[Maple Leaf]

I sort of thought that the Leafs would be over.500.

PROS
Sundin, Sundin, Sundin, Antropov, Toskala, McCabe (sometimes), Stajan.

CONS
McCabe (sometimes), Defence (sometimes).

[Back Of The Net]

Better than i thought. I thought they'd be .500 or right around it, so 4 games over that is better than expected for sure, plus the Isles have at least 2 games in hand on everyone.

[halifas]

I knew before the season began that the Devils would be havng some troubles, but definitely not such scoring woes. They seem to score 4+ goals then one goal, and then get shutout, and then score 4 more goals.
Anyways,
Pros:
Brodeur-beginning to play the way we a reused to seeing him play. Most of the Devils losses are not his fault. he has been palying extremely well recently, but the Devils just cant score in front of him (although they can scorein front of Weekes).
Weekes-Has been playing ike his days in Carolina. Has been incredibly acrobatic, very confident, adnd has made some truely remarkable saves. Excellent pickup.
Asham-My favourite free agent pickup. Has exhibited excellent stick hadnling and one-on-one moves. Plays physical and has had some fights. Asham really needs to be taken off the fourth line and be given more time.
Johnny Oduya-Has been playing much better defensively the past ten games.
Vishnevski-has been playing better defensivley recently and has been playing more physically than earlier on in the season.

Cons:
Forwards-a scoring drought for nearly everyone. It sucks. They cant score.
Oduya-Horrible start to the season
Vishnevski-didnt show much physicality in the beginning of the season
Rachunek-has only recently begun to show the slapshot he used in new York.
Defense-has looked like an AHL blueline at times

[Backstrom Backer]

Hell No, I would have thought the Caps were much improved. Right now they are in the cellar of the division.

[subby13]

The Leafs certainly haven't looked as good as I would've hoped, but there is a silver lining: after a start that most Leaf fans would agree has been bad (and at times, embarassing), Toronto is still sitting in a playoff position, 7th in the East. If this is where they are while playing poorly, then there's good reason to be optimistic about where they'll be if they learn to get their acts together with more consistency.

[Adsfan]

The Preds have plodded so far. I thought that they might be fighting for last place based upon what they have lost since the end of last season. Dan Ellis has been a pleasant surprise.

[Chris_1968]

My first thoughts on the first quarter of the season were below expectations but lets look at what the Rangers added and subtracted this season and re-think for a moment how it take's time to gel & blend together as a team. and ways to improve to lead this team to the finals and the cup.

Added Players for a full 2007-08 season.

Gomez (9 game point streak now)

Drury (Below what i thought still will end up around 60 points)

Staal (Haven't seen him out of position yet and a very smart defender)

Dawes (Speed & awsome shot)

Dubinsky (Crafty Passer)

Late 2006-07 call-up's now with the club

Giradi (Him & Tyutin have made a solid defensive pairing.)

Callahan (injured)

Valiquette



By Trade's in 2006-07

Avery
Mara

Players subtracted from the Rangers Roster.

Cullen
Nylander
Weekes

So the Rangers opening night roster from 2006-07 to 2007-08 has added 10 new faces and lost 3. This resulting in more then a 1/3 roster change. Should a time frame be provided for a team to blend? Well IMO i would say so. The Rangers have some highly offensive skilled players and to find the right Matches takes time. My other Beliefe is that it's Renney's job to study players stronger skills before camp opens to decide who would best fit each player for each line. I wasn't a fan of his constant line changes in games. Renney IMO needed to stick to set lines and just let them blend as a team. If he went this route maybe we have 4 more wins now and not waiting till the 20th game to say the Rangers have hit there stride.

Anyway i like how the team is looking now. Staal looks Awsome He could have 3-4 more goals had he not hit the post a few times. Malik looks great sitting in the stands hope he has a season ticket for wherever he is sitting for the rest of the season. Lundqvist looks like one of the best goalies in the world now complain about his contract this season but he is still cheap looking at how well he plays and will prob recieve a 6.5-7 mill multi year contract after the new year. He is worth it based on the market. The pretty much no name defenes has been great. The non believer's should take a notice.

Also when Straka & Callahan are back who sits? Hollwig & Orr? Dont get me wrong the Rangers need a True heavy weight fighter on the team Orr Fits this description.

Maybe at the Deadline Montoya can be packaged with something (Prucha, Malik, hollwig) for top of the line defensmen or scorer. The Rangers cap budget is at $44,433,476 as per http://www.outsidethegarden.com/salaries.asp considering the Money is there to pick up the final piece we need.

For now things are looking well maybe not much else is needed.

[Bless_D_Mess]

I never know what to expect from the Rangers and it always comes true.

[Chris_1968]

Originally Posted by halifas

Cons:
Forwards-a scoring drought for nearly everyone. It sucks. They cant score.
Oduya-Horrible start to the season
Vishnevski-didnt show much physicality in the beginning of the season
Rachunek-has only recently begun to show the slapshot he used in new York.
Defense-has looked like an AHL blueline at times

I wish i remembered this cause i dont.

[halifas]

Originally Posted by Chris_1968

I wish i remembered this cause i dont.

Then I guess it musthave been only when he was playing the Devils. But he was brought in partially for his shot from the blueline for the powerplay.