Hockey feature articles

Atlanta Thrashers: 26-26-11, 63 pts, 11th in East, 4th in Southeast Status: Sellers The Thrashers are just 4 points out of the playoffs, but have faded over the last few weeks, and look like they’ll be golfing in April again this season. more

Boston Bruins: 35-19-7, 77 points, 3rd in East, 1st in Northeast Status: Buyers, but probably done at this point The Bruins made their moves already, clearing space by sending Mark Stuart and Blake Wheeler to Atlanta and picking up veteran puck-mover Tomas Kaberle from Toronto. more

Calgary Flames: 31-23-9, 71 pts, 9th in West, 3rd in Northwest Status: Neither A team that was given up for dead early in the season roared to life in the second half of the year and the Flames now sit just one point out of the playoffs in the West. more

Chicago Blackhawks: 32-23-6, 70 pts, 10th in West, 3rd in Central Status: ?? The defending Cup champs have been enigmatic all season long, and their playoff chances have suffered because of it. more

Anaheim Ducks: 32-25-5, 69 pts, 11th in West, 5th in Pacific Status: Passive Buyers The Ducks may be in last place in their division, but with 69 points, they sit just 3 points out of the playoffs with a game in hand on the 8th place Predators. more

New Jersey Devils: 27-31-4, 58 pts, 13th in East, 4th in Atlantic Status: Sellers, or should be anyways Had the Devils begun their recent surge a few weeks earlier, they could be in the position to make a serious playoff push. more

New York Rangers: 33-27-4, 70 pts, 7th in East, 3rd in Atlantic Status: Active Buyers/Sellers The Rangers are in an interesting quandary, given that they look like they’ll be in the mix come playoff time, but continue to face a number of questions surrounding their roster and its current makeup. more

New York Islanders: 23-32-8, 54 pts, 14th in East, 5th in Atlantic Status: Passive Sellers You would think a team in the same position as the Isles would be in full blown rebuild mode, but owner Charles Wang and Garth Snow continue to defy logic in the way they’ve gone about constructing this club. more

Ottawa Senators: 21-32-9, 51 pts, 15th in East, 5th in Northeast Status: Active Sellers The firesale has already begun in Ottawa, and it was no surprise to anyone around the league when it began. more

Philadelphia Flyers: 40-16-6, 86 pts, 1st in East, 1st in Atlantic Status: Buyers The Flyers, owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference and seemingly unchallenged rulers of the Atlantic Division, made themselves even better midway through February when they picked up versatile winger Kris Versteeg from Toronto in exchange for their first and third round picks this June. more