Writers’ roundtable: The NHL season so far.

Our talented team of Hockey lovers get round the table to discuss the NHL season so far.

Which team has surprised you so far this season (in either a good or a bad way)?

George (Dallas Stars): A surprising choice perhaps, but I am going to go for the Ottawa Senators who currently sit fourth in the East with 60 points. They got off to a very slow start and had their early critics but they have since showed great courage to battle back and surprise many. They are up there at the top in terms of goals scored which emphasises the great weapons they have on offense. It is a very young roster mixed in with some great experience and I can see the Senators clinching a playoff spot this year, something not many people would have predicted in October.

Katy (Calgary Flames): Toronto had a flying start and unlike many predicted, they are still pulling wins out of the bag and providing some fantastic entertainment along the way. Phil Kessel is one of the top forwards in the league this season, and has proved consistent for the Leafs, and Joffrey Lupul has surprised and impressed in equal measure. Toronto haven’t qualified for the play-offs since before the lockout, and although, admittedly, they are still a somewhat inconsistent side, they look like a good shout for a play-off spot, which will come much to the relief of their long-suffering fans.

Richard (Florida Panthers): I’m pretty much a neutral party when it comes to the NHL (with a few unsavoury exceptions!) so it’s interesting to look broadly at how the season has changed since last year. By far the most interesting story for me is the Florida Panthers – with a complete overhaul and the addition of no less than three Cup-winning former Blackhawks, the Cats have well and truly turned things around and I have a feeling they’re going to end their 16 year Playoffs drought this season.

After a few big trades this season, which player has had the biggest impact at their new team?

George (Dallas Stars): Brad Richards left the Dallas Stars and headed to the New York Rangers in the off-season and I feel he has been a vital ingredient to their great success so far. He has settled in very well and has definitely supported his young captain and linemate, Ryan Callahan, who is enjoying a great season. Richards took huge amounts of NHL experience to the Rangers, which is something they definitely needed and has shown this in their successful season so far.

Katy (Calgary Flames): Despite a recent mini-slump I’m going to go with Kris Versteeg. He got the Florida Panthers off to a flying start and remains their top scorer in spite of recent indications that other sides may have his number. Whatever approach is taken to overcome the current downturn in fortunes it can’t be denied that the Panthers are having a fantastic season and bringing in Versteeg was instrumental in hitting the ground running for the South-East division side.

From a Flames point of view I can’t fail to mention Lee Stempniak, who despite not racking up vast amounts of points has proved himself an invaluable attacking player and has been combining well with his linemates, Mikael Backlund in particular. He is definitely one to watch and as Flames look to continue their rebuild going into 2012/13 Stempniak will undoubtedly be key to Coach Sutter’s plans.

Richard (Florida Panthers): Again, touching on Florida, both netminder Jose Theodore and winger Kris Versteeg have been invaluable additions to the Panthers.

Who has been your standout forward so far?

George (Dallas Stars): I am going to have to go with Steven Stamkos of the Lightning. He is a sublime talent at such a young age and has already hit the 50 point mark. He has been the shining light for the Bolts in what has been a very poor season up to now. I followed the Lightning closely in last season’s playoffs and Stamkos caught my eye in what was a very talented team. He will only improve has he continues to build experience and will continue to be an elite centreman.

Katy (Calgary Flames): For me it has be Claude Giroux. He’s having a breakthough season, tops his team’s scoring stats and sits fifth in the overall league points standings despite missing a number of games with a concussion. He centres the Flyers’ red hot top line and has brought the best out of linemates Scott Hartnell and Jaromir Jagr; his value to the Flyers cannot be underestimated and he will be instrumental come the business end of the season.

Richard (Florida Panthers): Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning is having one hell of a season so far; 1st in goals and 3rd in points. There’s a feeling out there amongst fans that Stamkos doesn’t get enough credit, especially compared to the likes of Crosby and Ovechkin, but his stats speak for themselves and the guy’s only 21 – if anything, I think we’re yet to see the best from him.

Who has been your standout defenseman so far?

George (Dallas Stars): I can’t look any further than the Sens’ Swedish star, Erik Karlsson. He has racked up a massive 38 assists so far with a total of 45 points, which surely says he is the best defenseman in the league going forward. On the powerplay is where Karlsson shows his puck distribution skills the best, supplying some potent weapons in front of goal. The youngster needs to work on his game without the puck, but that will come with experience.

Katy (Calgary Flames): Zdeno Chara’s Boston Bruins have been making waves once again with their physical style of play, and the imperious Captain always stands out above other defenceman both literally and figuratively, proving statistically to be the most valuable defenceman in the league to have on the ice so far this season, and picking up a number of goals and assists in a year in which he looks to lift the Stanley Cup for the second time in a row, a feat which many believe the Bruins have a good chance of accomplishing. Chara will be a vital cog in the Boston machine as they plough towards the play-offs.

Richard (Florida Panthers): From the few San Jose Sharks games I’ve caught this season, I’ve really enjoyed watching Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The guy puts in impressive shifts every game, gets plenty of time on the ice, and uses it wisely. Vlasic will be key in the Sharks’ hunt for the Cup.

Who are your 2011/12 Stanley Cup winners?

George (Dallas Stars): Having picked the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup before the season started, that looks like a bad call now. I am going to be brave and go with the Chicago Blackhawks. They have an impeccable home record and one of the most dangerous lines in the NHL in Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews and Patrick Sharp. Having watched them play quite a bit this season, they look a well-structured outfit and have beaten a lot of the big teams in the league.

Katy (Calgary Flames): The New York Rangers proved at this year’s brilliant Winter Classic that they have the guts, the spirit, the talent and the energy to beat the best. John Tortorella has built a strong, youthful side who have great cohesion and have been flying of late, and they aren’t too heavily reliant on one player so they’re definitely not a one trick pony, or likely to suffer too badly if they lose one or two to injury.

In Henrik Lundqvist they have a netminder of real star quality who can cope under immense pressure – just look at his last minute penalty stop against the Flyers. I believe they can lift the cup this year and I’m right behind them all the way. Let’s face it, my Flames have a dog in a pond’s chance and I need to back somebody!

Richard (Florida Panthers): I can’t say I’m a fan, but I can see Boston going all the way for a second year in a row. I just don’t know if any other team is capable of beating them when it comes to the Playoffs. Elsewhere, I fully expect San Jose to make a good run and (hopefully) having Ottawa and Florida in the mix will make for some interesting games.