The NHL's 10 Winners and Losers from the First Month of the Season

With a month in the books, NHL fans have been treated to an interesting and exciting start. Many teams and players are surprising, whether it be for better or for worse.

The Ottawa Senators were off to a freezing cold start, but have now won six straight. Some rookies are making their names known already in the first month.

Who were the big winners and losers from October? Let's take a look.

Winner: Nikolai Khabibulin

After a whirlwind year that included a DUI charge in Arizona, the "Bulin Wall" is back in top form for the Edmonton Oilers.

Nikolai Khabibulin has had a sensational start to the season. Through seven games, he has yet to lose in regulation, posting a 5-0-2 record. Additionally, Khabibulin is holding a league-leading 1.12 GAA and .960 save percentage.   

Loser: Columbus Blue Jackets

At 2-9-1, the Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled their way to last place in the NHL early on.

With Jeff Carter out due to injury and James Wisniewski finally finding his way back into the lineup, Columbus is trying desperately to dig themselves out of the basement. 

If Steve Mason can regain his rookie form and the team can stay healthy, they have a chance at a rejuvenating November.

Winner: Phil Kessel

After registering a career-high 64 points last season, Phil Kessel is looking to take his game and that of the Toronto Maple Leafs to the next level.

The Maple Leafs are currently leading the Northeast Division, sitting second in the East. Meanwhile, Kessel is leading the league in goal and point-scoring with 10 goals and 18 points through 11 games. 

Loser: Henrik Zetterberg

Through nine games, Henrik Zetterberg has a measly three points in nine games. To go along with that, he also has a minus-four rating. 

If Detroit's star players aren't producing, it makes winning that much more difficult. The Red Wings, currently on a four-game losing streak after starting 5-0, have to get their mojo back. That starts with players like Zetterberg, who will more than likely have a much better November.

Winner: Rookies Sticking with Their Respective Teams

Of the 211 players drafted in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, less than 10 made the opening night rosters.

Of that group, a small handful are sticking around full time. 

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins of the Edmonton Oilers, Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche, Adam Larsson of the New Jersey Devils and Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers will all remain with their respective clubs for the long haul. 

Hats off to these young guns.

Loser: New York Rangers

The New York Rangers were projected by many to be a top team in the Eastern Conference this season. 

If that is to become a reality, they have to make some changes following this abysmal month.

At one point in October, they were averaging 20 penalty minutes per game, inexcusable totals for a team that hopes to contend. They're only holding the 11th spot in the East, but they have too many valuable tools to stay that low. 

With the likes of Henrik Lundqvist, Brad Richards, and Marian Gaborik, the Rangers will need to turn things around here soon. Getting Marc Staal back will be huge for the Blueshirts, but hopefully that's sooner than later. 

Winner: Dallas Stars

Under new head coach Glen Gulutzan, the Dallas Stars are turning a lot of heads thus far, sitting atop the Pacific Division with an 8-3 record through 11 games. 

This is largely due in part to the stellar goaltending of Kari Lehtonen, who leads the league in wins with eight. The Finnish net-minder is also second in save percentage (.947) and fourth in goals against average (1.75). 

Loser: The Outlaws

Since taking over as the league's senior VP of player safety and hockey operations, Brendan Shanahan has thrown the book at 15 players, 12 of whom have been suspended, two of whom have been fined and one who is suspended pending a hearing. 

That's exactly what the league needs, however.

Marc Savard's career had already been heavily jeopardized from a blindside hit to the head from Pittsburgh Penguins forward Matt Cooke in March of 2010. 

Whether or not Sidney Crosby's strong message had any influence on the league or not, Shanahan has not backed down from policing the crackdown on head shots with authority.

Let's hope more players wise up so we see a decrease in injuries and an increase in beautiful, clean hits. 

Winner: Sheldon Souray

After a tumultuous situation in Edmonton that saw Sheldon Souray request a trade, the Dallas Stars took a chance on the defender.

Boy, has it paid off.

The rejuvenated Souray is leading the charge on the blue line for the surging Stars, posting eight points in 11 games thus far.  

Loser: Boston Bruins

I'd be willing to bet that most never would have thought the defending Stanley Cup champions would rank 29th through one month.

However, the Boston Bruins are exactly there, with a 3-7 record. It would be shocking if this was a season-long trend; the Bruins have too good of a team to let this happen.

Without a doubt, they can't wait for October to pass.