April 6, 2000

It's not an exaggeration to say that about 80 percent of user mail this week complained about the Blues being bumped to No. 2. Unfortunately, they almost all said the same thing, namely Pavol Demitra's absence is no reason to bounce the Blues from the top spot. Even a few Red Wings fans agreed. After that, the most entertaining correspendence came from New York, where the Rangers get pummeled on all fronts.

We want more of your wit and sarcasm, so if you want to do your own version of Power Rankings, click here and submit your own. Rank the teams in order and give a brief comment on each. We'll take care of the rest and the best one will be published along with ours on Monday.

Here are your comments this week:

Memo to all those ranked below the top four: Start polishing your golf clubs. And to the Eastern Conference: Let's make the Western Conference finals what they really are, the Cup finals.

Chris
Denver, Colo.

Are you kidding? Wings No. 1? Being displaced from Detroit, I am a Wings fan to the end, but No. 1 in the Rankings just doesn't feel right. Yzerman is out, and we allowed five to the Habs! The Habs won't even be able to sneak into the playoffs. It hurts to say this, but the Blues are still the team to beat. A 0-0 tie shouldn't be enough to knock them from the top spot. Go Wings, Go.

Samuel Raisanen
Kirkland, Wash.

The Blues: Not having their number one scorer is enough to give them the boot? They didn't lose to Detroit; they tied them. Besides, you guys said the same thing when Turgeon and MacInnis succumbed to injury, and they proved you wrong.

Will
Charlottesville, Va.

Excellent move putting the Wings where they belong, on top. Sure, the Blues didn't have Demitra in the tie, but we didn't have Yzerman, Holmstrom or Kozlov. See ya later Blues, cuz you'll be singing them watchin' the Wings win the Cup ... again.

Troy Harrington
East Lansing, Mich.

How about suspending the use of your so-called secret formula? I find the results detrimental to people with an iota of intelligence.

Amy Martin
Williamsburg, Va.

Now to hear from a Senators fan: No. 16 is fair, "for now." Magnus Arvedson is set to return Thursday, and I think Kevin Dineen will be back in time for the playoffs. Hopefully, the Sens will play long enough for McEachern to return. So, we're biding our time.

John
Downers Grove, Ill.

You know, I've followed your Rankings from day one. You guys are a real bunch of beauties. You know what Don Cherry thinks about your Rankings and the nimrods making them? I won't repeat it. You all jump on the RANGERS bandwagon at the beginning of the season. Now, you dump them and throw them into 28th spot. I don't get it. One minute, you are all hot for them, the next, you are kicking them when they are down. About your stupid Rankings: They remind me of the jo jo's psychic phone line; she didn't see the IRS coming and shutting it down. And obviously, you fools never saw the Rangers going down the tubes at the beginning of the season. Be men, and cheer for one team all season. You guys are like the wind: Wherever it blows, you guys are there kissing up! (Editor's note: What?)

DEVO -- disgusted fan north of 40
St. Catherines, Ontario

If Dean Lombardi is still employed by San Jose following this season, then I challenge you to make them dead last for all of next year. Then again, that might not be much of a challenge with the way things have gone.

Mr. Line
Concord, Calif.

I'm sure you'll get approximately one million comments just like this, but I'll send it anyway; just add it to your pile. In the past couple weeks the Leafs have beaten your favorite Red Wings, the Devils, the Blues and the Capitals. All teams ahead of them, and all teams that you seem to love. The Leafs? Ninth in your "Rankings". They won't be playing Atlanta in the playoffs, get that through your head.

Matt Smith
Guelph, Ontario

You know I give you guys my five bucks every month, and no one ever prints anything of mine even though I write almost every day. Anyway, please don't give my Devils too much credit. Two wins against the two worst teams isn't anything to cheer about.

Eric
Kearny, N.J.

Poo-poo?

Jeff D.
Fleetwood, Pa.

Only in New York can you have a $60 million payroll and still suck.

Steve B.
Newark, Del.

From Islanders fans everywhere: THANK YOU for putting the Ranjerks in last with that comment ... it kinda makes me forget you (insert profanity) put us in 27th!

Adam
Long Island, N.Y.

Why don't you let the Kings play a game post-Smolinski before you write us off. There is no shortage of heart on this roster and that combined with a talent base that is deeper than you think will be enough to register the first upset of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Rob Harol
Los Angeles, Calif.

Sharks in playoffs. Canucks out of playoffs. Sharks ranked 18th, Canucks ranked 17th. Am I missing something here? No, that would be you guys.
P.S. Owen Nolan for MVP.

Niall Haddow
McKinney, Texas

Drop the Flyers' ranking down to the bottom for GM Bob Clarke's shameful treatment of star Eric Lindros, who would willingly risk a fifth concussion just to see HIS Flyers team reach the Cup.

Adam Sivitz
Philadelphia, Pa.

It is nice to know that Wings fans and Flyers fans can agree on at least one thing ... we both hate the Rangers.

Samantha Brutout
Toronto, Ontario