With the clock ticking, I reveal my predictions for the regular season's most valuable player, rookie, defenseman and goaltender. Then, not in any order particular order, I offer my "two cents" on the Eastern and Western Conference representatives fighting in the Stanley Cup Finals. Warning Sign: Detroit and Pittsburgh WILL NOT compete in the championship round despite their best efforts this season, due to their goaltender issues. Although Ty Conklin has successfully taken over the goaltender reins in Fleury's absence, Conblock cannot dominate a seven-game series.

The Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference has never been so exciting. As of right now the New Jersey Devils sit atop both the division and the conference, but as we all know, this could change over night with the Pittsburgh Penguins only one point behind the Devils. The New York Rangers are also playing some of their best hockey of the season, making the task of winning the division that much harder.

The

Unlike the Presidential election and last year's "Vote for Rory" scandal, there were no miscalculations this time around.  No illusions, aberrations, or inaccuracies.  The 2008 NHL All-Star Fan Balloting results were as successful as the Winter Classic.  You can't ask for much more for that.

I should have brought this to your attention earlier this season, but here are the most expensive contracts in the NHL (listed below).  Some are ridiculously stupid, overpaid, and out of control.  If I were a team owner, the general manager would have been fired immediately after seeing these outrageous signings.  Then again, how many GMs are worthwhile in sports today?  I have found eight successful organizations in the four major sports in America.

Here are my picks (not in any order).

Later this month, the world will experience some peace and quiet with the  2008 NHL All-Star Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.  Well, not exactly.  I hope the Philadelphia Flyers are not invited though.  They are not friendly creatures.  NY Islanders' Chris Simon is not welcome either.  Can someone encourage him to do rehab?  I am not certain that a 30-game suspension will suffice for someone who broke his own 25-game record established back in March for a dangerous and violent stick-butting inci

In recent years, goal scoring and television ratings have been the main topics of discussion around the National Hockey League.  Mostly, the discussion has been how to increase scoring which will in turn increase ratings (I believe this to be false as any true/old school hockey fan would rather see a 1-0 low-scoring affair with great goaltending and many scoring chances).