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Red Wings and Canadians at the top of the fall power rankings

Where Sundin ends up could shake it up

I have no scoop about Mats Sundin’s intentions. In fact, at this point, I’m perfectly content to allow him to retire to an island to study the works of Socrates if that’s what he prefers to playing hockey.

As an antidote to Sundin rumor fatigue, I offer my pre-season special power rankings, fully acknowledging that they will undoubtedly change dramatically once Sundin decides whether he loves this game or not.

Here are my early September team rankings:

1. Detroit Red Wings: The Red Wings are the New York Yankees of the NHL. People around the country can hate them if they want, but they have more talent than any other team by far. The only caution is that there was another pro sports team located in Detroit that was supposed to march to the title this summer and that didn’t go as planned.

2. Montreal Canadiens: This team may net 280-plus goals this season. Mike Komisarek is one of the NHL's more underrated players. I didn’t like Bob Gainey’s decision to turn over the goaltending to Carey Price last spring, but I believe Price will be ready this season.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins: I’m not sure I believe Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko can make up for the loss of Hossa and Ryan Malone. But I do believe that Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin can be among the scoring leaders even if they had a trained chimpanzee on their wing. The Penguins will be in the Stanley Cup mix as long as Crosby is captain.

4. San Jose Sharks: It’s almost as if everyone has forgotten that San Jose had more regular-season wins than any NHL team except the Red Wings. Dan Boyle’s arrival will improve the transition and new coach Todd McLellan will freshen the outlook.

5. Dallas Stars: With Sean Avery now joining Brenden Morrow and Steve Ott, this team will have the annoyance factor of fingernails across a chalkboard. They have enough offense now and their goaltending and defense is better than you think.

6. Anaheim Ducks: You have every right to worry about whether this team has enough offense, particularly if Teemu Selanne doesn’t come back. But as long as they boast Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger anchoring the defense, they will be in contention. Look for former Detroiter Mathieu Schneider to be traded

7. New Jersey Devils: Marty Brodeur is still king of the goaltenders and the defense is dependable, and that means their goals-against total will again be in the 210 range at the end of the season. They will be in the hunt.

8. Washington Capitals: As I’ve mentioned before, this is the NHL’s most intriguing team. I usually don’t believe it’s advisable to sign players to contracts over five years, but I think the Capitals' move of signing Alexandre Ovechkin to 13 years was shrewd. He eventually will be to the Capitals what Gordie Howe was to the Red Wings.

9. Calgary Flames: Mike Keenan, Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf are painful to play against. Keenan is also painful to play for. The Flames need more goals, but their defense and goalkeeping are enough to carry them.

10. New York Rangers: Henrik Lundqvist is No. 2 behind Brodeur among Eastern goalies. Regardless of how the offseason moves work, he keeps the Rangers in the hunt.

11. Ottawa Senators: I don’t like their goaltending, but I still like their offense. Who’s betting that Martin Gerber doesn’t finish the season as the team’s No. 1 goalie?

12. Philadelphia Flyers: Paul Holmgren is a rising managerial star. He runs wide open in his race to make this team a contender. He seems to manage with intensity, looking at every possible scenario. He manages the way he played.

13. Buffalo Sabres: Tomas Vanek scored 36 goals at age 23 and somehow fans view him as a disappointment because the Sabres are paying him a bundle. Daniel Briere and Chris Drury left and Jason Pominville and Derek Roy stepped up. Craig Rivet’s presence improves the defense, and Teppo Numminen is now healthy. They look like a playoff team to me.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning: Owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie moved around their pieces this summer like they were running a pea and shell game. It’s difficult to know exactly where they are at right now, but they have a lineup that fascinates me. I honestly don’t know if they will be first or last in their division, but my hunch is they could improve as dramatically as the Flyers did this past season.

15. Carolina Hurricanes: The ‘Canes were 10 games over .500 last year and were banged up all season with injuries. If goalie Cam Ward is sharp, this will be Hurricane season.

16. Chicago Blackhawks: This is my guilty pleasure selection. Sure they aren't there yet, but I like the direction Dale Tallon has them headed. Detroit fans understand they are a team on the rise. They watched Chicago win five of eight games against Detroit last season.

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