Ok we are back, but really this time!

So I know it's been 6 months, but the life of a university student has taken over, but now, almost two thirds into the 2010-11 NHL season, we are here for the long haul. All but one NHL squad has now played 50 games, so needless to say, we are getting into the stretch run. We are also 24 days from the trade deadline, so rumors will be the main stay over the next 3 weeks of this blog. But for now, just to get back into the swing of things, here is what we are seeing, and see coming in the next month.

- The Western Conference is stupid, as in stupid competitive if you didn't know already. If Colorado wins their next 3 games, they could literally go from 12th to 4th in one week.

- Speaking of the West, both Chicago and Los Angeles are currently out of the playoffs. I pegged both of them as second round playoff teams. The blow up of the Blackhawks was as serious as everyone suspected and Drew Doughty has looked normal for the first time in his career.

- Tim Thomas is not human, or at least his numbers aren't. He has carried the Bruins this year, and without him, the playoffs would be a tough sell. My boy Milan Lucic started hot, but has cooled down to the temperature of Ilya Kovalchuk.

- Sleeper Alert: The Dallas Stars are good! Even though I hate Mike Ribeiro with every piece of my being.

- The Capitals are overrated, and without Crosby, the Pens are average. What's new?

- The Islanders are BAD. The Devils are WORSE. The Oilers are THE worst. At least the Oilers have a future, 2 years in a row with the #1 pick. They take Sweden's Adam Larsson #1 overall, I'm calling it now.

- Big names moving over the next month? I'm saying Zach Parise, Mike Fisher, and Jakub Voracek all changing jerseys.

- All important Leaf update: Don't look now, but the Leafs are only 10 points out, with 3 games in hand. The next 5 games will make or break their season. Games against Buffalo, Atlanta, New York, New Jersey, and Montreal are all winnable games. Optimus Reim is here to save the day.

It's gunna be a wild February, get up for it!