I thought it was a good time to talk about the state of the SHL team by team. The comments expressed by this individual should be taken with a grain of salt and is most likely tongue and cheek:

Anaheim Ducks – Alex and his #underducks are anything but as we head towards the mid-mark of the season. Early season projections had the Ducks sitting as a playoff burble team but the man they call “Duck Dynasty” has turned the ducks into contenders once again. Questions remain whether they can continue the pace they have set with Gabriel Landeskog playing like he is reborn after being jettison by his long time Leafs team this past offseason. Can talbot keep his vezina caliber play up? Is Morgan Rielly a Norris candidate? Will Alex continue to troll Adrian and Panthers? My prediction: Yes.

Arizona Coyotes – Robert is fresh out of Trade Committee jail from dealing rookie Alexis Lafreniere. One GM quipped “maybe he meant the defenseman, Alexis Lafreniere”. It certainly got the goat of a few teams who scoffed at the return of Anthony Duclair and Ghost. While the Yotes have never shied away from controversial trades, Robert has his team sitting in sixth in the West with some help coming in the form of the aforementioned names. I’m sure there are a few teams who will be following this trade into the future.

Boston Bruins – Tylers Bruins currently sit in a playoff spot even after dishing the king of swing, Alex Ovenchicken in the offseason. He also decided to try and sign every available D in UFA. Still considering whether that strategy was the way to go. If only the Bruins had a starting goalie but maybe that was the point of signing so many dmen, goaltending by committee, will it work?

Buffalo Sabres – Bernie has split his teams into so many personalities it’s hard to tell who runs this team anymore. No matter, the defending champs are on auto pilot running top four in the East without even breaking a sweat. Will the Slugs sort out the multiple personalities and make a statement at the deadline? Or will this team see if the chemistry remains for a back to back run?

Calgary Flames – Keith took over the Flames from Jules in the offseason after she dropped the team in favor of Penguins. It was a bold move, if you recall the Flames were the toast of the SHL one regular season ago. But that changed in the post season (sorry Jules) as per usual with the team getting knocked out in round one. Keith has retooled the Flames a bit and they look dominant but everyone is waiting for the playoffs to see if its the team or just the previous president who are/were cursed.

Carolina Hurricanes – Evan and the Canes. Right now they are in purgatory. Not bad enough for the top end of the draft, not good enough to contend. Could totally see the Canes and Bruins doing a goalie swap to move both there teams in the right direction, Bruins up and Canes down. How is Grubaer not putting up better numbers with those ratings? How is MaxPac not lighting the lamp every night? Evan has done the best with what he was left but the Canes will probably be very active from now to the deadline setting up next season.

Part 2 of 5 coming soon. Stay cool SHL.