A couple of new GM's and major movement from both Columbus and Winnipeg, but the rest is more or less the same. It is no surprise that the most successful franchises have the most aggressively active owners. If you want to win in Backyard it will take more than faithfully setting your rosters. You will need to squeeze all the production you can out of your whole organization while continually striving to improve. You will need to be aware, and focused. You will need to care more than the guy ahead of you. Good luck with that.New/Previous1/1 
Anaheim Mighty Ducks - One game in the loss column obscures the fact that Anaheim is a real monster. The Ducks have convincingly outscored everyone all while facing the toughest competition. A gritty Victory over the Oiler's cements Anaheim's standing at the top of the league.
2/2 
Philadelphia Flyers - After Anaheim the next half-dozen or so teams are in more of a horse race. This is the 2nd of 4 Tiers with Philly consistently at the top.
3/4 
St. Louis Blues - With less frantic trade movement than in the past this roster has been given a chance to gel. Stronger competition will see if it does.
4/15 
Winnipeg Jets - A gutsy Home Win against Boston started Winnipeg's meteoric rise. A loss to Tony would have set him back but you have to be lucky to win.
5/6 
Edmonton Oilers - A solid team top to bottom the Oiler's would be a righteous contender with another starting goalie. Getting leapfrogged by Winnipeg is the only thing keeping Edmonton from gaining more ground. I think Drew is winning by shear will. Never underestimate the power of intent!
6/3 
Chicago Blackhawks - Spiraling out of the top 4 this might just be the team Tony doesn't win the Cup with. The organization is still impressively deep but this years group of veterans are struggling to stay healthy and find their way onto the score-sheet. The cancellation of the Rangers game didn't help either.
7/11 
Columbus Blue Jackets - In Jwalk I see a GM with knowledge, patience, and a plan. Goalie Rich and climbing up the Rankings, this young club looks to contend for years to come.
8/7 
Detroit Red Wings - Goalies...again with the goalies. Thunderblade's write-up could read "as above". Detroit however, is a little longer in the tooth.
9/9 
Ottawa Senators - Rebuilding on the fly keeps Ottawa squeaking by. Improved play from Mike Smith and his Coyotes could make the difference in close match-ups.
10/8 
Boston Bruins - The new man in town seems to be getting a feel for the team before making any major moves. Or maybe he is a kitten. Time will tell.
11/10 
Dallas Stars - Hanging around, hanging around. A team in need of replenishment with a GM that knows how to do it.
12/12 
Pittsburgh Penguins - Standing pat Mariner showed us his street savvy by dealing Rick Nash at his peak. The package of Grade A youth he got in return tells us that he is a man with a plan.
13/5 
Washington Capitals - A narrow loss to a strong round from Ottawa; this team has faced the toughest competition. The word on Washington is that they are lacking identity. Rebuild or contender...no one is really sure. Either way I expect a bounce-back in the weeks to come.
14/14 
New York Rangers - It is only a matter of time before the Rangers start climbing the ranks but there is room for improvement. Duchene, MacKinnon, and Landeskog are all Blue Chip but that much Colorado at the core cries out for diversity. A deal for a real netminder might be the move that sets this team in motion.
15/18 
Toronto Maple Leafs - Another team that seems mired in mediocrity Toronto has a decent stock of talented prospects. Something to build on for the future.
16/13 
Vancouver Canucks - Nothing much happening in Vancouver. Ownership seems committed to the team but the organization needs to invest in a youth movement. It is time to trade Byfuglien Nelly...let him go.
17/17 
Montreal Canadiens - New ownership is in with a whimper. This organization needs to retool, rebuild, and restructure.
18/16 
Los Angeles Kings - Sitting pretty with a token win Gilly's Kings can cruise the rest of the way knowing that we don't expect to see another.
