Joe Pavelski tore it up in college hockey, improving his already impressive first-year offensive numbers in Wisconsin by 20 per cent in his second season. That earned him a professional contract, and he signed out of college early.

A little on the small side, it was thought that Pavelski would need to adjust to the pro game at the AHL level first, before taking a run at a roster spot next year. After having one hell of a training camp in San Jose, Pavelski went on to dominate the American League for 16 games (he had 26 points) before forcing the Sharks to call him up.

The 22-year-old has come a long way since he was drafted 205th overall in 2003, and he is not slowing down now. Pavelski has four goals in five NHL games so far, and has not looked out of place. His impact is similar to that of Steve Bernier from last season. Bernier came in and played over 14 minutes per game (increasing with every contest) and garnered 27 points in 39 games, while fitting in quite nicely on the second line with Patrick Marleau and Milan Michalek.

Although the two players are quite different in style, Bernier is more of a power-type, whereas Pavelski is more of a skilled-type, their impact on the Sharks midway through the two seasons are very similar. It was intended that Mark Bell would be the left winger on the top line with Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo. Bell has had his struggles, and so Michalek has moved up to that line. Bell continued to have a tough time on the second line, and has now tumbled to the third. This is because, for the second consecutive season, the Sharks have found their second-line answer in the AHL.

Pavelski should stick with this team, and play about 60 games. If that happens, 40 points is an easy mark for him to reach. Long term, he has 30-goal and 70-point ability.

Meanwhile...

...Conspiracy theorists have been saying that the aforementioned Bell missed three games this season as a result of legal troubles, and not a groin injury. As you may or may not know, he was arrested in September and charged with drinking while under the influence. As a Canadian charged in America, it goes without saying that leaving the country is difficult, and his groin injury 'happened' to occur just before a three-game road trip to Canada. The injury 'healed' upon the team's return to the United States. The problem will not arise again until January 26, when the team goes to Edmonton and then Vancouver, but just be aware that this issue may occur three more times this season in all, leaving Bell with a 76-game season instead of 82.

...Kyle Calder has three points in 24 games, and is a minus-17. Michal Handzus, who the Blackhawks received for Calder, has eight points in eight games and is a plus-4. Given that Handzus will likely play the final 10 games of the season (he is recovering from a knee injury), it is quite feasible that he will still beat Calder in offense this year. Chicago's other big trade of the summer, giving up Mark Bell for Martin Havlat, is also paying dividends for the Hawks – even with Havlat's sprained ankle. Bell and Calder are a combined 10 points in 48 games, and minus-21.

...Colorado's John-Michael Liles has six points in his last four games and has really been coming into his own. A 60-point season is becoming a likelihood for the talented rearguard.

...Edmonton is not only without the services of Ales Hemsky (shoulder) for an extended period of time, but now they are without the heart and soul of the team, Ryan Smyth. The latter broke his thumb Saturday, and will be out indefinitely. Losing two quality wingers will shift Petr Sykora back to the wing from center, and move Jarret Stoll up to the second line. Prospect Marc-Antoine Pouliot, who was recalled to replace Hemsky, is now the third-line pivot and has a point in two games so far. Expect top prospect Rob Schremp to be recalled in Smyth’s place, and get a chance to show his stuff at the NHL level.

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