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East midseason grades (cont.)

Posted: Friday January 12, 2007 9:48PM; Updated: Tuesday January 16, 2007 11:01AM
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SOUTHEAST DIVISION

Atlanta Thrashers
Analysis Grade
The goaltending is solid and the offensive arsenal is good, but top-heavy. (Glen Metropolit is their fourth-leading scorer with just 21 points, and no defenseman has more than three goals.) Teams have learned they can push the Thrashers around, but Atlanta is still fun to watch because of its elite forwards. B+
Individual Grades
Head of the class
MARIAN HOSSA: Has become one of game?s best all-around players -- among NHL scoring leaders, backchecks, master puck thief in neutral zone. A
BOB HARTLEY (coach): With only handful of stars, has made supporting cast a competitive, cohesive unit. A-
ILYA KOVALCHUK: Improved defensive play earned more ice time, but goal pace cooled. B+
SLAVA KOZLOV: Easy to hit, hard to knock off puck. Scored as many points as Kovalchuk. B+
KARI LEHTONEN: At 19-10-7, a big reason why team is eyeing division title. B+
Staying after school
NIKO KAPANEN: Sees mostly fourth-line center duty, but doesn't play body and is ?12 with four goals. C-
GREG DE VRIES: Stay-at-home defenseman having trouble with faster forwards and restrictive rules. C-
Contender or Pretender
With little production from the backline and lack of depth at forward, Hossa and Kovalchuk will have to be spectacular for the Thrashers to win more than one round in the playoffs.


Carolina Hurricanes
Analysis Grade
Holding them to a defending champion's standard, the Canes have been disappointing, seemingly unable to mount a win streak. They have good balance up front, but get little production from their defense. Carolina was 8-2-4 in one-goal games and the only team to not lose when leading after the first or second periods. B+
Individual Grades
Head of the class
CAM WARD: Conn Smythe-winner picked up where he left off. At 20-12-3, 2.73, he gives team chance to win almost every night. A-
ROD BRIND'AMOUR: Captain reached 600 assists, 1,000 points. At 23 minutes per game, never looks tired. B+
RAY WHITNEY: Hard to see why he's played for six teams; seamlessly fits with different linemates, fine playmaker is often overlooked. B+
JUSTIN WILLIAMS: Six of his 21 goals were game-winners. B
PETER LAVIOLETTE (coach): Coming off an A season, hasn't rekindled Cup magic. B-

Staying after school
BRET HEDICAN: Lost step from days as NHL's best-skating defenseman; lacks skills to compensate. C-
CORY STILLMAN: Seven-time 20-goal scorer had only one. D
Contender or Pretender
The Hurricanes had inconsistent spells last season and still won the Stanley Cup. However, there are too many good teams around this season to think that Carolina will do it again.


Washington Capitals
Analysis Grade
Extensions of scrappy GM George McPhee and coach Glen Hanlon, the Caps have fought their way back into playoff contention. They still rely on one superstar forward and an overworked veteran goaltender who faces more shots (34.2) than anyone in the NHL. Washington is 0-5 in shootouts. B
Individual Grades
Head of the class
ALEX OVECHKIN: Crosby is more well-rounded, but Ovechkin scores game's most spectacular goals. Needs linemates who can keep up with him. A
GLEN HANLON (coach): Has two cornerstones, but gets more out of supporting cast than any coach. B+
OLAF KOLZIG: Club's most consistent player. Often overworked, but rarely had bad night. B+
CHRIS CLARK: Broken jaw didn't slow captain, who may be team's best two-way forward. B

Staying after school
RICHARD ZEDNIK: Has been hurt, but was far more productive and creative in Montreal. C
BEN CLYMER:Lost among second-tier wingers on team begging for complements to Ovechkin. C-
Contender or Pretender
The good grade recognizes the team's improvement, but it will be a few years before the Capitals can truly contend.


Tampa Bay Lightning
Analysis Grade
Talk of mass trades has subsided, but nearly everyone has been on the chopping block. The team lacks offensive depth, defensive production and a true No. 1 goaltender. The Lightning ranked last in penalty killing (76.4 percent). C+
Individual Grades
Head of the class
MARTIN ST. LOUIS: Now on goal-scorer?s roll, picking corners and knocking shots off boots. A
VINCENT LECAVALIER: Big part of St. Louis' success has helped form game's best one-two scoring threat. A

Staying after school
JOHN TORTORELLA (coach): When your superstars are subjects of trade rumors, you're not getting much out of the rest of the team. C
JOHAN HOLMQVIST, MARC DENIS: Team needs reliable No. 1, but neither seems ready for role. C-
VACLAV PROSPAL: On and off top line, made foolish plays, left teammates to fetch loose pucks; dismal ?17. D
Contender or Pretender
The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004 with widespread contributions. They look more and more like a two-man team these days, and that won't work in April.


Florida Panthers
Analysis Grade
Give them points for competing most nights, but the Panthers don't have enough weapons. With veterans such as Gary Roberts, Chris Gratton, Martin Gelinas and Joe Nieuwendyk (now retired), the team has looked slow and predictable. Panthers are 0-6 in shootouts. C+
Individual Grades
Head of the class
OLLI JOKINEN: Has done almost all of his scoring at home, but smartly doesn't try to do too much to compensate for lack of help. B
NATHAN HORTON: At 34 points and +10, was best of Florida's rest. B
JAY BOUWMEESTER: Team's most consistent defenseman; best when playing with an edge. B
JACQUES MARTIN (coach): Gets credit mostly because team isn't as bad as it could be. B-

Staying after school
ALEX AULD: Supposed to make people forget Roberto Luongo; lost spot to Ed Belfour; hasn't contributed much. C-
RUSLAN SALEI: Odd habit of carrying puck in and back out of zone, as if he figures what's in front of him isn't worth effort. D+
Contender or Pretender
The Panthers are getting marginally better, but they're still not nearly good enough to reach the postseason.

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