WALKER'S WESTERN VIEW

The chase for the final couple of sports in the West continues, and three weeks from the NHL trade deadline, little has changed.  The Phoenix Coyotes are the latest team to occupy eighth, while the Los Angeles Kings and their scoring woes don’t exactly look immortal in seventh.  The Flames, Wild, Stars and Avalanche are also in the conversation, but all may be chasing a mediocre pipe dream. All have something to like, and something not to like.

The Kings are starting to show a bit of a letdown from the placebo effect of a midseason coaching change, and STILL can’t score goals.  At one point, they looked to be nearly home and cooled in the playoff race – but that certainly isn’t the case anymore after another 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

The Calgary Flames have the best goaltender in this race, as Mikka Kiprusoff is having maybe his best season ever.  That includes his Vezina campaign.  Scoring depth is a huge issue right now however.  The last time a forward not named Iginla/ Cammalleri/ Jokinen/ Tanguay scored, it was January 21^st.

Since sitting on top of the NHL on December 10^th, the Minnesota Wild have won five hockey games.  An absolute freefall which saw them officially drop out of the top eight this week.  Is there anyone that really thinks the Wild are in the mix?

At this point, the Stars and Coyotes appear to be the odds-on favorites to get in.  Both are playing well, getting decent enough goaltending, and have a collection of players that seem to chip in on various nights.  The tricky thing is for all these teams is that the logjam isn’t going to clear in the next few weeks.  The question of “buy or sell?” is going to be a tricky one.  The Wild should shell, and the Flames probably should too, although that isn’t likely to be the case.

The Vancouver Canucks have a major dilemma on their hands.  Corey Schneider is a star, while Roberto Luongo is unmovable, certainly not until the offseason.  If you’re Mike Gillis, how open do you feel your window is to win a Stanley Cup?  Does your backup goaltender fit into that equation?  As time goes on, and Vancouver continues to be a playoff threat, they will only LOSE pieces from this core, not gain them.  The Canucks are in the enviable position of having the ability to trade a backup goaltender for a large return which can help you down the stretch.  You may lose the trade eventually, but if you win a Stanley Cup, you instantly win the deal.

Speaking of trade deadline, If I’m a contender in the West, I would love to add Tuomo Ruttuu, Travis Moen, or in Chicago’s case, Evgeni Nabokov.

On the other side, I would avoid Ales Hemsky like the plague, unless I’m the Detroit Red Wings.  Somehow, I see how that could be a fit.  It seems everyone succeeds in Motown


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WHO'S HOT? RADIM VRBATA – Once “the next” prospect for the Colorado Avalanche, Vrbata has found a home in Phoenix with the Coyotes.  One of the team’s best forwards night in and night out, he notched his 25^th goal of the season this week.

ANDREW COGLIANO – As part of the Ducks resurgence, the former Edmonton Oiler has become a nice little find for Anaheim.  Should flirt with 20 goals, picked up first career hat trick.

SAM GAGNER – It goes without saying, but with 16 points over his last six games, the 23 year old is beyond hot right now.