demand, you have 8 of the potential 16 teams that could be playoff bound come April 9th searching for that extra push that could guarantee them home ice for a good part of the playoffs, espacially potential 4th seed teams in both conferences, like Montreal and Ottawa in the East, San Jose and Detroit in the West. A healthy Forsberg would be a good pick up, but would he be even at 75% ? No doubt, at 75%, Forsberg is better than alot of players at 100%, but is the future of your franchise worth a long shot like that ? In the NHL salary cap era all teams live in, it's a very big gamble.

Teams that we could we possibly see in the Playoffs for the East according to the rythm that they have maintained since the beginning of the season.
In The Eastern conference.
1.Buffalo 117
2.New Jersey 108
3.Atlanta 102
4.Montreal 99
5.Ottawa 95
6.Carolina 92 )(Defending Cup Champions)
7.Tampa Bay 89 (more wins than Pittsburgh)
8. Pittsburgh 89
We should have a great race in the East between, Montreal, Ottawa and Carolina for 4th seed and for the 7th and 8th and final in the East. Games between those teams will be like playoff games.

In the West, it could like this :
1.Nashville 119 (possible winners of the President's trophy)
2.Anaheim 111
3. Calgary 96
4. San Jose 110
5.Detroit 109
6.Dallas 101
7.Vancouver 96
8. Minnesota 90
The biggest battles in the west could be between Vancouver and Calgary for third place and San Jose and Anaheim for second place.

The scenario presented could be altered with the trade deadline and injuries to key players. An exciting end to the season in perspective for sure.

Stay tune Folks !