NHL TOP 30 RANKINGS - WEEK 2

As voted on by the GGSB staff;

THE TOP 10

1) DETROIT RED WINGS - The goaltending of Howard and Conklin has overshadowed their stars early on. Jiri Hudler has enhanced the dynamics of their offence
2) WASHINGTON CAPITALS - They are winning despite not being at their best, at least not Ovie's best
3) COLORADO AVALANCHE - The young Avs are reliving 2009 with an impressive five road wins out of the gate
4) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS - Claude Giroux and the young Flyers start well, while the old guys, Jagr and Pronger, look good too

5) BUFFALO SABRES - Impressive wins in Helsinki, Berlin and Pittsburgh. Luke Adam is an early Calder candidate

6) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS - No Sid, and now, no Malkin but James Neal is proving he is the real deal

7) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS - Started 4-0 last year, so 3-0-1 is just a start. Phil Kessel leads the NHL in goals (6), points (9), plus/minus (+6) and game-winners (2). Nobody is hotter.
8) DALLAS STARS - No fans, no Richards, no problem when you have Kari Lehtonen and Sheldon Souray leading the charge in Big D
9) ANAHEIM DUCKS - A healthy Jonas Hiller makes a huge difference for the Ducks
10 NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Huge weekend for Tavares,  Moulson, and Parenteau while Al Montoya shines in net

MIDDLE OF THE PACK

11) NEW JERSEY DEVILS - No repeat of last year's disasterous start under new bench boss, Pete DeBoer
12) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - Patrick Kane is the centre of attention in Chicago. Hawks look bound for the Top 10

13) VANCOUVER CANUCKS - Kesler has the green light to return from injury and the real Canucks will be return along with him
14) LOS ANGELES KINGS - Once they finally get back to Hollywood, this could be their blockbuster season
15) EDMONTON OILERS - The "Nuge" era has begun and the kids are more than alright
16) PHOENIX COYOTES - Captain Coyote, Shane Doan starts strong and the Desert Dogs haven't missed Bryzgalov .. yet
17) MINNESOTA WILD - Nothing spectacular, but former Sharks, Heatley and Setoguchi, are definitely helping the cause
18) NASHVILLE PREDATORS - David Legwand and Pekka Rinne pace the Preds early
19) CAROLINA HURRICANES - The Canes rebounded from a horrendous start with an "urgent" win in Buffalo
20) FLORIDA PANTHERS - Kevin Dineen has the Panthers playing defence and Brian Campbell has been a great addition offensively

BASEMENT

21) SAN JOSE SHARKS - Havn't showed much bite yet but their funk won't last long
22) BOSTON BRUINS - A Cup hangover and a tough sked have equated to their slow start. Krejci's injury doesn't help

23) ST. LOUIS BLUES - Slow start has gotten lost in the Cardinals euphoria

24) TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING- Guy Boucher's message is not getting through yet, but it will

25) NEW YORK RANGERS - Can't play Dan Girardi 40 minutes a night, can they?

26) MONTREAL CANADIENS - The injuries are piling up already and Carey Price has not been his usual self to start the season

27) CALGARY FLAMES - Four games in and Brent Sutter's scowl is already in mid-season form

28) WINNIPEG JETS - Finally cleared for takeoff with first their win against Pittsburgh
29) OTTAWA SENATORS - In their 20th anniversary season, they're looking much like the inaugural team
30) COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS - Tough times in Columbus. Couldn't win with Jeff Carter and now must try to win without him