Quarter Report Tidbits

ST.LOUIS - Well a quarter of the season has passed and there have been quite some surprises.

• The Blues currently sit first in the league playing more offensive than defensive as they did in the previous year. 
• They are  followed by the usual teams like the Leafs who have turned around their slow start, and the Bruins and Seals. 
• The Rangers are a huge surprise having turned their team around and sit first in the division.
• The same can't be said about the Americans who stocked up with some mighty fine defensemen in the draft. Unfortunately they aren't quite there defensively just yet.
•  The Sabres, stanley cup finalists last year are dead last. The rebuild was expected but to have only 2 wins after the quarter mark and a 12 game losing streak is unlike GM Edwin. 
• The Oilers have finally played up to expectations while the Blackhawks who started strong have fallen fast. 
• Other notable teams that have done better than expected are the Red Wings and Senators. 
• Disappointment would be the Whalers, Jets and even Canadiens.

Next tidbit report will be the halfway mark as that seems to be where some teams do a 180 and play opposite of how they did the first half. Perhaps the GM's will also be more lively with some trades. It has been quite quiet.

Mark Spector