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So what have we learned so far?

That Evgeny Malkin might as well receive the Calder Trophy today. That Central Division powers still get to pad their point totals in the league's weakest group. That Vancouver did ok on the Luongo-Bertuzzi deal (a steal, as predicted). That Wayne Gretzky is a pretty darn good coach and the bottom has completely fallen out in Philly. That the all-star game has become a complete travesty and that NHL guvs are greedily eying expansion but don't quite have the gumption to say so just yet.

Will the Leafs make the playoffs? Still possible, but increasingly doubtful.

Meanwhile, here's some awards at the all-star break:

MVP:

Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur. This is only close if Brodeur falters or if Sidney Crosby gets the Pens into the post-season.

TOP GOALIE:

Well, Brodeur. Honourable mention to Roberto Luongo, Mikka Kiprusoff and Kari Lehtonen.

TOP DEFENCEMAN:

This is a toughie if only because there are few legitimate candidates. The default position is always Detroit's Nik Lidstrom, but Scott Niedermayer is more dominant.

BEST COACH:

Hard to argue with Lindy Ruff. Who would have thought a grinder would produce the NHL's most exciting team. Honorable mention to Gretzky for hanging in there and to Bob Hartley in Atlanta.

BEST GM: Brian Burke was a tempting candidate a month ago, but just like in Vancouver, he appears to have again left himself vulnerable in goal.
Nobody ever mentions Doug Wilson, but his team is a nice mix of experience and youth, his payroll makes sense, the Sharks are deep in goal and he's not afraid to demote kids (Steve Bernier, Matt Carle) when they don't measure up.
So Wilson's the guy at the all-star break, with Nashville's David Poile coming on strong with a chance to make a difference before the trade deadline.

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