Hockey never seems to get any love, even in a city such as Buffalo, which only has two major sports teams. Therefore, I feel it is my duty to provide you, the reader, with a wrap-up of the first half of the NHL season.
The Rangers traded Anson Carter for perennial All-Star - but recent disappointment - Jaromir Jagr. In his first game as a Ranger, Jagr looked like another of the Rangers' underachieving superstars, and they lost 9-1 to Ottawa. The Rangers are still in need of some serious help, as a team with Eric Lindros, Alexei Kovalev, Brian Leetch and Tom Poti should not be in danger of missing the playoffs - again.
The biggest story thus far has been the job the Atlanta Thrashers have done this season. After the death of Dan Snyder in a car accident and the loss of Dany Heatley, arguably their best player, to injuries suffered in the same accident, little was expected of the Thrashers.
After finishing last season 31-39-7-5, Ilya Kovalchuk and company have surpassed any expectations and are in position to make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Despite playing poorly their last six games (2-6-2) Atlanta is due to get Heatley back soon, which should be a huge boost for the team's morale. Even if the Thrashers don't make the playoffs, the job Bob Hartley has done to get them playing the way they are is worthy of Jack Adams Trophy honors.
Another big development has been the play of Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk. With the departure of Sergei Federov to the Ducks, the third year center has gotten more ice time and made the most of it. He has been one of Detroit's most dependable players, scoring on 24.6 of his shots, the highest percentage in the league and. Between Datsyuk and Zetterberg the aging Red Wings have some solid building blocks for their future.
There are a number of other players who have really broken out this season as well. Roberto Luongo, a one-time first-round draft choice of the New York Islanders, has finally become the goaltender he was supposed to be when he was drafted. He has a 2.38 goals against average on one of the leagues worst teams, the Florida Panthers.
Sheldon Souray and Adrian Aucoin, two of the league's more dependable defensemen, have finally been recognized for their play and have been named to the All-Star team. Souray missed all of last season with a wrist injury, and this year has set new career highs in goals, assists and points.
Rick Nash, the first overall pick in the 2002 draft, has quickly become a force on the ice. The teenager put on 20 pounds of muscle in the off season, and is leading the league in goals, with 28. Last season, his rookie year, he had just 17.
Finally, Phil Housley, one of hockey's all-time great defensemen, retired this year after 21 seasons in the NHL. Housley broke into the league just weeks after his high school graduation and joined the Sabres. He finished his career with 338 goals, 894 assists and 1232 points with 9 teams.
That's all the happenings for those of you who didn't pay attention to the first half of the season. Let's hope the second half is just as exciting as the first.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
