Ah, the luxury of sending in comments about Power Rankings on Wednesday morning.

	Shanahan

OK, everyone who thought that Brendan Shanahan wouldn't feel the effects of his broken thumb, raise your hand. That's what we figured. We got a great laugh at our own expense when we saw him score two goals -- including the game winner in OT -- at Tampa Bay. His display also exemplified why we appreciate hockey players more than whiny baseball and basketball players.

But did anyone notice that the Wings needed overtime to beat a team that was playing its backup goalie (yes, Kevin Weekes is more than capable, but he's no Nikolai Khabibulin) and didn't have three of its top scorers in the lineup? Oops. We're not supposed to point out things like that.

What's the deal with all the negative comments about the Olympics. I'm a huge fan of the NHL, but who really cares about some NHL teams losing their momentum when you consider the opportunity of watching the best players in the world competing for their countries. The Olympics this year was the best thing that happened to hockey and the NHL and I say this despite being a Red Wings fan and rooting for Team Sweden.

Niklas Johnsson
Harrisonville, Mo.

The best thing to happen to hockey was the introduction of standardized signals for referees and linesmen in 1956-57 ... and we say that despite what Theo Fleury thinks.

I find it extremely hard to think that the Red Wings can't keep up the effort. But it is unbelievable that not just one, but two of our stars (NHL stars) will not be available, because of the Olympics. Some will say that Steve Yzerman's knee would have done the same if there wasn't a break in action, but DID HE REALLY NEED TO PLAY IN THE OLYMPICS? It is a life dream, I believe it, but your paycheck does not come from the Canadian Olympic Committee. If these two cannot play because they are injured, then why where they out there helping CANADA win a gold?

Matt
East Lansing, Mich.

And you say that despite not having to sign their paychecks.

It might be nice to invent a race for the top spot in the West by continuing to mention the the Wings are old and bound to tire because of the Olympics, but they have an insurmountable lead. If they go only .500, the Hawks and Avs would have to pick up 84 percent of their possible remaining points to catch them.

Toby Moleski
Grand Haven, Mich.

Good point, Toby. Thanks for doing the math.

I can't believe that the San Jose Sharks are No. 9 after their dominant five-game performance between breaks. If this ranking is weekly then it's done wrong. S.J. was the hottest team in the league going to the Olympics. They should be at least in the Top 5. Here's why: Evgeni Nabokov (NHL player of the week) is playing out of his mind, once again carrying the team and providing a much needed spark. Teemu Selanne and Patrick Marleau are heating up, which is what the entire Bay Area has been waiting for. Also, you have heard nothing about the defense, which in S.J. means that they are dominating. And last but not least Scott Thorton, Niklas Sundstrom, Mike Ricci (need I say more about the most effective all-around second line in the NHL). ESPN, I am begging you, give S.J. some respect. They are better than ninth.

Mike Posson
Davis, Calif.

The Blues are more than Keith Tkachuk. Al MacInnis and Chris Pronger have an advantage over almost every other player in the NHL -- they worked on the same line at times during the Olympics. They won't be rusty. As a pair, they may be better.

Stephen Hull
Normal, Ill.

Just because you don't LIKE us, doesn't mean you have to say we suck. The Hurricanes have proven time and time again that they have the stuff to create serious damage in the the Cup playoffs. How can a team of this caliber not even be ranked in the top HALF of the power rankings? Our national publicity would make Golden State look good.

Andy
Durham, N.C.

All that about a team that hasn't won a playoff series since 1986? That's dedication.

These rankings are more dismal and pathetic than Jim Lampley's Olympic hockey coverage. Too pessimistic.

Brian Van Otterloo
Los Angeles

Now that hurts.

Wow, the Kings ranked out of the Top 10. Well, with the best special teams in the league, and with a team that has outscored its opponents by 20 goals, in arguably the toughest division in the NHL, I have to wonder why they're ranked 11th. They have the depth that contenders long for, and the goaltending to go with it. Last year, they proved that they can win in the playoffs, giving the eventual Stanley Cup champs a run for their money (tied 1-1 going in to the 3rd period of the 7th game). I'm sure I'm overlooking something, but it seems to me that they should be ranked considerably higher. The fact that they're going to be without their coach for a few games will not deter them, I believe. It will only bring them together.

Christiaan Corensen
San Clemente, Calif.

The Wings No. 1. How predictable. How about the team with the best and hottest goalie in the league. How about the team with a forward who single-handedly won the gold medal for his country. Why not stir some controversy and name the Avalanche No. 1 or No. 2 because they deserve it.

Randal
Michigan

Sounds like a good idea. Can we direct all the nasty Rank Comments to your e-mail address?

The Avs captain wins MVP, along with their top two defensemen, their goalie -- the best in the league -- rests up, and the team drops four spots in your rankings...hmmm.

Cory Oldweiler
Chicago

Can somebody please tell the Emperor he has no clothes! Dallas needs to trade, rebuild and shoot for next year.

Frederick
Dallas

I can't argue much, only with a few things. First off, the Red Wings are going to stumble and I think it will be around the trade deadline. The last thing is ... how can Atlanta not be last? They're terrible! Even Florida is better and that's pretty sad.

Jared
Keyport, N.J.

The Canucks played just fine without Dan Cloutier. Peter Skudra has been the MVP of the team for over the last month, and it seems like Vancouver's goaltending situation is actually looking promising. Now if they just avoid that killer injury to their top star as the playoffs approach.

Clayton Bundschuh
Vancouver, B.C.

"Red Wings hold on to top spot...for now." For now? Are you joking? Even if they don't to win a game over the next two weeks, they're still the best team in the league. Just make it permanent unless another team comes close to them. It's not even an argument right now, don't make it look like it should be.

Brad
Tampa, Fla.

Brad, we told you at the YoungStars game that the Red Wings weren't going to be pushovers after the Olympics, but you don't have to go so far as to jump on their bandwagon.

I like the Bruins at the four spot. The game before the Olympics against Colorado was a test -- and they showed some bright spots by coming back from 3-0 to make it 3-2. But they aren't quite there yet. The proposed trade for some defensemen from Anaheim might push this team even higher. Good to see them above all the other Eastern Conference teams, though. That's where they ought to be.

Dan Eberle
New London, Conn.

Your ranking of the B's at No. 4 is fairly accurate, but your comments that trading Rob Zamuner and P.J. Axelsson for Marty McInnis and Jason York would be a good one is a joke. York's point totals are nothing to get excited about, but more telling is his plus/minus which is awful at -10. McInnis' numbers are comparable to Zamuner's except that McInnis is 5-11, 184 pounds and Zamuner is 6-3, 203. In the playoffs, size definitely matters. Axelsson doesn't produce a lot of points, but is one of the best defensive forwards in the game. He and Brian Rolston are proving to be a lethal shorthanded combination. The B's have five players with 20 or more goals (the next closest has 3) so scoring is not what this team needs. They need a big mobile defenseman who can move the puck and punish opposing forwards at the blue line. In my mind, if Kyle McLaren didn't have injury problems again this year, the B's would not only be atop the Eastern Conference, but would be giving Detroit a run for its money for the President's Trophy!

John Eacrett
Lowell, Mass.

With wins in the final week before the Olympic break over St. Louis and Toronto, and then a second consecutive shutout of the Flyers in Philly, you couldn't move the Islanders up even one spot? If that doesn't earn your respect then what is it gonna take when this week three of their four games are against Atlanta (2) and Pittsburgh???

Rob
Huntington, N.Y.

OK, since the last rankings the Islanders destroyed the Rangers, beat St. Louis and Toronto and shutout Philly (again) and you didn't move them up at all??? You guys have a future as figure skating judges!!

Tom
Northport, N.Y.