October 14, 2009
Start to season offers some surprises

[DENVER, CO] -- Talk about a topsy-turvy start to the NHL season.

The Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning were all leading their respective divisions as of Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and Vancouver Canucks owned losing records and were sitting at or near the bottom of their respective divisions.

Will this unusual circumstance last? Probably not; we're only a couple of weeks into the season, after all.

Even so, there's hope for fans whose teams might not have been expected to accomplish much this season but have gotten off to nice starts.

The Avalanche is getting clutch goaltending from free-agent pickup Craig Anderson (1.98 goals-against average, .940 save percentage); the special teams have been surprisingly effective; and 12 different players (three from Darcy Tucker!) have scored at least one goal.

The Blue Jackets are off to the best start in their history. Stud forward Rick Nash, one of five Jackets with two goals, leads a balanced attack; Columbus has killed 18 of 19 penalties; and second-year goalie Steve Mason has combined with Mathieu Garon for a 2.20 goals-against average and .933 save percentage.

The Kings, who have missed the playoffs six seasons in a row, have a potent No. 1 line with Ryan Smyth, Anze Kopitar and Justin Williams, who have combined for nine goals and 14 assists; second-year defenseman Drew Doughty eventually will be a Norris Trophy contender; and coach Terry Murray believes he has a franchise goalie in Jonathan Quick, whose numbers (3.00 average, .898 save percentage) have to improve for Los Angeles to stay afloat in the highly-competitive Western Conference.

Then there is the Lightning, which has missed the playoffs two years in a row and hasn't advanced beyond the first round since winning the Stanley Cup in 2004. Defenseman Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay's first-round pick, is logging nearly 26 minutes per game and looking good while doing it; Antero Niittymaki has been sharp in goal; second-year center Steven Stamkos is off to a hot start; and the club is winning even though Vinny Lecavalier has yet to score a goal.

***

Let's hear it for ageless Chris Chelios, who has begun practicing with his hometown Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League, possibly with the intention of eventually returning to the NHL.

Chelios, 47, wasn't offered a new contract by the Detroit Red Wings or any other NHL team this summer. He's signed a waiver to work out with the Wolves and could wind up with an AHL contract.

Only Gordie Howe -- Mr. Hockey -- was older when he played in the NHL. Howe was 52 when he scored 15 goals in 80 games for the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80.

Chelios is a workhorse in the gym and probably would embarrass plenty of players half his age when it comes to training.

"I've always said that when I am done playing will be when I have nothing left," Chelios told Chicago reporters. "I have no (age) goal except just to keep playing because I like to play. We've got to see. I don't want to just help the team, but I want to contribute."

The three-time Norris Trophy winner was limited 28 games last season with the Red Wings because of a broken leg he sustained in an exhibition game, but he played in six playoff games and isn't ready to retire.

Chelios spent parts of nine seasons with the Blackhawks, and the Wolves would be wise to sign him. Maybe he can't log 20-plus minutes a game anymore, but he'd provide veteran leadership and solid minutes when called upon.

"It's amazing that someone at his age still has the drive and the love of the game and wants to continue to play," Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. "All the power to him for still being able to play. He can still contribute to a team, especially with his leadership."

Chelios began his NHL career in 1983-84 with the Montreal Canadiens. He's collected 185 goals and 763 assists in 1,644 career games, the most by an American-born player. He's won three Stanley Cups, played in 11 NHL All-Star Games and been a member of four U.S. Olympic teams.

***

So much for that four-game winning streak the Flames had to begin the season. They've lost three in a row, including that embarrassing meltdown in Chicago after building what should have been an insurmountable 5-0 lead.

Goalie Mikka Kiprusoff hasn't exactly been stellar, which could be bad news for me on two fronts: I picked the Flames to finish first in the Northwest Division and challenge for the Stanley Cup, and Kipper is a member of my fantasy hockey team.

You shouldn't have to guess which is more important to me.

Rick Sadowski is a columnist for TheFourthPeriod.com and the Colorado correspondent for The Fourth Period Magazine. He has covered the NHL since 1981, most recently for the dearly-departed Rocky Mountain News in Denver. He's written for several publications and web sites, including NHL.com. Check out his blog Through the 5 Hole.