michael amato

Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter doing just fine without Shea Weber

When the Norris Trophy nominees were revealed last week, three first time finalists had made the cut. P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens and Kris Letang were on the list after tying for the league lead in points among defenseman, and perhaps the biggest surprise of the group, Ryan Suter. Not necessarily because he didn't deserve to be there, but Suter certainly had his doubters after signing that huge $98M contract last off-season.

The Evolution of Andrew Cogliano

Not even the Anaheim Ducks would have told you that coming into this season they expected to win the Pacific Division and finish as the second seed in the Western Conference. After a disappointing 2011-12 campaign that saw them sit 13th, expectations for this year would have been mild to say the least. The Ducks, however, boast plenty of talent and 2013 saw Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and Bobby Ryan bounce back from off years. Although these three and rookie goaltender Viktor Fasth, who burst onto the scene like Julie "The Cat" Gaffney, deserve much of the credit, the Ducks have also done a good job at improving their depth.

Amato tells us, in no uncertain terms, that Jonathan Toews is your Hart winner

The Chicago Blackhawks captured the President’s trophy last week and will now turn their attention to lifting the Stanley Cup. It took Chicago nearly two months to lose a game in regulation and this shortened season has been somewhat of a dream campaign for Blackhawks fans. That dream, however, could quickly become a nightmare if the team doesn’t replicate its success in the post-season. As those who follow the game know, dominating the regular season doesn’t guarantee anything come spring time.

Niemi Doing More With Less This Season

The San Jose Sharks got off to a strong start in 2013 by winning their first seven games. Of course that was overshadowed by the Chicago Blackhawks gargantuan winning streak and before long the Sharks were just an afterthought among early season headlines. They followed that up with seven straight defeats as fans inched their fingers ever closer to the proverbial panic button.

The Avalanche Don’t Know A Goalie When They See One

It was late in the 2009-10 season and the Colorado Avalanche were in an improbable position. Just one year prior they finished with only 69 points which was good enough for dead last in the Western Conference, but now Matt Duchene could send them to the post-season with a shootout goal against the Vancouver Canucks. Duchene calmly walked in and slid the puck to his forehand and buried it past Roberto Luongo. The Avs poured onto the ice in celebration of their trip to the post-season.

Could the Canucks move Schneider and keep Luongo?

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s a classic proverb that I’m sure Vancouver Canucks general manager Mike Gillis doesn’t want to hear at the moment. The trade deadline came and went and Roberto Luongo remains a Vancouver Canuck. It’s certainly not for lack of effort on Gillis’ part who has been trying to deal Luongo for what is quickly closing in on a calendar year.

Amato takes a look at 41-year-old Jaromir Jagr's strong season

When Jaromir Jagr signed with the Dallas Stars last summer it probably raised quite a few eyebrows. The Stars haven’t made the playoffs since the 2007-08 season, and if they aren’t in a full rebuild mode with their roster, they are certainly retooling. You wouldn’t think that would be the ideal destination for a veteran player trying to end his career on a high note. Then again, Jagr has been anything but conventional during his playing days and has always marched to the beat of his own drum. Taking a three-year hiatus to play in the KHL was clearly evidence of that.

Amato takes a look at Columbus' surprising run at a playoff spot

When the Columbus Blue Jackets traded Rick Nash last summer it signaled the end of an era. The skilled winger had spent his entire nine year career in Columbus, was the team captain, and the face of the franchise. His highlight reel goals and presence as one of the league's elite players gave Blue Jacket fans a sense of pride.

Michael Amato takes a look at Sam Gagner's strong play in 2013.

One could make an argument that the Edmonton Oilers have been one of 2013's biggest disappointments so far. With a roster stocked full of young talent, the Oilers are still on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. This is a spot Edmonton fans know all too well as the team has been taking up real estate as one of the National Hockey League's cellar dwellers for the past several seasons.

Michael Amato looks at Jimmy Howard's strong play in 2013.

When Nicklas Lidstrom retired this past off-season it certainly would have given fans and many in the Detroit Red Wings organization a fearful outlook on the future. Perhaps what worried everyone more than the loss of their franchise defenseman, was the fear of the unknown. Lidstrom had been a fixture on the Red Wing blueline for 20 years. Some young fans in Detroit probably couldn't imagine a scenario without the seven-time Norris Trophy winner being a part of the squad.