Merlin, I am not.

A hockey prognosticator I will never be. I would have been able to tell you that Vancouver and Boston wouldn't compete for the Stanley Cup this year. That was easy, and easily predictable. Very rarely are teams able to keep everyone healthy, energized and available to make a back-to-back Cup run. Vancouver imploded, and now their future looks uncertain. Comical, almost, given that they won the President's Trophy as the best regular-season club. The Boston Bruins don't face quite the battle that Vancouver will in the off-season, but there are one or two problem areas that they will need to address, including in net where Tim Thomas didn't look as other-worldly as he did last year. The St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers were touted as possible champions when the last dregs of May and early June rolled around, but the Rangers have looked completely average throughout their two series against the Senators and the Washington Capitals, and the Blues were swept away by a fast, tough club from Los Angeles. Quite simply, nobody is living up to their billing. I happened to watch the New Jersey Devils play last night, and as they eliminated the Philadelphia Flyers I noted that they were not the underdogs they were made out to be. Let's be serious here: The Flyers were nothing more than also-rans in a division where they were the third best team. There were serious questions about their defence and their goaltending, and other than their strength in depth at forward, there wasn't anything to suggest that they would win the Cup. They happened to expose the number one flaw in the Pittsburgh Penguins setup: defence. In fact, the team that won the series didn't win by defending, they won by outscoring their opposition. That anyone thought Philadelphia would walk into a series with New Jersey and simply defend brilliantly just doesn't watch enough of the game as a whole. New Jersey didn't do anything flashy, they just played smart hockey. They skated well. Their positioning was excellent. They had active sticks on the forecheck, in defence, and while penalty killing. The Flyers penchant for shorthanded goals was nullified. The idea that they would get pucks on Brodeur and then come crashing the net was duly nullified by Brodeur's excellent puck handling skills and his ability to act as a third defence man. The other series was the same. Nashville and Phoenix was never going to be a flashy blockbuster a la Vancouver and Chicago, but it was going to determine one of the two teams who would battle for conference supremacy. I mean, these are not small potatoes. We're talking about Phoenix as potential conference champions, here. Nashville imploded, simply put. That Poile thought he could recapture lightning by signing Radulov was a farce. He wasn't good enough to stick around the first time, and his attitude demonstrated exactly why he's been exiled to Russia all this time -- it's not just the money. Then there's Kostitsyn who exited Montreal for exactly the same reason: attitude and commitment. It appears that the two of them were only committed to sailing off into the sunset, or the nearest club. There's something to be said for the old-time hockey attitude coming out when it matters most. Not this holier-than-thou, prima-donna routine so aptly demonstrated by these two European players. A sad exit, and they won't be back as far as I can see. Phoenix is a terrific story. Tippett is a wonderful coach, and what he's done with this club is nothing short of amazing. De Boer was probably cast aside by several clubs in search of a flashier coach, and look what he's done with New Jersey. Then there's Darrell Sutter who has history on his side, having now beaten the first and second seeds in the conference and is about to come up against the third seed, he's been here before with his fabled Calgary Flames and came just minutes and a goal short of winning the Cup. Here's the difference between these two sides: Los Angeles has the proven, experienced goaltending. Smith is phenomenal, but this is unchartered territory for him. Quick is the man, has been the man, and is just now proving what a force he will be in the league for some time. Doughty is justifying his salary. Brown is proving why a deadline move would have been a team killer. These are not your parents' Los Angeles Kings. I am going to predict that the Los Angeles Kings will move on in 6 games, to the Stanley Cup Final. I am also going to predict a bloody battle in the Eastern Conference final, where the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers are going to take it 7 rounds, and the New York Rangers will prevail, though I'd love nothing more than for the Devils to win it. The Kings are going to be unstoppable this year. They're the Champions. Plan the parade. Then again, I could be back in a couple of weeks to recant and apologize. We'll see.

Foregone conclusions?

I suppose it would be easy enough to say at this point in the season that the Toronto Maple Leafs won't make the playoffs. There will be massive pressure on Brian Burke to either leave or make a big splash in free agency, and to draft a near perfect class of players to join the Marlies for next year. Not only that, but to trade up and try to get a top 5 pick.

Then again, they're just about halfway to earning that themselves.

Sure, a wonderful run of 6 or 7 games in a win streak would probably see them back into the reckoning for a final spot in the conference but it's unlikely. They have to play Boston, Philadelphia, and loads of other playoff calibre teams who have as much to lose. There's a difference between home ice advantage and playing away from home. Needless to say, it's more money for your club to fill the coffers and to have your home fans supporting you is tantamount to a sixth man.

Toronto officially parted ways with Ron Wilson, no surprise to anyone really, give the run of form they were in. Randy Carlyle has made his way into Wilson's old position, winning his first game and then losing two in a row where the Leafs battled, admirably.

Otherwise there are some interesting notes in the league these days.

First of all, the St. Louis Blues are terrific. They have shades of previous 4 line teams that have both toughness, skill and excellent work ethic. Much maligned coach Ken Kitchcock was appointed after the early goings and has amassed wins like lint. The fabric they have there, the speed, the system, not to mention excellent defensive capabilities will see them as a dark horse in the playoffs, rather than a favourite. I'd bet on them making it to the second round at least, with a chance to make the conference finals. At this point, it's experience that would have them less favoured to make it farther as clubs like Vancouver, Detroit, Nashville and Chicago will provide a stern test of their Stanley Cup credentials.

Another interesting note is the playoff picture in the east. Once a foregone conclusion that the New York Rangers would win the Atlantic division, and most likely the conference. Now they're just four points ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins who are playing some other-worldly style of hockey, collecting 8 wins in a row at this point in the season, which is the best time to catch fire. Remember, Sidney Crosby hasn't started playing yet but could make it back for the most important point of the season for the Penguins and he does have some playoff pedigree, doesn't he?

The Penguins will have a chance to reiterate their candidacy for best team in the conference. This week they will make a three game road trip to New York to play both the Rangers and Devils, followed by a home/road match against Philadelphia. If they make it out of that with at least two wins, they could very well be the favourites to get the first spot, pushing the Rangers down to fourth spot in the conference, likely setting up a battle with Philadelphia. It would mean that the Penguins would get a series against either a)the Winnipeg Jets, Washington, or Buffalo -- I'd fancy Pittsburgh to make it out of that alive.

One last note about the east I'd like to make is the playoff seeding system. I don't like the fact that the Florida Panthers are the 7th best team in the Eastern Conference but because they lead their division by a mere three points, they are automatically awarded the 3rd spot. That's massive favouritism within the system that is awarding a mediocre team a plum playoff draw. At this point, as I've said all along, it allows the 6th place team an automatic progression to the next round -- at this point, the New Jersey Devils, and that's just not 'parity' in the NHL. One thing it does do, is give playoff hockey to a club starved for success since the mid 90s.

So, with those things discussed and a big round of games to occur today, one wonders what the next week will bring?

Umm, what happened?

The hockey season, like most things, appears to go by in an instant. From the moment the puck is dropped in early October, we all manage to catch games here and there that we want to watch and yet somehow we contrive to miss the most and we end up at the trade deadline before anyone realizes.

This season appears to have passed just as quickly as any other. With around 63 or more games played, the final quarter of the season is upon us. Games played all have a purpose. Teams are jockeying for positions within the conference and the most exciting battles happen at the fringes, where teams who are dying to get into the post-season are labouring to play well and move ahead of teams close by.

I'm a Leafs fan, and it's not going well for me at the moment. From a few weeks ago, Toronto was well-placed to make the playoffs for the first time in 7 years. With 7th place in our sights, the team was on a decent run of form and those around them didn't seem to care whether or not they made it. With 18 games remaining, the Leafs simply can't buy a win. Teams around them, including Winnipeg, Washington, even those who had given up the ghost and been sellers at the trade deadline like the Islanders and the Lightning have managed to make up ground, and Toronto is now desperately close to finishing farther out of the playoffs than last year.

So what does that say?

Well the most obvious is that the team isn't good enough. Clearly, this collection of players leaves something to be desired in what isn't a particularly strong Eastern Conference of hockey. Most of the off season acquisitions made by Brian Burke have turned out to be nothing more than average and haven't truly upped the overall quality of the team. Tim Connolly, once claimed to be the saviour at centre ice for the Leafs, has managed to keep healthy only half of the time -- something Leafs fans worried about when he was signed to an expensive contract in the off season. If he's so great, why is Buffalo letting him go? Could it be his spotty injury record and his desire for a lucrative long term deal? I certainly like Connolly as a player. His talent doesn't let him down, and he can be the number one centre on the club if he's healthy long term. At the moment, it's a toss up between him and Tyler Bozak, an undrafted collegiate player. What does that say about the Leafs depth?

What was talked about before the season began was that the Leafs had depth in defensive positions, including prospects. Certainly, Jake Gardiner has provided the Leafs brass with a notable addition to the defensive corps, while probably the most consistent defenseman all year long has been underpaid and over performing Carl Gunnarsson. The combination of Mike Komisarek (and his albatross of a contract), Luke Schenn (and his albatross of a contract), have given enough headaches to Leaf fans throughout the year.

Other disappointments have come via Colby Armstrong, who was supposedly giving the Leafs added toughness and 3rd line scoring. His injury record this year has not allowed him to have an impact on the team, and his overall play has led him to be a healthy scratch on several occasions. Last year with 23 points, he's on pace to get 5 this year, provided he stays healthy. If he plays every game until the end of the year, he will still have only played 35 games, compared to 50 last year. For 3 million dollars, it's a heavy cap hit to take for a player who isn't able to take to the ice.

Ditto Matthew Lombardi, now recovered from a concussion that limited him to only 2 games last year, but has allowed him to play 45 this year. With only 14 points and at a cap hit of 3.5 million, his speed just hasn't been enough to impress Leaf fans that he deserves the pay check and the playing time. After scoring 53 points for Phoenix just a few years ago, to be on pace for only 25 points this year, it's disappointing to say the least.

Then there's Clarke Macarthur, one of the revelations of last year. When Burke signed Macarthur after Buffalo turned down his arbitration award, it appeared to be a shot in the dark for the Leafs. But it turned out well for them after Clarke scored 62 points, earning a bumper deal with the Leafs. This year, it hasn't been quite as justified and unless he hits a purple patch in the next 18 games, he's going to end up with disappointing numbers.

There have been several bright spots along the way, despite the suffering that the team has endured lately.

Where Mikhail Grabovski came from, Leafs fans will always wonder. Typically the hardest working player on the ice, he's one player that has responded to the coaching he has received along the way. Last year's totals of 59 points may never be reached this year, but he's at least added consistency to his game. His two way play has been a bright spot.

Likewise Tyler Bozak, who has surpassed last season's totals and an far fewer games. In just 55 games played, Bozak has scored 37 points, compared to 32 points in all 82 games this year. Bozak is on having a career year, and while it doesn't hurt playing alongside Lupul and Kessel, there is still finishing that has been added to his game that makes him a speedy and dangerous weapon.

At this point, playing staff won't be touched just yet. But what's up in the air is lame duck coach Wilson, whom will be axed at season's end, without doubt. It could actually happen earlier, should the Leafs fall so far out of playoff contention that they are no longer competing for a spot. If and When that happens, Wilson will be fired and the search for a new coach will begin.

Who's available?

Well, the first coach on the tip of Burke's tongue is going to have to be Randy Carlyle. He's won a cup, with Burke it should be added, and was fired after his Ducks team simply failed to perform. His tactics and rough style may not be a favourite with the players but it'll be a nice change from the negativity and sarcasm that Wilson adds to his dressing room.

Mike Keenan is also available and claims he'd like one more kick at the can. He's not a bad coach, despite the fact that he's a loudmouth and someone who can pick on players a little too often. Famously, he's the one who called out Gretzky while in St.Louis.

Jacques Martin is available after being axed by the Canadiens. His record is spotty over the last few years, having been fired by Ottawa, then not performing with Florida, then doing good things with the Canadiens. He's available and knows how to coach in the northeast division, which is good experience to add to the mix.

What about Guy Carbonneau? He did so well with Montreal in his first season in charge, made the power play and the penalty kill dangerous and effective, respectively. Could be a good addition to the club with his experience playing for Montreal and coaching in the Northeast division.

There's also Paul Maurice. Oh, no? Okay.

Let's wait and see what happens with other clubs too, because something tells me that there's going to be a few vacancies and there could be one or two coaches available.