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NHL Power Rankings

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Since trying to please everyone here is about as effective as a Wild power play (9.6 percent in 2000-01), we'll let you know about the factors at work. Early in the season we might allow a team or two to rest on its laurels. To wit: You win the Cup, you deserve the hot spot for at least a week.

After that, the rules get a little fuzzy. For Nos. 2 through 30, we're also looking at offseason movement/inaction (sorry, Devils). Once we hit the season in earnest, the previous four-to-six games will take on more weight, though we'll still consider what a team has "on paper." Another factor we'll take into account is the hypothetical head-to-head matchup. Then, on Wednesday afternoon, we'll throw it all in a blender and see what happens. As for this week, when everyone, theoretically can win the Cup, we give you the optimistic edition ...

CNNSI.com Power Rankings Rank Pvs.* Team 1 1 Colorado Avalanche What have you done for us lately? Well, at last check, without Peter Forsberg, we remember a big, silver Cup hoisted up in the Rockies. 2 4 Detroit Red Wings With a ton of firepower, Dominik Hasek in net and vets in front of him, these are not your father's Red Wings, even if they could have played with your grandfather's Red Wings. 3 7 Philadelphia Flyers Spending spree pays off, as will having traded the Eric Lindros luggage for even more depth. 4 3 Dallas Stars Best 1-2-3 combo up the middle in the NHL. Ken Hitchcock will relish task of incorporating new players into his system. 5 10 Washington Capitals Healthy and happy Jagr a lock for Art Ross. Olaf Kolzig provides game-saving heroics when he's on. 6 5 St. Louis Blues We wrestled over this one here at CNNSI.com's New York City headquarters, being so close to New Jersey and all. Pierre Turgeon will be forgotten under the Weight, but goaltending could spell trouble. 7 2 New Jersey Devils Goaltending isn't a problem here, unless Martin Brodeur is again only-good-but-not-spectacular in the playoffs. Low ranking comes from sitting still when so many others didn't. A few Scott Gomez-like finds early and they'll be back in the top five. Or six. Maybe. 8 8 San Jose Sharks Experience and skill spread among forwards reminiscent of the late-'90s Stars. A Western Conference final would surprise only those outside the Tank. 9 17 Boston Bruins Even without Jason Allison, optimism comes in the form of an uninjured Byron Dafoe and a reinvented forward group. Punchless-until-proven-otherwise defense is a concern. 10 11 Edmonton Oilers So many reasons to root for the Oilers. Underrated Tommy Salo is one. Undersized Mike Comrie is another. Underbudgeted GM Kevin Lowe yet another. 11 13 Toronto Maple Leafs Sit tight, Leafs fans, we're just not yet sold on the -- and here comes a new word -- optimysticism being relied upon in the goal-scoring department. 12 16 Vancouver Canucks Third sweater leaves a lot to be desired, but Marc Crawford has a way of making the Canucks look good. Keep an eye on the goaltending battle between unproven Dan Cloutier and recently signed Martin Brochu, 28, who is coming off a great season in the "A." 13 12 Pittsburgh Penguins Only mild concern is that a part-time Mario Lemieux might be disruptive. Oh, and an occasionally porous defense. And a coach on the hot seat. And a goaltender, admittedly capable in the playoffs, with only nine regular-season starts. Well, there's always Craig Patrick. (Which makes us wonder ... Is it a bad thing when a GM is mentioned as the bright spot for the first Power Rankings of the season?) 14 14 Los Angeles Kings Scoring depth should hold, even in the absence of L.A. Luc. Still not sold on Felix Potvin (career 206-205-68 record). Are you? 6 15 Ottawa Senators How far will they fall? It's not so much the departure of Alexei Yashin as what appears to be no reasonable way to replace him. Very weak up the middle and talent alone should get them into the playoffs, but not much further. 16 30 New York Islanders We are in no way related to Mike Milbury or the Islanders franchise. We think the building is a dump. But with Alexei Yashin, Mariusz Czerkawski playing for a contract, very good offensive defensemen and a goaltender who might allow them to roam, we like Mike Peca to be fighting his former mates for the No. 8 spot in the East. 17 9 Buffalo Sabres Yes, they lost Hasek, and a few goals here and there (Steve Heinze, Donald Audette), but life under Lindy Ruff is one lived by committee. A lot of success rides on two young goaltenders, but if the young faces in new places (Tim Connolly, et al.) can thrive in the system, the Sabes are still a playoff team. 18 25 New York Rangers No city could use an uplifting second act more than New York. If either Theo Fleury or Lindros scores 40 and Bryan Berard racks up, say, 50 points, who wins Comeback Player of the Year? 19 27 Florida Panthers The Bure Boys are not the only reason to watch the Panthers. Roberto Luongo isn't far from stardom. Still won't be enough, though. 20 15 Carolina Hurricanes If you can catch the 'Canes, train your eyes on David Tanabe, one of the best young offensive defensemen in hockey. Arturs Irbe is a horse, but even with five 20-goal scorers (including Jeff O'Neill's 41-goal season) sneaking into the playoffs won't be so easy in 2001-02. 21 21 Chicago Blackhawks Tony Amonte contract meeting lifted from Curb Your Enthusiam script, but we like Brian Sutter's not-so-gentle touch to turn this club into one that flirts with the playoffs. 22 19 Nashville Predators Mike Dunham gives them more than a fighting chance each night, which is nice because they don't score any goals. 23 29 Tampa Bay Lightning We might be underestimating the impact of Nikolai Khabibulin here, but give this one time, especially if GQ boy Vincent Lecavalier signs any time soon. We'll keep close watch over the Lightning, even if no one else will. 24 18 Phoenix Coyotes The young 'Yotes are going to lean heavily on veteran Sean Burke. Early loss of free-shooting Sergei Berezin isn't a great start. 25 24 Minnesota Wild You might not pay to see Jacques Lemaire's system in action (critics call it inaction), but it wins games. Occasionally. 26 20 Calgary Flames So much has to go right for this team to turn a five-season playoff drought around. The plot (plight?) of Roman Turek is among the NHL's most interesting. Not long ago he was the best backup in the league. Now he's trying to rebuild a reputation on a bad team. 27 26 Anaheim Mighty Ducks If no Disney movie has a bad ending, consider this season another R-rated Miramax effort. Still, a healthy Paul Kariya is worth the price of admission. 28 22 Montreal Canadiens There are two decent goaltenders in Montreal. And that's about it for NHL competitiveness. 29 28 Atlanta Thrashers Impressive preseason debut of Ilya Kovalchuk might fizzle with increased pace and effort of regular-season opponents. 30 23 Columbus Blue Jackets They lost the toss to Atlanta.

*Previous rankings; posted April 10, 2001, prior to 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs.

 

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