Mid-term Report Card

Jerry Todd-Jenkins assesses the Canadian NHL team positions at the halfway point of the 2011-2012 season, which is traditionally marked by the annual All-Star Game ....

The halfway point in the 2011-2012 NHL season, marked by the announcement of the annual All-Star game, is traditionally the time that teams reflect on their position and performance since October, make plans for lineup adjustments before the February trade deadline and generally take a break.

The league is again without its biggest star, Sidney Crosby, because of the concussion issue that affects him. Reportedly, 52 other players are also affected to a certain degree with its symptoms. Statistics show that hits and fights are down on the season, players probably figuring that it’s not worth the risk.

Seven coaches have been fired, closing in on the league record of nine in one season (2001-2002).

This year’s Winter Classic was played in Philadelphia between the Flyers and the New York Rangers. The crowds were reported to be outstanding as they have been for the past several years in Edmonton and Chicago. It’s expected that the next Winter Classic will be between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. The game may be announced during the All-Star break but much of that is predicated on next season’s schedule. That’s on hold until an agreement can be reached on realignment within the conferences.

It’s been rumoured that they’re vying to hold next year’s Classic at the U of M stadium in Ann Arbour, Michigan, which holds over 110,000 fans and would be a huge draw in hockey-mad southern Ontario and Michigan.

Hovering in the background to all these plans under discussion is the players’ union and the CBA negotiations for next year. Both sides want negotiations to start during the All-Star break.

Some experts are even predicting a work stoppage next fall since there are many still unresolved issues, the least among them conference realignment.

The 2012 All-Star Game – the 58th edition – is set for Ottawa on Jan 29. Representing the Senators on this year’s All-Star team are Daniel Alfredsson and Milan Michalek, as well as defenceman Erik Karlsson. Representing the Leafs are Phil Kessel and captain Dion Phaneuf.

Boston Bruins’ MVP Tim Thomas will start in goal, sharing duties with Montreal’s Carey Price. Winnipeg is represented by defenceman Dustin Byfuglien. And the Eastern squad will be coached by the Stanley Cup champions’ coach Claude Julien and the New York Rangers’ coach John Tortorella.

A look at the notable highlights among the Canadian teams shows the Ottawa Senators in the top tier of the Eastern conference. A shocking but pleasant surprise for Senators fans and pegged to be dead last in October, the Sens retooled their lineup under GM Bryan Murray, cleaning out old veterans and bringing in Detroit assistant coach Paul MacLean as bench boss. A record of 27-18 gives them a 9 point advantage over bitter rivals, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and at this point bragging rights in the Battle of Ontario. If this momentum prevails, coach MacLean has to have a lock on the Adams trophy as coach of the year.

Down river in Montreal, a strange, disappointing, even ridiculous season is unfolding. Since October, coach Jacques Martin has been fired, replaced by assistant coach Randy Cunneyworth. Cunneyworth’s inadequacies in the French language was enough to raise Quebecois hackles in the press, a distraction not needed in an already disgruntled dressing room.

Grumbling Mike Cammalleri was traded to Calgary for Rene Bourque, as was captain Brian Gionta. Being below the Leafs at this stage is not what was predicted for this squad last October.

In Toronto, winning hockey may be back, at least for the first half of this season, but in a replay of seasons past, the January swoon may return as the Leafs find themselves in ninth spot – nine points below the Senators. Too close to call whether this team will be in the playoffs come April.

Not much change out West. Calgary and Edmonton are exactly where they were predicted to be – on the outside looking in.

Vancouver Canucks, after a stutter start, are back at the top of the conference along with perennial contender, Detroit Red Wings, and the rejuvenated Chicago Black Hawks.

A Boston-Vancouver final looks realistic but there is still a lot of season left.

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