Ranking Edmonton below Calgary is not a wise move … if our offices were located in Alberta and were readily accessible to Oilers fans.

Some St. Louis fans have taken the first step to recovery – just some – by admitting the Blues aren't the best team in the NHL right now. Red Wings fans, however, could use a dose of reality – Detroit doesn't rule the world. And what's with that rumor we're hearing about them wanting Mike Vernon back?

On with this week's Rank Comments:

You have got to be nuts. Ottawa beats St. Louis (4), spanks Vancouver (7), and completely obliterates lowly Tampa. They win the games they should, beat their equals and only raise one spot in your rankings. What else do they have to do take over the lead in their conference? Wait a second, the Sens did that too.

John McCann
Albany, N.Y.

I am literally shocked. You didn't completely screw up the rankings this time … only little mistakes made … Red Wings beat Colorado and Dallas, and are 5th, understandable. Blues are 5- 5-0 in last 10 and are ahead of the Wings? Hmm … that makes you wonder …

Aleksander
Tampa, Fla.

The weathers nice … and Pavel's becoming quite the golfer I hear. Or was that tennis? At least we know it's not hockey.

Matt Smith
Toronto

Can I be the first to tell all the unhappy Caps fans who will surely be screaming at you to pipe down??? Right on with the ratings.

Dana
New Brunswick, N.J.

Inspired by Ellman and Gretzky I would like to formally announce to the world that I am going to buy the Detroit Red Wings. I have a cool dollar-fifty saved up. But don't worry, I'll score the rest I need later.

Don M.
Grand Rapids, Mich.

I'm going to assume you sold your souls to Mike Keenan for the Bruins to be up that high. Three game winning streak or not, they're just awful.

Chris B.
Newmarket, N.H.

Noting the difference in goalie records, I propose two separate rankings for the Canucks:

Canucks with Essensa: 4th
Canucks with Potvin: 15th

Andrew Arnold
Vancouver

No Handzus, no Demitra, no Turgeon = no power-play goals. I am surprised you guys still have the Blues in the top five. With the forwards the Blues are using to plug the gaps, I almost miss Jim Campbell.

Ben Christmann
Lookout Mountain, Ga.

I will give you one week to fix the the wrong you have done to all Red Wing fans – 12 points of 16 in last eight games and the best you can come up with is 5th place. Here is my rank chant. Wing-nuts & bolts... Wing-nuts & bolts, we got screwed!!!

Brian Cafarelli
Big Rapids, Mich.

Thanks for the kind number 10 ranking. Saying that the Pens were a "bit soft" is like saying that King Kong was a "slightly larger than usual" ape.

Bob King
San Leandro, Calif.

True, the Blues shouldn't be number one, especially with their recent play. Just one question: Doesn't the team leading the league in scoring, goals against and penalty killing look weird in the no. 4 spot?

Ben Middleton
Springfield, Mo.

I just have to keep wondering what it is you have against the Edmonton Oilers. Yes, they are not the best team in the league, but they are nowhere near as bad as you keep ranking them. To find a team on your list with more wins than they have, you need to go into the top 10. Just because they don't tie every second game like half the "good" teams on your list do is no reason to rank them so low. They play the most exciting hockey of all 30 teams with one of the lowest salaries. Give them a little credit once in a while. At least keep them ahead of the Flames.

Jeff Somerville
Edmonton, Alberta

Ok, I know I'm suffering from sleep deprivation but I actually agree with your ranking of the Oilers. But that's as low as they'll go, cause like the Jeffersons, they'll be "moving on up" now that they have a dependable backup to take the pressure off of Salo.

Stef Barnes
St. John's, New Foundland

As a major Devils fan, I have grown to like, ney, LOVE the whining by Western Conference fans who feel their team belongs on top. It sustains me, makes me smile, and generally gets me through the day. Thanks, you bunch of hicks and hippies.

Kevin Lee
Morristown, N.J.

Would it be possible to just ban Eric Lindros from the NHL for being the biggest baby to ever lace up a pair of hockey skates? My six year old cousin whines less.

Brad Rose
Tulsa, Okla.

Obviously the guys who write those brilliant little quips of yours have never been to a Caps-Flyers game. Atlanta's just there to cushion the Caps' stats.

Alex Jameson
Chicago via D.C.

If the Blues have all of this great talent in the minor leagues, wouldn't seeing Rob Blake with a note on his sweater make this team much more interesting in the playoffs?

Michael Albrecht
Inauguration Hell, D.C.

If anyone noticed, Sunday, there was a Minnesota sweep. Giants beating the Vikings and Rangers beating the Wild. I'm just wondering on which win was more important?

Geoff Okpych
East Stroudsburg, Pa.

The Panthers shutout Dallas!!!! Can we please move ahead of Tampa next week? Thank you.

James Janke
Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Doest mine eyes deceive me? The Wings in the Top 5? Now if only my comment would make the cut, then I could die happy.

Kevin
Amarillo, Texas