As the NHL heads into the month of December, it officially marks the time where almost every team has played a third of the NHL schedule. With student’s report cards being sent home to the moms and dads of the world, it’s only fitting to give every NHL team a report card of their own. Every day, over the next week, Last Word On Sports will cover one division a day, and break down each team into five separate categories; Offense, Defense, Goaltending, Coaching, and Management. Just like a school report card, each section will receive a grade between A+ and F. Today, we take a look at the Pacific division.
The Pacific division is currently led by the Anaheim Ducks, who are having a strong start to their season, thanks to scoring from their top offensive players, and defensive coverage from improvements made to their team in the off-season. The Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames have both improved from last year’s debacle, and are now in the hunt for a playoff spot, while the Los Angeles Kings are not too far behind. The San Jose Sharks’ miserable start to the season could eventually lead to a coaching change, while the Arizona Coyotes are searching for answers from all facets of their team, from offense right down to goaltending. Then there’s the Edmonton Oilers, who are right where everyone predicted them to be; dead last.
NHL Report Card, Term 1: Pacific Division
Our Hockey Department’s Tyler Shea, Griffin Schroeder, Nick Godin, Dave Gove and Shawn Wilken all sat down and graded each team.
1. Anaheim Ducks – (17-6-5)
Offense: B+
The Ducks are averaging 2.8 goals per game, tied for 11th overall in league, and are shooting 30.5 shots per game, again 11th overall. Ryan Getzlaf is currently sitting 14th in scoring, with 26 points in 27 games, while Corey Perry(14) and Matt Beleskey(13) are in the top ten for goals.
Defense: B+
The Ducks are allowing 2.6 goals per game, 12th overall, and 29.5 shots per game, 15th overall. Their key addition this past summer, Ryan Kesler, a two-way whiz, is working well for the team, and shutting down the opponents every night, while also providing some secondary scoring.
Goaltending: B
The Ducks let Jonas Hiller walk this summer, and put all their chips on sophomore Frederik Andersen, and rookie John Gibson. So far, it has paid off, with Andersen getting the majority of starts, and while his numbers are a bit down from last season, they should get better as the year goes on.
Coaching: B
Bruce Boudreau is back again with the Ducks, with his defensive strategy, and some focus on offense. Boudreau is one of the better coaches in the league in this modern era, despite having little playoff success, having never gotten past the semi-finals. Considering how the Ducks are built this year, this might be the season Boudreau gets over that hurdle.
Management: B+
Bob Murray, the GM of The Year winner from last season, has been great with his trades, free agency, and drafting. This past year, he was able to get Ryan Kesler, a huge boost to the team’s center and defensive play depth. While some critics may not have liked letting Hiller walk, and Viktor Fasth earlier in the year, it has paid off thus far, with the Ducks leading their division, and tied for first in the NHL.
2. Vancouver Canucks – (18-8-1)
Offense: A
Defense: B+
The defense’s contribution to production has been minimal at best, but the way they’ve managed to shut down opposition has been on par with some of the best defensive squads in the league. With seven roster players on the defensive side, four of those seven have been averaging 20 minutes or more this season, while Luca Sbisa is close to that mark, with an average of just over 18 minutes per game. Still quite young, with only Kevin Bieksa (33) and Dan Hamhuis (31) being over the age of 30, the Canucks have a combination of experience, talent, and a good transition game.
Goaltending: B+
Coaching: A
Management: A+
3. Calgary Flames – (17-9-2)
Offense: A
Being a top-5 team in average goals for (3.07), and a top-3 team in total goals scored and 5-on-5 production this season (86 total, 55 at even strength), the Calgary Flames have surprised their critics with an excellent start. With a top-10 powerplay too, the production has been spread out nicely between the likes of Jiri Hudler (11), Sean Monahan (10), Dennis Wideman (10), Josh Jooris (8), and Mark Giordano (7). The Flames are getting good numbers out of their top lines and their defense, even their depth players are scoring timely goals that have contributed to the team’s success.
Defense: B-
While Mark Giordano continues to lead the team in points, the team’s achilles heel this season has been their poor penalty kill. In 69 attempts this season, the Flames have given up 16 goals, for an efficiency rate of 76.8, which is good for 24th in the league. Their work while at home is dreadful, giving up 14 goals on 31 attempts, yet their specialty teams on the road have been the Dr. Jekyl to the home building’s Mr. Hyde. It’s a good thing this team is scoring goals, because their 51 goals against while 5-on-5, and their average of 2.54 goals against per game, could become worrisome if their scoring begins to dry up.
Goaltending: C+
The goaltending has been hot-and-cold all season, with Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller splitting duties quite evenly. Their stats are almost identical; Ramo (8 wins, 2.37 GAA, .917 Save%), Hiller (9 wins, 2.49 GAA, 913 Save%). While their numbers are pretty average, what gives them a passing grade is the benefit of the doubt that the problem is more the defensive woes on the penalty kill, and the fact that when they are hot, they are stealing games for the team. It helps that the Flames are scoring in bunches, but down the line, along with the penalty kill, the goaltending has to improve and become consistent.
Coaching: A
One of the biggest reasons why the Flames are doing so well this early into the season is the fantastic job Bob Hartley is doing. His system is fully implemented, and everyone is buying into it. The veterans and young players are all performing well, and the team gives a full 60-minute effort every night. His work done during practices has been noted as well, as the players are learning more each day, and becoming a closer-knit group because of the time spent bonding.
Management: C+
There have been some hits and misses from the management’s part with the signings they’ve made in the off-season. Adding Hiller was a good way to bring some stability in goal, despite the results not being particularly good thus far. Mason Raymond was a nice signing, but a shoulder injury currently has him side-lined. Raphael Diaz was a good pick-up for some depth on defense, and the trade to bring in Brandon Bollig for some grit and energy was solid. Yet, there’s Deryk Engelland, who we still can’t fathom how he got a 3-year, $8.75 million contract, and is currently out of the line-up. Devin Setoguchi has also been a bust.
4. Los Angeles Kings – (14-8-5)
Offense: C+
Considering the Kings were 26th in the league in goal scoring last season, this season has been an improvement. Currently, the Kings are 14th in the league, scoring 2.64 goals per game, which puts them in the middle of the league. However, in 5v5 play, the Kings are fifth in the league, with a 1.24 goals for/against ratio. Noting this, it’s clear to see that the power play is where the Kings are really struggling offensively, converting on only 15.8% of chances, good for 21st in the league.
Defense: C-
Given the number of injuries the team has had on the backend, and the suspension of Slava Voynov, the Kings seem to have done pretty well for themselves on defense. However, things are not as good as they appear. The Kings are currently 18th in the league in 5v5, Fenwick% at only 49.97%. Considering the Kings have been at, or near, the top of the league in Fenwick the last three years, this is obviously not how the team should be playing. So how are the fifth in the league in goals against per game?
Goaltending: A+
Jonathan Quick has been perhaps the best goaltender in the league this season. With all due to respect to Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford, it would appear that no goaltender is doing more for his team than Jonathan Quick. Quick is currently second in the league in Sv%, ninth in GAA, and leades all goaltenders in PIM’s. Okay, perhaps that last stat isn’t great, but who doesn’t love a little truculence? If not for the play of Jonathan Quick, the Kings would not be in a playoff spot right now.
Coaching: C+
The Kings once again seem to be coasting through the regular season, content with just making the playoffs. Obviously the system that Darryl Sutter has put in place for the team has worked in the playoffs in recent years. However, it’s frustrating to watch a team with as much ability as any team in the league to seemingly not care at times during the regular season. Watching such a talented team not perform at their best makes you question the coaching of the team. Also, given the Kings average power play, you have to wonder what exactly Davis Payne was brought to the team to do? John Stevens continues to keep the Kings in the top 10 in penalty killing, and Bill Ranford is a goalie whisperer.
Management: B+
King’s General Manager Dean Lombardi has done an adequate job, given the restraints he’s had to deal with so far this year. It’s really hard to manage a team when the league isn’t letting you use all your cap space. The Slava Voynov suspension, and subsequent cap hit due to it, forced the Kings to play a man down at times this season.The team was also forced to sign defenseman Jamie McBain, due to not having enough cap space to call up some of their AHL players.
It’s still unclear how, or why, the team let Voynov practice with them this week, but it would appear that the team wanted to let the league know that they weren’t happy with the situation, didn’t care about the fine they would get, and would be sticking by Voynov through his trial for domestic violence. Voynov has maintained his innocence, and the team has not come out against him. The NHL came down hard on Voynov, but so far we’ve seen no word from Kings management other than general statements. It’s hard to understand why they would do this, unless they truly feel he’s innocent, or they just don’t care, because they don’t want to lose a talented player. If Voynov is found guilty, it will be interesting to see how the fans react to the management supporting him through this. Sports are a business, and too often, talent takes precedence over character. Kings fans are hoping that’s not the case here, and that Lombardi cares more about the victim, and making sure justice is served, rather than keeping his roster intact for the sake of his own legacy.
5. San Jose Sharks – (14-10-4)
Offense: C-
The big cogs have stepped up as usual so far for the Sharks. Joe Pavelski(12-23, +4), Patrick Marleau(6-23,-4), Joe Thornton(7-22,+2), and Logan Couture(10-22, even) have gone about their business amid offseason issues with captaincy and trade possibilities. Brent Burns going back to defense has been a great move offensively as well, as he has a solid stat line(7-21,-6). Tomas Hertl has been dealing with the dreaded sophomore slump(6-13,-2), and outside the usual suspects, the Sharks’ depth scoring has been very inconsistent, and a part of why the team has gotten off to a sluggish start.
Defense: C-
The Sharks have been pretty average in keeping the puck out of their net as well. Currently 17th in goals against(2.63 per game), they have allowed 628 shots, good for 22nd in the league. Bringing in Brendan Dillion, and sending Jason Demers out, was done to aid a defense that has much work to do, if they want to climb back up the standings in their usual position.
Goaltending: B-
With where the team is in front of them, the goaltenders for the Sharks have perfomed at an average level. Antti Niemi has compiled a 10-7-3 record with a 2.56 GAA and .914 save %. Alex Stalock has played well when called upon, putting up a 2.38 GAA with a .925 save % in five games played(2-2-1). The team in front of the goalies has been inconsistent, leading to some unusual numbers for Niemi and his backup, and will have to improve to complement the solid goaltending coming from this duo.
Coaching: B-
Todd McLellan has been at the focal point of the blame for the team’s inconsistency out of the gate. Fighting to stay in the top eight is unusual for a Sharks team that is a few years removed from winning a President’s Trophy and trip to the Western Conference Finals. An inconsistent start has put him on the hot and cold seat for a team that has been thirsting for a Stanley Cup with a window that is closing. The team has the talent to turn it around, it’s just a matter of sticking to McLellan’s system.
Management: C+
General Manager Doug Wilson had a lot of interesting things to say about the franchise in the off-season. Words like “rebuild” and “fresh start” were hovering around the team’s two top-tier veterans in Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, who was stripped of his captaincy. The team has been homegrown well for the most part, with the latest product being Tomas Hertl. The team is currently 5th in the Pacfic, and has not hit their stride amid all the “turmoil” that the team has been clouded in since the summertime. With the talent that Wilson has cultivated, it will just be a matter of time before the Sharks turn it around under McLellan’s leadership with the team Wilson has built.
6. Arizona Coyotes – (10-15-3)
Offense: D
Scoring has been a big problem for the Coyotes this season, and that’s mainly because of the lack of talent in their top-6. In 28 games this year, the team has scored 64 goals, and 42 of those have come 5-on-5. The only positive is that their powerplay is currently 13th in the league, with a 20.4 efficiency rate, but goals on the man advantage can only get you so far, especially if you can’t contribute consistently at even strength. The highest scoring forward on the team is Antoine Vermette (6 goals, 12 assists), but 18 points after 28 games is not exactly impressive.
Defense: D
Allowing an average of 3.18 goals per game is not a recipe for success, and part of the blame goes to the defense. The penalty kill this season has been atrocious, and the only bright spot from the blue-line is Keith Yandle‘s offensive production on the powerplay (12 of 19 points on the PP). Besides that, every defenseman is in the wrong side of the +/- department, with the exception of Brandon Gormley, who is even after six games. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has contributed on the powerplay as well, but his defensive game has been transparent, much like the rest of the defensive core.
Goaltending: F
Mike Smith could be seeing his last days of being a starting goaltender for the Arizona Coyotes. His numbers dictate his poor play (3.27 GAA, .890 Save%) and his back-up counterpart in Devan Dubnyk has out-done him in half the games played (2.74 GAA, .918), while posting the same amount of wins (5). Both goaltenders are not getting much help from their defense, but with numbers like that, and a consistent string of struggling from Smith’s part, the goaltending for the Coyotes has been an absolute fail.
Coaching: D
The wheel of Dave Tippett excuses will eventually stop spinning, resulting in the loss of a job. It’s not all on Tippett, he’s been given a team without scoring forward Radim Vrbata, and his current cast isn’t talented enough to get the job done. Still, at times the team just looks uninterested with games altogether, and it appears that Tippett has lost the bench. With his stubborn approach at playing bottom-line players over younger forwards who are craving experience, the Coyotes fans have had enough with Tippett, and while coaching always gets the blame through tough times, this situation may be warranted.
Management: C-
It’s not like Don Maloney isn’t trying. After losing Vrbata, Maloney brought in Sam Gagner to fill in the second-line center spot and added B.J. Crombeen and Joe Vitale for some size and grit on the bottom-6. The signing of Dubnyk got a negative reaction from most of the Coyotes faithful but it’s turning out to be a good one after Smith’s disastrous start to the season. Still, the team has it’s problems. Dubnyk, while good on a temporary basis, is not a long-term solution and Smith is turning out to be the goalie that you don’t want. The defense has it’s gaffs and the offense can’t score. Perhaps a bottom-5 finish in a deep draft year isn’t a bad approach but the team needs a major overhaul for the future.
7. Edmonton Oilers – (6-15-5)
Offense: F
Defense: F
Goaltending: F
Coaching: F
Management: F
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