Ritter's Rant: An NHL Look at Ovi's Hits, Tlusty's Climb, and Kubina's Presence

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

I love what Alex Ovechkin brings to the game; he’s tough, he’s skillful, he’s intense, he answers the bell, and he’s willing to take a hit. That said, Ovi has not so quietly been putting together a long list of questionable hits on opposing players and, you know what they say, “what goes around comes around.”

Last night's hit on Ovi by Columbus Blue Jackets Raffi Torres was not dirty, but, even if it was, would you have any sympathy for the devil that has become AO?

Just when you think Vancouver Canucks backup goaltender Andrew Raycroft is about to regress into the goalie that he was when he was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he goes out and shuts out the ultra-hot Colorado Avalanche. Clearly, there is something to be said about facing your old team.

Anyone else get the feeling that Toronto Maple Leafs' 2006 first round draft pick/13th overall, Jiri Tlusty will never make the jump to full-time NHL player? This kid keeps getting his shot to make the team and continually disappoints.

Through two games this season, Tlusty has no goals, no assists, a minus-two rating, and has looked invisible out on the ice. Through 74 career NHL games, Tlusty has 10 goals, 10 assists, and a minus -14 rating.

I don’t know what is going on with the Carolina Hurricanes, but, with a 2-8-3 start one has to think it’s just a matter of time before the “fire Paul Maurice rumors” start up. For the record, it would be a mistake to fire Maurice, clearly, this is the players fault.

Keeping with the Canes, here’s a look at some key players and their plus/minus stats:
Rod Brind’Amour -9, Aaron Ward -8, Joe Corvo -8, Matt Cullen -7, Sergei Samsonov -7.

There is a team out there that is worse than the Canes and, given their penchant for playing defensive hockey, it’s quite a shock. The team? The Minnesota Wild. Here’s a look at some key players and their plus/minus stats: Brent Burns- league worst +/- of -13, Mikko Koivu -10, Nick Shultz -10, Martin Havlat -9, Greg Zanon -8, Kim Johnsson -7.

Biggest question surrounding Phil Kessel’s debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who’s going to dish him the puck? My guess? It will be Mikhail Grabovski, but he will be on a short leash, and if the duo does not find chemistry quickly, Leafs head coach Ron Wilson will not hesitate to mix things up, opening up the door for Matt Stajan to get a shot.

Home-ice advantage is overrated, just ask the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins, who are a combined 13-0 on the road. Only undefeated team at home? The Colorado Avalanche, 4-0.

Don’t look now, but the Calgary Flames, a team that was supposed to struggle to score goals this season, sits second overall in team scoring, averaging 3.58 goals per game. Now, if they can just keep it up all season and, more importantly, through the playoffs.

Who’da thunk it? Judging by the Leafs' early woes, is it safe to say they might be missing defenseman Pavol Kubina? For the record, playing for the Atlanta Thrashers, Kubina has registered no goals, five assists, and has a plus-five rating through 10 games.

Very quietly, the Ottawa Senators have a record of 6-4-2 through 12 games. Who says they didn’t do well in the Heatley trade? On paper it may appear as if the Sens lost, the on-ice results tell a different story.

Until next time,

Peace!