In the Western Conference, there is a clear group of contenders, followed by a small group of teams on the rise, with a group of pretenders in the caboose.
The Final Four is now set, but which players have had the greatest individual success through the first two rounds of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs?
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The beginning of each new hockey season brings a level excitement to the sport. This particular campaign has a little more riding on it in the early going, at least individually, as countries prepare to name their rosters for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
The season may be young, but some players have found time to improve their chances of competing in Vancouver, while slow starts by other may keep them home, tuned in to their television sets.
Trending Upwards
Ryan Smyth (Canada) – 6G 9A +3 8PPP
Believed to be a long shot to crack the Canadian roster, Smyth is off to a great start. He is scoring both on the power play and five-on-five. Line mate Anze Kopitar is leading the league in scoring thanks to Smyth’s talent on the wing. Smyth’s positive influence on the young Slovenian is a showcase to how he could help some of the young stars sure to crack Canada’s line up.
Dustin Penner (Canada) 8G 7A +8
The Edmonton Oiler has come out of the gate firing. He wasn’t invited to the evaluation camp, and most likely wasn’t on the country's radar before his quick start, but if he continues play like this, Steve Yzerman has another player he can add to the list of possibilities.
Mikael Samuelsson (Sweden) 5G 5A 6PPP
The Sedin twins have been broken up due to an early injury, giving Samuelsson a chance to shine with his new club. His quick start could provide a boost to his chances of not only a spot on the Swedish team, but his chances of having a significant role as well.
Craig Anderson (USA) 8-1-2, 2.14GAA, .936SV%
Each season it seems there is a goaltender who comes from nowhere to join the ranks of the elite. Last season was Steve Mason, while the year before it was Pascal Leclaire. Anderson looks like the title is his this season, at least so far. He has the Avalanche rolling with his stellar play. He is now in the conversation with Ryan Miller, Tim Thomas and Ty Conklin for who will be between the pipes for the Americans.
Drew Doughty (Canada) 2G 9A +2 8PPP
His invite to evaluation camp was viewed in some circles as an experience generator, instead the second-year blue liner is showing he is already one of the NHL's best. Especially with the slow start to some of Canada’s other top defenseman, Doughty is showing he deserves strong consideration to make the club.
Both were viewed as question marks after evaluation camp. Thornton’s poor playoff performance and Heatley’s questionable exit from Ottawa left a cloud of negativity surrounding them. Their great chemistry to date shows the question is no longer if they will make the team, but who their other winger will be.
Trending Downward
Bobby Ryan (USA) 1G 1A -3
A virtual lock for the United States because of their apparent lack of depth, Ryan needs to start producing or he will see his role significantly reduced by American GM Brian Burke.
Ryan Getzlaf (CAN) 1G 6A -1 2PPP
The start isn’t a complete surprise, Getzlaf did miss evaluation camp with an injury, but with the Canadian executives having so many other options, he needs to pick up his game fast.
Martin Havlat (CZE) 1G 4A -8
There hasn’t been a forward worse in his own zone then Havlat to this point. His offensive talents are undeniable, but the poor commitment to defense may raise some doubts within the Czech circles regarding what kind of a role Havlat should be expected to play.
Scott Niedermyer (CAN) 1G 4A -8
Once viewed as a potential captain for team Canada, the defenseman must be careful not to miss out on the event entirely. The smooth skating Niedermyer is partly to blame for Anaheims dreadful start, but he hasn’t been helped by an underachieving forward group and poor goaltending.
Jason Blake (USA) 1G 1A -7
The worst part about Blake’s terrible start, is that USA GM Brian Burke has seen every game from the press box as the Leafs top executive. Unlike Bobby Ryan, his place on the team isn’t guaranteed, and if he doesn’t turn things around he could find himself missing out on playing for his country.
Alexei Kovalev (RUS) 3G 1A -4
He hasn’t fit in with his new teammates as well as some had hoped. He still has the offensive gifts, but he needs to prove worthy of a spot among Russia’s top 6 forwards.
