Dave Dye's NHL rankings
1. San Jose: More than 20 games in, Sharks clearly deserve top billing.
2. Detroit: League's oldest team worn down early by the road.
3. Boston: Former Wing Aaron Ward playing key role on D.
4. Pittsburgh: Ryan Whitney (foot surgery) getting close to return.
5. Rangers: Puzzling shutout loss at home to Florida.
6. Montreal: Shut out by Washington after winning in Detroit.
7. Washington: Shut out by Columbus after beating Montreal.
8. Minnesota: Penalty kill is at 91.1 percent on the road.
9. Calgary: Mini-camp during four-day break has improved defense.
10. Philadelphia: Simon Gagne leads league with four shorthanded goals.
11. Anaheim: Teemu Selanne leads league with 12 power-play goals.
12. Vancouver: Kyle Wellwood is No. 1 in shooting percentage (nine goals, 26 shots, 34.6 percent).
13. Chicago: Kris Versteeg leads NHL rookies with 20 points.
14. Buffalo: Thomas Vanek leads league with 18 goals.
15. New Jersey: Five-game winning streak ended in Pittsburgh.
16. Carolina: Struggles continue for Rod Brind'Amour (minus 17).
17. Edmonton: Erik Cole (three goals) has been a big disappointment.
18. Nashville: Faced seven 5-of-3 situations in last five games.
19. Colorado: Joe Sakic is out again with back injury.
20. Columbus: Rookie Steve Mason close to taking over as No. 1 goalie.
21. Los Angeles: Former Wing Kyle Quincey is tied for fourth on team with 13 points.
22. Dallas: Brendan Morrow (knee) hopes to return for playoffs. Apparently he's expecting to get traded.
23. Ottawa: Lost three games to Islanders in last two weeks.
24. Toronto: New president/GM Brian Burke will make $3 million a year.
25. Phoenix: Offense only gets worse without Olli Jokinen for a few weeks.
26. Islanders: Have been outscored 37-20 in third periods.
27. St. Louis: Keith Tkachuk gets his 1,000th career point.
28. Florida: Craig Anderson earns his $500,000 salary with second shutout.
29. Tampa Bay: Steven Stamkos held his own in first NHL fight with Rangers' Nikolai Zherdev.
30. Atlanta: Only Dallas has worst GAA than Thrashers (3.56)
