MONTREAL GAZETTE
What Teams and Players have surprised and disappointed this season?
December 25th, 1995
As we near the end of the year and look to start the second half of the NHL season let's take a look at some of the biggest surprises and disappointments so far this season:
The Surprises
Luc Robitaille and Ray Ferraro
"Lucky" Luc Robitaille has been on fire this season after many thought he was starting to hit the end of his prime years as a hockey player. He is leading the league in Goals with 33, 5 ahead of 2nd place Brett Hull. Robitaille has had no problem finding the back of the net and it's because of the new found chemistry with Ray Ferraro. Both are in their first seasons as New York Rangers, Robitaille coming from Pittsburgh and Ferraro from the rival Islanders. The chemistry the two have found is clear as Ferraro is 3rd in the NHL for assists this season with 32 behind only Joe Sakic and Brian Bradley. It's interesting the two work so well together considering both players were known more as a goal scorers but Ferraro has changed his style of play that suits Robitaille's perfectly. Ferraro has only 7 goals on the season but that's no problem for him if he can put up points feeding Robitaille all year. Robitaille is not only in the goal scoring race but also the Art Ross race as he's one point behind Joe Sakic who has 61 points to Luc's 60. Currently the Rangers are 2nd in the Atlantic Division, behind the Devils, with a 20-13-4 record.
Brian Bradley
The Tampa Bay Lightning may have them a star in the form of Brian Bradley. It seems that the 30 year has taken a huge step in his 12th season as an NHLer. Already, Bradley has 10 more points then last season in 11 less games. With 50 points in 35 games he is on pace for an 117 point season in 82 games. That would smash his previous record of 86 points and solidify him as one of the best players in the NHL. He is 2nd in assists in the NHL behind only "Burnaby Joe" A big part of success has been because of his new winger this season, former Canadien Brian Bellows. After such a big disappointment last season (16 points in 41 games) Montreal traded him for Marc Bureau who has already been shipped away. Bellows bounced back big time this season with 32 points in 35 games so far.
Doug Gilmour
Killer didn't have the greatest of years during the lockout shortened season as he was far from a point a game player and wasn't even close to the 117 points he had 2 seasons ago. He's now in his third season as Leafs captain and he has bounced back and showed he's still got it. Gilmour has 50 points through 35 games and is leading the Maple Leafs in points by 9. Him and Mike Gartner have found some good chemistry on the first line and are working well together. The Leafs have a team that could make some noise in the playoffs this season. They got a stud of a top line with Andreychuk, Gilmour and Gartner, a #1 center on the 2nd line in Mats Sundin, a great veteran defenseman in Larry Murphy, and a young flashy goalie in "The Cat" Felix Potvin. They are a dark horse for the Cup this season.
The Disappointments
Philadelphia Flyers
Just last season the Philadelphia Flyers were looking like an absolute powerhouse. They had finished the season atop the Atlantic Divison and were seen as one of the Stanley Cup favourites. Eric Lindros was named the MVP and the Legion of Doom was wrecking havoc on the NHL. They made it to the Conference Finals before falling to eventual champion Devils. That same Flyers team a year later is dead last in the Atlantic Division and 3rd last in the NHL. So what's happened to this team? The majority of the blame has to be put on the goalies. Ron Hextall has been atrocious this season, allowing 3.54 GAA per game which is a huge spike compared to the 2.89 he had last season. Injuries have also been a factor as Lindros, LeClair and Brind'Amour have all missed time so it's been hard for the team to get going. Even with those problems the Flyers are heavily underperforming and need to get things turned around quickly or they will miss the playoffs and waste a year of their star players primes.
Calgary Flames
Another team that was formerly atop their division last season, the Flames are now 5th in the Pacific division with a 13-18-4 record. The situation is similar to the Flyers in that the goaltending has been weak at best, especially from backup Dwyane Roloson who is 1-9 with a .882 SV%. However the real blame for their goalie troubles is on Flames GM Doug Risebrough for allowing last year's starter Trevor Kidd unprotected in the Waiver Draft. It was a decision heavily scrutinized by many Flames fans, and rightfully so, after the 23 year old had a great season last year in just his 2nd season. Now the Flames are left without a true starting goaltender and will need to look to the trade market for help.
Cam Neely
It seems all those years of fighting, big hits and big goals are behind the 3 time 50 goal scorer. In 30 games this season Neely has only managed to score 6 goals and put up 9 points. That's a far cry from the 41 points in 42 games last season and even farther from the 50 goal season just two years ago. He just hasn't been able to get anything going this season and it's hurt the Bruins as they are now 4th in the Northeast Division and are out of a playoff spot. Even trade rumours have begun to swirl with Neely's name frequently being thrown around. Don't be surprised if his 10 consecutive seasons as a Bruin comes to an end this season.