20 Things We Have Learned at the Quarter Mark of the NHL Season

The 2011-12 NHL season has been full of excitement and surprises through the quarter mark, and many teams and players have impressed us by exceeding expectations.

However, there are players and teams who have disappointed thus far and have fans wanting more. This is the time of year where the contenders separate themselves from the pretenders.

Let's look at 20 things we have learned at the quarter mark of the season.

Roberto Luongo Still Can't Get It Together

Although his play has improved since the start of the season, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo has not played like his normal self this season.

Luongo has struggled throughout the year, and it looks like his backup Cory Schneider gives the Canucks the best chance to win on most nights.

It will be interesting to see how serious the Canucks are about moving Luongo this season, or if they decide to keep him.

James Neal Will Be a Star for Many Years

With Sidney Crosby out of the Pittsburgh Penguins lineup for much of the first two months of the season, winger James Neal picked up the slack and showed why he will be a star for a long time.

He leads the Penguins with 14 goals and 25 points.

Tim Thomas Isn't Regressing

Tim Thomas is 37 years old but the Boston Bruins goaltender has not slowed down after his historic season last year.

Thomas has helped the Bruins climb to first place in the Northeast division after a terrible two week start to the season for Boston.

Thomas will once again be a candidate for the Vezina Trophy.

Jimmy Howard Is a Star Goalie

Jimmy Howard has been phenomenal this season between the pipes for the Detroit Red Wings. He has helped them climb back into the race for the Central division after a poor stretch of the season following a hot start.

Howard is also third in the NHL in GAA.

Sidney Crosby Still Has It

Following two concussions last season, Sidney Crosby rehabbed tremendously hard and was able to return to the ice in November.

He scored two goals in his return to the Penguins lineup, and proved that despite concussions, he still has the extraordinary talent that makes him a once-in-a-lifetime talent.

The Capitals Are Overrated

Alexander Ovechkin has not played too well this season and neither have the Washington Capitals as a team. 

Head coach Bruce Boudreau was fired due to the team's poor start, and they currently sit in second place in the Southeast division, five points behind the Florida Panthers and just one point ahead of the Winnipeg Jets.

Brian Elliott Will Be a Consistently Good Goalie

St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott leads the NHL in save percentage and GAA, and he has shown no signs of his form decreasing.

Elliott has had issues with being consistent in the past, but this season he has been solid, and will be an important part of the Blues' push towards the playoffs.

The Blue Jackets Have Plenty of Work to Do

When the Columbus Blue Jackets added Jeff Carter and James Wisniewski to their lineup this summer many thought they would contend for the playoffs, myself included.

Well, they have been a disaster so far, and currently sit in last place in the entire league. The Blue Jackets need an elite goaltender and if trading Rick Nash is the only way to do that, so be it.

The Rangers Are the Team No One Wants to Play in May

The New York Rangers allow the fifth fewest goals per game in the NHL, and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist has been a huge reason for that. Lundqvist has been amazing this season and it would be a travesty if he is not nominated for the Vezina Trophy.

Center Brad Richards has proven to be a great addition to the team, and is scoring goals while playing the role of a playmaker.

Teams will cringe if they have to face the Rangers in the playoffs.

Carolina Really Overpaid for Tomas Kaberle

Tomas Kaberle's contract was one of the worst deals of the summer, and the Carolina Hurricanes should do everything possible to get rid of him and his contract.

At about a $4 million salary cap hit, Kaberle has severely underperformed with his nine points and plus/minus rating of -12.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Is a Superstar Talent

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the first overall pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, and he has exceeded expectations this season for the Edmonton Oilers.

Nugent-Hopkins leads all rookies in goals, assists and points. He has also played with veteran-like poise for such a young player.

He is going to be a superstar very soon.

High Draft Picks Should Never Be Traded

Since the lockout a ton of high draft picks have turned into star players and even elite NHL talents.

Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Tyler Seguin and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are just a few of many recent draft picks that have turned out to be star players.

With this recent success in the top 10 of the draft, teams will have to be blown away to give up a top draft selection.

The Wild Are Going to Contend in the West

The Minnesota Wild have really benefited from the additions of Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi this season after the two were acquired from San Jose via trade in the summer. 

Mikko Koivu has shown why he is very underrated with another good season thus far. The Wild will be contenders in the West all season and should be buyers at the trading deadline.

Don't be surprised if the Wild win the Northwest division this year.

Calgary Flames Need to Rebuild

The Calgary Flames are not going to sniff the playoffs this season and must rebuild for the future. Stars like Jarome Iginla and Rene Bourque must be traded for prospects and draft picks so the team can rebuild.

Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff could also be moved. The Flames need to trade these players before their value goes down too much.

The Flames owe Iginla a shot at the Stanley Cup, but it will not come from them.

The NHL Needs More Canadian Teams

If you watched the Winnipeg Jets host the Bruins for the first time since 1995 on Tuesday night, then you saw what hockey excitement is all about.

Jets fans are extremely supportive of their team, and they love hockey so much. The move from Atlanta to Winnipeg was perfect for the Jets franchise, and it is time more teams do the same.

Quebec City needs a team badly, and they deserve one as well.

Phil Kessel Will Be a Consistent Player

Toronto Maple Leafs star winger Phil Kessel has been one of the best NHL players this season, and he has proven he will be a force over the course of a full 82-game season.

Kessel is tied for the league lead with 17 goals and is second in points with 35.

Jonathan Toews Is the Hart Trophy Front-Runner

Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is the front-runner for the Hart Trophy this season, and his impact on the team's success this year has been immense.

Toews is determined to get back to the Stanley Cup Final after last year's first-round loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

Toews has 17 goals and 15 assists this season for the fourth-most points in the league and is playing well in his own zone.

Toronto Will Make the Playoffs

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear headed for the playoffs this season for the first time since 2003-04. The Leafs have played well this season, and some of their big-time players like Phil Kessel have stepped up.

They are currently tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference with 33 points, and they are still a contender for the Northeast division.

The Panthers Are for Real

The Florida Panthers are real playoff contenders this season, leading the Southeast division by five points over the Washington Capitals.

The Panthers have gotten great offensive production from Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss and will be in the playoff hunt all season.

The NHL Isn't Afraid to Shake Things Up

The NHL approved a realignment plan that will change the landscape of the league for many seasons. The league has shown it is not afraid to make big changes for the benefit of the majority of the sport.

The move to four conferences is a good one and will make fans able to see every team and star player at least once per season.