Mike Brophy

Veteran hockey columnist Mike Brophy writes Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday on Sportsnet.ca and appears regularly on Hockeycentral.

Here are 10 things I'll be watching closely in the second half of the NHL season.

The fate of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

For all his loud talk about the style of hockey his Leafs were going to play, I don't see a distinct difference between GM Brian Burke's team and any of the Leafs teams from recent memory. The only big difference is they gave away two first-round draft picks to acquire Phil Kessel. With back-to-back losses in Edmonton and Calgary this past week, the Leafs have sunk to 28th overall, meaning there is a distinct chance the Boston Bruins could use the Leafs 2010 draft pick to choose first overall in June.

Ilya Kovalchuk's contract situation.

I suspect if the Thrashers continue to lose - they have dropped eight in a row - they will give in to Kovalchuk's contract demands just to appease their fans. In fact, it could happen as early as this week. There is no question Kovalchuk deserves to be one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, but will his contract cripple the team's ability to surround him with a supporting cast? Remember, with Kovalchuk, the Thrashers have made the playoffs only once, and even then they were eliminated in four straight.

Joe Thornton's quest to win the scoring title.

Big Joe is on pace to capture his second Art Ross Trophy, and in the process could become one of the lowest goal-scoring points leaders in NHL history. With 11 goals in 42 games, Thornton is on pace to score just 21 goals this season. That would be the fewest number of goals by a scoring champion since Ted Lindsay notched 23 in 69 games in 1949-50. Thornton had 29 in 2005-06 when he won his first scoring championship.

Ken Hitchcock's hold on being the most powerful person in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization.

Hitchcock was involved in the selection process when Scott Howson replaced Doug MacLean as the team's general manager, but as the Blue Jackets continue to lose and superstar Rick Nash continues to slump, you have to wonder about the coach's job security. Things had better turn around in a hurry.

Henrik Sedin's emergence as a scoring star.

With 19 goals in 42 games, Henrik is only three goals off his career best of 22 set last season. Known as more of a set-up man through the first seven years of his career, Henrik put more emphasis on goal-scoring late last season and it has carried over into this season. Defenders can no longer simply play him for the pass anymore.

The continued success of the Phoenix Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche.

Like many, I thought both teams would eventually slide back to the pack after their terrific start to the season. It hasn't happened, so I guess they are both for real. Of the two, the Coyotes are the biggest surprise. When your leading scorer has just 26 points in 43 games, you had better be a good defensive team, and that is exactly what coach Dave Tippett's group is.

Vincent Lecavalier's struggles.

With just nine goals in 41 games and none in his past five going into Monday, Lecavalier continues to play way below his usually very high standard. Given he is on the first year of an 11-year contract that pays him $10 million a season for the first seven years, he seriously needs to pick up his game if the Lightning are going to make the playoffs. They say he is playing better, but the numbers don't really support that.

Rob Schremp's emergence with the Islanders.

It took a while, but it is starting to look like the former OHL scoring champ is finding his way in the NHL. Because the Islanders are young and there aren't lofty expectations on the club, it seems like a good fit for a talented kid to spread his wings a bit. Nobody denies his talent; it is work ethic and commitment that will either make or break this guy's career.

John Tortorella's blood pressure.

The fiery New York Rangers coach went to the whip early in the year and now has backed off a bit. But you always know his blood is bubbling just below the surface and if his team doesn't develop some consistency soon, we could see a few more emotional outbursts from The Fonz.

The race for the Calder Trophy.

I think many assumed this was John Tavares' trophy to lose, and the Islanders' freshman is doing his best to hang on to the rookie scoring lead. That said, there are a number of excellent first-year players giving him a run for the money, including Matt Duchene of the Avalanche, Niclas Bergfors of the New Jersey Devils and James van Riemsdyk of the Flyers. At the end of the day it just may be big Buffalo defenceman, Tyler Myers, who is the best rookie. The kid has 22 points in 43 games and leads all rookies with 23:02 ice time per game.