NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to the CP on the NHL's last four surviving teams:

Interesting, exciting and not totally unexpected...The system has created the type of competitive balance that we envisioned.

Translation:

Oh dip! These are the most random four markets I've ever seen. If there's an Anaheim-Carolina Finals, I might have to be the first NHL commissioner to call off a game due to humidity.

But seriously. I'm super impressed with Edmonton. Almost all of their trades and moves have paid off, from the elderly-yet-surprisingly-effective Dwayne Roloson to Michael Peca to Chris Pronger. GM Kevin Lowe put together a great team this year.
Someone should take Lowe down to the Blue Mile.

I know there's bigger stuff going on right now, but did anyone else know Joe Sakic led the Avs in goal-scoring this season? And he played all 82 games? And he's 37?
Geez. Anyone else think he might be a robot?

So am I the only one waiting for the Ottawa Senators to extend apologies to Patrick Lalime, Jacques Martin, and Marian Hossa?
Because I sure thought it was their fault(s) the Senators were such a bust in the playoffs, listening to Ottawa fans and the media, all of these years.
Guess they were wrong...