2011-2012 NHL: 3 Stars and 3 Bums After Week 1

The NHL season is just over a week old, and for some teams the start has been great while others are pounding the panic button. There have been some great early stories, such as the fast start of the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as some early disasters in Winnipeg and Ottawa.

After every game the best players are recognized with the three stars' ceremony. But what about the bums? What about the goalies who couldn’t keep a beach ball out of the net? Or the big star who didn’t show up?  

Shouldn’t the bad come with the good? 

While the season is still early, it’s never too early to take a look at the week’s best and worst players. 

Who was a hero for you? Who was a bum?

First Star: Phil Kessel

The Maple Leafs are off to a 3-0-0 start and has made Leafs Nation even more annoying than usual. Leading the charge for Toronto has been Phil Kessel. 

Kessel has ripped five goals in the first three games for Toronto and looks like he may be on his way for a big year. On top of all that he is off to a plus-seven start as well. 

His start has to make Toronto fans excited, and hopefully they will forget the two first-round draft picks they gave up to get him.

Second Star: John Tavares

Die-hard hockey fans already knew how good Tavares is, but the young Islander star is starting to make himself a household name.  

Islanders fans are quietly optimistic about their team’s chances this year if they stay healthy, and with a 3-1-0 start they are making believers out of everyone. 

Tavares has led their early charge by scoring five goals and eight points in the team’s first four games. They will need him to continue to light it up if they wish to make a serious run in the East.

Third Star: David Legwand

Everyone knows how well the Nashville Predators play in their own end, but if they are going to be serious contenders in the Western Conference, they will need to score. 

David Legwand is off to a great start and showing that perhaps he can provide them with a much-needed offensive punch. In the first week he has scored twice and added six assists for eight points.

If Legwand can keep up this play, the Predators will be even more dangerous than they were last year.

First Bum: Dwayne Roloson

The Tampa Bay Lightning decided to go into the season with aging goalie Dwayne Roloson. He was great last year but you have to wonder when Father Time will catch up with him.

Roloson is off to a slow start, and while a lot may have to do with the guys in front of him, you have to wonder if he is starting to show his age. 

He has started the season with a 4.34 goals against and a worrisome .883 save percentage. The Lightning need him to find that fountain of youth again…quickly.

Second Bum: Dustin Byfuglien

Watching Dustin Byfuglien play in the Jets' first three games, you might wonder if he is still hung over from his last boating trip. 

He has yet to score or tally an assist and is a minus-three to start the season. What is even more worrisome is the number of ill-timed rushes and pinches he takes each game. 

Either play defense or become a forward. He is trying to do both and is leaving his team vulnerable too often this season.

Third Bum: Jarome Iginla

It’s hard to call Iginla a bum since he is one of the best players in the league. Iginla and his Flames are off to a bad start again this season.

In their first four games the Flames captain has scored once and is a minus-four already.  

Calgary doesn’t have much hope this season, but they at least thought they could count on their best player. How bad will it be if Iginla has a bad year as well?