#30. Dallas Stars
Loaded with bad contracts, the Stars looked like they had a chance to get out of that mess when Sean took over. Now that he's nowhere to be found, this team has got nothing to show for.
#29. Toronto Maple Leafs
Taylor Hall has 12 goals and M-A Fleury a 3,10 GAA. Those two superstars can't win games on their own.
#28. New York Islanders
Tavares, Nash and Dubinsky makes a great 1st line, but it's all downhill from there specially on the blue line.
#27. Colorado Avalanches
This team can score goals, but they absolutely can't defend. If the management can pull the trigger and get that other defenseman they lack, they could go up the standings.
#26. Minnesota Wild
Again here, lots of offensive power but a big question mark on the defensive side of things. This team shows no grit whatsoever.
#25. New York Rangers
With the kind of management this team has I'm sure that this rebuilding process won't take too long. NZT limitations had it's effect on this team but with King Henrik leading the way, the future looks bright.
#24. Tampa Bay Lightning
Not unlike Dallas, TB is loaded with bad contracts. Tyler Seguin and Cam Fowler are difference makers while Ryan Murray is developping nicely but again, a two-men team isn't going to get you real far.
#23. Edmonton Oilers
Pretty solid defesive squad but Jose Theodore is only average between the pipes. The offense could use some help and so does the special teams which are terrible.
#22. Anaheim Ducks
Coburn was a nice addition to this team but with a -26 in goal diffenrential, that is clearly not enough. Zetterberg is still leading this team offensively.
#21. Vancouver Canucks
This team would climb up the standings if we ever found someone to run it. Bobby Lou is an elite goalie and with that kind of team toughness, something could be done in Vancouver.
#20. Nashville Predators
It's weird that even with what might be the best top 4 dmen in the league, the Predators still give up way too many goals.
Chet Pickard needs to be better if this team wants a shot at making it to the playoffs.
#19. Philadelphia Flyers
On paper, this roster looks better than what it has delivered this year and specially recently. Brière's injury didn't help but overall, the Flyers should be a much better group. Another goalie named Pickard is struggling here in Philly.
#18. St-Louis Blues
It's a shame that the Blues were abandonned for such a long time. A pretty solid roster all around most likely will win more games than they lose only if new found GM, Drake, steps up and delivers.
#17. Buffalo Sabres
Surprisingly, Buffalo is on fire these days. Tomas Vanek is on pace for a 60 goal season and is straight up carrying his team much higher in the standings than what was expected. Even with Ryan Miller sitting on the bench most nights, the Sabres could very well clinch a playoff berth this year.
#16. Detroit Red Wings
Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Richards and Nicklas Backstrom are one of EHEC's top line. Their powerplay is very effective as evidenced by Mike Richards' 30 powerplay-points. Detroit will only go as far as AO and his linemates bring them.
#15. Florida Panthers
Playing in eastern's toughest division, the Panthers have held their own pretty nicely so far. Petter Granberg is playing like a Norris Trophy candidate and Michael Frolik is again one of the league's top player. Mickael Granlund's rise to superstardom also helped Florida to get where they are now.
#14. Boston Bruins
A great goaltender, league's most feared player and an elite level defenseman will win you some games. Add a little depth, good management and good will, this team is a playoff team that had it's struggle recently but nothing too dramatic either.
#13. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa is playing within their strength. Spezza, Biggs and Gaustad are being used like a no.1 unit even though their spot on the lineup says otherwise. Paul Gaustad is almost a PPG player playing alongside Spezza on this deadly 2nd line. Staying healthy will be key for Ottawa going forward.
#12. New Jersey Devils
Hands down the best top line in EHEC. Although pretty thin on D and with questionnable depth, there's no denying Kovalchuck, Stamkos and Malkin. New Jersey has the firepower to win most games but can they defend? That is still the biggest question mark for the Devils.
#11. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Jackets are doing pretty damn well for a team that's supposed to be rebuilding. Good depth up front, well rounded defensive squad and above average goaltending will get you into the playoffs.
#10. Washington Capitals
Even with AO gone to Detroit, the Caps are still a pretty good team. Again, the southeastern division is stacked but Pavel Datsyuk's team have all the tools they need to compete. A little firepower on offense would defenitly help the nation's capital team but I'm sure the guy pulling the strings is aware and looking into it.
#9. Winnipeg Jets
Last year's eastern conference champions were off to a pretty bad start to the season. There was no way that a team with that much talent wasn't going to rebound. The Jets are a well-built team and enjoy pretty solid management. They are getting on a roll so everybody be on the lookout.
#8. Calgary Flames
The Flames can count on a great top 4 defensemen and have a capable top 6 forward group to go along. Depth is key in Calgary as many 3rd line players have shown that they can contribute as well. Kipper needs to be better if this team wants a shot at winning it all this season.
#7. Chicago Blackhawks
Deep team with a lot of firepower. There aren't many weaknesses to be seen here. Even Jaroslav Halak is having himself a pretty neat statistical season. Brian Campbell, Mark McNeill and Bryan Bickell all need to elevate their game to the next level though.
#6. Los Angeles Kings
Despite being severely affected by injuries, the Kings keep on winning. Jack Johnson is a monster on the blue line while Sidney Crosby, Paul Stastny and Andrew Ladd lead the team's offense. Great management in Los Angeles had a major role in the team's continued success even with injuries to key players like Dustin Brown and Kyle Beach.
#5. Montreal Canadiens
The Habs are a complete team. They have steady and honest defense, one of the league's best goalie and mostly a great group of forwards. Great shooters, great playmakers, great power forwards, Montreal can play hockey the way it was meant to be played.
#4. Carolina Hurricanes
Scary team. Not only is Eric Stall a great player, he's without a doubt the most dominant player in EHEC. Have him to play with guys like Mikko Koivu, Brandon Sutter, Joni Pitkänen, Tuomo Ruutu, Bohumil Jank, Casey Borer and Zach Boychuk, what you get is one the league's most defensively sound team and a threat to anyone. A more active management could get this team a cup.
#3. San Jose Sharks
Maybe not as skilled as the Hurricanes but the Sharks are the reigning champions and they are still the team to beat until we crown a new champ. Very deep team up front, well rounded defensive squad and above average goaltending keep the Sharks in that elite category. That's a proven team with great management.
#2. Pittsburgh Penguins
GM Matt Bernier has one hell of a team. If not plagued with injuries, the Pens would probably be ranked at the top spot but missing guys like Iginla, Ranger and JVR had them go through some tough times throughout the season. No team compares to the Pens first 2 lines and adding Zdeno Chara a couple weeks ago secured them as the team to beat in the East.
#1. Phoenix Coyotes
They had an unbelievable win streak. They are managed by some kind of wizard. Every player on the team seems to be carefully handpicked. Shane Doan is ridiculously good and they allow only about 2 goals per game. Their special teams are great and they are almost perfect on home ice. They have already won the EHEC title and it looks like they could pull it off again this year.
Now's the time to argue.
