Just about to head over to the Penguins’ afternoon practice at St. Pete Times Forum. Weird how it seems like forever since they played, and that only Saturday it seemed like forever since they had a break. Anyway, how about a dip into some NHL rankings?
= “Uncle Scottie” Burnside at ESPN.com has the Penguins at No. 5 in his latest rankings: http://espn.go.com/nhl/powerrankings
= Sportsline.com’s Wes Goldtein has the Penguins’ at No. 6 (and a surprise at No. 1): http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/story/14186910/power-rankings-spotty-sharks-give-west-wideopen-feel
= TSN.ca has the Penguins at No. 6: http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/rankings/nhl/
= Yahoo! Sports and SI.com should chime in sometime later today.
= A request of dear readers: If you know of any rankings you’d like me to add to this group, just drop me a note with the web site link — hockeyday@tribweb.com
= Always a good guy when I worked with him, former ESPN Radio 1250 hockey guy Chris Mack has a new blog, and I encourage dear readers to make a habit of reading it: http://www.thechrismack.com/
Also, a couple of bloggers who I’ve come across at the stray Penguins practice/game:
The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports: http://insidepittsburghsports.com/
Kulkas Korner: http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/tc/
And, finally…
=USA Today really plays at both ends of the ice with its rankings, and I’m not just saying that because I’m part of the voters — though, certainly that doesn’t hurt my endorsement. Anyway, note all the Penguins either in or receiving votes among top-5 defensemen: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/2010-10-25-power-rankings_N.htm
I cannot speak for all voters, by my votes are based one criteria: best team/player for respective category at the time my ballot is due. In other words, a team I think can make a deep playoff run, such as San Jose, might be lower because of its early-season struggles. Additionally, a defenseman such as the Kings’ DREW DOUGHTY might win the Norris, but right not he’s not in my top-5 at that position. Finally, I reserve the right to be wrong. In the interest of full disclosure, my ballot, which was submitted Monday:
TEAMS:
1 – Nashville
2 – Detroit
3 – Los Angeles
4 – Pittsburgh
5 – Washington
6 – St. Louis
7 – Chicago
8 – Tampa Bay
9 – Calgary
10 – Dallas
11 – Toronto
12 – Montreal
13 – Vancouver
14 – Boston
15 – Colorado
16 – NY Islanders
17 – San Jose
18 – Philadelphia
19 – Carolina
20 – NY Rangers
21 – Phoenix
22 – Columbus
23 – Buffalo
24 – Atlanta
25 – Florida
26 – Minnesota
27 – Anaheim
28 – Edmonton
29 – New Jersey
30 – Ottawa
MVP
1 – Steven Stamkos, TBL
2 – Marian Hossa, CHI
3 – Brad Richards, DAL
4 – Sidney Crosby, PIT
5 – Patrick Sharp, CHI
GOALIES
1 – Jaroslav Halak, STL
2 – Tim Thomas, BOS
3 – Jonathan Quick, LAK
4 – Jimmy Howard, DET
5 – Brent Johnson, PIT
DEFENSEMEN
1 – Nicklas Lidstrom, DET
2 – Kris Letang, PIT
3 – Shea Weber, NSH
4 – Paul Martin, PIT
5 – John Carlson, WSH
ROOKIES
1 – John Carlson, WSH
2 – Mark Letestu, PIT
3 – Derek Stepan, NYR
4 – Tyler Ennis, BUF
5 – Cam Fowler, ANA
