It takes more than just talent

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks are playing good hockey. There, I said it. It took a lot of practice to get that phrase out, especially after watching Walt Disney's team do anything and everything to prevent a modicum of talent from appearing.

But it was more than a lack of talent. The organization also actively prevented any sort of system from developing, avoided a long-term plan when it came to players, and actually may have tried to make All-Star winger Paul Kariya carry the team, just to see if he could do it.

But now, the Mighty Ducks might just be correcting their past mistakes. And there are so many to atone for. But one step at a time, right? They have put together a relatively disciplined team, with a good, competent net-minder in goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere.

A team needs more than just talent to be successful. A good coach, a solid system, and defensive responsibility can make up for shortfalls in talent for any team. Just look at how well the Minnesota Wild have done this year on a $20 million payroll.

So, the Ducks now sit seven games above .500, have a definite shot at the playoffs, and although Stanley Cup success is still a long way off, childhood Mighty Duck fans can take heart that every team eventually has a chance.

Except for maybe the New York Rangers. They are screwed. At no other time in the history of hockey has so much talent done so little. There must be a hydroponics lab in the Rangers' locker room, because marijuana is the only reason that can exist for superstar defenseman Darius Kasperitus to have let in 31 of New York's 60 power play goals against.

And now, the team has gone and brought in more talent to waste, trading for Pittsburgh Penguins winger Alexi Kovalev. I hope he isn't a dope fiend too, otherwise he is going to be in trouble.

Across the city, the New York Islanders are enjoying their high-priced talent. Center Micheal Peca has lifted the team to respectable play since his return, after the Isles looked like they were about to go into free fall through the first half of the season. Rarely has one man done so much for a team, but they still have a lot more to do with several teams in the Eastern Conference vying for those last few playoff spots.

Another man who has helped lift his team to new heights is Colorado Avalanche forward Joe Sakic, by...getting injured? That is right. Ever since Sakic had to go on Injury Reserve a month ago because of a broken ankle, the Avs have been tearing up the league, and are within six points of the Northwest Division leading Vancouver Canucks.

With an 8-0-1-1 record in their last ten, and Sakic ready to return in the next week or so, someone has got to be thinking that maybe he should "rest" a little while longer. And if this is the Avalanche without Sakic, what happens if they only get better when he returns? And how exactly do you improve on an 8-0-1-1 record? Watch out, Dallas Stars.

And now, a moment of silence for the San Jose Sharks and Los Angles Kings -- two teams with high expectations at the start of the season, and absolutely no chance of making the playoffs. Apologies and heartfelt sympathies go out to fans, and may the motto of all Boston Red Sox fans go with you: "Next year."



Let's change the length



The NHL season begins in October, as the leaves start to fall off the trees, and the players of the teams in the Stanley Cup Finals are still skating on ice in June while the rest of us are out on the beach, soaking in rays.

With an 82-game season, plus 16-team, best of seven, playoffs, many have complained that the NHL season simply goes on too long. Players complain about having to keep focus night in and night out over the course of nine months. And fans complain about how the players are unable to keep focus, the lazy bums.

And the signs are all around us that the season is too much. Presenting the NHL insider's top five signs that the NHL season needs to be shorter.



5. It is painful to watch the New York Rangers suffer for that long.

4. The Philadelphia Flyers could get to their playoff collapse without all that waiting around.

3. It would save the Boston Bruins from having another 1-8-1 stretch this season.

2. Does anyone really need to see the Atlanta Hurricanes play 82 games?

1. There is simply not enough to talk about in NHL Insider for this many weeks.