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November 17, 2009
At the NHL’s quarter pole
By Guts McTavish and Hosea Cheung
» Forwards HENRIK SEDIN Hosea: On pace for career high in goals and points. Best of the bunch. A Guts: Putting up 17 points in 17 games without Daniel certainly says it all. B+ DANIEL SEDIN Hosea: At least the team can finally tell the twins apart. N/A Guts: I think Burrows missed him more than Henrik did. (medical pass) RYAN KESLER Hosea: Leads by example during practices and games. Could be on pace for another Selke nomination. A Guts: Captain Kess. He’s not wearing the C but he sure played like he was. B+ MIKAEL SAMUELSSON Hosea: Strong offensive depth for this team as Constant shot-taking proves to be effective. B+ Guts: His offense really held down the fort in Daniel’s absence. B KYLE WELLWOOD Hosea: Maybe being out of shape was the key to success. D Guts: The one word that best describes Kyle’s season so far... Arbitrocious. D RICK RYPIEN Hosea: Brings energy and fists, but also a minus-two. C+ Guts: Has the tools to be the perfect fourth liner. Gaining a big rep with the fists too. C+ RYAN JOHNSON Hosea: Reliable defensively with a plus-three and unsurprisingly leads forwards in blocked shots. B Guts: When healthy he is the most valuable bottom-six forward. C STEVE BERNIER Hosea: Still not consistent and lacking finish. Sound familiar? C+ Guts: A 20-goal season might just be his full potential. C ALEX BURROWS Hosea: Quieter in hits, aggression, and scoring. Needs to find that edge again. C Guts: His game has been lacking that patented chippiness. Oh yeah, and goals. C MASON RAYMOND Hosea: Found a way to finish with his speed and hands. Effective linemate for Kesler. B+ Guts: Offensively streaky but may be on the brink of a special season. B DARCY HORDICHUK Hosea: Should see more pressbox with players returning from injuries. C Guts: In serious jeopardy of losing his gig to Rypien or Hansen. C TANNER GLASS Hosea: Another role player who’s doing what’s asked of him. C+ Guts: One of the rare forwards who consistantly gets in his hits. C MICHAEL GRABNER Hosea: Unfortunate injury but was making doubters look foolish after callup. C+ Guts: Took advantage of a second chance and finally showed he’s NHL calibre. C+ » Defencemen: CHRISTIAN EHRHOFF Hosea: Most consistent on team. Leads D in scoring and leads team with a whopping plus-9. B+ Guts: Leads the team in plus/minus, on pace for 50 points. A steal by Gillis. B+ ALEXANDER EDLER Hosea: Really looks to be lacking confidence, especially defensively. Must show more flare. C+ Guts: His defensive game has seriously regressed this season. Still, he makes a great first pass.C KEVIN BIEKSA Hosea: Actually seems better as a forward. Too many bad plays in his own zone so far. C Guts: A bit of an adventure so far. Much more effective when he plays pissed off. C WILLIE MITCHELL Hosea: Showed some rare offensive touch early but reverted to being a rock on the backend. B Guts: As far as the D-men go he’s probably been the most consistent.C+ SHANE O’BRIEN Hosea: Besides 10 minor penalties, how else does he contribute to the team? C Guts: Spent too many nights this quarter playing as “Shame” O’Brien. C SAMI SALO Hosea: Does the little things but the team needs more big shots from the point. C+ Guts: Got injured yet again and has been pretty much invisible when healthy. C AARON ROME Hosea: A solid, quiet depth pickup for Gillis despite the minus-4. C Guts: Proof that there’s finally depth at D in the system. C MATHIEU SCHNEIDER Hosea: Got to love the shot from the point, not so much his ability to defend. C+ Guts: His powerplay specialty is still valuable at 41. Healthy scratches speak to his D. C » Goalies: ROBERTO LUONGO Hosea: Still has to work off poor October showing. Injury didn’t help his cause either. C Guts: Another slow start, an injury, and a handful of memorable performances. C ANDREW RAYCROFT Hosea: Proved to be dependable backup. Could come in handy down the stretch. B Guts: The fact that the team played with confidence in front of him says it all. B- » Coach/GM: MIKE GILLIS Hosea: Summer acquisitions panned out pretty well so far. B Guts: I’ve yet to see the team he’s assembled together at the same time. C+ ALAIN VIGNEAULT Hosea: Chemistry tough with line juggling, but he’s making due with all the injuries. C+ Guts: An above-.500 record given the injuries earns him a solid B. |