NHL Power Rankings

By E. Spencer Kyte
Love of Sports Correspondent

Some may say being short of 10 games into the NHL season isn’t a big enough sample size for rolling out the inaugural NHL Power Rankings here at The Love of Sports.

Personally, I think we’ve waited too long, missing the boat on a preseason ranking so you could see we’re not just picking names out of a hat or catering to our own personal biases.

Proof of that comes in the form of the defending champions and my team of choice, the Detroit Red Wings, not occupying a place inside the Top 5.

Instead, there are two teams from New York State, the most storied team in league history, a perennial let down and one upstart everyone should take seriously.

On with the show ...

NHL Power Rankings

1. New York Rangers (6-2-1)

The boys from Broadway get the benefit of a couple extra games to find themselves at the top of the heap in this first edition. While the play of the Brandon Dubinsky/Nikolai Zherdev/Aaron Voros line has been outstanding thus far, the Rangers are going to need better production out of everyone else should they wish to remain at the head of the class.

2. Buffalo Sabres (5-0-1)

I seem to remember an astute young man telling everyone to keep an eye on Lindy Ruff’s Sabres earlier in the year. The first team to beat the Rangers in regulation is led by the Thomas Vanek and is scoring in bunches. A return to form between the pipes from Ryan Miller has been big as well.

3. Montreal Canadiens (5-0-1)

Alex Tanguay looks to be fitting in just fine in La Belle Province, though he better keep it up. Expectations are higher than usual this season as Les Canadiens celebrate their centennial season and a Stanley Cup drought that dates back to the days of Vincent Damphousse.

4. Minnesota Wild (4-0-0)

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Regardless of Marian Gaborik’s contract situation and future with the Wild, one thing should be abundantly clear: this is a team to be reckoned with. “Little Koivu” has already posted a five-point night, and Antti Mietinen has become an early season sniping sensation. Whether that continues remains to be seen, but one thing you can count on in Minnesota is outstanding defense and tremendous goaltending from Nicklas Backstrom.

5. San Jose Sharks (5-1-0)

What a surprise. Ron Wilson gets the boot and suddenly everyone on the Sharks has rediscovered their scoring touch. Imagine that. The only problem is San Jose seems to be in the thick of things every year of late, only to roll over and die come playoff time. I know that’s a long way away, but no matter how successful they right now, that’ll always been in the back of my mind.

6. Edmonton Oilers (4-0-0)

The kids are all right! It may have taken a couple of favorable bounces for the Oil to top the Avalanche in their season opener, but they’ve been on the right side of three more one-goal games since, including taking an early 2-0 lead in the Battle of Alberta. As these young guns continue to gain experience, Edmonton will continue to climb these rankings ... and the standings.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-1)

Sid the Kid & Co. have been managing just fine without the services of their two top defensemen. The power play’s seen a five forward configuration, and youngsters Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski have proven to be deserving of the increased ice time they’ve been handed.

8. New Jersey Devils (4-1-0)

Every year, we – us people who think we can predict the future – forecast a fall from grace for Martin Brodeur and Satan’s favorite hockey team. You’d think we’d have learned by now. Brodeur sits six shutouts shy of the all-time record and should be mentioned in the Top 3 of any discussion of the greatest goalies to every play the game.

9. St. Louis Blues (4-1-0)

The Good: They’re putting the puck in the net, with 22 goals through their five games.
The Bad: They’re not keeping them out all that well, as the opposition’s lit the lamp 15 times.
The Ugly: St. Louis’ uniforms during the mid ‘90s. Remember? The ones with the two different sized numbers on the back? Horrible.

10. Detroit Red Wings (3-1-1)

The defending champs look like the embodiment of the Stanley Cup hangover out of the gate, dropping their opening night game to the hapless Maple Leafs, who have since dropped five straight. To make matters worse, Henrik Zetterberg’s missed the last couple games with a nagging injury. On the positive side, Stevie Y has been picked to lead Team Canada in 2010.

For the sake of space – and you not having to read my ramblings for another 20 teams – the remaining rankings come to you short and sweet, sans comments.

The Rest

11. Boston Bruins
12. Carolina Hurricanes
13. Washington Capitals
14. Chicago Blackhawks
15. Colorado Avalanche
16. Columbus Blue Jackets
17. Nashville Predators
18. Vancouver Canucks
19. Ottawa Senators
20. Dallas Stars
21. Atlanta Thrashers
22. Tampa Bay Lightning
23. Toronto Maple Leafs
24. Calgary Flames
25. Phoenix Coyotes
26. Florida Panthers
27. Los Angeles Kings
28. New York Islanders
29. Anaheim Ducks
30. Philadelphia Flyers

Disagree with our assessment? Have a list of your own? We’re always happy to hear about it in the comments section.

(E. Spencer Kyte’s Power Rankings can be read in this same spot each and every week.)