Thus far, the 2002-03 NHL campaign has been a season of surprises. After all, even after their hot starts, who would've figured the Wild and Lightning would be standing near the top of their respective conferences in December?

And, who could've predicted the names of Andrew Cassels, Olli Jokinen and Martin St. Louis would be listed among the league's top 15 scorers? Or that Sharks coach Darryl Sutter -- after improving his team in each of the last five seasons -- would be the first coach to bite the dust?

Then, there's Penguins defenseman Dick Tarnstrom. Who would have thought he would be so productive or be so missed since going down with injury?

There has been something or someone surprising about each of the league's 30 teams through the first 30 or so games. Here's a quick look at a good or not-so-good surprise from each club.

Anaheim Mighty Ducks
First-year coach Mike Babcock has the Ducks playing with a nasty quack. This team works hard from whistle to whistle. That's why they're challenging for a playoff spot for the first time in three years.

Atlanta Thrashers
The Thrash stunned everyone by signing an NHL caliber goalie, Byron Dafoe. Unfortunately, the late arriving Dafoe has yet to find his game behind a poor defense corps.

Boston Bruins
On a team with a lot of pleasant surprises, the play of defensemen Bryan Berard and Jonathan Girard stand out. The two fleet-footed defenders, along with coming star Nick Boynton, ignite the Bruins' offense from the back end. Because of their quickness, the B's are much harder to forecheck.

Buffalo Sabres
After the Adelphia collapse, it's somewhat of a surprise that the Sabres are still standing. It's no surprise, though, that a team that traded affordable leader Michael Peca would have an identity crisis.

Calgary Flames
Jarome Iginla, where are you? The league's best player a year ago, Iginla has been stuck in neutral since opening night. Now, battling injuries, he might be hard pressed to get 25 goals and/or 50 points. He finished with 52 goals and 96 points last year.

Carolina Hurricanes
It's a little surprising that the Hurricanes have been able to overcome a bad case of Cup hangover and a goalie controversy. Strong leadership and Kevin Weekes' excellent puckstopping (when Arturs Irbe stumbled out of the gate) helped the 'Canes get back on course. With Weekes on the shelf (concussion), Irbe must find his old form. The defending Eastern Conference champs are just 3-5-0 since Weekes' injury.

Chicago Blackhawks
How does Brian Sutter do it? With Tony Amonte gone, Eric Daze out with injury (he returned on Nov. 15) and Theo Fleury suspended (he returned on Dec. 6), this Sutter has the Hawks battling for a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference. To me, that's a major surprise. And, for the record, Sutter should have won the Jack Adams last season. Too bad, he didn't have Wayne Gretzky campaigning for him.

Colorado Avalanche
If the season ended after games of Dec. 16, the Avalanche would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1993-94, their second to last year in Quebec City. At the Pepsi Center, the Avs are a miserable 3-5-6-1. Didn't it used to be tough to win in Denver? No doubt, these weren't the surprises that Avalanche fans expected to see this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets
OK, quickie quiz, raise your hand if you thought Andrew Cassels would be the most productive free agent signed in the offseason. Yeah, I thought so. At season's end, Cassels -- on pace for a career year -- has the option to stay in Columbus or take another spin on the free-agent market. It will be interesting to see he decides to do.

Dallas Stars
There aren't many surprises in Dallas, where GM Doug Armstrong and his staff retooled the roster after missing the playoffs. One surprise? How about Ulf Dahlen, who chipped in 10 goals and 18 points before going down with a high ankle sprain on Dec. 6.

Detroit Red Wings
With no Scotty Bowman, Steve Yzerman, Dominik Hasek or Jiri Fischer, the Wings continue to fly near the top of the West. That's a little surprising, isn't it?

Edmonton Oilers
Through 31 games, versatile Anson Carter is averaging a point per game. Yet, nobody ever mentions his name when they talk about talented forwards. Hmmm. Regardless, Carter is a big reason why the Oilers are back in the playoff chase after a slow start.

Florida Panthers
Olli, baby! Labeled a bust after failing with the Kings and Isles, Jokinen stands among the league's top goal scorers and point producers. Do we credit Mike Keenan or did the former No. 3 overall pick just need more time to develop? It's probably a combination of both, but Keenan did have to take him off the list of healthy scratches and send him over the boards.

Los Angeles Kings
These Kings won't be killed. Many figured they were done after Jason Allison went down with a knee injury. But, they persevered. If they ever get everybody in the lineup at one time, they could contend for the Cup. Remember, they own a pair of shutouts over the powerful Stars.

Minnesota Wild
Who is Pascal Dupuis and why does he have 22 points and a plus-10 rating through 31 games? Actually, he's just one player on a T-E-A-M full of surprises. And, it's no surprise that Jacques Lemaire is behind this success story. Without doubt, he's the best coach in the league.

Montreal Canadiens
Has success ruined Jose Theodore? After winning the Hart and Vezina trophies -- and signing a big money new contract -- Theodore can't find his game. His numbers (17 games, 3.72 GAA and .883 save percentage) are plain ugly. Luckily, the Habs haven't been able to find a buyer for veteran stopper Jeff Hackett, who may have saved the season in Montreal.

Nashville Predators
Scott Walker has become a pretty good player, hasn't he? Despite missing 17 games due to a rib injury, the former Canuck has seven goals and 13 points in just 12 tilts. He's also among the few plus-players on the Preds' roster.

New Jersey Devils
No surprises here. Great goalie. Great defense. No scoring. Well, it is a surprise that veteran center Joe Nieuwendyk hasn't scored a goal in 19 games. And GM Lou Lamoriello did surprise most by giving fourth-line pest Mike Danton another chance with the organization. But, it was no surprise when Lamoriello decided to remove the annoying Danton from his roster in early December.

New York Islanders
During an unpleasant first few months, third/fourth line forward Jason Blake has been a pleasant surprise. Listed at 5-foot-10 (standing on a copy of Total Hockey), the speedy forward is among the club's top scorers with 17 points. Last season, he totaled 18 points in 82 games.

New York Rangers
It's surprising that waiver draft pickup Ronald Petrovicky has had as much, if not more, impact than Eric Lindros. It's also surprising that 41-year-old center Mark Messier is getting so much ice time -- 18:43 per game. Mr. Messier has played well, but should he be getting more ice time than Bobby Holik?

Ottawa Senators
It's no surprise that the Senators are playing well during the regular season. But can they finally get over the hump in the playoffs? We hope so. If only to finally get Roger Neilson's name on the Stanley Cup.

Philadelphia Flyers
Like Iginla and Theodore, Simon Gagne signed a new contract during the offseason. Like his fellow young stars, Gagne hasn't been able to get his groove on. The smooth skating forward has just five goals in his first 27 games. He had 33 goals last season.

Phoenix Coyotes
It shouldn't be any surprise that Brian Boucher hasn't been able to carry the club on his shoulders since Sean Burke went down with an ankle injury. Boucher, acquired from the Flyers in the offseason, remains a work in progress. Hopefully, he's listening to the Coyotes' savvy goalie coach, Benoit Allaire.

Pittsburgh Penguins
Tarnstrom went from waiver pickup to quarterback of the league's most lethal power play. It's too bad the Swedish defender suffered a broken left foot on Nov. 29. Since he left the lineup (as of Dec. 16), the Pens are 0-7-0-1. The club expects him to return in early January.

St. Louis Blues
Like the Kings, the Blues have been survivors this season. Former Hart and Norris trophy winner Chris Pronger hasn't played since last spring, six goalies have spent time in the Blues' crease and offensive stars Keith Tkachuk and Pavol Demitra have missed time with various ailments. Amazingly, the Blues remain one of the best teams in the league. As for individual surprises, try Eric Boguniecki, who is among the club's top goal scorers after being left unprotected in the waiver draft.

San Jose Sharks
Who could have imagined this Shark dive? Coach Darryl Sutter took the hit for poor management decisions. Under new coach Ron Wilson, they must dig their way out of an early season hole. In the West, it might be tough, even for a talented team like the Sharks.

Tampa Bay Lightning
After years of Cincinnati Bengals-like ineptitude, the Lightning are getting it right. Entertaining little Martin St. Louis has been the biggest surprise, with a team-leading 17 goals and 32 points through 31 games. Don't overlook defenseman Dan Boyle (26 points), who has provided offense from the blue line.

Toronto Maple Leafs Edd-die! Edd-die! Edd-die! After a slow start, 37-year-old Ed Belfour is enjoying comeback season in Toronto. Behind a bad defensive club, Belfour has an amazing 2.03 GAA, a .928 save percentage and five shutouts (in 24 games). More than that, the Eagle is making the locals forget about Curtis Joseph.

Vancouver Canucks
This team is good, and that should be no surprise to anyone who remembers the way they burned up the league in the second half of last season. The only surprise might be the consistent play of goalie Dan Cloutier, who has played in 27 of the club's first 31 games. His teammates point to him as the team's early-season MVP.

Washington Capitals
It's always surprising when Jaromir Jagr isn't leading his team in scoring. Through 31 games, November acquisition Michael Nylander had one more point (in one less game) than Jagr. Of course, it's not surprising that this team is dead on the frozen water without top goalie, Olaf Kolzig, who missed time with a groin injury.

E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.