by John Wallie

Created on: April 10, 2009

Having perfect 20/20 hindsight. Meaning I wrote this with only one weekend left before the regular season ends. I have had a chance to watch a lot of hockey this season. One thing all the teams had in common this season was the fact that no one team stayed away from a hot streak or a cold streak. Sure, you have San Jose, Detroit, and for that matter Boston who are all at the top of the league standings. They had huge success early in the season and jumped out to early leads. Now we find they have come back to the pack some what. They head into the playoffs with some momentum taken away. San Jose has injuries to key players, Detoit has goal tending isssues, and Boston is young without a lot off playoff experience. These are all factors in a long playoff run. Other teams up near the top are Washington, New Jersy, and Chicago. Of these three, New Jersy has experience in the playoffs while both Washington and Chicago will both be exciting to watch.

This brings me to the next group of teams. Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver. Of the teams currently holding playoff posistions, these three have been the hottest down the stretch. Which is where I begin my campaign for the best team of the 2009 season. The Vancouver Canucks, I can hear some of you booing this choice but hear me out. To be a good team you need to have three componenets in place. I will start with goal tending. Roberto Luongo has been rounding into to form since his return from the injured list. His save percentage is among the leaders, goals against average as well. We know from past seasons, he is a work horse. With his time off with injury, he sill be rested and sharp come playoff time. Next you need to have a solid defence. Wille Mitchell, Matius Ohlund, Sami Salo, and Kevin Bieksa are all capable of playing big minutes. A must when you may have to shorten your bench to protect a lead, get back in a game. In your 5th and 6th spots you have Alex Edler and Shane O'Brien. Edler is versatile and O'Brien has size and grit. This gives the team a well rounded defence. One reason why the penalty kill has been climbing up the rankings.

Last on my list is the ability to put the puck in the other teams net. With the splitting of third liners Alex Burrows and Ryan Kessler, who knew this would have so much success. Placing Burrows on the first line with the Sedin twins back in late February has made that line one of the hottest lines this season. Putting Kessler on the second line with Pavol Demeitra and Mats Sundin has had to make other teams adjust to them. This has made more space for the twins and Burrows to flurish. With the third and fourth line contributing with offence, it has made the second ,ine get a little more room on the off too. Fourth liners Darcy Hordichuk and Rick Rypien provide much needed grit and energy when called upon.

I am sure there will be others who don't think I "got it right". To them I say, tell me something about your choice and prove me wrong. I think the Canucks have shown that they can stay even keel, they did'nt get too low when they were losing. They didnt get too high when they were winning. My opinion, they will go as far as Luongo will take them.

Learn more about this author, John Wallie.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.