The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.

September 28, 2009

The Hockey News - Sep-28-09

<div class="byline">&#x2013; HERB ZURKOWSKY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-04534/9291103-1-eng-US/f0038-042.jpg" title="f0038-04" width="348" height="184"></div><h2><b>WHO KNOWS?</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>nyone who thinks they can accurately predict the Canadiens&rsquo; performance this season is dreaming in technicolor. Even GM Bob Gainey doesn&rsquo;t know what to expect.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-05430/9291096-1-eng-US/f0038-052.jpg" title="f0038-05" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GOMEZ: BRIAN BABINEAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Two years ago, the expectations in Montreal weren&rsquo;t high, yet the Habs finished first overall in the East. Last season, with the pressure on to take the next step in their centenary, they crashed and burned.</p><p>After a quick start last October (9-1-1), Montreal was only three games over .500 the rest of the way. By March, coach Guy Carbonneau was fired. The Habs finished eighth in the East, but were swept in the first round by Boston.</p><p>Faced with attempting to re-sign 11 unrestricted free agents, Gainey instead blew the team up, revamping the forward corps and blueline. The GM traded for playmaking center <b>Scott Gomez</b> from the Rangers, although the price was high &ndash; feisty winger Chris Higgins and a pair of prospects. Gainey then signed UFA forwards Mike Cammalleri and Brian Gionta, along with defensemen Hall Gill, Paul Mara and Jaroslav Spacek.</p><p>What does it all mean?</p><p>The Canadiens should be in the playoff picture with new coach Jacques Martin. And, if goalie Carey Price recaptures the form he displayed two seasons ago, they might even challenge for one of the top four berths in the conference.</p><p>But the Canadiens aren&rsquo;t big up front, especially on the top line. The defense, while larger and potentially tougher, won&rsquo;t be as mobile. The Canadiens will have to improve their offense while tightening up defensively. But the addition of Spacek, teamed with Markov, will bolster their power play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-06365/9291089-1-eng-US/f0038-062.jpg" title="f0038-06" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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NHL TEAM REPORTS

Montreal

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SEASON OPENER

2009-10 NHL Schedule

<div class="byline">with Adam Proteau</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-03798/9289872-1-eng-US/f0020-032.jpg" title="f0020-03" width="956" height="1441"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Brad Boyes and the Blues had an uphill battle to get into the playoffs last season.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(GLENN JAMES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011532/9289879-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="207" height="245"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HEN YOU COVER</b> a professional sports league that (a) has been known to rescind a player suspension for a dastardly act despite irrefutable video evidence; and, (b) still flirts with the idea of parachuting a franchise into Las Vegas &ndash; an <i>Operation Dumbo Drop</i> for the ages &ndash; it sometimes seems as if those in charge of said league are happy not only to play the fish and hop in the barrel, but to supply you with the Beretta and bullets as well.</p><p>So it goes with your dogged correspondent and the NHL. When it comes to ill-conceived concepts (the Brett Hull Memorial &ldquo;Skate in the Crease&rdquo; Rule, anyone?), no other sports collective can touch hockey&rsquo;s ultimate league.</p><p>If the NHL&rsquo;s past is any indication, we&rsquo;ll continue to see a steady stream of rotten ideas rolled out and rolled back.</p><p>However, as former THN senior writer Mike Brophy taught me, if you&rsquo;re going to rip somebody or some group for doing something wrong, you&rsquo;d best be prepared to praise them just as passionately when that person or group does something right.</p><p>With that in mind, I&rsquo;ve got to hold my nose and admit it: The NHL&rsquo;s three-point game system &ndash; a standings calculation process I loathe with all of my being &ndash; has been an overwhelming success.</p><p>I know, I know &ndash; esteemed, longtime THN contributor Jay Greenberg just wrote a great piece in our 2009-10 Yearbook that exposed the logical lapses involved with the three-point game setup, which awards the so-called &ldquo;loser point&rdquo; to a team that loses in overtime or a shootout.</p><p>The three-point system does a bang-up job of blurring the line between underachieving elite franchises and overachieving bottom-feeders. Its effect can be the (often unfair) difference between making and missing the playoffs; and, it has completely removed any pride a franchise can take from being a &ldquo;.500 team.&rdquo;</p><p>That&rsquo;s why I can&rsquo;t stand the three-point game &ndash; although I adore the shootout that makes the system necessary &ndash; and would much prefer an outcome that always features a two-point discrepancy between the winner and loser. How you achieve that goal &ndash; by awarding three points for a regulation win, or by eliminating the loser point &ndash; was never my primary concern.</p><p>Unfortunately, the argument against the three-point game is moot, for now and probably forever.</p><p>Because damned if the three-point game hasn&rsquo;t done exactly what it was intended to do &ndash; tighten the race to the NHL&rsquo;s post-season even more than the salary cap and talent parity already had.</p><p>Can anybody argue it has failed to do so?</p><p>Certainly not St. Louis Blues president John Davidson, who learned full well last season how the three-point game has made virtually every regular season matchup crucial to the championship cause.</p><p>&ldquo;The way the system works now is remarkable,&rdquo; Davidson said. &ldquo;If you look at where we were at the end of the calendar year (14-21-3), what our win-loss record was after that (27-10-7), and we still only barely got into the playoffs, you can see what an incredible grind it was.&rdquo;</p><p>Many in the hockey world have understood for a while that in the post-lockout NHL, a slow start to the season can all but snuff out a team&rsquo;s Cup contention chances.</p><p>But now, almost any slip or stretch of misfortune &ndash; a flu bug ravaging a team for a few weeks, or an injury sustained by a key player or two &ndash; at any point in the year can lead to an insurmountable challenge the rest of the way.</p><p>&ldquo;One bad month and you&rsquo;re in doggie doodoo,&rdquo; Davidson said. &ldquo;In the first week of last season, I got into the office one morning and said to (Blues vice-president of player personnel) Doug Armstrong, &lsquo;Hey, big night for us last night &ndash; three teams in our division lost.&rsquo;</p><p>&ldquo;He said, &lsquo;Jeez, you&rsquo;re watching the scoreboard already?&rsquo; But in the last week of the season, he came to me and said, &lsquo;Now I see what you were talking about.&rsquo; You have to play quality hockey right from the opening bell through the early spring. That&rsquo;s how close and tough things are today.&rdquo;</p><p>Any standings system that forces teams to go all-out from Games 1 through 82 &ndash; and that helps sell more regular season tickets in more marketplaces for a more extensive part of the season &ndash; can&rsquo;t be half as bad as anybody makes it out to be.</p><p>It definitely isn&rsquo;t ideal, but in case you began closely following the NHL at the start of this THN issue, I can assure you that very little in this league deserves that label.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="83" height="83"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>For Adam&rsquo;s web-exclusive <b>Screen Shots</b> column, visit <a href="http://THN.com">thn.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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NHL’S SYSTEM NOT A DOWNER

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ANSAR KHAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-04544/9290864-1-eng-US/f0036-042.jpg" title="f0036-04" width="350" height="185"></div><p><b>THE MOST</b> potent offense in the NHL bailed out the Red Wings on many nights when their defense and goaltending was lackluster last season.</p><p>They won&rsquo;t score as many goals this year, after losing Marian Hossa and Mikael Samuelsson due to salary cap constraints and Jiri Hudler to a lucrative deal in Russia. Newcomers Todd Bertuzzi and Jason Williams, and 26-year-old Finnish rookie Ville Leino, will help compensate. So will Dan Cleary and <b>Valtteri Filppula</b>, with more power play time. But for the Wings to make another Cup run, they must renew their commitment to team defense.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-05461/9290857-1-eng-US/f0036-052.jpg" title="f0036-05" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(FILPPULA: JIM MCISAAC/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Considering they ranked 19th in goals against and 25th in penalty killing, it&rsquo;s remarkable Detroit posted the third-best record in the league and advanced to Game 7 of the Cup final. It&rsquo;s unrealistic to expect similar success if they once again struggle to keep the puck out of their net during the regular season.</p><p>Detroit is accustomed to finishing in the top five in goals against and is capable of returning to that form. Goalie Chris Osgood experienced his worst regular season, but has shown in the past two post-seasons how strong he can be when focused and driven.</p><p>They also need a shot of energy after three straight long playoff runs. They should get it from Leino, Darren Helm and Jonathan Ericsson, players who spent most of the season in the minors due to the cap.</p><p>To forecast this team&rsquo;s demise would be premature. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are two of the best two-way forwards in the NHL. Even at age 39, Nicklas Lidstrom is showing few signs of decline. Other teams have narrowed the gap, but the Wings are still a powerhouse.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-06406/9290850-1-eng-US/f0036-062.jpg" title="f0036-06" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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Detroit

<div class="byline">PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVE SANDFORD</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-012098/9289159-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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IN THIS ISSUE

Future Stars

<div class="byline">with Jason Kay</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-012114/9289204-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="713" height="604"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MARK WILSON)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>DESPITE PANICKED BLEATING</b> a few years ago of an imminent demise, Canada remains the world&rsquo;s pre-eminent hockey nation.</p><p>Its teams continue to win more than its share of international championships &ndash; men&rsquo;s, women&rsquo;s, junior and sledge &ndash; and its teenagers still comprise more than half of each NHL draft class. Invariably, at all of these tournaments, Canada is the team to beat.</p><p>Sure, it niggles that none of the country&rsquo;s six big-league franchises have captured the Stanley Cup for 16 years and counting. It&rsquo;s a curious drought that will extend to disheartening if it doesn&rsquo;t end in the next few years, assuming Calgary and Edmonton get proposed new buildings. If that transpires, it&rsquo;ll mean none of the six rinks that house the Canadian clubs will have direct ties to a Cup champ.</p><p>Vancouver, from our vantage point, has the best chance this season of preventing that scenario from becoming reality. Senior writer Ken Campbell examines this season&rsquo;s Canucks in our cover story, paying particularly close attention to their superstar goaltender Roberto Luongo and the role he&rsquo;ll need to play.</p><p>Of course, the natives will rationalize the dry spell, blaming it on the dearth of teams north of the border, the struggling dollar in the 1990s and early 2000s and poor franchise management. They may even say they don&rsquo;t care about the landing place for the Cup; that the composition of all teams is so diverse nowadays it doesn&rsquo;t matter in which country they play.</p><p>What they undeniably do care about is the Olympics. Winning all the other global events is pleasing, but secondary. The Winter Games, especially this year&rsquo;s edition in Vancouver (there&rsquo;s that word again), is paramount. The world is watching and it&rsquo;s an opportunity to prop up a shared, fragile, national self-esteem.</p><p>It&rsquo;s also perilous. The Olympic tournament is a short one, with virtually no margin for error. A hot goaltender, a deflected shot, a bad penalty call or a shootout loss can undermine the best of teams. The Olympics prove who&rsquo;s best in the moment, not who&rsquo;s supreme over an extended period.</p><p>On an intellectual level, we get that. We also understand performances by people we don&rsquo;t really know on a sheet of ice in British Columbia doesn&rsquo;t define who we are. But once that puck is dropped and anthems get played with feeling, none of that matters. Emotion overrides logic. And we wouldn&rsquo;t have it any other way.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021791/9289197-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="523" height="280"></div><h2><b>LISTEN UP!</b></h2><p><b>THE HOCKEY NEWS</b></p><p><b>RADIO SHOW</b></p><p><b>FRIDAYS 3-4 EST</b></p><p><b>XM 204</b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-031445/9289190-1-eng-US/f0004-032.jpg" title="f0004-03" width="185" height="72"></div><h2><b>NEXT ISSUE OCTOBER 12, 2009</b></h2><p>CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TO SUBSCRIBE: <b><a href="http://THN.com">thn.com</a></b> CONTACT US: <b><a href="mailto:editorial@thehockeynews.com">editorial@thehockeynews.com</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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A MATTER OF PRIDE

<div class="byline">Robert Oakley, Edmonton</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-03980/9289297-1-eng-US/f0005-032.jpg" title="f0005-03" width="252" height="251"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-021522/9289290-1-eng-US/f0005-022.jpg" title="f0005-02" width="888" height="940"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DAVE SANDFORD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>K</span>ris Letang&rsquo;s &lsquo;Summer Vacation&rsquo; in the Sept. 7 issue of THN highlights all that is wrong with many people&rsquo;s uneducated view of the environment.</p><p>The species of sharks, as a whole, are one of the most endangered carnivore groups on the planet, and the marine ecosystem is the most endangered on earth. Further, leaving remains in the water is considered baiting, a form of poaching, which is illegal.</p><p>There are deep-sea fishing practices that don&rsquo;t produce by-catch such as sharks. You&rsquo;d think Mr. Letang could afford to educate himself on those and avoid the risk of catching sharks.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0005-012101/9289283-1-eng-US/f0005-012.jpg" title="f0005-01" width="273" height="223"></div><h2><b>FREE SWAG!</b></h2><p>Each issue, we&rsquo;ll give a cool THN hat to the top letter.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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SHARK BAIT

<h2><b>BLACK OUT</b></h2><p>Thank you DirecTV for deciding not to deal with Comcast and, therefore, to not carry Versus.</p><p>Now &ndash; as long as this drags out &ndash; not only will I miss six Devils games, but I will miss most playoff games as well. What a great thing to do with less than a month until the NHL season starts.</p><p>Let&rsquo;s see if you can make it right and return Versus to us before the season begins. In the meantime, thanks for breaking this hockey fan&rsquo;s heart.</p><p><b>Jean Sagarese, Mendham, N.J.</b></p><h2><b>LOVE HURTS</b></h2><p>In spite of everything that has happened in recent years, from the Todd Bertuzzi and Marty Mc-Sorley incidents on the ice and the lockout and the current mess that is the Phoenix Coyotes situation, I still love the game.</p><p>No matter what happens, I will love hockey. I am a fan of the game, so no matter what stupidity commissioner Gary Bettman and the owners commit off the ice and no matter what idiocy the players commit on it, I will still love hockey. I hope everyone still remembers why they loved the sport so much in the first place, because it is, was, and always will be a great game.</p><p><b>Trevor Jones, London, Ont.</b></p><h2><b>OVIE LEADS AGAIN</b></h2><p>Alex Ovechkin wants to play in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia, no matter what. But the NHL has different plans. Ovechkin is willing to risk suspension to play in the Olympics in his home country, which is saying something to the NHL.</p><p>I am very glad that Ovechkin is stepping up to play in 2014. It would be like not letting Sidney Crosby or Vincent Lecavalier play in Vancouver in 2010.</p><p>I know most people think NHL players shouldn&rsquo;t play in the Olympics, but I disagree. It&rsquo;s a two-week period that fans get every four years to see the most dominant players in the world come together in one tournament.</p><p>Even though my Tampa Bay Lightning hate playing the Capitals, I still love to watch Ovie play. So to hear him step up and say he wants to play just shows that Ovechkin is setting the example once again.</p><p><b>Jordan Philbert, Sherbrooke, Que.</b></p><h2><b>WORTH THE MONEY</b></h2><p>Regarding Ken Campbell&rsquo;s <i>In the Slot</i> in the Sept. 7 edition of THN: While minor hockey can be very expensive, there are gains involved worth far more than the money spent to play.</p><p>Young players make a lot of friends and learn valuable life lessons through hockey. My parents spent a good chunk of money on my minor hockey career and they wouldn&rsquo;t change anything.</p><p>Where would the NHL be today if Jarome Iginla&rsquo;s or Vincent Lecavalier&rsquo;s parents had invested their money into lottery tickets rather than their son&rsquo;s hockey career?</p><p><b>Kyle Fontaine, Humboldt, Sask.</b></p><h2><b>IN EUGENE&rsquo;S WORDS</b></h2><p>I don&rsquo;t want to be included in Eugene Melnyk&rsquo;s statement that Jim Balsillie has damaged all Canadians through comments he made in his quest to purchase the limping Phoenix Coyotes.</p><p>I am one Canadian who wishes the NHL&rsquo;s owners would stop being so childish and let Balsillie give them his multi-millions of dollars.</p><p>In return, Balsillie will move the failing Phoenix franchise to Hamilton. More NHL hockey in Southern Ontario sounds good to many Canadians!</p><p><b>Dave Dunnett, Woodstock, N.B.</b></p><h2><b>J.R. FOR PRESIDENT!</b></h2><p>After reading Adam Proteau&rsquo;s column on Jeremy Roenick, I am reminded what a class act and great ambassador for the game Roenick was. He was an entertainer, a spokesperson and a voice for the players. He stood up for what he believed in and I believe he would be a great addition to the NHLPA, a union in desperate need of leadership.</p><p><b>David Fanjoy, Burlington, Ont.</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

It would be like not letting Sidney Crosby or Vincent Lecavalier play in Vancouver

<div class="byline">with NIKLAS KRONWALL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-012339/9289335-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="562" height="677"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(KRONWALL: BILL SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>MATT BEKENDORF FROM MILLET, ALTA., ASKS <b>What is your favorite city to play in?</b></p><p>My favorite is Calgary. The fans are great and there&rsquo;s always a lot to do around the city.</p><p>JOSH JACKSON FROM STEVENSVILLE, ONT., ASKS <b>Who is the hardest player to play against and why?</b></p><p>Ryan Getzlaf. He is big and strong, so he&rsquo;s hard to knock off the puck and yet he has great hands.</p><p>SAM GORMAN FROM ANTIGONISH, N.S., ASKS&nbsp;<b>How do you know the perfect time to pinch and try to hit a forward coming up the boards?</b></p><p>The most important thing is to make sure you have someone covering for you before you decide to pinch, so you don&rsquo;t get caught and put your team in a bad situation with an odd-man rush the other way. As for the actual hit itself, it&rsquo;s all about timing.</p><p>RAFAL LADYSZ FROM WINDSOR,  ONT. ASKS&nbsp;<b>Of the Olympic gold, World Championship and Stanley Cup, which was the most meaningful to win?</b></p><p>The most meaningful for me was the Stanley Cup in 2008. You go through such a long grind, working day in and day out with the guys for so long. To be able to achieve your goal and share in something like that with the rest of your teammates was a feeling that I will never forget.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="87" height="87"></div><p><b>Visit <a href="http://TheHockeyNews.com">thehockeynews.com</a> for exclusive Q+A&rsquo;s in our &lsquo;Getting to Know&rsquo; feature</b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p></div>

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FAN SHOOTOUT

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-03922/9289373-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="708" height="646"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(LUONGO: RICH ARD LAM/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-021572/9289380-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="210" height="210"></div><p>Adam,</p><p class="dropcap"><span>I</span>&rsquo;m a big Canucks fan and I was wondering about your thoughts on the 12-year deal Roberto Luongo signed. Was it a great deal for a franchise goalie, or too long of a term?</p><p><b><i>Mike Ball, Chatham, Ont.</i></b></p><p>Mike,</p><p>With a couple of exceptions, I&rsquo;m not a fan of contract terms that extend into the double-digits, regardless of which star is agreeing to them. Remember, just three years ago, Rick DiPietro seemed like someone who was ready and able to play the entire length of the 15-year deal he signed with the Islanders. These days, I think the Isles would&rsquo;ve much preferred a five-or six-year pact. That&rsquo;s not to say the same fate will befall Luongo, but the lack of certainty in any player&rsquo;s future makes 12 years a big gamble for any team.</p><p>Adam,</p><p>What&rsquo;s the story with my Florida Panthers this year? We still don&rsquo;t have a permanent GM, Jay Bouwmeester ditched us and our biggest off-season addition is a tie between Steven Reinprecht, Jordan Leopold and Scott Clemmensen. It isn&rsquo;t going to be a good year for me, is it?</p><p><b><i>Derian D., Pompano Beach, Fla.</i></b></p><p>Derian,</p><p>I&rsquo;m afraid not. Florida will need Herculean efforts from Tomas Vokoun, Stephen Weiss, Nathan Horton and David Booth just to make the playoffs. Even then, it might not be enough.</p><p><b>SUBMIT YOUR BURNING QUESTIONS AT <a href="http://TheHockeyNews.com">thehockeynews.com</a></b></p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="87" height="87"></div><p>Need more of your questions answered? Read Proteau&rsquo;s <b>&lsquo;Ask Adam&rsquo;</b> column every Friday at <b><a href="http://TheHockeyNews.com">thehockeynews.com</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p></div>

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ASK Adam

<p>Which summer acquisition will have the biggest impact?</p><p><b>J. Bouwmeester, Cgy 22%</b></p><p>Marian Hossa, Chi 15%</p><p>Marian Gaborik, NYr 14%</p><p>Mike Cammalleri, Mtl 12%</p><p>N. Khabibulin, Edm 9%</p><p>Martin Havlat, Min 6%</p><p>Mike Komisarek, Mtl 6%</p><p>Alexei Kovalev, Ott 6%</p><p>Alex Tanguay, tb 5%</p><p>Mattias Ohlund, tb 4%</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-04580/9289418-1-eng-US/f0006-042.jpg" title="f0006-04" width="496" height="765"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BOUWMEESTER ELIOT J. SCHECHTER/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>SPIT IT OUT!</b></h2><h3><b>GET IT OFF YOUR CHEST</b></h3><p>SEND US AN E-MAIL</p><p><b><a href="mailto:letters@thehockeynews.com">letters@thehockeynews.com</a></b></p><p>OR LOG ON</p><p><b><a href="http://TheHockeyNews.com">thehockeynews.com</a></b></p><p>SENDUS SNAILMAIL</p><p>Letters, The Hockey News</p><p>25 Sheppard Ave. W., Suite 100</p><p>Toronto, ON., M2N 6S7, Canada</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="87" height="87"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>BONUS!</b></h2><p>All subscribers get exclusive access on <a href="http://TheHockeyNews.com">thehockeynews.com</a> to digital magazine archives!<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0006-04

POLL RESULTS

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JOHN GRIGG</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-021422/9289456-1-eng-US/f0007-022.jpg" title="f0007-02" width="272" height="255"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-012095/9289463-1-eng-US/f0007-012.jpg" title="f0007-01" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>STANLEY CUP</b></p><p><b>CHAMPIONS</b></p><p>10/40</p><p><b>2ND</b> Boston 9/40</p><p><b>3RD</b> Washington 4/40</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0007-03892/9289449-1-eng-US/f0007-032.jpg" title="f0007-03" width="2243" height="968"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>If THN&rsquo;s poll proves correct, Pittsburgh will repeat as Stanley Cup champions.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>NHL PREDICTIONS &rsquo;09-10</b></p><p><b>IT SEEMS THIS SEASON</b> the final result isn&rsquo;t so cut and dry. Last year in The Hockey News&rsquo; pre-season poll of our 30 NHL team correspondents, hockey journalists and THN staffers, a cool 50 percent picked the Detroit Red Wings to repeat as Stanley Cup champs. This year, nowhere near a majority of those polled selected the same squad to win it all. In fact, 12 different teams received votes.</p><p>However, our poll again produced an expected repeat champion, as 10 of the 40 hockey observers polled picked the Pittsburgh Penguins to bring Stanley home for a second time in two years. But, as Detroit proved last season, repeating is tough; since expansion in 1967, it&rsquo;s happened just seven times.</p><p>If Pittsburgh pulls off the feat next spring, the Pens will be just the fourth team to repeat twice in the expansion era; the others being the Canadiens and their back-to-back-to-back-to-back run to end the 1970s, the Islanders and their four-peat to begin the 1980s and the Oilers, who twice repeated in the second half of the &rsquo;80s.</p><p>Of the other teams receiving Cup votes, Boston finished a close second with nine and Washington finished third with four. Our cover team this issue, the Vancouver Canucks, received two votes.</p><p>As for the individual awards, there was at least some consensus in most of the categories. Most, but not all.</p><p>According to our voters, Washington&rsquo;s Alex Ovechkin will three-peat as winner of both the Rocket Richard and Hart Trophies. Prognostications topped out at Ovie netting 71 goals this season; and, if he were to win the Hart, it would be the first time since Wayne Gretzky won eight in succession from 1980 to &rsquo;87 that a player has captured as many as three in a row.</p><p>Vancouver&rsquo;s Roberto Luongo skated away as the easy favorite out of eight goalies receiving ballots to win the Vezina Trophy. Eight defensemen received Norris Trophy votes, of which Boston&rsquo;s Zdeno Chara garnered the most. Of the nine rookies who received Calder Trophy votes, the Islanders&rsquo; John Tavares earned nearly 50 percent of the support. Only five players were considered for the Art Ross Trophy, with Pittsburgh&rsquo;s Sidney Crosby anticipated to be the NHL scoring leader. And newly-minted Ranger Marian Gaborik won the comeback-player-of-the-year contest, one of 20 players to receive votes in the category. (See the next page for results.)<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0007-02

THE PENS, PART II

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-012234/9289536-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="277" height="363"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-09171/9289543-1-eng-US/f0008-092.jpg" title="f0008-09" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h3><b>HART TROPHY</b></h3><h2><b>ALEX OVECHKIN 23/40</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span> runaway pick as league MVP, Ovechkin netted 58 percent of the votes. Pens teammates Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin make for a nice 2-3 punch. Ryan Getzlaf and Henrik Zetterberg received the only other votes.</p><p><b>2ND</b> Sidney Crosby 12/40 | <b>3RD</b> Evgeni Malkin 3/40</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021693/9289529-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="277" height="355"></div><h3><b>ROCKET RICHARD TROPHY</b></h3><h2><b>ALEX OVECHKIN 37/40</b></h2><p>This category was a no-brainer &ndash; and, really, after averaging 55 goals in his first four NHL seasons, is there an argument any other way? Well, there are three, one each for Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin and Rick Nash.</p><p><b>T-2ND</b> Ilya Kovalchuk, Evgeni Malkin, Rick Nash 1/40</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-031189/9289522-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="277" height="361"></div><h3><b>VEZINA TROPHY</b></h3><h2><b>ROBERTO LUONGO 26/40</b></h2><p>Voters believe Luongo is due for a Vezina breakthrough. After runner-up pick Miikka Kiprusoff and four-time winner Martin Brodeur, sophomore Steve Mason and Henrik Lundqvist came in with two votes apiece.</p><p><b>2ND</b> Miikka Kiprusoff 4/40 | <b>3RD</b> Martin Brodeur 3/40</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04659/9289515-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg" title="f0008-04" width="277" height="354"></div><h3><b>ART ROSS TROPHY</b></h3><h2><b>SIDNEY CROSBY 17/40</b></h2><p>One voter predicted as many as 124 points for Crosby. After Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin, only two-way threat Pavel Datsyuk and former scoring champ Joe Thornton received a vote.</p><p><b>2ND</b> Evgeni Malkin 11/40 | <b>3RD</b> Alex Ovechkin 10/40</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05468/9289508-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="277" height="363"></div><h3><b>NORRIS TROPHY</b></h3><h2><b>ZDENO CHARA 20/40</b></h2><p>With six-time winner Nicklas Lidstrom on the downside of his career at age 38 (right?), voters picked Chara to repeat. Other than Mike Green, Lidstrom, Chris Pronger and Shea Weber, three other D-men received votes.</p><p><b>2ND</b> Mike Green 7/40 | <b>T-3RD</b> N. Lidstrom, C. Pronger, S. Weber 3/40</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-06354/9289501-1-eng-US/f0008-062.jpg" title="f0008-06" width="277" height="358"></div><h3><b>COMEBACK PLAYER</b></h3><h2><b>MARIAN GABORIK 8/40</b></h2><p>In the most wide-ranging category, the electric Gaborik came out ahead of Paul Kariya and Brenden Morrow. Others receiving multiple votes included Martin Brodeur, Daniel Briere, Erik Johnson and Vincent Lecavalier.</p><p><b>2ND</b> Paul Kariya 5/40 | <b>3RD</b> Brenden Morrow 4/40</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-07261/9289494-1-eng-US/f0008-072.jpg" title="f0008-07" width="277" height="359"></div><h3><b>CALDER TROPHY</b></h3><h2><b>JOHN TAVARES 18/40</b></h2><p>Tavares was another overwhelming pick, finishing ahead of fellow 2009 draftee Victor Hedman and elder statesman (in this category) Ville Leino. Nikita Filatov and Semyon Varlamov each received three votes.</p><p><b>2ND</b> Victor Hedman 7/40 | <b>3RD</b> Ville Leino 4/40<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-01

NHL PREDICTIONS ’09-10

<h2><b>5 FIVE</b></h2><p>Will the <b>Great Gainey Experiment</b> pay off in Montreal? Canadiens fans are merciless and expectations are high.</p><h2><b>4 FOUR</b></h2><p>Can <b>Ray Emery</b> prove to be a good teammate, regain his 2006-07 form and lead Philadelphia to the promised land?</p><h2><b>3 THREE</b></h2><p>Will <b>Canada&rsquo;s Stanley Cup drought</b> end? Vancouver and Calgary are the only likely contenders to make a nation smile.</p><h2><b>2 TWO</b></h2><p>Will <b>Detroit finally falter</b> as an NHL power? All the games have to catch up to the Wings sometime, don&rsquo;t they?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-08211/9289574-1-eng-US/f0008-082.jpg" title="f0008-08" width="740" height="599"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(AVERY: SCOTT LEVY/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>1 ONE</b></h2><p>Can <b>Sean Avery</b> and Rangers coach John Tortorella co-exist? The two combustibles may be too combustible.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-08

Starting from 5

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JOHN GRIGG</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0009-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-012008/9289605-1-eng-US/f0009-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Milan Lucic and the Bruins face off against the Flyers in the Winter Classic.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(SPORTS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0009-021398/9289612-1-eng-US/f0009-022.jpg" title="f0009-02" width="119" height="118"></div><p><b>&ldquo;LET&rsquo;S GET IT ON&rdquo;</b> is not only a famous Marvin Gaye tune, it&rsquo;s also a hockey mantra repeated every year around this time. And with it being an Olympic season, there&rsquo;s a lot more than normal going on.</p><p>It all kicks off Oct. 1 with four games, including a visit by the reigning Presidents&rsquo; Trophy winner, San Jose, to Colorado, where the retired Joe Sakic&rsquo;s No. 19 will be raised to the rafters. The next day, the NHL kicks off its European tour with games between Detroit and St. Louis in Stockholm and Chicago and Florida in Helsinki.</p><p>On Nov. 9, the Hockey Hall of Fame will welcome four new members: Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and builder Lou Lamoriello. Then on Jan. 1, 2010, the fourth installment of the Winter Classic will take place. This season the outdoor game will be played at Boston&rsquo;s Fenway Park, which will be celebrating its 98th year next summer, between the Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.</p><p>The most hotly-anticipated event of the season isn&rsquo;t a part of the NHL season at all &ndash; it&rsquo;s the 2010 Vancouver Olympic hockey tournament. The NHL will shut down for two weeks on Feb. 15 so the best-of-the-best can don their countries&rsquo; colors and vie for the title of Olympic champion, to be decided Feb. 28.</p><p>On March 1, NHL play resumes. Two days later comes one of the most interesting days of the season: the trade deadline. And with that much downtime during the Olympic break &ndash; and a roster freeze, to boot &ndash; there&rsquo;s sure to be a flurry of moves to give fans their fill.</p><p>The regular season wraps up April 11 and the post-season begins three days later. But before those two events transpire, there are a few others likely to happen.</p><p>A number of prominent players are set to reach some rather lofty career accomplishments this season:</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>&bull; New Jersey&rsquo;s Martin Brodeur needs just three shutouts to pass Terry Sawchuk&rsquo;s all-time record of 103. Expect that to happen sometime in late October or early November.</p><p>&bull; Detroit&rsquo;s Chris Osgood will add to his Hall of Fame argument when he records his 11th victory of the season, which will make him just the 10th netminder with 400 career wins. He also needs one shutout to reach 50 for his career, second amongst active goalies.</p><p>&bull; Edmonton&rsquo;s Nikolai Khabibulin, with his first victory of the season, will become the 24th goalie to reach 300 career wins.</p><p>&bull; Detroit&rsquo;s Nicklas Lidstrom needs three points to become the seventh defenseman to reach 1,000.</p><p>&bull; If Teemu Selanne can pot 21 goals this season, he&rsquo;ll become the 18th NHLer and just the third European (after Jari Kurri and Jaromir Jagr) to manage 600 for his career.</p><p>A couple of other ageless wonders are also set to hit career marks. New Jersey&rsquo;s Brendan Shanahan needs 12 goals to tie Luc Robitaille for 10th all-time with 688 &ndash; and the most among left wingers &ndash; while Boston&rsquo;s Mark Recchi needs 10 more games played to reach 1,500.</p><p>And assuming he stays healthy, St. Louis&rsquo; Paul Kariya will record his 400th career goal with his 12th tally of the season and his 1,000th career point will come with his the 54th of the season.</p><p>We don&rsquo;t know if any of the afore-mentioned will lift the Stanley Cup this spring, but if they do it will be on or before June 18, the last possible date the championship can be won.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0009-01

PRIMED AND READY

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-031013/9289650-1-eng-US/f0010-032.jpg" title="f0010-03" width="620" height="545"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-09153/9289657-1-eng-US/f0010-092.jpg" title="f0010-09" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>OLYMPIC</b>&nbsp;<b>TRACKER</b></h2><p>ROAD TO VANCOUVER 2010</p><p><b>CONSIDER IT A GIFT AND A CURSE.</b> Vancouver has the distinguished pleasure of hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics this February, but the Games&rsquo; hockey tournament has the potential to wreak havoc on the locals&rsquo; NHL team and subsequent post-season dreams.</p><p>The Canucks will have to break through not one but two nasty obstacles in their attempt to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history, both Olympic-based.</p><p>The most obvious one stems from the fact the team won&rsquo;t have access to GM Place during or leading up to the Games, meaning an eight-game road trip (beginning Jan. 30 in Toronto) before the Olympic break, followed by a six-game outing (starting in Columbus March 2) afterwards.</p><p>All in all, the Canucks will be outside their friendly home digs for a six-week stretch. On top of that, Vancouver&rsquo;s international cast of stars will likely be participating in the Olympics, meaning they&rsquo;ll get no break whatsoever. The Canucks will be one of the hardest-hit contenders by Olympic service. The Sedin twins, Roberto Luongo, Ryan Kesler, Pavol Demitra, Sami Salo, Christian Ehrhoff and Mikael Samuelsson will all likely suit up for their respective countries, while Alex Edler has an outside chance as well.</p><p>The only other contenders who can match that output are Detroit, Anaheim, Calgary and Pittsburgh.</p><p>The Penguins have fewer candidates, but check out the names: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Sergei Gonchar, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury are all team anchors, while Brooks Orpik and Ruslan Fedotenko also play key roles and have Olympic hopes.</p><p>Detroit, which always seems to get dinged by Olympic rosters, has at least nine players bound for international duty, including stars Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Lidstrom. Back in 2006, the Wings were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round after sending a bevy of players to the Turin Olympics, but in 2002, a break for Salt Lake posed no threat: Despite sending eight of their top 10 scorers, goalie Dominik Hasek and several other players to the Games, the Wings went on to win the Cup.</p><p>Of course, the Wings have now played in back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, losing the last one in seven games. All those extra contests tend to pile up, especially in a modern NHL featuring the biggest and strongest players ever.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-012202/9289643-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="1215" height="1031"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Ryan Kesler is one of as many as nine Canucks who will vie for Olympic gold.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(KESLER: JAMIE SQUIRE/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>On the other hand, if any team is poised to take advantage of the Olympic break, it&rsquo;s San Jose.</p><p>Loaded as the Sharks are, some of their best players are far from locks on international rosters. A glut of centers available to Team Canada means neither Joe Thornton nor Patrick Marleau are guaranteed spots, while youngsters such as Devin Setoguchi, Ryane Clowe and Marc-Edouard Vlasic are NHL-good, but not quite Olympic-good just yet.</p><p>Evgeni Nabokov will likely see time in the Russian net and Dan Boyle has a shot at the Canadian blueline, but compared to other teams in the West, the Sharks get off easy. Plus, San Jose comes off the Olympic break with a comfortable five-game homestand &ndash; and all five of the contests are against beatable competition.</p><p>In the East, Boston will get a bit of a break in that star center Marc Savard will likely be snubbed by Team Canada, while Patrice Bergeron will also be on the outside looking in. Goalie Tim Thomas will suit up for Team USA and defenseman Zdeno Chara will anchor Slovakia&rsquo;s blueline.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-03

CONTENDERS CAN’T SLEEP

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-021598/9289723-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="601" height="313"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ALEX OVECHKIN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(OVECHKIN: JOE SARGENT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-04705/9289716-1-eng-US/f0010-042.jpg" title="f0010-04" width="75" height="74"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>+ 50 MORE?</b></h2><p>Capitals sniper <b>Alex Ovechkin</b> gunning to become first NHLer with three straight 50-goal seasons since John LeClair (1996-98).</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-05517/9289709-1-eng-US/f0010-052.jpg" title="f0010-05" width="75" height="74"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>+ GAME</b>&nbsp;<b>ON!</b></h2><p>It&rsquo;s time to drop the puck again and, given the high note that last season ended on, everybody should be jacked up.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-06386/9289702-1-eng-US/f0010-062.jpg" title="f0010-06" width="74" height="22"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>&ndash; SUMMER MESS</b></h2><p>The games can&rsquo;t begin soon enough after an off-season of bad headlines in Phoenix, Chicago and for the NHL Players&rsquo; Association.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-07271/9289695-1-eng-US/f0010-072.jpg" title="f0010-07" width="74" height="22"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>&ndash; ON</b>&nbsp;<b>TO TRIAL</b></h2><p>Jonathan Roy, son of Hall of Famer Patrick Roy, will stand trial for his role in a 2008 Quebec League brawl.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-08200/9289688-1-eng-US/f0010-082.jpg" title="f0010-08" width="75" height="74"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>+ SUPER</b>&nbsp;<b>GREG</b></h2><p>After 25 years on the ice and four more in the league office, Terry Gregson is tapped as the new director of officiating.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-02

Plus/Minus

<div class="byline">with Ken Campbell</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021682/9289768-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Sidney Crosby and his Pens are primed for a vigorous defense of the Cup.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-012150/9289775-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="207" height="245"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HEN WE LAST SAW THE NHL</b> in somewhere other than a court room, one of the truly elite players in the game was carrying the Stanley Cup off the ice after Game 7 of the final, and in the process Sidney Crosby became the youngest player in NHL history to captain his team to the promised land. Evgeni Malkin had just been named playoff MVP, Alex Ovechkin was otherworldly for two rounds and the general consensus was the post-season had been wildly entertaining.</p><p>Right around the same time, it was looking as though the NHL might just escape the worst of the economic downturn and the Canadian dollar continued to look robust, which is always a good sign in hockey.</p><p>For the first time in a long time, it looked as though the NHL wasn&rsquo;t taking it in the shorts. But being like the guy who continually beats himself with a hammer because it feels so good when he stops, the NHL couldn&rsquo;t help but expose itself to all manners of self-inflicted pain.</p><p>All of which is making most everyone wish they would just drop the puck and start the season already.</p><p>Listen, I love scandals and conspiracy theories as much as the next guy, but even I&rsquo;m beginning to tire of the constant soap operas that have done nothing but put to a screeching halt any momentum the league had going for it last spring.</p><p>As late September creeps towards October and we endure the final few days of pre-season games &ndash; contests which seem to serve no real purpose other than to make the owners more money &ndash; we can finally get to the real games and forget about the Phoenix Coyotes. We can stop scratching our heads and proposing theories on why the league would go to such lengths to keep a billionaire with a passion for hockey out of its ownership ranks and why if Jim Balsillie wants to be in the club so badly he continues to alienate everyone associated with the league.</p><p>Perhaps the real games will for a fleeting moment take our minds off the poor, oppressed players who thought it was necessary to dump their leader less than two years into his mandate. Maybe we can stop wondering how Dany Heatley could be such a tool. While we&rsquo;re at it, let&rsquo;s hope Patrick Kane and the promising Chicago Blackhawks get off to a rousing start, just so we don&rsquo;t have to hear everyone&rsquo;s 20 cents on why they&rsquo;re struggling. And what off-season would be complete without a former NHL owner being thrown in the slammer for eight years?</p><p>On the ice, though, the NHL has ample reason to hope that somehow the calendar finds a way to fast forward to Oct. 1 and the start of the regular season. That&rsquo;s because the five-and-half-month span from Day 1 of the 2009-10 season to the end of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver has the potential to provide some of the most compelling and exciting hockey we&rsquo;ve seen in years.</p><p>First of all, there&rsquo;s the lead-up to the Games, which might just be as good as the Olympics themselves. Watching some of the league&rsquo;s best players against the backdrop of essentially trying to make their respective Olympic teams has the potential to raise the level of play to dizzying heights.</p><p>Those who are in contention for spots know each time they step on the ice between now and Dec. 31, when the final rosters must be announced, it&rsquo;s another opportunity to prove they deserve to be on the ice for 10 days in Vancouver in February. And remember, these aren&rsquo;t your garden-variety third-liners here. These are the best players in the game, players who can do some pretty incredible things when they&rsquo;re so inspired.</p><p>And as much as the summer orientation camps were an indication of which players have the inside track for spots, the first three months of the season will largely determine who will be there. Joe Thornton might be on the outs in most peoples&rsquo; minds, but if he has 50 points by the time the Canadian side has to be picked, it will be impossible to keep him off the team.</p><p>Then there&rsquo;s the Olympics themselves, a tournament which seems to be getting stronger and more compelling with every one in which the NHL participates. Is there anyone out there who doesn&rsquo;t think the Vancouver Olympics, played by the best players in the world on a North American ice surface, have the potential to be some of the best hockey they&rsquo;ve ever seen? And as is the case with the league, parity has hit the international stage in a big way, thanks in large part to resurgences in Russia and Sweden that have made the two countries among the favorites.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-011913/9289761-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg" title="f0013-01" width="1626" height="801"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>While Olympic camps set the tone for berths, in-season play will decide them.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(MIKE RIDEWOOD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>CAN THE KINGS&rsquo; YOUNG CORE MAKE A RUN AT THE PLAYOFFS?</b></blockquote><p>Too bad that if the NHL has anything to say about it, this will be the last time the Olympics will be a best-on-best tournament. The league only got into this Olympic thing because it thought exposing its best players on the world stage would lead to a sustained bump in interest. But, alas, it has found that people who aren&rsquo;t terribly interested in hockey feel the same way most of us feel about rhythmic gymnastics and two-man luge &ndash; we care about it for two weeks once every four years and that&rsquo;s about it. Despite the fact the players and fans love the concept, the league has come to the conclusion it&rsquo;s not worth shutting down its season for two weeks.</p><p>But when you think about it, that&rsquo;s what has the potential to make this Olympics even more compelling. Knowing we&rsquo;ll have to wait another interminable period for a World Cup to see the best players go head-to-head again might make us cherish what we see more.</p><p>And we haven&rsquo;t even touched on the revamped Montreal Canadiens, the intriguing Calgary Flames or John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Cody Hodgson yet. Has anyone noticed that the once-maligned Central Division might be the best in hockey? Can the Los Angeles Kings and their promising core of young players make a run for the playoffs? Will the Washington Capitals parlay their status as the most exciting team in the NHL into some tangible success? Will Hilary Duff pull a Lauren Pronger and demand the Oilers trade Mike Comrie out of Edmonton?</p><p>Yes, there is much to anticipate this season, so let&rsquo;s drop the puck and get on with it.</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="83" height="83"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>For Ken&rsquo;s web-exclusive <b>Campbell&rsquo;s Cuts</b> column, visit <a href="http://THN.com">thn.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-02

DROP THE PUCK, WE’RE AMPED

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0016-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-011899/9289834-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BRIAN BABINEAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>THE ZDENO CHARA ERA</b> has begun and the 6-foot-9, 255-pound Bruins behemoth has the hardware to prove it.</p><p>As the reigning Norris Trophy winner and the showpiece of a Boston defense that gave up a league-low 190 goals last season, Chara commanded respect every time an opponent entered the Bruins&rsquo; zone and the veteran&rsquo;s brute strength and long wingspan made sure they didn&rsquo;t stick around very long thereafter.</p><p>Should anyone object, Chara will still drop the gloves, but finding a suitable dance partner for the gigantic son of an Olympic wrestler is becoming more difficult. Chara fought just three times last season and in at least two of the bouts, he was rushing to a teammate&rsquo;s defense. That is to say, no one <i>looks</i> for trouble with Boston&rsquo;s captain anymore; he finds them should he determine swift justice is required.</p><p>But Chara is imposing in many ways, not the least of which is his growing offensive acumen from the blueline. His 19 goals in 2008-09 were a career-best and his 50 points were just one shy of his personal high in that category (achieved in &rsquo;07-08). Not only that, but the threat of his point shot also helped defensive partner and power play buddy Dennis Wideman post his best NHL numbers and establish himself as a rising star in Boston.</p><p>If there is one area Chara can improve upon this season, it&rsquo;s how he fares in the playoffs. The B&rsquo;s clearly disappointed in getting euchred in the second round by the Carolina Hurricanes and while Chara was more effective than in his injury-plagued series against Montreal in &rsquo;07-08, his four points in 11 games weren&rsquo;t exactly overwhelming.</p><p>But for a player who comes from hard, working-class roots, seeing improvement again this year is pretty much a foregone conclusion.</p><p>Chara is the ultimate intimidator and if there were any remaining doubts about his wrath, just look to Montreal boutique clothiers Rated Rookies, who launched a pro-Habs T-shirt line last year. Their biggest seller? A black-and-gold number with a simple plea on the front: &ldquo;Die, Chara, Die.&rdquo;</p><p>Based on the way he humbles rivals on a consistent basis, the Bruins&rsquo; big Slovak should take it as a compliment.</p><h3><b>DEFENSEMEN</b></h3><p><b>No. 1</b></p><h2><b>Zdeno CHARA</b></h2><p>Boston Bruins</p><p>2. <b>NICKLAS LIDSTROM</b>, Detroit</p><p>3. <b>MIKE GREEN</b>, Washington</p><p>4. <b>CHRIS PRONGER</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>5. <b>ANDREI MARKOV</b>, Montreal</p><p>6. <b>SCOTT NIEDERMAYER</b>, Anaheim</p><p>7. <b>JAY BOUWMEESTER</b>, Calgary</p><p>8. <b>SHEA WEBER</b>, Nashville</p><p>9. <b>DUNCAN KEITH</b>, Chicago</p><p>10. <b>DION PHANEUF</b>, Calgary</p><p>11. <b>NIKLAS KRONWALL</b>, Detroit</p><p>12. <b>KIMMO TIMONEN</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>13. <b>DAN BOYLE</b>, San Jose</p><p>14. <b>DREW DOUGHTY</b>, Los Angeles</p><p>15. <b>BRIAN RAFALSKI</b>, Detroit</p><p>16. <b>BRENT SEABROOK</b>, Chicago</p><p>17. <b>BRENT BURNS</b>, Minnesota</p><p>18. <b>ROBYN REGEHR</b>, Calgary</p><p>19. <b>TOMAS KABERLE</b>, Toronto</p><p>20. <b>RYAN SUTER</b>, Nashville</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011775/9289827-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg" title="f0018-01" width="665" height="707"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(PARISE: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h3><b>LEFT WINGERS</b></h3><p><b>No. 2</b></p><h2><b>Zach PARISE</b></h2><p>New Jersey Devils</p><p><b>AT 25 YEARS OLD,</b> Zach Parise may be asked to carry the offense of not one, but two teams this season. The New Jersey Devils sniper, who broke out with 45 goals (third in the NHL) and 94 points (fifth) last season, also figures to be a top-line mainstay for Team USA at the Olympics in February.</p><p>&ldquo;I like this team, I like the talent we have,&rdquo; said Parise, who was talking about the U.S. Olympic club during a late-August gathering, but could&rsquo;ve just as easily been discussing the Devils. &ldquo;I like our goaltending. Sure, we don&rsquo;t have any Ovechkins or Malkins, but there are possibilities for offense from a lot of players.&rdquo;</p><p>An electrifying skater and puckhandler, Parise comes in at No. 2 &ndash; behind only Alex Ovechkin &ndash; among the league&rsquo;s surprisingly deep pool of left wingers.</p><p>1. <b>ALEX OVECHKIN</b>, Washington</p><p>2. <b>ZACH PARISE</b>, New Jersey</p><p>3. <b>ILYA KOVALCHUK</b>, Atlanta</p><p>4. <b>DANIEL SEDIN</b>, Vancouver</p><p>5. <b>RICK NASH</b>, Columbus</p><p>6. <b>ALEXANDER SEMIN</b>, Washington</p><p>7. <b>DANY HEATLEY</b>, Ottawa</p><p>8. <b>SIMON GAGNE</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>9. <b>THOMAS VANEK</b>, Buffalo</p><p>10. <b>BRENDEN MORROW</b>, Dallas</p><p>11. <b>MIKE CAMMALLERI</b>, Montreal</p><p>12. <b>PATRICK SHARP</b>, Chicago</p><p>13. <b>BOBBY RYAN</b>, Anaheim</p><p>14. <b>ALEXEI KOVALEV</b>, Ottawa</p><p>15. <b>RYAN MALONE</b>, Tampa Bay</p><p>16. <b>SCOTT HARTNELL</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>17. <b>DAVID BOOTH</b>, Florida</p><p>18. <b>MILAN LUCIC</b>, Boston</p><p>19. <b>ALEXANDER FROLOV</b>, Los Angeles</p><p>20. <b>J-P DUMONT</b>, Nashville</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-021341/9289820-1-eng-US/f0018-022.jpg" title="f0018-02" width="666" height="706"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(CARTER: LEN REDKOLES/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h3><b>CENTERS</b></h3><p><b>No. 8</b></p><h2><b>Jeff CARTER</b></h2><p>Philadelphia Flyers</p><p><b>THERE&rsquo;S NO SHORTAGE</b> of superstar centers in the NHL, from near-perfect 1-2 punches in Pittsburgh and Detroit to the likes of Ryan Getzlaf in Anaheim and Vincent Lecavalier in Tampa Bay. But the highest-scoring pivot in the league last season was none other than Philadelphia&rsquo;s Jeff Carter, whose 46 goals were second only to Ovechkin&rsquo;s 56.</p><p>Incredibly, Carter&rsquo;s career-best in major junior &ndash; during four OHL seasons with Sault Ste. Marie &ndash; was 36 goals. An effortless skater with a lightning-fast release and deadly accuracy, the 24-year-old Carter scored 34 times in his first 52 games last year &ndash; a 54-goal pace &ndash; and led the league with 12 game-winners. Carter (four) and fellow Flyers pivot Mike Richards (seven) also paced Philadelphia to an NHL-high 16 shorthanded goals.</p><p>1. <b>SIDNEY CROSBY</b>, Pittsburgh</p><p>2. <b>EVGENI MALKIN</b>, Pittsburgh</p><p>3. <b>PAVEL DATSYUK</b>, Detroit</p><p>4. <b>RYAN GETZLAF</b>, Anaheim</p><p>5. <b>ERIC STAAL</b>, Carolina</p><p>6. <b>HENRIK ZETTERBERG</b>, Detroit</p><p>7. <b>VINCENT LECAVALIER</b>, Tampa Bay</p><p>8. <b>JEFF CARTER</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>9. <b>JOE THORNTON</b>, San Jose</p><p>10. <b>HENRIK SEDIN</b>, Vancouver</p><p>11. <b>MARC SAVARD</b>, Boston</p><p>12. <b>MIKE RICHARDS</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>13. <b>NICKLAS BACKSTROM</b>, Washington</p><p>14. <b>JASON SPEZZA</b>, Ottawa</p><p>15. <b>PATRICK MARLEAU</b>, San Jose</p><p>16. <b>JONATHAN TOEWS</b>, Chicago</p><p>17. <b>PAUL STASTNY</b>, Colorado</p><p>18. <b>MIKKO KOIVU</b>, Minnesota</p><p>19. <b>JASON ARNOTT</b>, Nashville</p><p>20. <b>STEVEN STAMKOS</b>, Tampa Bay</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-03971/9289813-1-eng-US/f0018-032.jpg" title="f0018-03" width="707" height="746"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(PERRY: DEBORA ROBINSON/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h3><b>RIGHT WINGERS</b></h3><p><b>No. 3</b></p><h2><b>Corey PERRY</b></h2><p>Anaheim Ducks</p><p><b>TOUGH AND TALENTED,</b> Anaheim&rsquo;s Corey Perry can play it any way you like.</p><p>The 24-year-old Duck relentlessly drives to the net regardless of the opposing goalie&rsquo;s objections, and he has the skill to play an in-tight finesse game, too. Perry was one of only three NHLers to score 30-plus goals (32) and collect more than 100 penalty minutes (109) last season, joining surprising St. Louis center David Backes and Philadelphia&rsquo;s gritty Scott Hartnell.</p><p>And the good news is, Perry&rsquo;s stock figures to keep rising. After scoring just nine times in his first 38 games last year, he fired 23 goals in his final 40 regular season contests, plus another eight goals in 13 playoff games. With Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan, Perry gives the Ducks one of the most dangerous lines in the league &ndash; whatever way you want to play it.</p><p>1. <b>JAROME IGINLA</b>, Calgary</p><p>2. <b>MARIAN HOSSA</b>, Chicago</p><p>3. <b>COREY PERRY</b>, Anaheim</p><p>4. <b>MARTIN ST-LOUIS</b>, Tampa Bay</p><p>5. <b>PATRICK KANE</b>, Chicago</p><p>6. <b>MARTIN HAVLAT</b>, Minnesota</p><p>7. <b>MARIAN GABORIK</b>, NY Rangers</p><p>8. <b>JOHAN FRANZEN</b>, Detroit</p><p>9. <b>ALES HEMSKY</b>, Edmonton</p><p>10. <b>SHANE DOAN</b>, Phoenix</p><p>11. <b>BRAD BOYES</b>, St. Louis</p><p>12. <b>PHIL KESSEL</b>, Boston</p><p>13. <b>JASON POMINVILLE</b>, Buffalo</p><p>14. <b>DANIEL ALFREDSSON</b>, Ottawa</p><p>15. <b>DANIEL BRIERE</b>, Philadelphia</p><p>16. <b>BRYAN LITTLE</b>, Atlanta</p><p>17. <b>MILAN HEJDUK</b>, Colorado</p><p>18. <b>LOUI ERIKSSON</b>, Dallas</p><p>19. <b>DUSTIN BROWN</b>, Los Angeles</p><p>20. <b>DEVIN SETOGUCHI</b>, San Jose</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011596/9289806-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="664" height="1342"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BACKSTROM: MIKE STOBE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h3><b>GOALIES</b></h3><p><b>No. 5</b></p><h2><b>N. BACKSTROM</b></h2><p>Minnesota Wild</p><p><b>ONE OF THESE DAYS,</b> Niklas Backstrom will start getting the respect he deserves.</p><p>That time might be approaching for the Minnesota goalie, as he received his first Vezina Trophy nomination last season &ndash; Backstrom garnered one first-place vote and finished third behind another pair of upstarts in Boston recipient Tim Thomas and Columbus rookie Steve Mason. Perennially near the top of the league in wins, goals-against average and save percentage since the Wild signed him as a free agent out of his native Finland in 2006, perhaps the 31-year-old has been overlooked due to Minnesota&rsquo;s defense-first style of play. With the Wild expected to open it up on offense this year under new coach Todd Richards, Backstrom should face &ndash; and deny &ndash; enough odd-man rushes to prove his worth.</p><p>1. <b>ROBERTO LUONGO</b>, Vancouver</p><p>2. <b>TIM THOMAS</b>, Boston</p><p>3. <b>MARTIN BRODEUR</b>, New Jersey</p><p>4. <b>HENRIK LUNDQVIST</b>, NY Rangers</p><p>5. <b>NIKLAS BACKSTROM</b>, Minnesota</p><p>6. <b>MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF</b>, Calgary</p><p>7. <b>MARC-ANDRE FLEURY</b>, Pittsburgh</p><p>8. <b>CAM WARD</b>, Carolina</p><p>9. <b>RYAN MILLER</b>, Buffalo</p><p>10. <b>STEVE MASON</b>, Columbus</p><p>11. <b>EVGENI NABOKOV</b>, San Jose</p><p>12. <b>TOMAS VOKOUN</b>, Florida</p><p>13. <b>NIKOLAI KHABIBULIN</b>, Edmonton</p><p>14. <b>PEKKA RINNE</b>, Nashville</p><p>15. <b>MARTY TURCO</b>, Dallas</p><p>16. <b>CHRIS MASON</b>, St. Louis</p><p>17. <b>CHRIS OSGOOD</b>, Detroit</p><p>18. <b>CAREY PRICE</b>, Montreal</p><p>19. <b>JONAS HILLER</b>, Anaheim</p><p>20. <b>VESA TOSKALA</b>, Toronto<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-01

THE BIGGEST, BADDEST BRUIN

<div class="byline">By Ken Campbell</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0022-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0022-011421/9289938-1-eng-US/f0022-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(OPENING SPREAD: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>F</span>or the Vancouver Canucks and those who follow them, there are two enduring images from the night of May 11, 2009, at the United Center, one that will go down in franchise lore as the night they were stabbed repeatedly by the Chelsea Dagger.</p><p>First, an explanation. &ldquo;Chelsea Dagger&rdquo; is a catchy tune by The Fratellis that the Chicago Blackhawks play after each goal. They played it seven times that night in Game 6 of their second-round series against the Canucks and the constant &ldquo;doo doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo,&rdquo; has never sounded so excruciating to the ears of those who live on Canada&rsquo;s west coast.</p><p>One image was franchise goalie and captain Roberto Luongo, his soiling of the bed stunningly complete after giving up at hat trick goal to Patrick Kane that put the Blackhawks ahead 7-5 with less than four minutes left. Facing a deluge of hats flying from the stands, Luongo lowered himself and took refuge by sitting in his net.</p><p>The other image is of Canucks GM Mike Gillis up in the Canucks box, looking pensively down at the ice while rubbing his chin.</p><p>To say Luongo has occasionally dwelled on what happened that night is fair comment. He just hasn&rsquo;t come up with any answers and probably never will.</p><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m still trying to pick it apart, to be honest with you,&rdquo; said Luongo four months later.</p><p>&ldquo;It took me a lot of time to get over that and I think personally I&rsquo;m over it, but you&rsquo;re still trying to figure out what happened and it&rsquo;s hard to explain. It&rsquo;s impossible to figure out what happened.&rdquo;</p><p>But for Gillis, no sooner had Kane stripped Steve Bernier of the puck and placed a backhand past Luongo between Shane O&rsquo;Brien&rsquo;s stick and his body that the wheels started turning. It was precisely at that moment Gillis decided the Canucks fell victim to a lot more than just a bad goaltending performance at the worst possible time.</p><p>&ldquo;We spent virtually no time reflecting on that,&rdquo; Gillis said, &ldquo;it was not mulled over at all. It was odd for me because sitting there at the end of that game, notwithstanding how disappointing it was, there was almost perfect clarity in where we needed to go as a team to get better. And we&rsquo;ve made some moves this summer that we think address the deficiencies that allowed that kind of a game to occur.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0024-011369/9289931-1-eng-US/f0024-012.jpg" title="f0024-01" width="1573" height="1338"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JONATHAN DANIEL/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote">ROBERTO LUONGO WAS CRESTFALLEN AFTER HE IMPLODED VERSUS CHICAGO IN THE PLAYOFFS</blockquote><p>The Canucks had absolutely no answer for Chicago&rsquo;s speed and very little ability to capitalize on the turnovers the young Blackhawks gave them. Gillis reckoned the Canucks needed to become faster and more offensive thrust from their defense corps. More than anything, he felt they needed capable, skating defensemen who can move the puck and provide a quick transition game.</p><p>Discuss amongst yourselves whether that particular goal was fully achieved by the off-season acquisitions of Christian Ehrhoff, Brad Lukowich and a 40-year-old Mathieu Schneider, but there is an undeniable good feeling around the team and the city. Much of that has to do with the fact the Olympics will be in Vancouver in February and Luongo stands a good chance of being Canada&rsquo;s No. 1 goalie, but more of it has to do with how Gillis kept the roster together for the long term rather than the tweaks he made to it.</p><p>And who wouldn&rsquo;t feel great about having the Sedin twins, good for 160-plus healthy games and 160 points a season, under contract for five more seasons? Who wouldn&rsquo;t be giddy at the prospect of having the best goalie in the world in the fold for the rest of his hockey-playing life? This young Cody Hodgson is looking very much like a player who has a long and productive career ahead of him and the Canucks went into camp with the enviable problem of having too many NHL-caliber defensemen on their roster.</p><p>Luongo has the opportunity to do something no NHL player has ever done before &ndash; win an Olympic gold medal in front of his own fans. There is, of course, the small matter of usurping Martin Brodeur to become Canada&rsquo;s No. 1 goalie and leading the Canadian team to a gold medal in what will be an enormously pressure-filled situation. Of course, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Mikael Samuelsson and Alex Edler (Sweden), Ryan Kesler (U.S.), Sami Salo (Finland), Pavol Demitra (Slovakia) and Ehrhoff (Germany) have a chance to do the same thing, which would add another level of hysteria to a hockey market that already hangs on all things Canuck.</p><p>But the prospect of the Canucks winning the gold medal in the Olympics and the Canucks going on an extended playoff run certainly has intriguing possibilities. Last season Vancouver was picked by most pundits to finish out of the playoffs and responded with 104 points and first place in what has become a decidedly ordinary Northwest Division. The Calgary Flames are expected to be the only Northwest team to give them a serious challenge this season, so the path is certainly there for them to set themselves up nicely for the playoffs. And who knows after that? At the very worst, the Canucks are in a group of about 10 legitimate Stanley Cup contenders this year.</p><p>And when you look at the long-term pieces they have in place on their roster, it&rsquo;s a position the Canucks might want to get used to occupying.</p><p>&ldquo;I think we have a lot of good things going on,&rdquo; Gillis said. &ldquo;I think we have a much deeper roster than a year ago. I think we have a stronger roster. We&rsquo;re confident that we have a strong team and we think we have all the elements.</p><p>&ldquo;We have offense and we have what we consider to be a very deep defense and what we consider to be the best goaltender in the league. Those are a lot of good features, but I&rsquo;m very hesitant to use that word (contender). I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;ve displayed that level of excellence yet.&rdquo;</p><p>The Canucks undoubtedly have a solid collection of skaters led by the Sedins, who have silenced their doubters in a big way &ndash; one of which, incidentally, might have been the GM himself. They have a very dependable defense corps, but what the Canucks lack is a dynamic, game-breaking kind of player, unless you include Luongo in that category. People generally don&rsquo;t buy tickets to watch goaltenders not named Dominik Hasek stop pucks, but there is little doubt Luongo has the ability to change the complexion of a game. But can a team win the Stanley Cup with the goaltender as its heartbeat? It certainly isn&rsquo;t unprecedented, but the post-lockout NHL has proven beyond a doubt that it is very difficult to win the big prize without several dimensions.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0025-011220/9289924-1-eng-US/f0025-012.jpg" title="f0025-01" width="1711" height="2387"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>ALEX BURROWS & DANIEL SEDIN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0026-011382/9289917-1-eng-US/f0026-012.jpg" title="f0026-01" width="2336" height="1652"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>HENRIK SEDIN</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>It also doesn&rsquo;t help that Luongo has been a notoriously slow starter throughout his career, a factor that will take on added importance this season given there will be so much scrutiny on his play prior to the Olympics. The Canadian brain trust has made it clear that past failures could be attributed to relying more on reputation and past exploits and that it will go with the goalie who is playing the best leading up to the Games.</p><p>&ldquo;A lot of people talk about that, but I usually only struggle for two or three weeks,&rdquo; Luongo said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not like I&rsquo;m struggling until Christmas and it&rsquo;s not a big deal to me. But this year, I was on the ice two weeks earlier than I usually am, so leading into training camp, it will be seven weeks already I&rsquo;ve been on the ice. I&rsquo;m hoping to have a better start to the year, but the reality is that it&rsquo;s an 82-game schedule and you&rsquo;re going to have your ups and your downs. I&rsquo;d rather have it at the beginning of the year than in February or March.&rdquo;</p><p>Then there&rsquo;s the matter of the Olympics and the toll it will take on the Canucks. The team could have as many as nine players taking part in the Games, but the real concern will be that they won&rsquo;t set foot in their home rink basically from Jan. 28 until the Olympics and Paralympics end in mid-March. That means they&rsquo;ll go 44 straight days without parking at GM Place with an eight-game road trip prior to the Olympic break and a six-game trek afterward.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">WITH HENRIK SEDIN, BROTHER DANIEL AND LUONGO, VANCOUVER&rsquo;S NUCLEUS IS IN PLACE</blockquote><p>To be sure, the Canucks are in a better place now than they were when Gillis took over in the summer of 2008.</p><p>Ravaged by injuries, the Canucks failed to make the playoffs in 2007-08 and the lack of success cost former GM Dave Nonis his job. The reality is much of the success of the Canucks can be traced back to what Nonis put into place &ndash; he actually got Luongo for Todd Bertuzzi and hired coach Alain Vigneault &ndash; but Gillis can certainly be credited for not only not messing up a good thing, but building upon what the Canucks had in place.</p><p>Gillis, a former player agent who was a tough negotiator on behalf of his clients, didn&rsquo;t make many allies when it was perceived that he besmirched the work of Nonis by saying the team &ldquo;wasn&rsquo;t close to contending&rdquo; and saying he didn&rsquo;t know whether the Sedins would be front-line players going forward. When he speculated on the future of Vigneault, he said, &ldquo;Coaches handle the assets they&rsquo;ve been given. The assets here were lean at times.&rdquo;</p><p>He followed that up by saying, &ldquo;A couple of very good decisions, or a couple of really bold decisions, might put this team in a position to win immediately.&rdquo;</p><p>Those loyal to Nonis and critical of Gillis would contend he hasn&rsquo;t made too many of those. He landed Mats Sundin, but his on-ice moves prior to this summer included getting Ryan Johnson, Bernier, Kyle Wellwood, O&rsquo;Brien, Darcy Hordichuk and an underachieving Demitra.</p><p>And he got very lucky on two counts. First, Gillis has profited from Nonis&rsquo; insistence on keeping the Sedin twins as well as the former GM&rsquo;s unwillingness to deal Kesler, Edler, highly touted goaltending prospect Cory Schneider and a first-round pick to Tampa Bay for a $7.8-million Brad Richards at the 2008 trade deadline, two non-moves that went a long way toward him being unemployed. But Gillis really hit the jackpot when he offered Mats Sundin a two-year deal at $10 million per season and Sundin only took one.</p><p>And the owners love him and the job he&rsquo;s doing, so much so that when president-CEO Chris Zimmerman left the organization after last season, they added president to Gillis&rsquo; title. The brothers Aquilini &ndash; front man Francesco and younger siblings Paolo and Roberto &ndash; have taken their considerable wealth (net worth of about $5 billion according to reports) from commercial and residential real estate and have put much of it into their hockey team.</p><p>They&rsquo;re the kinds of owners guys such as Nashville GM David Poile dream about ing. Gillis has the kind of financial latitude never afforded Nonis or Brian Burke &ndash; who hav-also presided over continual sellout crowds - but there is no disputing he has spent the Aquilinis&rsquo; money wisely. The Sedins were each looking for Henrik Zetterberg money, terms of 12 years and $64 million, and Gillis stared them down before giving them five years. Getting Luongo for a cap hit of $5.3 million was a creative use of the loopholes in the collective bargaining agreement and if Alexandre Burrows continues his trajectory, he&rsquo;ll be a bargain at $2 million.</p><p>Critics contend Gillis has done little more than spend the owners&rsquo; money, but he has done so realizing that while you can spend a finite amount on players, there&rsquo;s nothing in the collective bargaining-agreement that prevents a GM from unlimited spending in other areas of the organization.</p><p>And he and the Aquilinis have done just that. By the time the Canucks take up residence in GM Place this season, they&rsquo;ll do so in a dressing room area that will have between $3 million and $5 million in upgrades and will be one of the best in the league. (By the way, Canada gets the Canucks&rsquo; dressing room for the duration of the Games as the host country. Dressing room selection then goes by world ranking, meaning Russia will pick second.)</p><p>He has made some very good hires, including assistant GM Laurence Gilman, who has been key on the contract front; Lorne Henning in player personnel; and, Dave Gagner in player development. At one point last season, the Canucks had five players in the minors on one-way contracts and going into camp this year about $2 million over the salary cap, they&rsquo;ll likely send Lukowich there, a price they were willing to pay to get the upgrade on defense Ehrhoff gives them.</p><p>Gillis has paid consultants for advice on everything from sleep and rest patterns to psychological assessments for draft prospects. And every Canuck can theoretically show up at the rink and have all three meals for that day prepared by the team&rsquo;s chef. If a player arrives early for practice, breakfast is ready for him. After practice he can have the lunch of his choice and can also have his dinner packed up for him before he leaves the rink.</p><p>&ldquo;It just allows the young guys who are tired a lot of the time to be able to control their intake the right way without having to work too hard to do it,&rdquo; Gillis said. &ldquo;For certain guys (such as Wellwood and Bernier, players known to be on team nutritional regiments), it&rsquo;s a little more mandatory.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0027-011299/9289910-1-eng-US/f0027-012.jpg" title="f0027-01" width="1575" height="1654"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>RYAN KESLER blossomed as a scoring and checking forward last season.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The result is the Canucks have now become a desired destination in the NHL among players, a number of whom approached the team over the summer willing to take a pay cut to play there. And of the players the Canucks resigned, they did so for reasonable contracts by NHL standards. In fact, there&rsquo;s not a contract on the Canucks that could be considered completely out of whack, with the possible exception of Demitra at $4 million.</p><p>To his credit, Gillis acknowledges that he is fortunate to have owners who stand behind him so steadfastly. There&rsquo;s little doubt the Aquilinis took a leap of faith handing the job to Gillis, a man of solid credentials, but zero front-office experience. The former player who took on the dictatorial Alan Eagleson and won over an insurance payment went on to get his law degree and built up a solid player representation agency in Kingston, Ont., while teaching sports law at Queen&rsquo;s University. But before taking over the Canucks, Gillis was running a business with two employees out of his house.</p><p>&ldquo;The Aquilinis have given me an unprecedented budget to look into every area of competitiveness we can look into,&rdquo; Gillis said. &ldquo;I had an amazing opportunity to design this the way I wanted with the resources behind me. I&rsquo;m not sure if other people are afforded this kind of opportunity. The Aquilinis have been totally supportive of every concept I&rsquo;ve brought to them. Some of them aren&rsquo;t going to work, others will, but you don&rsquo;t learn if you don&rsquo;t try.&rdquo;</p><p>Perhaps the Canucks will make a deep run into the playoffs this season, but they could lose in the first round. Either way, there is little doubt the franchise has positioned itself to be a long-term player, which is about as much as anyone can ask for in today&rsquo;s NHL.</p><p>&ldquo;He has rubbed people the wrong way sometimes and he&rsquo;s a little cocky, but I like him and I like the job he has done,&rdquo; said one NHL GM of Gillis. &ldquo;He went eyeball-to-eyeball with the Sedins and he was pretty creative with Luongo. It looks to me like he&rsquo;s building a program for the long haul.&rdquo;</p><p>For his part, Luongo sometimes allows himself to think about the possibility of winning an Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup on GM Place ice in the same year. The odds, quite frankly, have to be against a confluence of events like that, but a guy can still dream.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s hard not to because it&rsquo;s all anybody talks about in Vancouver,&rdquo; Luongo said. &ldquo;As long as you&rsquo;re playing, anything can happen. I&rsquo;m not saying it&rsquo;s going to, but if it did it would be a pretty damn good year, right?&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0022-01

Those CRAZY CANUCKS

<h2><b>1. BOSTON BRUINS</b></h2><p>Veteran stars at every position and an abundance of talented young forwards</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-03724/9290105-1-eng-US/f0028-032.jpg" title="f0028-03" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>2. WASHINGTON CAPITALS</b></h2><p>Ovechkin&rsquo;s team will always score; it&rsquo;s their own-zone play that will tell the tale</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-04527/9290098-1-eng-US/f0028-042.jpg" title="f0028-04" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>3. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS</b></h2><p>Next step is franchise evolution from Stanley Cup champion to dynasty team</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-05414/9290091-1-eng-US/f0028-052.jpg" title="f0028-05" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>4. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS</b></h2><p>Last two times Pronger switched sweaters, his new club ended up in Cup final</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-06362/9290084-1-eng-US/f0028-062.jpg" title="f0028-06" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>5. NEW JERSEY DEVILS</b></h2><p>You can always pencil them into the playoffs, but recent exits have been early</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-07305/9290077-1-eng-US/f0028-072.jpg" title="f0028-07" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>6. CAROLINA HURRICANES</b></h2><p>Underrated and overlooked, the Canes are carried by Staal and goalie Ward</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-08256/9290070-1-eng-US/f0028-082.jpg" title="f0028-08" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>7. BUFFALO SABRES</b></h2><p>Can&rsquo;t afford repeat of last year&rsquo;s second-half injuries to Vanek and Miller</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-09216/9290063-1-eng-US/f0028-092.jpg" title="f0028-09" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>8. MONTREAL CANADIENS</b></h2><p>Revamped Habs are skilled-but-small up front, with slow-but-steady &lsquo;D&rsquo;</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-10194/9290056-1-eng-US/f0028-102.jpg" title="f0028-10" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>9. OTTAWA SENATORS</b></h2><p>Two questions: Is there secondary scoring and is Leclaire the answer in net?</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-11175/9290049-1-eng-US/f0028-112.jpg" title="f0028-11" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>10. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING</b></h2><p>There&rsquo;s top-end talent in Tampa, but too much turnover and off-ice instability</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-12153/9290042-1-eng-US/f0028-122.jpg" title="f0028-12" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>11. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS</b></h2><p>Tough defense is Toronto&rsquo;s strength, but Leafs bereft of proven scorers</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-13139/9290035-1-eng-US/f0028-132.jpg" title="f0028-13" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>12. FLORIDA PANTHERS</b></h2><p>Perennial playoff observers could surprise in Southeast. But chances are&hellip;</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-14122/9290028-1-eng-US/f0028-142.jpg" title="f0028-14" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>13. NEW YORK RANGERS</b></h2><p>A lot riding on Gaborik&rsquo;s health, which has rarely been a safe bet</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-15111/9290021-1-eng-US/f0028-152.jpg" title="f0028-15" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>14. ATLANTA THRASHERS</b></h2><p>For Kovalchuk&rsquo;s sake, Thrashers desperate for good-news season</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1689/9290014-1-eng-US/f0028-162.jpg" title="f0028-16" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>15. NEW YORK ISLANDERS</b></h2><p>Even if Tavares is the next Bossy, there&rsquo;s no Trottier, Potvin or Smith</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-1772/9290007-1-eng-US/f0028-172.jpg" title="f0028-17" width="97" height="75"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></div>

f0028-03

PROJECTED STANDINGS

<div class="byline">BY RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-011362/9289976-1-eng-US/f0028-012.jpg" title="f0028-01" width="412" height="297"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0028-02962/9289969-1-eng-US/f0028-022.jpg" title="f0028-02" width="1648" height="1627"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Look for Victor Hedman and John Tavares to jostle for Calder Trophy honors.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(DAVE SANDFORD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE LOOK ON VICTOR HEDMAN&rsquo;S</b> face when the subject of new Tampa Bay teammate Mattias Ohlund comes up is priceless. You have to tilt your head way up to see it, but the 6-foot-6 rookie defenseman is very pleased.</p><p>&ldquo;For me, it feels good to have a fellow countryman on the team,&rdquo; said Hedman of the veteran Swede. &ldquo;He makes the team better as soon as he steps on the ice.&rdquo;</p><p>Not only does Ohlund bring his own play to the table, but he will also elevate Hedman&rsquo;s game, much in the same way veteran Mattias Timander helped Hedman with Sweden&rsquo;s Modo team last season.</p><p>As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2009 draft, there are big expectations for Hedman, whose combination of size, skating and puckhandling ability will make him a difficult beast to contain. And with the additions of Ohlund, Kurtis Foster, Matt Walker and David Hale, the Bolts now have plenty of options &ndash; and finally, some depth &ndash; on the blueline, meaning Hedman won&rsquo;t have to carry the weight on his newbie shoulders. Nonetheless, he&rsquo;s been going up against full-grown men for a couple of years in Sweden&rsquo;s top circuit, so stage fright shouldn&rsquo;t be an issue. Last season, Hedman collected seven goals and 21 points in 43 games &ndash; and he didn&rsquo;t turn 18 until December.</p><p>With 220 pounds on his frame, Hedman already has bulk, but spent the summer following a special exercise program given to him by the Lightning. Entering his first NHL campaign, the superb Swede is feeling good.</p><p>&ldquo;It feels like I&rsquo;m very fit,&rdquo; Hedman said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been preparing myself and my body for it and I&rsquo;ve been on the ice since the last week of July, so I feel like I&rsquo;m ready for it.&rdquo;</p><p>The question is, are opposing NHL teams ready for a towering puck-mover barreling towards them with confidence, especially with players such as Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St-Louis and Steven Stamkos on the receiving end of those passes?</p><p>While Hedman is one of the pre-season favorites to earn the Calder Trophy, he&rsquo;s certainly not the only rookie in the East with promise:</p><p><b>JOHN TAVARES, C, NY ISLANDERS</b> Tavares didn&rsquo;t get as much help in the offseason as Hedman did in the personnel department, but the Ontario League phenom has been chatting with new teammates such as Doug Weight and Mark Streit as he prepares for his debut on Long Island. A goal-scoring machine in junior, Tavares will form the nucleus of a young Isles core that also includes Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey.</p><p><b>EVANDER KANE, C, ATLANTA</b> The Thrashers need help down the middle and if his performance at the Traverse City, Mich., rookie tournament is any indication, Kane is destined for Blueland &ndash; and quickly. The powerful pivot showed his gritty side at the world junior and that flexibility will make him a tremendous asset for years to come.</p><p><b>JONAS GUSTAVSSON, G, TORONTO</b> The Swedish netminder known as &lsquo;The Monster&rsquo; became an instant legend back home thanks to an unconscious run to a Swedish League title last year, and his play at a pre-season rookie tournament in Kitchener, Ont., proved he&rsquo;s ready to pick up where he left off. With starter Vesa Toskala looking for a bounce-back season, Gustavsson will get an opportunity in Hogtown.</p><p>But the Calder isn&rsquo;t necessarily destined for the East. In the West, Colorado&rsquo;s speedy Matt Duchene brings a solid two-way game and elite skill to a team that, suddenly, badly needs a No. 2 center. Nikita Filatov was outstanding in his first pro season stateside, but he&rsquo;s looking to trade in AHL buses for NHL flights and use his dynamic offensive skills to dazzle Jackets fans. In Nashville, a freight train named Colin Wilson is getting revved up after winning a national title with the NCAA&rsquo;s Boston Terriers. And Vancouver&rsquo;s Cody Hodgson is an all-around center on the verge of big things.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0028-01

HEDMAN READY FOR TAMPA, NHL

<h2><b>POINTS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-011208/9290150-1-eng-US/f0029-012.jpg" title="f0029-01" width="101" height="122"></div><p><b>132 &ndash; TEEMU SELANNE</b>, Winnipeg, 1992-93</p><p>109 &ndash; Peter Stastny, Quebec, 1980-81</p><p>106 &ndash; Alex Ovechkin, Washington, 2005-06</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>GOALS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-02827/9290143-1-eng-US/f0029-022.jpg" title="f0029-02" width="97" height="119"></div><p><b>76 &ndash; TEEMU SELANNE</b>, Winnipeg, 1992-93</p><p>53 &ndash; Mike Bossy, NY Islanders, 1977-78</p><p>52 &ndash; Alex Ovechkin, Washington, 2005-06</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>ASSISTS</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0029-03591/9290136-1-eng-US/f0029-032.jpg" title="f0029-03" width="97" height="123"></div><p><b>70 &ndash; PETER STASTNY</b>, Quebec, 1980-81</p><p>70 &ndash; Joe Juneau, Boston, 1992-93</p><p>63 &ndash; Bryan Trottier, NY Islanders, 1975-76</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>DEFENSEMEN ROOKIE RECORDS</b></h2><p><b>POINTS</b> 76 &ndash; LARRY MURPHY, Los Angeles, 1980-81</p><p><b>GOALS</b> 23 &ndash; BRIAN LEETCH, NY Rangers, 1988-89</p><p><b>ASSISTS</b> 60 &ndash; LARRY MURPHY, Los Angeles, 1980-81<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0029-01

ROOKIE SCORING RECORDS

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1668/9290261-1-eng-US/f0030-162.jpg" title="f0030-16" width="351" height="184"></div><h2><b>1. SAN JOSE SHARKS</b></h2><p>Problem is, all that regular season success has resulted in playoff disappointment</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-02935/9290310-1-eng-US/f0030-022.jpg" title="f0030-02" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>2. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS</b></h2><p>Too far, too fast? Maybe, but emergent young team has all the pieces</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-03681/9290303-1-eng-US/f0030-032.jpg" title="f0030-03" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>3. VANCOUVER CANUCKS</b></h2><p>Anything is possible when you have the world&rsquo;s best goaltender</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-04504/9290296-1-eng-US/f0030-042.jpg" title="f0030-04" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>4. DETROIT RED WINGS</b></h2><p>Perpetual NHL powerhouse suffered off-season exodus &ndash; but don&rsquo;t count them out</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-05387/9290289-1-eng-US/f0030-052.jpg" title="f0030-05" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>5. CALGARY FLAMES</b></h2><p>Tantalizing defense corps in front of Kiprusoff, but offense thins after Iginla</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-06319/9290282-1-eng-US/f0030-062.jpg" title="f0030-06" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>6. ANAHEIM DUCKS</b></h2><p>Ducks boast blueline linchpin in Niedermayer and top-flight first line</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-07256/9290275-1-eng-US/f0030-072.jpg" title="f0030-07" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>7. DALLAS STARS</b></h2><p>Determined to rebound after last year and give Modano a proper send-off</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-08211/9290268-1-eng-US/f0030-082.jpg" title="f0030-08" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>8. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS</b></h2><p>Slow-starting franchise is finally built for the long haul with Nash and Co.</p><h2><b>9. ST. LOUIS BLUES</b></h2><p>Improving young team stuck in toughest conference&rsquo;s toughest division</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-09174/9290254-1-eng-US/f0030-092.jpg" title="f0030-09" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>10. NASHVILLE PREDATORS</b></h2><p>Always competitive, but cash-strapped club needs more big guns up front</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-10151/9290247-1-eng-US/f0030-102.jpg" title="f0030-10" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>11. EDMONTON OILERS</b></h2><p>Stalled youth movement must kick in and complement lone star Hemsky</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-11126/9290240-1-eng-US/f0030-112.jpg" title="f0030-11" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>12. LOS ANGELES KINGS</b></h2><p>Kings are close, but too many kids to be counted as a contender just yet</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-12115/9290233-1-eng-US/f0030-122.jpg" title="f0030-12" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>13. MINNESOTA WILD</b></h2><p>New coach and GM means new era for team that has been defense-or-bust</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-13105/9290226-1-eng-US/f0030-132.jpg" title="f0030-13" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>14. COLORADO AVALANCHE</b></h2><p>Sakic&rsquo;s retirement and depleted roster means full-blown rebuild in effect</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1493/9290219-1-eng-US/f0030-142.jpg" title="f0030-14" width="97" height="75"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>15. PHOENIX COYOTES</b></h2><p>Maybe things weren&rsquo;t so bad in Winnipeg after all</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-1585/9290212-1-eng-US/f0030-152.jpg" title="f0030-15" width="97" height="75"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></div>

f0030-16

<div class="byline">BY ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0030-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0030-011372/9290181-1-eng-US/f0030-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Robyn Regehr says the entire Flames team must be better defensively.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(MICHAEL MARTIN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>L</span>IKE HIS FLAMES TEAMMATES</b> and Calgary&rsquo;s fans, veteran defenseman Robyn Regehr was buoyed by the team&rsquo;s off-season addition of Jay Bouwmeester.</p><p>But Regehr doesn&rsquo;t see the former cornerstone blueliner for the Florida Panthers &ndash; or for that matter, any other Flames player &ndash; as a can&rsquo;t-miss cure-all who single-handedly will solve the on-ice deficiencies of his organization.</p><p>&ldquo;We plan to be much better defensively as a team and I don&rsquo;t think that having any one of us on the ice is going to be the fix to what happened last year,&rdquo; said Regehr, who, along with Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf and Cory Sarich, comprises one of the best defense corps in the Western Conference, if not the entire league. Detroit and Philadelphia also boast big-time bluelines, but the upside in Calgary might be the most compelling.</p><p>&ldquo;We are expecting bigger things out of ourselves and the addition of Jay helps a lot,&rdquo; Regehr added. &ldquo;He was probably the top free agent available this year and bringing him in is very exciting. But if we want to improve, it&rsquo;s going to take all of us playing the same kind of hockey together.&rdquo;</p><p>The addition of Bouwmeester, who signed a five-year, $33-million contract extension with Calgary in late June after being acquired from Florida, hasn&rsquo;t caused Regehr to see his own ice time suffering a significant decrease. However, Regehr believes Bouwmeester&rsquo;s versatility will benefit Phaneuf, who averaged a team-high 26 minutes &ndash; more than four minutes higher than the next-most-deployed Flame &ndash; last season.</p><p>&ldquo;If I play around the 21-or 22-minute mark, I can play effectively and I&rsquo;m happy with that,&rdquo; said Regehr, who has averaged more than 21 minutes per game over the past four seasons.</p><p>&ldquo;With Dion, it&rsquo;s a bit different. I think he was overused a little bit last year, he&rsquo;d get tired some games and it affected him a little bit. So I think Jay is really going to help us with that situation.&rdquo;</p><p>Fact is, the all-around Bouwmeester will help Calgary in all situations. And while he&rsquo;s still unproven in the playoffs &ndash; having never seen the NHL post-season during six seasons in Florida &ndash; there&rsquo;s little doubt his skating, physical play and pin-point passing will be a huge boost. And although he didn&rsquo;t see much of Calgary while playing in the Eastern Conference his entire career, Bouwmeester has a sincere appreciation for his new co-workers on the Flames blueline.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not going to score a whole bunch of points or anything, but he&rsquo;s a real good competitive guy, a hard guy to play against,&rdquo; Bouwmeester said of Regehr during the summer. &ldquo;As a defenseman, that&rsquo;s pretty much your No. 1 priority, to be good defensively. And I think he&rsquo;s the guy that epitomizes that.&rdquo;</p><p>Regehr believes the presence of Bouwmeester &ndash; and, more importantly, the improved team defense concept that new coach Brent Sutter will insist upon &ndash; will take some of the load off the back of heavily utilized goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff.</p><p>Not that Regehr believes Kiprusoff &ndash; a Vezina Trophy-winning netminder in 2006 who posted 45 victories for Calgary last season &ndash; required much assistance in the first place.</p><p>&ldquo;If you look at the last couple years, our goals-against as a team has crept up, yet within that, Miikka still managed to put up the big numbers even though his personal numbers crept up,&rdquo; Regehr said of Kiprusoff, whose goals-against average has risen &ndash; and whose save percentage has plummeted &ndash; in each of the past three regular seasons.</p><p>&ldquo;I think the only reason for that isn&rsquo;t because Miikka changed things,&rdquo; Regehr said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s because we as a team got away from playing good defense together in front of him.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0030-01

BOUWMEESTER NO CURE-ALL

<h2><b>1 DETROIT</b></h2><p>Young stud Ericsson joins Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall and Stuart to comprise multi-talented blueline crew.</p><h2><b>2 PHILADELPHIA</b></h2><p>Pronger, Timonen, Coburn and Parent can kill with skill or out-muscle virtually any opponent.</p><h2><b>3 CALGARY</b></h2><p>Acquisition of Bouwmeester and continued steady play from Regehr will take pressure off Phaneuf.</p><h2><b>4 SAN JOSE</b></h2><p>Finesse of Boyle, Blake and Vlasic offset nicely by snarl of Huskins, Murray.</p><h2><b>5 VANCOUVER</b></h2><p>Trade for Ehrhoff, Lukowich stacks back end already blessed with Mitchell, Bieksa, Edler and Salo.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

RANKING THE NHL’S BEST BLUELINES

<div class="byline">&#x2013; CURTIS ZUPKE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-011343/9290386-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg" title="f0032-01" width="370" height="436"></div><h2><b>Season Opener</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span>hile the NHL has the shortest off-season of any of the major pro sports in North America, we&rsquo;re eager to let the games begin. In this issue, our NHL correspondents analyze and opine on the big picture heading into Game 1.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-02899/9290379-1-eng-US/f0032-022.jpg" title="f0032-02" width="339" height="185"></div><p><b>FEW TEAMS</b> could withstand as many changes as the Ducks have in recent months and still remain top contenders.</p><p>After GM Bob Murray&rsquo;s big shakeup near last season&rsquo;s trade deadline launched them on a remarkable run to Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinal, the Ducks are counting on a second makeover to keep the buzz going.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-03654/9290372-1-eng-US/f0032-032.jpg" title="f0032-03" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(NIEDERMAYER: BILL WIPPERT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The June trade of Chris Pronger to Philadelphia for Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa and draft picks and the signing of longtime Montreal captain Saku Koivu brought much-needed secondary scoring and additional veteran leadership. Combined with the return of captain <b>Scott Niedermayer</b> and Teemu Selanne and a No. 1 line that can match any in the NHL, the Ducks again will be formidable come springtime.</p><p>But much of that will depend on fusing chemistry and addressing several questions.</p><p>The departure of Pronger and fellow top-four defenseman Francois Beauchemin leaves the team with fewer big pieces as newcomers Nick Boynton, Steve McCarthy, Steve Eminger and the promising Sbisa try to fill out the Nos. 4, 5 and 6 spots. The Ducks, who bullied their way to the 2007 Stanley Cup, also lost some toughness and need to re-establish a dominant checking line with only veteran Todd Marchant as the returning mainstay.</p><p>There is also the curious goaltending situation. J-S Giguere was supplanted by Jonas Hiller as the No. 1 last season and seeks to reclaim the spot. If he doesn&rsquo;t, the team will have a $6-million goalie on the bench. The Ducks have done a terrific job avoiding controversy with the matter, though, and the team&rsquo;s philosophy of having interchangeable netminders will likely be preached through at least the early part of the season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-04488/9290365-1-eng-US/f0032-042.jpg" title="f0032-04" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0032-01

Anaheim

<div class="byline">&#x2013; GUY CURTRIGHT</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-05382/9290431-1-eng-US/f0032-052.jpg" title="f0032-05" width="342" height="185"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>F ANYONE</b> ever needed a strong start, it&rsquo;s the Thrashers. The season may be a marathon, but this team isn&rsquo;t in any position to pace itself.</p><p>After a disjointed couple of months, players finally bought into coach John Anderson&rsquo;s system last year and won 12 of their final 18 games. But the club remains fragile.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-06323/9290424-1-eng-US/f0032-062.jpg" title="f0032-06" width="278" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(KOVALCHUK: SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>A good beginning will enable the Thrashers to build off the positive vibes of their 2008-09 finish. A bad start will have them doubting again and things could crash from there. After opening at home, Atlanta plays six straight games on the road. The stretch could be a season builder or a season destroyer.</p><p>The Thrashers upgraded over the summer and think they have a team capable of making the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history. A lot of things need to go right, however.</p><p>Nik Antropov, signed as a UFA to play with high-scoring <b>Ilya Kovalchuk</b> on the top line, brings needed size and skill. So does veteran defenseman Pavel Kubina, acquired in a trade with Toronto. But the Thrashers must also get big seasons from winger Bryan Little and blueliner Zach Bogosian, the team&rsquo;s top young players. It would also help if winger Evander Kane, the No. 4 pick in the 2009 draft, could be an immediate contributor.</p><p>The big question, though, is in goal. Kari Lehtonen was once considered a franchise cornerstone. Injuries and inconsistent play have changed that. Now there is even more concern after Lehtonen had back surgery in the summer.</p><p>This is a crucial year for a franchise that has enjoyed very little success. The Thrashers&rsquo; post-season chances will likely be determined by how they play in the first month.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-07269/9290417-1-eng-US/f0032-072.jpg" title="f0032-07" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0032-05

Atlanta

<div class="byline">&#x2013; MIKE LOFTUS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-011199/9290476-1-eng-US/f0033-012.jpg" title="f0033-01" width="318" height="181"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-07324/9290483-1-eng-US/f0033-072.jpg" title="f0033-07" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span>S SWEET</b> as it was to finish first in the East and avenge the previous year&rsquo;s playoff loss to Montreal with a first round sweep, the Bruins can&rsquo;t rest on those accomplishments. They remained outside looking in &ndash; losing in the second round to Carolina &ndash; and the success of this season will be measured in playoff rounds won, not regular season points.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-02821/9290469-1-eng-US/f0033-022.jpg" title="f0033-02" width="279" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(SAVARD: SPORTS ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY)</span></figcaption></div><p>Home to last season&rsquo;s best coach (Adams Trophy winner Claude Julien), defenseman (Zdeno Chara, Norris Trophy) and goalie (Tim Thomas, Vezina), as well as elite playmaker <b>Marc Savard</b> and tested veterans such as Mark Recchi, Michael Ryder, Marco Sturm up front, with Andrew Ference and free agent import Derek Morris on defense, Boston will nonetheless count on a core group of youngsters to reach a championship level. It may not include goal-scoring leader Phil Kessel (unsigned on the eve of training camp and unable to start the season because of shoulder surgery), but the B&rsquo;s will still rely heavily on the continuing ascent of forwards David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Blake Wheeler and Patrice Bergeron, plus defensemen Dennis Wideman, Mark Stuart and Matt Hunwick. Everyone in the group is between 21 (Lucic) and 26 (Wideman); only Bergeron and Wideman have played more than three NHL seasons.</p><p>With Kessel and Krejci (hip surgery) sidelined to start the season, Boston likely won&rsquo;t challenge last year&rsquo;s 116 points. Still, there&rsquo;s no reason to think the Bruins can&rsquo;t top the relatively weak Northeast Division and earn at least a No. 3 seed.</p><p>Once in the playoffs, the Bruins must prove they&rsquo;ve learned from last spring&rsquo;s early exit because anything less than their first final-four appearance since 1992 will be a disappointment.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-03644/9290462-1-eng-US/f0033-032.jpg" title="f0033-03" width="691" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0033-01

Boston

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JOHN VOGL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-04519/9290528-1-eng-US/f0033-042.jpg" title="f0033-04" width="345" height="177"></div><p><b>NEARLY EVERY</b> sign points to the Sabres being exactly the same. Again.</p><p>It&rsquo;s re-do Part 3 in Buffalo, where the roster is filled with the same core players who finished 10th the past two seasons. There&rsquo;s little reason to think they&rsquo;ll make the jump from the middle of the pack, but the Sabres are unearthing those reasons and clinging to them as if they were life rafts.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-05436/9290521-1-eng-US/f0033-052.jpg" title="f0033-05" width="278" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(VANEK: ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Goalie Ryan Miller will stay healthy. And so will Tim Connolly, <b>Thomas Vanek</b> and Craig Rivet. And Jason Pominville, Jochen Hecht and Henrik Tallinder will bounce back from subpar seasons. And Drew Stafford, Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Myers and Daniel Paille will grow into important roles. And newcomers Mike Grier and Steve Montador will provide missing grit. And&hellip;</p><p>No ifs, ands or buts about it: The Sabres are banking on a lot of ifs, ands or buts.</p><p>Miller, the face of the franchise, was having his best season before sustaining an ankle injury in late February. The Sabres went 4-7-2 in his absence and missed the post-season by two points. Miller, competing with Tim Thomas for Team USA&rsquo;s starting Olympic job, can be expected to improve on his eighth-place finish in wins (34). His .918 save percentage also ranked eighth.</p><p>The Sabres will need complete seasons from their top forwards to return to the playoffs. Connolly, signed to a two-year extension, had 47 points in 48 games &ndash; but he hasn&rsquo;t played more than that since 2005-06. While Vanek is turning into a perennial 40-goal scorer on the left side, Pominville needs to find the net again on the right. His goal totals have fallen by seven in each of the past two seasons, bottoming out at 20 last year.</p><p>If all goes right, Buffalo will move up. But there are a lot of buts.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0033-06379/9290514-1-eng-US/f0033-062.jpg" title="f0033-06" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0033-04

Buffalo

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RANDY SPORTAK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-011359/9290573-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg" title="f0034-01" width="331" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-10250/9290580-1-eng-US/f0034-102.jpg" title="f0034-10" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>DEFENSE WINS</b> championships &ndash; and that&rsquo;s the recipe for the Flames.</p><p>Stanley Cup hopes abound, but a big step will be simply to win a playoff series, which the team hasn&rsquo;t done since its remarkable 2004 post-season run. The biggest focus for new coach Brent Sutter will be to cut down quality scoring chances against; the addition of Jay Bouwmeester to a blueline crew that includes Robyn Regehr and <b>Dion Phaneuf</b> will go a long way towards that goal.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-02931/9290566-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(PHANEUF: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Last season, Calgary was the worst defensive team to make the playoffs &ndash; a major plummet from being the league&rsquo;s No. 1 defensive team immediately after the lockout. For a squad that has been a perennial Stanley Cup hopeful &ndash; but ends up first-round fodder &ndash; it&rsquo;ll be a big turnaround. Sutter will get his way and players will buy in, which will mean a better year for goalie Miikka Kiprusoff.</p><p>Except, scoring is now a question.</p><p>Jarome Iginla, Olli Jokinen and Day-mond Langkow will still lead the forwards. Rene Bourque and David Moss are coming off their first career 20-goal seasons and have the potential to do it again, but the team is looking for a committee attack from the likes of Dustin Boyd, Curtis Glencross, Fredrik Sjostrom and Nigel Dawes. None has scored 20 goals as a pro.</p><p>The Flames won&rsquo;t go back to being the low-scoring, muck-and-grind squad they were prior to the lockout, but will need a lot of factors to come into play to maintain an effective attack.</p><p>Bouwmeester and Phaneuf &ndash; who is searching for a bounce-back season &ndash; should help the cause from the blueline. But they need that crew of forwards to step up or yet another season of being a contender will go down the drain.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-03740/9290559-1-eng-US/f0034-032.jpg" title="f0034-03" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-01

Calgary

<div class="byline">&#x2013; LUKE DECOCK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-04595/9290625-1-eng-US/f0034-042.jpg" title="f0034-04" width="351" height="185"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>IRST, PAUL MAURICE</b> was relieved. Then he was elated. And it had nothing to do with Carolina&rsquo;s decision to elevate him from interim to once-again-permanent coach.</p><p>Maurice was around for more than a few off-seasons where the Canes were treading water at best, hamstrung by their financial inability to compete in the free agent market. But in his first off-season back with the team, not only did the Hurricanes not lose anyone of note, they actually added re-inforcements.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-05488/9290618-1-eng-US/f0034-052.jpg" title="f0034-05" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(COLE: REGG FORWERCK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Forwards <b>Erik Cole</b> and Chad LaRose spurned offers elsewhere to re-sign with Carolina, maintaining the status quo up front. And, the Canes were able to use their excess cap space to tweak the roster, bringing back Aaron Ward from the Bruins while signing free agents Andrew Alberts, Tom Kostopoulos and Stephane Yelle.</p><p>&ldquo;At first, it was a sigh of relief that we got both of those guys (Cole and LaRose) back,&rdquo; Maurice said. &ldquo;The second part was where the optimism comes in, because of the new guys we have.&rdquo;</p><p>The biggest weakness the Canes showed during their run to the East final was a lack of muscle on the blueline; enter Ward and Alberts. Kostopoulos adds grit up front and Yelle, a veteran center, allows Carolina&rsquo;s highly touted crop of prospects to develop in the AHL.</p><p>The idea is to give the core of last year&rsquo;s team a better chance at beating teams such as the Penguins, without affecting the chemistry that helped the Hurricanes get that far in the first place. With Eric Staal and Cam Ward still the foundation of the franchise, it was the kind of summer that could get a coach excited. Now, it&rsquo;s time to see whether it will be the kind of season to get fans excited.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-06438/9290611-1-eng-US/f0034-062.jpg" title="f0034-06" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-04

Carolina

<div class="byline">&#x2013; TIM SASSONE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-07384/9290670-1-eng-US/f0034-072.jpg" title="f0034-07" width="353" height="185"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>L</span>ET&rsquo;S TAKE</b> a deep breath and put aside for now those Stanley Cup parade plans through downtown Chicago. While the Blackhawks have many of the pieces in place to win their first Cup since 1961, the question is: Do they have all of them?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-08333/9290663-1-eng-US/f0034-082.jpg" title="f0034-08" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(TOEWS: DAVE SANDFORD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Following last spring&rsquo;s run to the Western Conference final, hockey is front-page news again and &ndash; until this summer &ndash; it was nothing but smooth sailing for the organization. Then, GM Dale Tallon was suddenly fired due to a personality clash with president John McDonough; Marian Hossa needed shoulder surgery after signing as a free agent; and, Patrick Kane got arrested.</p><p>With some beginning to question if the Hawks&rsquo; karma had turned, the 2009-10 season couldn&rsquo;t get here fast enough.</p><p>Experience was a factor in the Hawks failing to get past the Wings in the West final, so the off-season additions of Hossa and John Madden should help. Hossa won&rsquo;t be ready to play until at least November, but there&rsquo;s plenty of scoring to get by starting with <b>Jonathan Toews</b>, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and Kane.</p><p>The biggest concerns are in goal and on defense. Cristobal Huet inherits the No. 1 job and will be under intense scrutiny.</p><p>&ldquo;He&rsquo;s an excellent goalie, so that&rsquo;s not a concern of mine,&rdquo; said new GM Stan Bowman.</p><p>The Hawks have three of the better puck-moving defenseman in the game in Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Brian Campbell. But Cam Barker has only shown glimpses of the kind of play you&rsquo;d expect from the third pick in the 2004 draft, Niklas Hjalmarsson is mostly inexperienced and Brent Sopel is coming off major elbow surgery. The Hawks still have some proving to do.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-09277/9290656-1-eng-US/f0034-092.jpg" title="f0034-09" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0034-07

Chicago

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ADRIAN DATER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-011271/9290715-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg" title="f0035-01" width="334" height="184"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-07400/9290722-1-eng-US/f0035-072.jpg" title="f0035-07" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE NHL</b> schedule-makers are treating the rebuilding Avalanche like the stern parents who throw the baby into the deep end of the pool and yell, &ldquo;Hope you make it!&rdquo;</p><p>If things weren&rsquo;t tough enough for an Avs team that finished last in the West in 2008-09 and lost its captain and franchise icon (Joe Sakic) over the summer, they must start the new season with 11 of the first 15 games on the road, and 20 of the first 32. That includes a seven-game trip Oct. 8-21 featuring games against five of the NHL&rsquo;s Original Six.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-02896/9290708-1-eng-US/f0035-022.jpg" title="f0035-02" width="279" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ANDERSON: ELIOT J. SCHECHTER/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Not an easy scenario for a team with a new coach, new goalie and a lot of question marks. For Colorado to have any hope of avoiding a second straight non-playoff season, it will have to get brilliant goaltending from newcomer <b>Craig Anderson</b> and turn-back-the-clock years from some veteran D-men who underachieved last season, including Adam Foote, Brett Clark, Ruslan Salei and Scott Hannan.</p><p>Keeping opponents off the scoreboard will be a high priority, given Colorado finished last in the league in scoring and now is without Sakic and Ryan Smyth. The Avs are pinning much of their hopes on Matt Duchene, the No. 3 draft pick last June, having a fast learning curve. Is the 18-year-old ready for a key role at center? Regardless, having a bona fide blue-chip prospect for arguably the first time in the Denver history of the team has the hardcore fans a little more excited.</p><p>Special teams once again looks like an area of trouble. The Avs have lacked a reliable power play quarterback since Rob Blake left and have been too small up front in the tough areas. They&rsquo;re also without a checking center, meaning Anderson will feel the ice is strongly tilted when Colorado is down a man.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03740/9290701-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="691" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0035-01

Colorado

<div class="byline">&#x2013; AARON PORTZLINE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-04602/9290767-1-eng-US/f0035-042.jpg" title="f0035-04" width="351" height="184"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>N</span>OBODY WHO</b> wears a suit to work in Nationwide Arena wants to think this way, but the Blue Jackets could not have waited any longer to ice a playoff-worthy club. One more lousy season may have cost the team a huge chunk of its fan base, not to mention captain Rick Nash via free agency in the summer of 2010.</p><p>How&rsquo;s that for a doom-and-gloom scenario?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-05510/9290760-1-eng-US/f0035-052.jpg" title="f0035-05" width="278" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MASON: CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>To the relief of many in central Ohio, the Jackets finally made the playoffs last year, Nash signed a long-term contract extension and the locals are revving up for another playoff run in 2009-10. And here&rsquo;s the best news of all for Blue Jackets fans: there&rsquo;s a wave of young talent on the roster &ndash; led by Calder Trophy-winning goalie <b>Steve Mason</b> &ndash; that suggests the playoffs will become an annual event.</p><p>On paper, the Jackets still have a few warts. The power play was dead-last in the NHL last season and GM Scott Howson hasn&rsquo;t pulled off the trade he so desperately wants to add a highly skilled defenseman who can man the point.</p><p>But there&rsquo;s also much room for optimism, due mostly to an expected blooming of talent from within. Center Derick Brassard &ndash; if he can stay healthy &ndash; could elevate Nash&rsquo;s goal total to new heights. Don&rsquo;t forget, Brassard was the leading Calder candidate when he sustained a shoulder injury last December. Rookie Nikita Filatov oozes NHL skill, as seen in the four goals he scored last season, including a hat trick, in only eight games. Howson filled two key needs in free agency, signing Sammy Pahlsson to center the third line and backup goalie Mathieu Garon.</p><p>The Jackets wandered aimlessly for a long time before Howson arrived. Now they&rsquo;re pointed in the right direction, with an upward trajectory.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-06461/9290753-1-eng-US/f0035-062.jpg" title="f0035-06" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0035-04

Columbus

<div class="byline">&#x2013; MIKE HEIKA</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-011257/9290812-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="350" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-10229/9290819-1-eng-US/f0036-102.jpg" title="f0036-10" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>THERE PROBABLY</b> hasn&rsquo;t been this feeling of uncertainty about the Stars in more than a decade.</p><p>Yes, they have changed GMs before. Yes, they have changed coaches before. But the moves made by owner Tom Hicks this summer really cut into the core of the team&rsquo;s personality.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02836/9290805-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(OTT: HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Under Bob Gainey, under Ken Hitchcock, under Dave Tippett, the Stars have been a team built on solid defensive team play. But when Joe Nieuwendyk was given his first GM gig, he said he wanted an aggressive team that embraced offense, and he went out and got a coach who would do that in Marc Crawford. And now, on the verge of a new season, even the players aren&rsquo;t sure what to expect.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re on our toes, that&rsquo;s for sure,&rdquo; said winger <b>Steve Ott</b>. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never had another NHL coach besides Tippett, so this is definitely a change for a lot of us.&rdquo;</p><p>The players say they were going to be on their toes, regardless. Last year, the Stars followed up a trip to the Western Conference final in 2008 with a flat training camp and a horrible start to the season. There were injuries, for sure (Sergei Zubov and Jere Lehtinen were out to start the year and Brenden Morrow was lost in Game 18 to a knee injury), but the players still say they dropped the ball.</p><p>&ldquo;We thought we were ready to start last year, but that was just lip service,&rdquo; said goalie Marty Turco. &ldquo;Looking back, we just didn&rsquo;t work hard enough.&rdquo;</p><p>This year, the demand for a fast start is amplified. Start slow, and you doubt the system. Start slow, and the pressure builds.</p><p>&ldquo;I think we&rsquo;re all the same page,&rdquo; Crawford said. &ldquo;They have a lot to prove and I have a lot to prove. Hopefully, that will be a good combination.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-03686/9290798-1-eng-US/f0036-032.jpg" title="f0036-03" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0036-01

Dallas

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-07352/9290909-1-eng-US/f0036-072.jpg" title="f0036-07" width="334" height="185"></div><p><b>THIS SEASON&rsquo;S</b> Oilers should be a lot like last season&rsquo;s Oilers for one simple reason: it&rsquo;s pretty much the same team.</p><p>After watching the club miss the playoffs three years in a row, many fans expected wholesale change over the summer. But aside from a complete overhaul of the coaching staff (a gutting that included the goalie coach and the video guy), there isn&rsquo;t much difference on the ice.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-08301/9290902-1-eng-US/f0036-082.jpg" title="f0036-08" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(HORCOFF: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Oilers got a few years younger in net, replacing 39-year-old Dwayne Roloson with 36-year-old Nikolai Khabibulin; let free agent Ales Kotalik, their most productive scorer the final month of the season, sign with the Rangers; and, watched a bold and controversial attempt to land Dany Heatley fall through. The result? The roster is quite similar, give or take a first-year player or two who might crack the lineup.</p><p>That sounds like bad news given that Edmonton finished 11th in the West last season. However, they were actually in the top eight for most of 2008-09 before collapsing down the stretch (going 3-8-0 to fall out of the mix).</p><p>So it&rsquo;s not out of the realm of possibility to think that with Pat Quinn cracking the whip instead of longtime coach Craig Mac-Tavish and banner years from the likes of Dustin Penner, <b>Shawn Horcoff</b>, Patrick O&rsquo;Sullivan, Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano, they might sneak into the playoffs.</p><p>But eighth place is probably the high-water mark for a club that is very strong on defense with Lubomir Visnovsky, Sheldon Souray, Denis Grebeshkov and Tom Gilbert, questionable in net (the last time Khabibulin went from from a high-end team to a mediocre team, it didn&rsquo;t start out very well) and doesn&rsquo;t have a single player who has ever scored 30 goals in the NHL.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-09259/9290895-1-eng-US/f0036-092.jpg" title="f0036-09" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0036-07

Edmonton

<div class="byline">&#x2013; GEORGE RICHARDS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-011123/9290954-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg" title="f0037-01" width="352" height="179"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-07366/9290961-1-eng-US/f0037-072.jpg" title="f0037-07" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>P</span>ETER DEBOER</b> is entering just his second season as an NHL coach, but he knows the Panthers need to step up in order to make the playoffs for the first time since 2000.</p><p>Florida finished just six points behind Pittsburgh, a team that roared into the playoffs and ended up winning the Stanley Cup. But is there anyone who thinks the Panthers are anywhere close to competing for a championship? The Panthers had an uneventful off-season (save for trading away star defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, but that was a foregone conclusion), making minor changes to a lineup that has been taking baby steps forward over the past few seasons. The team is for sale and doesn&rsquo;t have a permanent GM, and with the team&rsquo;s ownership in flux, don&rsquo;t expect acting GM Randy Sexton to open up the wallet any time soon.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-02779/9290947-1-eng-US/f0037-022.jpg" title="f0037-02" width="279" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BALLARD: BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Florida looks solid, but certainly not overwhelming on its top three lines, and will roll out four good defensemen, led by <b>Keith Ballard</b>. But the Cats could also have two or three green rookies on the blueline, with undrafted Jason Garrison being among those in contention to play a lot. First round picks Keaton Ellerby and Dmitry Kulikov could also be forced into duty. Defense is a strength, but the youngsters must be allowed to make mistakes.</p><p>Goaltending is also an area of confidence with the tandem of Tomas Vokoun and Scott Clemmensen, and Florida will work hard every night to put pucks in the net. The Panthers need to improve on the power play and in the shootout, although with not much top-end offensive talent, that last segment of the game could continue to suffer. Florida will play tough and be in the mix for a post-season spot, but expect them to once again be making early vacation plans.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-03623/9290940-1-eng-US/f0037-032.jpg" title="f0037-03" width="691" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0037-01

Florida

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RICH HAMMOND</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-04529/9291006-1-eng-US/f0037-042.jpg" title="f0037-04" width="344" height="179"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>F PATIENCE</b> is a virtue, there might be no more righteous people than fans of the Los Angeles Kings. Since 2002, they have waited to see a playoff game. Since 2006, they have waited through GM Dean Lombardi&rsquo;s slow-build process and watched anxiously as the roster swelled with talented prospects.</p><p>Now, for the first time in three years, they can at least realistically think about seeing the post-season. It&rsquo;s far from certain, given the logjam of playoff-caliber clubs in the West. But with one of the strongest young cores in the league, at least the Kings are headed in the right direction.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-05478/9290999-1-eng-US/f0037-052.jpg" title="f0037-05" width="278" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DOUGHTY: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Lombardi&rsquo;s project of rebuilding the blueline is nearly complete. <b>Drew Doughty</b>, Matt Greene, Jack Johnson and Rob Scuderi form the heart, and none is older than 30. A squad of prospects, led by Thomas Hickey, Colten Teubert and Viacheslav Voynov, is set to contend for spots.</p><p>Defense, however, wasn&rsquo;t the problem last season, when the Kings finished with the league&rsquo;s fifth-worst record. Los Angeles suffered through a season-long inability to consistently score, but believes the addition of proven 30-goal man Ryan Smyth will help, in addition to the boost provided by a healthy Justin Williams, acquired at last season&rsquo;s trade deadline.</p><p>Much of the internal pressure will be on fourth-year center Anze Kopitar, who saw his defense improve last season, but had his point total decrease by 11. Kopitar needs to prove he can be a No. 1 center at both ends of the ice.</p><p>The best bet to emerge from a group of four legit goalie prospects is Jonathan Quick, who excelled at times as a rookie last season. But watch out for 2006 first-rounder Jonathan Bernier, who could steal the job in training camp.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-06422/9290992-1-eng-US/f0037-062.jpg" title="f0037-06" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0037-04

Los Angeles

<div class="byline">&#x2013; MICHAEL RUSSO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-011213/9291051-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg" title="f0038-01" width="352" height="184"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-10187/9291058-1-eng-US/f0038-102.jpg" title="f0038-10" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>NEVER HAS</b> there been so much uncertainty heading into a Wild season.</p><p>When Jacques Lemaire was coaching, his defensive system at least assured that Minnesota would be competitive.</p><p>But after an eventful off-season, the Wild enters with a new coach, Todd Richards, vowing a more attacking style; a new GM, Chuck Fletcher, vowing to be more aggressive; and, a new &ndash; and hopefully healthy &ndash; game-breaker, <b>Martin Havlat</b>, whom fans hope can make them forget all about Marian Gaborik. There are sure to be growing pains as the Wild transitions to a different style of play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-02824/9291044-1-eng-US/f0038-022.jpg" title="f0038-02" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(HAVLAT: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m sure we&rsquo;ll be more in synch the second half of the year than we are the first half,&rdquo; Fletcher said.</p><p>Havlat has a history of injuries, but he was in good health last year and led Chicago in regular season and playoff scoring. He&rsquo;ll likely be stapled alongside Mikko Koivu, the Wild&rsquo;s leading scorer last year, while Minnesota will be expecting a lot of internal growth from others.</p><p>James Sheppard, in his third season, will see a lot more freedom, and in turn, opportunity to improve on nine career goals. The Wild is praying that playmaker Pierre-Marc Bouchard can bounce back after his output decreased last season by 20 assists. And Benoit Pouliot, unable to stick long-term since being taken fourth overall in 2005, will be given a clean slate.</p><p>Goaltending remains strong with Vezina Trophy candidate Niklas Backstrom signed for four more years and the blueline is grittier with the addition of shot-blocker Greg Zanon.</p><p>Defenseman Brent Burns will be integral to the Wild&rsquo;s cause. He&rsquo;s energized and healthy after a ruined &lsquo;08-09 due to a stint at forward and two big injuries.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-03662/9291037-1-eng-US/f0038-032.jpg" title="f0038-03" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0038-01

Minnesota

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JOHN GLENNON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-07316/9291148-1-eng-US/f0038-072.jpg" title="f0038-07" width="348" height="178"></div><p><b>THE PREDATORS</b> didn&rsquo;t land any marquee free agents during the off-season, nor did they pull off any dramatic trades.</p><p>So if Nashville hopes to return to the playoffs this year, two factors will be improved performance from returning players and the development of the club&rsquo;s prospects.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-08260/9291141-1-eng-US/f0038-082.jpg" title="f0038-08" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(LEGWAND: JOHN RUSSELL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The expectations will be especially high for the team&rsquo;s second line, where center <b>David Legwand</b> and right winger Martin Erat produced just 42 and 50 points last season. Legwand and Erat face a challenging task in that the two players will once again enter the season without an established scorer as a complement. In addition, their line is the one most often used to counter opposing team&rsquo;s top lines. Still, the Predators are paying the two players more than $10 million combined this year, so a pair of 60-plus point seasons doesn&rsquo;t seem too much to ask.</p><p>The Preds&rsquo; top line carried the team down the stretch last season, but there is room for improvement there as well. Right winger J-P Dumont, for instance, saw his goal production drop from 29 in 2007-08 to 16 last season. Center Jason Arnott played in just 65 games last year, while left winger Steve Sullivan &ndash; who provided a spark in the second half &ndash; has to prove he can play an entire season.</p><p>The Predators also need promising youngsters to transform into everyday NHLers in order to offset the loss of some veteran role players. Blueliners Alexander Sulzer and Cody Franson have a combined two games of NHL experience, but are currently penciled in as the Nos. 5 and 6 defensemen.</p><p>Up front, the Preds need either Cal O&rsquo;Reilly, Mike Santorelli or Colin Wilson to add offensive punch.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-09223/9291134-1-eng-US/f0038-092.jpg" title="f0038-09" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0038-07

Nashville

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RICH CHERE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-011116/9291193-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="315" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-10165/9291200-1-eng-US/f0039-102.jpg" title="f0039-10" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>THE DEVILS</b> have long voiced the same mantra: Anything less than winning the Stanley Cup is an unsuccessful season.</p><p>Admirable, yes. But at this point, seven years after their last Cup, getting past the first round of the playoffs might be a more tangible goal. They failed to do so in both of ex-coach Brent Sutter&rsquo;s two seasons and haven&rsquo;t made it past the second round since they won it all in 2003.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-02726/9291186-1-eng-US/f0039-022.jpg" title="f0039-02" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ROLSTON: ANDY MARLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>For the first time in their 27-year history the Devils will wear a throwback jersey, albeit for one game in March. They will also have a throwback coach with the return of Jacques Lemaire and, some would say, a throwback goalie with Martin Brodeur nearing age 38.</p><p>They have squandered a reputation as elite contenders with their recent post-season failures, along with GM Lou Lamoriello&rsquo;s combination of conservatism and poor decisions in the free agent market. It is now up to Lemaire to restore the notion the Devils can win in the spring.</p><p>The first step will be rebuilding the confidence and productivity of <b>Brian Rolston</b>, who is intent upon being a 30-goal scorer again. Regular linemates and more responsibility can accomplish that, but the Devils will begin the season searching for a reliable No. 2 center. Their first line of Zach Parise, Travis Zajac and captain Jamie Langenbrunner is exceptional, but then what?</p><p>Lemaire brings back a proven team concept of defense. He must also manage Brodeur&rsquo;s minutes well. Will they go back to the days of stifling defense?</p><p>&ldquo;I want to keep what other coaches did well, keep going with it,&rdquo; Lemaire said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to change that.&rdquo;</p><p>A Stanley Cup? First, the Devils must escape the rut of being playoff patsies.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-03565/9291179-1-eng-US/f0039-032.jpg" title="f0039-03" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0039-01

New Jersey

<div class="byline">&#x2013; PETER BOTTE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-04472/9291245-1-eng-US/f0039-042.jpg" title="f0039-04" width="308" height="185"></div><p><b>THE ISLES</b> are no longer unwatchable. That will have to do, for now.</p><p>Realistically, returning to the top eight in the Eastern Conference is a pipe dream for at least another draft lottery. But the addition of a viable rebuilding linchpin (welcome, <b>John Tavares</b>) and a couple of proven goaltenders &ndash; while the perennial wait for Rick DiPietro continues &ndash; will serve as enough of a carrot to renew interest in the franchise with the worst record and home attendance figures in the NHL last year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-05394/9291238-1-eng-US/f0039-052.jpg" title="f0039-05" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(TAVARES: DAVE SANDFORD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>But aside from Tavares&rsquo; selection with the No. 1 pick and a handful of so-so defensemen coming back from injuries, the Isles didn&rsquo;t add any significant players up front or on the back line this summer.</p><p>Instead, GM Garth Snow stockpiled a position he knows well in the draft and via free agency (ie. veteran netminders Martin Biron and Dwayne Roloson) in hopes of avoiding a repeat of last year&rsquo;s disaster with DiPietro sidelined for all but five games with lingering knee issues.</p><p>(No rush, Rick. Come back when you&rsquo;re fully healthy this time. It&rsquo;s not like the final dozen years on your contract are going anywhere).</p><p>As for the rest, winger Kyle Okposo (18 goals as a rookie) looks like a keeper. With Tavares, there&rsquo;s the makings of a top-line combo for years to come. But how much can the teenaged Tavares be expected to immediately augment an attack that didn&rsquo;t boast a single 20-goal scorer for the first time in franchise history? And are the net upgrades and a wishfully healthier outlook on &lsquo;D&rsquo; enough to dramatically improve a squad that was strafed for the third-most goals in the NHL in &lsquo;08-09? Probably not, but that&rsquo;s where the 2010 lottery pick comes in.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-06327/9291231-1-eng-US/f0039-062.jpg" title="f0039-06" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0039-04

NY Islanders

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ALAN HAHN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-07290/9291290-1-eng-US/f0039-072.jpg" title="f0039-07" width="298" height="185"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HERE WAS</b> no mistaking the sincerity of John Tortorella&rsquo;s message to the Rangers this summer about the new team standard of fitness and overall work ethic.</p><p>&ldquo;We all got the letter,&rdquo; said rookie defenseman Corey Potter. &ldquo;There were a lot of capitals and exclamation points.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-08245/9291283-1-eng-US/f0039-082.jpg" title="f0039-08" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ROZSIVAL: DAVE SANDFORD/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>During the final 21 games of the regular season and the seven-game playoff meltdown against Washington after leading three games to one, Tortorella saw enough to know changes needed to be made to the roster &ndash; which saw the departure of underwhelming Scott Gomez &ndash; and to the team&rsquo;s country-club mentality.</p><p>Tortorella also must be concerned with the special teams. While last season&rsquo;s punchless power play will get a boost from sniper Marian Gaborik, the league&rsquo;s best penalty kill must find replacements for the unit&rsquo;s top forwards, Blair Betts and Fredrik Sjostrom. Enter Chris Higgins from Montreal (obtained in the Gomez trade), who should thrive under Tortorella as a tenacious two-way forward.</p><p>The annual major issue for the Blueshirts is the blueline, which lists just <b>Michal Rozsival</b> and Wade Redden among the experienced, with Marc Staal heading into his third season and Dan Girardi his fourth. Hobey Baker winner Matt Gilroy is expected to step into a key role, but as a rookie, he&rsquo;s no sure thing.</p><p>But you can take those risks when you have a world-class goalie; Henrik Lundqvist will again be the team&rsquo;s backbone.</p><p>Finally, the marriage of the irrepressible Sean Avery and the demanding Tortorella over an 82-game season has the potential to be volatile. It could also be just what the Rangers need. If anything, the New York tabloids will enjoy the fireworks.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-09195/9291276-1-eng-US/f0039-092.jpg" title="f0039-09" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0039-07

NY Rangers

<div class="byline">&#x2013; BRUCE GARRIOCH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-01810/9291335-1-eng-US/f0040-012.jpg" title="f0040-01" width="286" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-10119/9291342-1-eng-US/f0040-102.jpg" title="f0040-10" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><b>THE SENATORS</b> came apart at the seams last season. And this time, they didn&rsquo;t have Ray Emery to blame.</p><p>After missing the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, hope should spring eternal in Ottawa. But it has been a summer of discontent following a decision by top scorer Dany Heatley to ask for a trade, partially because he can&rsquo;t stand playing for coach Cory Clouston.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-02495/9291328-1-eng-US/f0040-022.jpg" title="f0040-02" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(LECLAIRE: PHILLIP MACCALLUM/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Never a dull moment? No kidding.</p><p>Nobody saw the request coming. The two-time 50-goal scorer has gone from hero to goat. The situation was made even worse when he refused to lift his &ldquo;no movement&rdquo; clause to clear the way for a deal with the Oilers in July. Now, the Sens have to prepare for life with him in the lineup unless he can be dealt before the season.</p><p>On the good-news front, the Sens believe they solved their goaltending issues by picking up <b>Pascal Leclaire</b> from Columbus at the trade deadline last March. And the team addressed the need for another top-six forward by signing Montreal winger Alexei Kovalev as a free agent.</p><p>Naturally, there are questions about both players. Leclaire has to stay healthy and Kovalev needs to be consistent. If they both perform up to expectations, the Senators have a chance to get back to the playoffs. The question is: Will they do it with Heatley in the lineup and just how difficult is it going to be for him to play in a place he doesn&rsquo;t want to be?</p><p>The Sens have been a model franchise for a decade. They&rsquo;ve lost their way after some poor management and terrible performances at the draft. Meanwhile, everybody else in the East has improved. All the Sens can hope for is that Heatley isn&rsquo;t too much of a distraction and enough has been done to return to the post-season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-03380/9291321-1-eng-US/f0040-032.jpg" title="f0040-03" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0040-01

Ottawa

<div class="byline">&#x2013; WAYNE FISH</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-04311/9291387-1-eng-US/f0040-042.jpg" title="f0040-04" width="315" height="185"></div><p><b>FOR THE</b> past decade or so in Philadelphia, goaltending has been a complete afterthought.</p><p>The perception around the NHL was that those Eric Lindros or Keith Primeau or Peter Forsberg teams were pretty darn good. It&rsquo;s just that Roman Cechmanek, Robert Esche, Jeff Hackett, Antero Niittymaki and others simply weren&rsquo;t good enough. Which brings us to 2009-10.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-05266/9291380-1-eng-US/f0040-052.jpg" title="f0040-05" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(EMERY: NORMAN Y. LONO/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Admitting that the Martin Biron-Niittymaki experiment had run its course, the Flyers are going to try again. As usual, it will be a retread, albeit a talented one, in the person of <b>Ray Emery</b>.</p><p>Back from a one-year exile in Russia, Emery joins a team that has enough firepower (Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Simon Gagne) and defense (Chris Pronger, Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn) to be a serious contender.</p><p>But for the Flyers to make big noise, Emery has to quietly go about his business and show the stuff that helped get Ottawa to the &rsquo;07 Cup final. To make the objective perfectly clear, Emery was invited to an all-business sitdown with GM Paul Holmgren, president Peter Luukko and even owner Ed Snider. The message? Stay on the straight and narrow and the hockey will take care of itself. We&rsquo;ll see.</p><p>Pronger is expected to bring a grittier edge and make life tougher for Philadelphia&rsquo;s opponents; namely, Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, whom many consider to be the Flyers&rsquo; chief roadblock.</p><p>The addition of rookie James van Riemsdyk and a healthy Daniel Briere can make up for the loss of Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul on the front lines.</p><p>In the end, Philly&rsquo;s fortunes will once again likely be determined by what happens in the crease.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-06236/9291373-1-eng-US/f0040-062.jpg" title="f0040-06" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0040-04

Philadelphia

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JIM GINTONIO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-07207/9291432-1-eng-US/f0040-072.jpg" title="f0040-07" width="303" height="185"></div><p><b>TIME FOR</b> another hockey season in the desert? Just hit the rewind button.</p><p>For the past seven years, it has seemed like &ldquo;Groundhog Day&rdquo; for the Coyotes and thus the same question: Will this team ever make the playoffs again? And as far this season is concerned, are you kidding?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-08179/9291425-1-eng-US/f0040-082.jpg" title="f0040-08" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DOAN: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Well, don&rsquo;t laugh yet. This could be a playoff bubble team. Then again, the Coyotes &ndash; who have had a knack for finding unique ways to lose games &ndash; could also fade into oblivion.</p><p>Despite the off-season turmoil surrounding the bankrupt franchise, there are positive signs. The calming influence in the eye of the latest storm is captain <b>Shane Doan</b>, who is primed for the best season of a quality career, one spent entirely with the Winnipeg/Phoenix franchise.</p><p>Peter Mueller will be a key factor, too, as he tries to break through the mist of a sophomore jinx. He dropped 15 pounds while adding speed and strength; and, he&rsquo;ll be returning to his natural center position. The dark horses in the equation are Radim Vrbata and Taylor Pyatt. Vrbata, who sparked the team two seasons ago before going into a late slump, is back after suffering through an unsuccessful stint with the Lightning. Pyatt, a late free agent pickup from Vancouver, could benefit from new surroundings.</p><p>A lot of the burden will fall on goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, who led Russia past Doan and Canada in last May&rsquo;s World Championship. He needs that focus every game.</p><p>The rumors and bitterness that shrouded the team over the summer polarized fans as the Coyotes&rsquo; future in Phoenix remains in doubt. It would be ironic &ndash; and Coyote-like &ndash; if a team that has been grasping at straws makes the playoffs in April, then finds a new home.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-09134/9291418-1-eng-US/f0040-092.jpg" title="f0040-09" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0040-07

Phoenix

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JOE STARKEY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-01698/9291477-1-eng-US/f0041-012.jpg" title="f0041-01" width="352" height="184"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-07210/9291484-1-eng-US/f0041-072.jpg" title="f0041-07" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE PENGUINS</b> overcame all manner of adversity last year, including a long-term injury to Sergei Gonchar, a coaching change with 25 games left in the season, a daunting Game 7 at Washington and a three-games-to-two deficit in the Stanley Cup final.</p><p>In 2009-10, the Pens are presented with a new challenge. Put to words, it goes like this: Can they handle success?</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-02438/9291470-1-eng-US/f0041-022.jpg" title="f0041-02" width="279" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MALKIN: GREGORY SHAMUS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The last NHL team to repeat was the 1997-98 Red Wings, who raced to a 10-1-2 start and cruised to the Cup, going 16-6 in the playoffs.</p><p>In some ways, these Penguins are much different from those Wings, who did not have a 70-point scorer, but boasted a roster stocked with high-quality veterans. The Penguins are fueled by a pair of youthful superstars in Sidney Crosby and <b>Evgeni Malkin</b>, who again figure to ring up 100 points apiece.</p><p>In other ways, the teams are quite similar &ndash; and that&rsquo;s good news for Penguins fans who want to see a repeat. Like the &rsquo;97-98 Wings, the Pens are a stable organization with an NHL legend holding a key position. Scotty Bowman coached the Wings. Mario Lemieux owns the Pens.</p><p>Other key similarities: Little turnover from one season to the next and fiery internal leadership. The latter tends to protect against complacency. Detroit had veteran captain Steve Yzerman. The Penguins have Crosby, who idolized Yzerman growing up. Fittingly, perhaps, those two could cross paths a few times this year. Yzerman is the executive director of Canada&rsquo;s Olympic team; Crosby will be an important member of the club.</p><p>Oh, and Yzerman also serves as Red Wings vice-president, so it&rsquo;s entirely possible his team could be the last one standing between Crosby and a repeat. And wouldn&rsquo;t that be interesting.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-03355/9291463-1-eng-US/f0041-032.jpg" title="f0041-03" width="691" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0041-01

Pittsburgh

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JEREMY RUTHERFORD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-04308/9291529-1-eng-US/f0041-042.jpg" title="f0041-04" width="331" height="184"></div><p><b>BLUES COACH</b> Andy Murray may have to put some thought into his motivational speeches entering the 2009-10 season.</p><p>A year ago, Murray only had to remind the Blues they were picked to finish near the bottom of the standings &ndash; and that was before long-term injuries swallowed up Paul Kariya, Andy Mc-Donald, <b>Erik Johnson</b> and Eric Brewer. But the Blues proved the pundits wrong, capturing the No. 6 seed in the West. Vancouver swept them in the first round of the playoffs, but the Blues had already accomplished more than anyone figured possible.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-05277/9291522-1-eng-US/f0041-052.jpg" title="f0041-05" width="278" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JOHNSON: DAVE SANDFORD/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>With the return of Kariya, Johnson and the others, few observers are predicting a last-place finish. If Kariya can return to form after having hip surgery and if Johnson can shake off the rust following knee surgery, the Blues will be booking a second straight trip to the playoffs.</p><p>They have depth at forward, thanks to the emergence of David Backes, David Perron and T.J. Oshie; they&rsquo;ll have a better transition game with Johnson back on the blueline; and, they&rsquo;ll have a goalie who was among the NHL&rsquo;s best in the second half of last year. Chris Mason, who took over for Manny Legace last January, finished 27-21-7 after starting the year 3-13-1. He looks to be much more comfortable knowing that he&rsquo;s the team&rsquo;s go-to guy.</p><p>The key to the Blues&rsquo; season, though, will be determined by the defense in front of Mason. With Brewer sidelined indefinitely following two back surgeries, the team is inexperienced on the blueline after Barret Jackman, Carlo Colaiacovo and Mike Weaver.</p><p>If the Blues are successful in 2009-10, it shouldn&rsquo;t come as a big surprise. And you can bet that Murray won&rsquo;t be getting any help from the media prognosticators.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-06242/9291515-1-eng-US/f0041-062.jpg" title="f0041-06" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0041-04

St. Louis

<div class="byline">&#x2013; DAVID POLLAK</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-01733/9291574-1-eng-US/f0042-012.jpg" title="f0042-01" width="336" height="185"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-1097/9291581-1-eng-US/f0042-102.jpg" title="f0042-10" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>S</span>HARKS COACH</b> Todd McLellan doesn&rsquo;t hide the fact that one of his goals in his second season behind the San Jose bench is to instill some much-needed mental toughness in his troops.</p><p>&ldquo;Skill-wise and system-wise, we&rsquo;re close to where we need to be,&rdquo; McLellan said. &ldquo;The mental toughness that exists in that dressing room from Day 1 to the playoffs has to get stronger.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-02458/9291567-1-eng-US/f0042-022.jpg" title="f0042-02" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(NABOKOV: DON SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Part of that means changing the team&rsquo;s culture and one way McLellan hoped to accomplish that was by taking the &lsquo;C&rsquo; off Patrick Marleau&rsquo;s jersey and the &lsquo;A&rsquo; off Joe Thornton&rsquo;s. Training camp, McLellan said, would dictate who fills those roles going forward.</p><p>On the ice, McLellan plans to stick with the shoot-the-puck, crash-the-net style of play that enabled the Sharks to finish the 2008-09 season with 117 points and the Presidents&rsquo; Trophy. And make no mistake, the franchise sees itself among the NHL&rsquo;s elite once again.</p><p>San Jose will start the season with the same core players. Goalie <b>Evgeni Nabo</b><b>kov</b> and the top six forwards return, but McLellan emphasizes that it&rsquo;s time for the likes of Joe Pavelski, Ryane Clowe, Milan Michalek and Devin Setoguchi to take more pressure off Marleau and Thornton.</p><p>The Sharks have done some retooling after failing to get past Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs last spring. Seven players are gone, though only one of the departed &ndash; defenseman Christian Ehrhoff &ndash; came off the top tier. The Sharks see veteran Kent Huskins moving into that slot and rookies filling the other roles.</p><p>San Jose is counting on the return of injured Torrey Mitchell to add scoring on the third line and ex-Predator Scott Nichol to add nastiness to the fourth unit.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-03356/9291560-1-eng-US/f0042-032.jpg" title="f0042-03" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0042-01

San Jose

<div class="byline">&#x2013; DAMIAN CRISTODERO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-04285/9291626-1-eng-US/f0042-042.jpg" title="f0042-04" width="312" height="185"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>T ALWAYS</b> comes down to goaltending, doesn&rsquo;t it? For all the talk about the Lightning&rsquo;s revamped blueline and the retooling up front that has resulted in two potentially potent top lines, none of it will matter a lick if <b>Mike Smith</b> does not return to the form he showed last season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-05246/9291619-1-eng-US/f0042-052.jpg" title="f0042-05" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(SMITH: STEVE BABINEAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>It is a complicated equation. Smith, whose dynamic play through the first half of 2008-09 kept Tampa Bay from utter embarrassment, did not play after Jan. 30. That was when post-concussion symptoms, which he said he kept from the team for almost two months after being inadvertently kneed in the head during a game by then-teammate Vinny Prospal, finally became too much for him to bear.</p><p>Smith, 29, with a new two-year, $4.4-million pact, didn&rsquo;t skate until August and then almost immediately took a wrist shot off the side of his mask (Granted, it was from a teenager skating at a camp, but still.) Smith said he&rsquo;s ready to go, but Tampa signed free agent Antero Niittymaki as a safety net. Obviously, Smith will be watched closely. As will the defense.</p><p>Additions include Mattias Ohlund, who not only provides stability and puck-moving, but will be a mentor to rookie Victor Hedman. Add Matt Walker and Kurtis Foster, and the returning Paul Ranger and Andrej Meszaros, and all of a sudden, the Lightning has an NHL-caliber blueline.</p><p>Adding winger Alex Tanguay is expected to give a healthy and rededicated Vinny Lecavalier a boost and help provide the team with a second consistent scoring line. The result?</p><p>There is a sense the Lightning, which finished 29th in the league last season and 30th in 2007-08, could even sneak into the playoffs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-06220/9291612-1-eng-US/f0042-062.jpg" title="f0042-06" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0042-04

Tampa Bay

<div class="byline">&#x2013; MIKE ZEISBERGER</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-07186/9291671-1-eng-US/f0042-072.jpg" title="f0042-07" width="331" height="185"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HERE WILL</b> be no intimidating the Bay Street Bullies, er, Toronto Maple Leafs this season. Not with the likes of Colton Orr, Garnet Exelby, <b>Mike Komisarek</b> and Francois Beauchemin riding into town, sandpaper in hand.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-08151/9291664-1-eng-US/f0042-082.jpg" title="f0042-08" width="279" height="414"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(KOMISAREK: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The blueline goes nine NHLers deep and even the state of the goaltending has improved, with Vesa Toskala recovering nicely from two surgeries and Jonas &lsquo;The Monster&rsquo; Gustavsson attempting to prove his superstar status in Sweden is no fluke.</p><p>The offense? That&rsquo;s an entirely different story. If there&rsquo;s one huge question mark lingering over the Leafs, it is this: Where are the goals going to come from?</p><p>GM Brian Burke couldn&rsquo;t agree more. His off-season overtures for Boston sniper Phil Kessel shows just how much he understands that offense easily is this team&rsquo;s Achilles&rsquo; heel. Barring a blockbuster deal, the only way the Leafs will be able to wring out enough goals to squeeze into the post-season is if their cache of young forwards take the next step this year.</p><p>Jiri Tlusty, for one, needs to walk the walk. The 2006 first-rounder flourished after being relegated to the AHL last season. Returnees Mikhail Grabovski, John Mitchell and Nikolai Kulemin must continue to improve, while highly coveted U.S. collegians Tyler Bozak and Christian Hanson will get a chance to play regularly. One wild card is Swedish speedster Viktor Stalberg, who wowed onlookers during a rookie tournament in September.</p><p>When he took over the Leafs last year, Burke vowed the team would get a facelift, a promise he has kept. As for his playoff aspirations this season, they&rsquo;ll only be realized if his young Leafs can find a way to ignite the red light with regularity.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-09122/9291657-1-eng-US/f0042-092.jpg" title="f0042-09" width="759" height="454"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0042-07

Toronto

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ELLIOTT PAP</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-01722/9291716-1-eng-US/f0043-012.jpg" title="f0043-01" width="343" height="184"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-07185/9291723-1-eng-US/f0043-072.jpg" title="f0043-07" width="119" height="118"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span>S</b>&nbsp;<b>A ROOKIE GM</b> one year ago, Mike Gillis was a mystery man. Skeptics wondered whether he could run a big-time franchise after running a two-man player agency from his house. But Gillis proved more than capable, as the Canucks won their division and reached the second round of the playoffs. Optimism is again running rampant in Vancouver this season.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-02488/9291709-1-eng-US/f0043-022.jpg" title="f0043-02" width="279" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(KESLER: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>With front-line goaltending, a deep and experienced blueline and an offense that surprised last season with the emergence of <b>Ryan Kesler</b> and Alex Burrows as goal-scoring threats, the Canucks are a contender, if not an elite one. Captain Roberto Luongo erased any doubt about where his heart lies when he agreed to a 12-year contract extension, while first-liners Daniel and Henrik Sedin each signed on for another five years.</p><p>Gillis also added ex-Red Wing Mikael Samuelsson to replace Mats Sundin&rsquo;s numbers and acquired three experienced blueliners &mdash; Mathieu Schneider, Brad Lukowich and Christian Ehrhoff &mdash; to help fill the void created by the departure of Mattias Ohlund.</p><p>Weaknesses? Special teams must improve if the Canucks are going to take the next step. Their power play finished 17th in 2008-09 and the penalty kill was 16th. The blueline corps, as a whole, lacked speed; Ehrhoff will help address that. The power play needed another point man, so Schneider was brought on.</p><p>The only thing to be determined is the make-up of the third line, which featured Kyle Wellwood and Steve Bernier as last season wound down. Prized prospect Cody Hodgson is expected to push for a spot, as will 2006 first-rounder Michael Grabner.</p><p>For now, it&rsquo;s all rosy on the West Coast, where another division title and a solid playoff run are the least of the expectations.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-03404/9291702-1-eng-US/f0043-032.jpg" title="f0043-03" width="691" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0043-01

Vancouver

<div class="byline">&#x2013; PETER KERZEL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-04305/9291768-1-eng-US/f0043-042.jpg" title="f0043-04" width="352" height="184"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span>LEX OVECHKIN</b> deservedly gets the attention, but the Capitals are hardly one-dimensional. Yes, the offense centers on Ovechkin&rsquo;s game-changing moves and knack for dramatic goals. But Washington also boasts a core of emerging young stars, a potentially devastating power play, a workmanlike defense corps and defense-first forwards who make it tough on opponents.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-05263/9291761-1-eng-US/f0043-052.jpg" title="f0043-05" width="278" height="413"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BACKSTROM: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>There&rsquo;s enough promise that Ovechkin and company won&rsquo;t be satisfied just lasting a round deeper in the post-season. The Capitals are primed to push into the Stanley Cup final, assuming they get sufficient goaltending and avoid catastrophic injuries.</p><p>There are so many defensemen that a veteran such as Milan Jurcina or Jeff Schultz could be expendable to make way for prospect Karl Alzner (and maybe even John Carlson). Salary cap room is tight and goaltending could be an issue, too. Although coach Bruce Boudreau has anointed Jose Theodore the No. 1, Semyon Varlamov will push for the starting job.</p><p>Boudreau likes to mix and match his forwards, playing to opponents&rsquo; weaknesses and going with hot players. That&rsquo;s fine, but the Caps aren&rsquo;t deep at center or right wing. One key injury &ndash; say, to Ovechkin, top-line pivot <b>Nicklas Backstrom</b> or the versatile Brooks Laich &ndash; would force the Caps to rely on traditional, steady combos. It&rsquo;s sufficient to have a gritty fourth line, but Washington needs offensive punch from its third set. A healthy Chris Clark would be a boon.</p><p>Washington let tough guy Donald Brashear walk away to the Rangers in free agency, meaning they&rsquo;ll go without a prototypical enforcer. Boudreau hopes the threat of defending a powerful man-advantage unit will limit the rough play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-06216/9291754-1-eng-US/f0043-062.jpg" title="f0043-06" width="690" height="413"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0043-04

Washington

<div class="byline">with Eric Duhatschek</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0050-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-02215/9291837-1-eng-US/f0050-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><b>Steve Mason had a terrific rookie season despite some big obstacles.</b> <span class="photo-credit">(JAMIE SABAU/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-01311/9291844-1-eng-US/f0050-012.jpg" title="f0050-01" width="206" height="245"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>F</span>OR A 21-YEAR-OLD KID,</b> only a season into his NHL career, Steve Mason understands one pertinent fact pretty well: That after setting the league on fire last year and convincingly winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL&rsquo;s rookie of the year, now comes the hard part.</p><p>What to do for an encore? Because sometimes &ndash; often, in fact &ndash; it is easy for a second-year player to take a step backwards; and that can be especially true for goaltenders, where the development curve is not always a steady ascending line, but can often be an erratic journey, full of wild swings, up and down.</p><p>Did someone mention Carey Price? Cam Ward? Or Marc-Andre Fleury? And that only covers the current generation of goaltenders, all of whom endured setbacks along the path of establishing themselves as reliable night-in, night-out performers, which is what a team expects from a No. 1 goalie these days.</p><p>Moreover, history shows it can go either way, when a goaltender arrives at that inevitable bump in the road.</p><p>Sometimes, a player rights himself after a short blip (Tom Barrasso was sent to AHL Rochester for a handful of games in his second pro season, but eventually won two Stanley Cups).</p><blockquote class="pullQuote"><b>&lsquo; WE&rsquo;RE ONLY GOING TO BE THAT MUCH BETTER THIS SEASON&rsquo;</b></blockquote><p>Sometimes, a player just fades into obscurity (Jim Carey, the 1996 Vezina Trophy winner at the age of 22, who played only 73 more NHL games until disappearing into the minors).</p><p>Happily, forewarned is usually forearmed and Mason seems to understand the challenges that lie ahead.</p><p>&ldquo;Obviously, a lot of people have had lesser seasons their second time around,&rdquo; Mason said. &ldquo;You just have to do everything you can to avoid that. I made sure this off-season that I came into camp ready.</p><p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve got a lot to look forward to in Columbus. We&rsquo;ve got a great group of guys, a young core that got a lot of experience last season. We haven&rsquo;t made a ton of off-season moves, but we really didn&rsquo;t need to. With all the experience our young guys gained, we&rsquo;re only going to be that much better this season.&rdquo;</p><p>All that sounds like the usual hockey player talk. What may help Mason actually achieve his goal is the situation he&rsquo;s in. The Blue Jackets, under coach Ken Hitchcock, are a team on the rise, playing a brand of defensively aware hockey that can make life easier for a goaltender. Mason led the NHL in shutouts last year with 10; it was not a coincidence that the man he replaced in the net, Pascal Leclaire, was second the previous season with nine.</p><p>Hitchcock, the veteran coach who led the 1999 Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup, demands his players play as well in the defensive end as in the offensive end.</p><p>Nominally, every coach asks for that commitment from his players; Hitchcock is one of the few that can coax it out of his charges on a more or less regular basis.</p><p>The other factor working in Mason&rsquo;s favor is that he played so well last season, despite contracting mononucleosis &ndash; and playing through it for a time. Fatigue is frequently a factor in a goaltender&rsquo;s performance &ndash; and nothing creates fatigue more than mono. With his heavy workload and the adjustment to pro life, that was a significant achievement.</p><p>Mason indicated he had mono for &ldquo;probably&rdquo; a month and played with it for three-and-a-half weeks.</p><p>&ldquo;That really took a lot out of me. I don&rsquo;t know if any of you have ever had it, but it&rsquo;s extremely tough to play with. You&rsquo;re really low on energy and when you&rsquo;re playing at the NHL level, you can&rsquo;t play at anything less than 100 percent &ndash; otherwise you&rsquo;re going to pay for it.</p><p>&ldquo;It did take a toll. I was a little tired at the end.&rdquo;</p><p>There&rsquo;s also this: Last summer Mason was recovering from knee surgery, something that limited his ability to get ready for camp. Mason started three games for the Syracuse Crunch last October, before getting called up. In the end, Leclaire&rsquo;s lingering injury woes, and the decision to drop Fredrik Norrena, thrust Mason into the starting role.</p><p>Last year, the Blue Jackets made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, part of the wave of rising young teams in the West that also saw the Chicago Blackhawks take a giant step forward. But it is easy to forget how close the race actually was.</p><p>Columbus won 41 games and made it as the seventh seed; Nashville and Minnesota won 40 games apiece and missed the post-season altogether.</p><p>For his part, Mason believes the lessons learned in a first round loss to Detroit will make a difference in getting the Jackets to the next level. A repeat of last year&rsquo;s award-winning performance can&rsquo;t hurt, either.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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September 28, 2009

Montreal

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Detroit