Scott Cullen takes a look at the top stories from January 17th through January 23rd, including All-Star absences, Kings down, Jets up, “midseason” awards races, prospects and more. STARS DIMMED There is criticism of the NHL All-Star game at the best of times – it’s a no-hitter, with barely a nod towards defensive play (not unlike the NBA All-Star game or NFL Pro Bowl, for that matter) – but the lure for fans is the great collection of star players. Well, that collection isn’t quite as impressive with news that Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Erik Johnson aren’t going to be participating. Crosby is the marquee attraction, but has played in just one All-Star game in his career, and the opportunity to rest has obvious value in a sport that is so physically demanding. With 3-4 games every week, nagging injuries can be hard to overcome because there isn’t time to rest and recover. Thus, it’s not a shock if there are star players that have nagging injuries and want to take advantage of the time off. When it comes to players like Malkin and Bobrovsky, who appear that they will be out of action for a while after the break, there’s not much reason to expect them to be involved, but if Crosby (or Johnson) misses only the first game after the break, as mandated by the league, then it’s a harder sell. That’s not ideal for fans, considering the event is supposed to showcase the league’s best talent, but there isn’t any incentive for a banged-up player to participate. Fortunately, there are players who fulfill the responsibility and can still make it a fun event, even if the star power is diminished. DEFENDING CHAMPS DOWN There is not necessarily reason to panic, because the Los Angeles Kings have fared well in the playoffs as a low seed before, but one win in the past eight games leaves them outside the Western Conference playoff picture heading into the All-Star break. The Kings’ underlying numbers, including 53.9% score-adjusted Corsi, remain strong, but they have struggled to earn wins. Los Angeles has 19 regulation and overtime wins, tied with Dallas and Toronto for 17th in the league, and their 1-7 shootout record is the worst in the NHL. Even without suspended defenceman Slava Voynov, the Kings have been relatively healthy this season, but recent injuries to Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson have put more strain on a lineup that lacks scoring depth. On top of that, goaltender Jonathan Quick is struggling (.863 SV% in January) so there isn’t merely one issue that needs to be fixed. JETS TAKING FLIGHT When the Jets’ blueline was decimated by injuries in December, it looked like they would fade away from the playoff picture but they managed to at least tread water while they waited for Tobias Enstrom, Zach Bogosian, Jacob Trouba and Mark Stuart to get healthy. They are healthy now, and the blueline has been bolstered by moving Dustin Byfuglien back, so suddenly the Jets have formidable depth on defence. Couple that with a couple of quality forward lines and a goaltending situation much improved by the play of rookie Michael Hutchinson and the Jets have won five straight and are looking every bit a playoff team. Improving forward depth is still a reasonable goal, and it’s fair to wonder whether or not Hutchinson can maintain his high level of play all season, but Winnipeg is moving in the right direction. SURPRISE, SURPRISE Every year there are teams that exceed preseason expectations. Sometimes it’s a luck run of goaltending or random good fortune when it comes to goal-scoring or shootouts, but a couple of this season’s surprise teams have made their move up the standings based on significant roster changes. The New York Islanders have the best record (.685 point percentage) in the Eastern Conference, and that improvement is a result of a busy offseason. Not only did the Islanders improve their forward depth when they signed centre Mikhail Grabovski and winger Nikolay Kulemin, they bolstered their goaltending with the addition of Jaroslav Halak (less-so with struggling backup Chad Johnson), and then put the hammer down when they traded for defencemen Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy. Mix that in with internal improvement from young forwards Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome and suddenly the Islanders aren’t merely plucky underdogs that have reached the playoffs once in the past seven seasons, but they are a strong puck possession team that can even wear out good teams with their depth. In the Western Conference, the second-best record belongs to the Nashville Predators, playing a more aggressive brand of hockey under new head coach Peter Laviolette. It’s not merely a coaching change that has made the Predators successful, but that’s a starting point. Then, a whole new first line, with rookie Filip Forsberg joining Mike Ribeiro – signed on the cheap as a free agent after he was bought out by the Coyotes – and James Neal, acquired in a trade with Pittsburgh. An upgraded attack certainly helps the Predators, but they wouldn’t be anywhere near the top of the standings if not for goaltender Pekka Rinne, who was the midseason frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy. With word that Rinne will miss 3-5 weeks due to a knee injury, the Predators will deal with some adversity, but they have built up a cushion that gives them a good chance to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2012. BAD BOYS Blackhawks left winger Daniel Carcillo was suspended for six games after cross-checking Jets winger Mathieu Perreault. The incident wasn’t egregious, even though Perreault ended up on injured reserve; the kind of thing that other players might even get away with, but Carcillo’s well-earned reputation for mayhem assures that he won’t get the benefit of the doubt in those situations. It was a cheap shot on an unsuspecting opponent and that warrants punishment. Philadelphia’s Zac Rinaldo awaits a ruling from the league after a blindside hit on Penguins defenceman Kris Letang. Like Carcillo, Rinaldo has earned his notoriety (though seems highly unlikely to approach Carcillo’s 48 career goals) and when a player with Rinaldo’s record takes out a star with a cheap shot, punishment ought to be significant. CENTRAL SCOUTING RELEASES RANKINGS TSN’s Bob McKenzie will release his NHL Draft rankings next week, but NHL Central Scouting put their mid-season rankings out this week, shocking no one with Erie Otters centre Connor McDavid at No. 1. McDavid, Boston University centre Jack Eichel and Boston College defenceman Noah Hanifin have been early leaders for the top three spots. The questions start with Kingston Frontenacs left winger Lawson Crouse at number four. KONECNY SHINES IN TOP PROSPECTS GAME Ottawa 67s forward Travis Konecny took advantage of the opportunity to play with McDavid in the CHL Top Prospects game, scoring a couple of goals and adding an assist in a 6-0 win for Team Orr over Team Cherry. Konecny, who has 41 points (19 G, 22 A) in 42 games for Ottawa was the 26th-ranked North American skater in Central Scouting’s midseason rankings, but may have turned some heads with his performance. TAKE IT OUTSIDE It appears that there will be three outdoor games during the 2015-2016 NHL season, headlined by the Boston Bruins hosting the Montreal Canadiens in the Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium. The Colorado Avalanche are expected to host the Detroit Red Wings in a Stadium Series game, and the Minnesota Wild are likely to face-off with the Chicago Blackhawks. BEST-ON-BEST Plans for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey have started to leak, and it is going to be an eight-team tournament with Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland and Czech Republic holding six spots, then there would be a team composed of players from other European nations and a North American under-23 team. The last two have drawn some criticism, for diluting the nationalism that has typically been part of similar tournaments in the past, but however the details work out, and however the tournament is named, it does appear that there will be an NHL/NHLPA-sponsored best-on-best hockey tournament in 2016. AWARDS RACES HART With no dominant scorer, the top seven ranging from 56 to 50 points, the MVP race is more wide open this season. If Sidney Crosby or Tyler Seguin or Ryan Getzlaf don’t pull away from the pack, will this be the year that a goaltender (Pekka Rinne or Carey Price) takes the prize? With no clear favourite at this point, particularly with Rinne hurt, a strong finish could lift any number of players into contention. NORRIS Drew Doughty is likely the favourite for best defenceman, with his career-high workload (29:23 per game) helping draw attention to his efforts. He’s also scoring at a better rate than every season except 2009-2010, the year that he finished third in the voting behind Chicago’s Duncan Keith and Washington’s Mike Green. Keith, who won his second Norris last season, could be a viable candidate again this year, but there are lots of challengers, including Calgary’s Mark Giordano, Montreal’s P.K. Subban and Nashville’s Shea Weber. CALDER There are a number of quality candidates for top rookie, with three separating from the pack. Nashville’s Filip Forsberg leads all rookies with 40 points (15 G, 25 A), five ahead of Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau (13 G, 22 A). The two scoring wingers will face competition from Florida defenceman Aaron Ekblad, the 18-year-old who has 25 points (6 G, 19 A) while playing more than 22 minutes per game. If he continues to play at such a high level, Jets goaltender Michael Hutchinson could force his way into the discussion too. JACK ADAMS There are always plenty of candidates for Coach of the Year. Laviolette has to get some credit for Nashville’s turnaround, Mike Babcock keeps Detroit competitive year after year, and Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice deserves notice for keeping the Jets in playoff position despite a brutal run of injuries. Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca Adidas Nmd r1 Herre Danmark . -- The Chicago Bears agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract with defensive lineman Israel Idonije and are bringing him back for a second stint. Adidas Nmd Herre Tilbud . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday. http://www.dknmdskotilbud.com/adidas-nmd-dame-outlet-danmark.html . Brazilian striker Brandao opened the scoring with a header in the 55th minute before winger Franck Tabanou volleyed home from close range to double the lead in the 61st. Adidas Nmd Herre Sort . The traditional pre-Masters event was halted early due to inclement weather. Harrington, who tied for first in 2003 and won in 2004, became the first three-time champion of the event. Adidas Nmd r2 Dame . But back-up Peter Budaj has put up two wins and an overtime loss while starting three games in four nights since Price went down with a suspected groin injury.ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills have secured at least one half of their starting safety tandem after signing Aaron Williams to a four-year, $26 million contract extension Wednesday. A person with knowledge of the contract said Williams is guaranteed $14.625 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released by the Bills. The extension locks up Williams through 2018, and comes at a time when the Bills risk losing three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd, who is preparing to test free agency next week. "I told them I accept the role of leading this defence to where it used to be," Williams said. "Im just blessed that they gave me that opportunity, and they trusted me to be here long-term to get this team back to where it started." Williams, Buffalos second-round pick in the 2011 draft, was entering the final year of his contract. He was rewarded with the extension after successfully making the switch from cornerback to safety last season. In 14 games last year, Williams had a career-best 82 tackles and tied Byrd for the team lead with four interceptions. Overall, he has five interceptions and two forced fumbles in 34 career games. "Aaron is the type of young, core player we targeted early in the process to retain for years to come," general manager Doug Whaley said in a released statement. "We expect Aaron to continue to grow into a key contributor for the Bills organization.&quuot; The question is whether Williams will continue to develop alongside Byrd.dddddddddddd This week, the Bills decided against applying the franchise tag for a second consecutive year to retain Byrds rights, opening the door for the fifth-year player to test free agency on March 11. Williams is hoping the Bills can still reach a deal to re-sign Byrd, because the two established a solid on-field rapport last season. "If Jairus does come back, that would be the greatest thing ever, because our chemistry is unbelievable," Williams said. "If he doesnt come back, good luck to him. Were always going to be best friends. ... Well just have to move on and find another piece to try to replace his role." The Bills defence is undergoing another off-season change, with Jim Schwartz taking over as co-ordinator after Mike Pettine left to become the Cleveland Browns head coach. Schwartz has a similar aggressive defensive coaching philosophy, which is expected to ease the transition. "I feel real confident that nothing major is going to change," Williams said. "There might be a few things here and there, but I think team-wise, once we get all the pieces together we will be fine." The Bills also announced free-agent linebacker Jameel McClain had arrived in Buffalo to meet with team. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 245 pounds, McLain spent the past six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before being released by the team last week. ' ' '