Winners: The teams that greatly improved

Calgary Flames -

The Flames were one of the teams that I was on the bubble about whether to include them on the Winners list or the Unknowns list.  Langkow has been re-signed, as well as Craig Conroy.  They recently acquired Andre Roy, as well as the power forward we all know as Todd Bertuzzi.  They’ve also re-signed Jim Vandermeer, a player who was supposed to be washed-up, that once paired with Dion Phaneuf, really shined.  They were in my unknowns category until I noticed they picked up Michael Cammalleri from L.A.  Calgary’s greatly improved this off season.

Colorado Avalanche –

Colorado won’t be known for it’s trading capability this off-season.  Instead, remember them as the team that made sure that the vital parts of their team from last year remain on their team in this upcoming season.  The obvious signing was Joe Sakic, who signed on Wednesday.  Other notable signs are Liles, Wolski and Svatos.  Colorado also re-acquired Adam Foote, yet again, and will also add on Darcy Tucker to harden up the team.  Expect newly acquired Andrew Raycroft to step in where Theodore left off, and considering he had nearly nothing to work with in Boston and Toronto, I’m expecting him to finally start putting up the numbers he’s capable of in Denver.

Columbus Blue Jackets –

Columbus gets a lot of respect from me in terms of their off-season moves.  They’ve brought in some big names to help out their team, including Mike Commodore, Kristian Huselius, and R.J. Umberger.  They’ve also brought in Michael Peca, and veteran Mike York, which York could be a good or bad thing, but should help considering he is a veteran.  Re-signing Pascal Leclaire was critical, and Columbus now still has their goalie.  Expect Columbus to finally start having an impact this year.

Detroit Red Wings –

Oh, Detroit.  2007/2008 champions, how can you get any better?  Oh that’s right, SIGN MARIAN HOSSA.  Detroit’s officially the team where if players finally want to get to hoist the cup, they just flock to the team.  Chelios is still unsigned at this point, but then again I don’t think hurricanes, tornadoes, and volcanoes could get him to retire.  Brad Stuart and Andreas Lilja also return.  Simply put, Detroit’s going to continue this year as another team in the running for the Cup.  Don’t be surprised if they repeat this season.

Minnesota Wild –

Minnesota goes down as one of my favorite teams in the West, and regardless of my feelings for the team, they barely squeezed into the winner category.  Well, they’ve signed Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan, two veterans that will help stabilize the team.  They’ve also acquired Marc-Andre Bergeron and Marek Zidlicky through trades.  These trades are the biggest things for the Wild in a long time.  To be fair, my friend pointed out that the Wild lost both Demitra and Rolston to free agency, which is true, but I don’t think either had any intention on staying, and so what it’s worth, I think Minnesota made some very credible moves.

Chicago Blackhawks –

Chicago did a great job signing Cristobal Huet, and of course, Brian Campbell.  That alone is enough to push them into the winners category.  Regardless, with Kane and Toews entering sophomore years, Chicago should be an improved team to reckon with.

Losers: The teams that either got worse, or didn’t do $#!^

Dallas Stars –

You’re biggest signing this year was a GAP model who interned for Vogue Magazine (Sean Avery).  For a tough guy, he sounds like a real pansy.  Regardless, for Dallas, if that was your best signing, you did little to nothing to improve your teams playing ability.  Stu Barnes also retires and becomes an assistant coach?  Player to management?  Look everyone, the Stars are doing a pretty good impression of the Islanders.

Los Angeles Kings –

As a crappy team, they really didn’t do anything, except lose players like Lubomir Visnovsky and Brad Richardson.  Anyone hear the sound of a toilet flushing?

Nashville Predators –

Sign Ryan Suter and Shea Weber to absurd contracts.  As far as I’m concerned, they’re still unproven, but I’d love them to prove me wrong.  Just remember Nashville wouldn’t be in this situation if they never traded for Forsberg, which in the end, gave the Flyers 4 spectacular players…

Unknowns: Who knows??

St. Louis Blues –

Ok, I never really followed the team.  A lot of decent signings, including Yan Stastny and Steve Regier, who are both good.  Still, a lot still has to go down, like the Blues need to come together, gain chemistry, and dig out of the grave they’re in.  If the rumors of Shanny coming to the Blues turn out to be true, I’d move the Blues up to the “winner” category.

Anaheim Ducks –

They did lose Marc-Andre Bergeron to the Wild.  Still, Corey Perry’s sticking around, and they did acquire Brendan Morrison and Steve Montador.  Still, the winners of the Cup two years ago still have a lot of work ahead of them.

Edmonton Oilers –

The Oilers did a great job signing some small name players, and don’t take that the wrong way.  They also improved by acquiring Erik Cole from the Hurricanes by getting rid of the problematic Joni Pitkanen.  They’ve also gained Visnovsky from the Kings.  A slightly improved team, not worthy of earning the winner status, but definitely a team you should keep an eye on.

Phoenix Coyotes –

Olli Jokinen.  That’s all I need to say.  Still, Phoenix is an unproven team and in my opinion, you can put a ton of good players on Phoenix and until I see consistent winning I’m always going to be questioning them.  They did add in Todd Fedoruk, who should help in the locker room, as well as Brian McGratten and Kurt Sauer.  I kind of feel bad for Olli Jokinen.  This is starting to look like it’s going to be the Panthers, version 2.0 for Olli Jokinen.

San Jose Sharks –

One of the better teams in the unknowns, as they kept Goc and Roenick.  JR goes down as one of my top 10 favorite players.  They also got Dan Boyle and Brad Lukowich, who will be eating up cap room, and they lost Matt Carle, one of the best up and coming defensemen in my opinion.  San Jose is STILL a strong team, but how they’ll actually execute everything is still up in the air.

Vancouver Canucks –

Kyle Wellwood, Steve Bernier, Pavel Demitra, and JASON KROG!?!?  And Nolan Baumgartner???  Vancouver wins the Black and White award, awarded to the team that signs some amazing players and some players that are total crap.  That being said, 1 + (-1) = 0, which plops them right into the unknown.

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Well, that would be it.  Expect my analysis of the East to come roaming in sometime before Friday.  Enjoy.

Imagine Brett Favre meets Bizarro-world.

At the end of the NHL season, Colorado’s management told Joe Sakic to take his time choosing if returning to the Avalanche (or to the NHL/hockey at all) was an option.  This included if his time off to make a decision even went into training camp.  Everything was pretty much set up the total opposite of the Brett Favre situation; Management wants him to stick around, and is willing to give him anything he needs.  After all, he’s been the face of the team for so long now, they owe him that much, right?  Sakic finally made his decision on Wednesday by signing with the Avalanche for one more year, making this his 20th season, a deal that will cost the Avalanche $6 million.  Sakic, as you can guess, is worth every penny.  Sakic brings both a presence on the ice and in the locker room.  In 19 seasons, Sakic averages nearly 72 games per season, and has 623 goals and 1003 assists (1363 Games Played).  You can’t argue with a player that puts up a point per game.

Even at his age, playing in a league where young guns dominate, he still managed 40 points last season.  Why is this important?  In terms of veterans, there were 4 big names that come to mind.  Sakic is number one.  Number two, Jaromir Jagr, has signed in Russia, and let’s face it, the Rangers could never afford him, and he was offered good money to play in Russia.

The other two?  Shanahan and Sundin.  Shanahan has yet to sign with anyone, though he is supposedly willing to take offers from the Rangers, and the most buzz appears to be centered around his return to the St. Louis Blues.

As for Sundin?  I don’t think the world’s top scientists could figure out what he’s thinking right now.  Sundin’s situation is leaving a bad taste in hockey fans’ (specifically Maple Leafs fans) mouths.  Does he want to play or not?  NHL or No?  PICK SOMETHING ALREADY.  Players like this need to remember that they’re being paid to PLAY A SPORT, an occupation that many would kill for.

Back on topic, and to sum up, Sakic’s signing was a great move for the Aves and also for Sakic.  He remains with the same organization for 20 years now, where he has been the backbone of the team.