Blog World

The NHL is like every other business in the world - it's a 'what have you done for me lately?' business, mixed with a spot of 'you used to be awesome, so we'll give you another chance."  But every year at around the same time, there are guys that open your eyes and make you think..."Hmmm...is he for real?  And if so, can my team get him?".  Sure the usual suspects are doing damage.  Spezza, Thornton, Iginla, Zetterberg, Datsyuk etc. aren't going anywhere anytime soon, but to take a step back and say he's doing well and it's a surprise, that's sometimes the most fun.  So without stretching this intro any farther, let's take a look at what's been...

The 8 Biggest Eye Openers:

1.Ryan Kesler - Vancouver Canucks C.  Have you happened to catch this guy play?  Every time he touches the puck it's absolutely electric.  This is a guy who has it all, speed, decent size, hands and the hockey smarts to put it all together.  And early favourite to be nominted for the Selke - at least!  Bobby Clarke at least got something right when he signed Kesler to an offer sheet.

2.Filip Kuba - Ottawa Senators - D.  Seriously, did you see this coming?  I know he was going to get prime time power-play time, but to have 11 assists in his first 8 games?  That outdoes some of the games top forwards.

3.Aaron Varos - NY Rangers - W.  Nothing more to say here.  Actually there is: where the heck did you come from?  14 points all of last year - and 9 points in 12 games this year?  Sather should've bought a lottery ticket the day he acquired you, stars were aligned.

4.Keith Tkachuk - St.Louis Blues - W.  36 years old and his best years behind him right?  Big Walt says: 8 goals in 8 games - no ****ing way sport. 

5.Mike Smith - TB Lightning - G.  How badly does Tampa Bay need this guy right now?  They can't score to save their lives, their D is in shambles, but somehow Mike Smith keeps them in games.  He sports a .941 save % and a 2.13 GAA.  You think TB is underachieving now - imagine if he wasn't up to the task...

6.Mikko Koivu - Minnesota Wild - F.  Electric.  This was supposed to be his brother in Montreal, but instead it's Mikko who's guiding the offense of the Wild.  Suprised?  Some saw it coming, but yes...you should be somewhat surprised.

7.Brandon Dubinsky - NY Rangers  - F.  Jagr calls Tom Renney weekly to get updates on how the kid is doing.  Guess what Jagr?  It's all good.  With 11 points in his first 12 games, Dubinksy is ready to play with the big boys - and he looks damn good doing it.

8.Fabian Brunnstrom - Dallas Stars - F.  Okay...I expected him to get a rude awakening - especially in the West, but he seems to have found his stride quite nicely.  Huge surprise?  Perhaps not, but like Koivu - it certainly could've gone either way.

Let see if there are some more shockers on December 1st. Until then, check back with me next week and we'll take a look at the early year's Biggest Disappointments.