LOS ANGELES – It’s time to hand out my mid season grades. At mid season I don’t grade like a nun I grade like a summer substitute gym teacher. It’s on a curve. It’s not how they’re doing compared to the rest of the league but how I thought they would do this season. So if your team got a good grade enjoy you’re free McDonald’s 
cheeseburger because Sister Mary Bartnick will be back after the season.
ATLANTIC-
Boston – A, I picked them to make the playoffs, but who could have predicted an eighteen-game point streak. The Bergeron, Pastrnak, Marchand line was the best in NHL . Zdeno Chara looks seven years younger.
Ottawa – F, Season has been a disaster. The team was one goal away from Finals. Now the owner is bitching about the fans and best player talking about leaving.
Florida – C-, Panthers top line is playing well but where is the developing youth? Team seems destined to be a bottom feeder.
Montreal – D-, Carey Price was going to have to carry this team to the playoffs. I don’t think he can anymore. Habs haters enjoy the offseason bloodletting.
Toronto – B +, Young studs like Matthews mixing well veterans up front but back end still needs work. Why is Mike Babcock playing mind games?
Tampa Bay – A, The best team in hockey. They were the All Star team.
Buffalo – D+, Jack Eichel finally looking like a franchise player. The rest of team is different levels of trade bait.
Detroit- C-, Started off surprising critics now disappointing fans.
METROPOLITAN-
Pittsburgh – B, Special teams are special but five on five is needs work. Sid, Geno and Phil are earning their big bucks and Letang is not.
Philadelphia – B, Very top heavy but hanging around in the tough Metro.
Islanders – B, Forwards making Tavares want to stay. The defense and goaltending making him want to leave.
Rangers – C, When the Rangers win Lundqvist is the reason. When they lose they have a ton of reasons.
New Jersey – A, The Devils are in the playoff mix. The kids are dragging the veterans into contention.
Carolina – C, Just when you think they’re over the hump they fall backward. This season it’s not Cam Ward’s fault.
Columbus – C, They’re worse than the sum of their parts.
Washington – A, Alex Ovechkin is the great eight again. Oshie not living up to contract. Youngsters improved a questioned able blue line.
CENTRAL-
Chicago – C-, Off-season shakeup not working out. Is there more shaking to come?
Winnipeg – A, On top of the grueling Central while missing Big Buff and Mark Scheifele for big chunks of the season.
St Louis – B+, Started out on fire then injuries overwhelmed them.
Minnesota – B-, The Wild are in the playoff mix but Eric Staal was their All Star.
Colorado – A +, Biggest turn around in recent memory. Nathan MacKinnon for MVP.
Nashville – B+, They’re a great team. They also know it doesn’t matter until April.
Dallas- B+, Ken Hitchcock getting the best out of Alexander Radulov and John Klingberg
Pacific
Vegas – A+, The Expendables win the Oscar. Fleury for Vezina. Gallant for Mayor.
Kings- B+, Started season rejuvenated but now out of playoffs. Kopitar, Brown and Doughty are on top of their games. They need Jeff Carter to play in some.
Ducks- A-, The Ducks withstood a plethora of injuries. The window is still open for a long playoff run.
Arizona- C-, Rick Tocchet took over a bigger mess than I thought. The new faces on roster have brought the same results.
Vancouver- A, Brock Boeser put out the dumpster fire before it began. The Sedins are accepting their role. Vancouver will be playing meaningful games in March.
San Jose – B, No your father’s Sharks. Faster and younger. Brent Burns woke up in time for the season.
Calgary – B+, Calgary is Alberta’s best team. Goaltender Mike Smith is leading the way.
Edmonton – F, It’s not Connor McDavid’s fault. The rest of team has been mediocre, I mean awful.
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