Very different years for many different teams and players

 

Noah Borer (HV)

 

The 2006-2007 season is a very different year for many different players and teams. Take for example the Ottawa Senators, tied for 6th in the Eastern Conference. They won the conference last year, and two years ago won the president's trophy. This is a very different team, and a very different season. Last year at this time they were atop the league, and roaring through the season. This year they are struggling to even stay above a .500 season. Some of their best players are hurt, including Jason Spezza, Mike Fisher, Antoine Vermette, and battling an eye injury is Peter Schaefer. A very similiar story faces the Philadelphia Flyers. They are struggling with injuries, and struggling in the standings, as the worst place in the league. On the other end of the spectrum the Anaheim Ducks, who took Mighty out of their name, are as mighty as they have Ever been. They are the best team in the league and experts aren't thinking twice before making the assumption that they can go on a Stanley Cup run. Just two years ago, the Anaheim Ducks weren't even close to making the playoffs with a paltry 76 points. Not only are teams having varying degrees of success this season, but so are players, such as Ducks Teemu Selanee who says he is having more fun then ever. Already with 50 points this season, tied for 6th in the league for points, and tied 4th in the league in goals with 23. Right now, he is on track for over 100 points, which would shatter last years record of only 90 points. Another milestone that will be remembered is by a Latvian Raitis Ivanas from Riga, who last year was basically a no-body in the NHL due to the fact that he had an ailing injury with a broken orbital bone because he fought Ottawa's Zdeno Chara when he was with Montreal. This year he is known as the enforcer for the LA Kings, and has a goal and 2 assists in 29 games played. He is known for his memorable fight against Phoenix's tough guy Georges Laraque, where Georges asked him if he wanted to fight. If all stays the same for these players and teams they will all have very memorable years, in very different ways.

Photo: Teemu Selanne © Stephine Chavez (HV)