Joe Bartnick

Teams in the NHL’s Western Conference are more spread out in the standings than in the Eastern Conference. The West has the 2 best teams in the NHL, Colorado and Dallas. The West also has the two worst teams in the NHL, Calgary and Nashville. Like the East grades are based on eyetests and expectations. CENTRAL: Colorado A+, Colorado has only 2 regulation losses and its mid- December. The Avs have the best center Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cala Makar in the NHL. Goaltenders Mackenzie...

We have reached the quarter pole of the NHL season. Time to hand out some 1st Quarter Grades. Starting with the Eastern Conference.The 2 best teams in the NHL are in the Western Conference, Colorado and Dallas. The worst teams in the NHL is also out West, Calgary. The Eastern Conference is in a state of parity or mediocrity. Much of the teams are within a couple points of each other. The usual American Thanksgiving playoff predictor may be worthless this season. These grades are weighted less...

The Next Era in Pittsburgh Penguins hockey has begun. The rebuild or retool is in full swing. The speed of the rebuild depends on what...