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Just last week, I was watching the Wings-Avs game on the deuce, when I inadvertently knocked the remote off the coffee table, accidentally changing the channel to a baseball game. Well, within seconds, I felt a strange feeling come over my body, and before I knew it, I was looking down on my apartment from above. I had actually died of boredom, and was beginning my ascent to the pearly gates. Upon my arrival, I looked up a few relatives and old friends, and then set out to find myself a hockey game. After all, they couldn't call the place heaven if there weren't at least one hockey game going on at all times, right?

Upon calling information (in heaven, 555-1212 will not only get you phone numbers, but any information you might need), I was thrilled to find out that old hockey arenas go to heaven also, and even better, the Boston Garden was only three blocks away! I was out the door quicker than Oprah when she hears the Good Humor truck, but halfway down the stairs, I was confronted by two large men in white suits. They flashed some credentials and asked that I accompany them to their office where I was to meet with one of God's representatives (he's still answering prayers from last century, so he has hired help to handle all of his day to day affairs) about "some very important matters".

Once I arrived at the office, I was thrilled to find out that I was meeting with none other than former Flyer Pelle Lindbergh. After exchanging pleasantries, he told me that he had good news and bad news, and always a procrastinator, I figured I'd get to the bad news when the mood struck me.

"The good news is that your stay here is temporary. You aren't scheduled to meet your demise for quite some time. You are only here to pass on my opinion of the Calder race. Listen closely to everything that I tell you, because it will be your duty to pass the things that I tell you on to all of your personal friends, and all of the readers of LCS Hockey."

He cleared his throat, took a sip of water, and began.

"There are six legitimate candidates: three forwards and three defensemen. In no particular order, they are Anders Eriksson, Derek Morris, Patrik Elias, Mike Johnson, Matthias Ohlund, and Sergei Samsonov."

"Anders Eriksson skates extremely well for someone who goes about 6'3", 220. He handles the puck well and makes breakout passes a 10-year veteran would be proud of. His shot is improving, as is his consistency. However, he has turned the puck over in his own end more than a few times, and needs to develop consistency in his own zone. Besides, playing on a team as deep as Detroit hasn't allowed him to log the ice time that he needed to compete with the other Swedish defenseman that took the NHL by storm this year."

"Matthias Ohlund shocked the hockey world by logging 25-27 minutes a game for Mike Keenan. Rookies have about as much chance of getting prime ice time playing for Mike Keenan as Iron Mike does of getting a follow up stint as coach of the Rangers. Ohlund played in all situations, and was one of the few plus players on a Vancouver team that gave up far more goals than they scored. He was originally projected as a defensive defenseman when the Canucks drafted him, but at this point, his skills match his size (6'3" 215 lbs.) and skating to provide the complete package. He has the poise with the puck to produce offensively and the toughness and positional play to dominate his own zone. He is going to be a dominant player in this league for years to come, and should win a Norris before it is all said and done."

"Derek Morris is the surprise among rookie blueliners. Before this season, he wasn't even considered the top defensive prospect in Calgary's organization (Denis Gauthier), but had he not played in Calgary, a lot more people would know who this kid is. Even I haven't seen him play more than a few times because, while we do have Direct TV up here, we only have one receiver. And even though Theo is already an honorary saint, Calgary games usually don't make the cut. Morris is a skilled defenseman who was expected to generate offense, but he has surprised everyone by showing a mature, complete game well beyond his 20 years. He lacks the size to dominate his own end but relies on positioning and good wheels to hold his own. He's one to watch as Calgary grows up over the next few seasons."

"Patrik Elias started the season on a goal scoring binge before reality settled in and he realized he was playing in New Jersey, known in these parts as USA's armpit. Seriously, playing for the Devils will make him a better player in the long run, as he was forced to learn his way around his own end just to crack the lineup. He has the natural skill and ability to score a lot of points, and learning to play defense under Lemaire will make him a more complete player at a much younger age than had he played for someone else. However, he spent a few games in the minors around mid-season as a result of Jersey's depth, which unfortunately translates into the kiss of death in the Calder race."

"Mike Johnson signed with Toronto as a free agent, and only Mats Sundin scored more points for the Maple Leafs this year. He has great playmaking instincts, and should increase his goal output as he learns the differences between college goalies and those in the NHL. His defensive play is good for someone who spent last season playing for Bowling Green. Playing for a team as depleted up front as Toronto has helped his transition from college to the NHL, as he got all the ice time he could handle. Toronto is a young team and they see him as one of the keys to their future."

"The Calder will go to a Bruin, but not the one picked first overall in last years draft. As expected, the player they took seven picks later is the one who had the finest season of this year's crop of NHL rookies. Many questioned Sergei Samsonov's decision to play in the IHL last season, instead of racking up 150 points in major junior hockey. He played 73 games for the Detroit Vipers, tallying 29 goals and 35 assists. He also ranked third in the IHL in +/- with a +33. What he lost in exposure, he made up for in experience, as he learned the pro game and dominated against players 10 years his senior and finished the season as the IHL Rookie of the Year."

"The kid has speed to burn and is shifty enough to leave defensemen scratching their heads. His size (5'8", 184) is the reason that he fell as far as he did in the draft, and forces him to stay on the move. He doesn't avoid traffic, but is smart enough to pick his spots scrapping along the boards and in front of the net. He struggled a little in the first half of the season, but has spent the majority of the second half playing on the team's top line with Jason Allison and Dimitri Khristich. In that time, he has averaged almost a point a game, and has shown the teams that passed on him that his size will not hold him back. He has good playmaking skills but can also put the puck in the net. Like many Russians, he shoots well in stride, and has a backhand to die for. He passes and shoots as well on the backhand as he does on the forehand, and once he develops a big league one-timer he'll be a holy terror on left wing for years to come. I say 'when' he develops a big league one-timer because it's only a matter of time with this talented 19-year-old."

At this point, I knew I would hate myself, but had to ask, "Pelle, what about that bad news you mentioned before?"

"The baseball season is being extended to 250 games!"

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