Season at a Glance

NHL to begin 87th season with heavy heart, looming labor strife

By Jon A. Dolezar, SI.com

Martin Brodeur and the Devils will be looking to win their fourth Stanley Cup in the past 10 seasons. Al Bello/Getty Images

With a heavy heart, the season goes on.

What was already going to be a bizarre 2003-04 regular season now has a somber tone to its beginning after Dan Snyder's death on Sunday. But the season still will feature plenty of fun moments.

The Devils look like they have a decent shot to defend their title, but the Senators, Flyers and Lightning will lead the pack of contenders to the throne in the Eastern Conference.

The Ducks spent liberally in the offseason on Sergei Fedorov and Vaclav Prospal, while letting longtime captain Paul Kariya head to the Colorado Avalanche, where he will be a part of the scariest gang of six-shooters since Denver's wild west days. The Red Wings will be bolstered by Dominik Hasek's return, while the Stars could repeat as the regular-season version of the best in the West.

The league will have its first outdoor game, home teams will wear their dark sweaters for the first time since 1969-70 and teams will play six games instead of five against each of its divisional opponents.

Grant Fuhr, Pat LaFontaine, Mike Ilitch and Brian Kilrea are slated to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 3, while future Hall of Famer Mark Messier will pass Gordie Howe for second on the scoring list sometime early in the season. The Messiah (1,844) trails Mr. Hockey (1,850) by just six points, though Wayne Gretzky's 2,857 points would appear to be out of reach unless Messier can play until he's 65.

Several other milestone moments will occur during this regular season, too. Brett Hull (716) will pass Phil Esposito (717) for fourth place on the all-time goals list, and Marcel Dionne (731) shouldn't feel too comfortable in third, either. Dionne's fourth-place spot on the career points list (1,771) is likely to fall at the hands of Ron Francis, who enters the season with 1,758. Mario Lemieux is 18 goals and eight points away from passing the 700-goal and 1,700-point milestones. And Scott Stevens could end the season in fourth place among games played by defensemen, passing Larry Murphy (1,615) and Ray Bourque (1,612) in November if he doesn't miss any early action.

The quick line changes were a success last year, but the obstruction crackdown lasted all of about six weeks, which means that Garth Snow should be able to sneak his 44-inch pads back into his bag around Nov. 19 without anyone taking notice of them violating the new 38-inch rule.

The offseason of change finds Patrick Roy, Kirk Muller, Doug Gilmour, Ken Daneyko, Tom Barrasso and Calle Johansson are among those easing into retirement, while young studs like Tuomo Ruutu, Marc-Andre Fleury, Eric Staal and Nathan Horton get ready to try to fill their shoes.

Let's get ready to drop the puck on another exciting season. Just remember to take lots of good pictures this year, because it may be the last NHL action you see for awhile.

Surprise, surprise

The postseason runs by Anaheim and Minnesota have every Tom, Dick and Harry in the Western Conference thinking that they are a playoff contender. While confidence is an admirable quality, Columbus, Nashville, Phoenix and San Jose probably aren't ready for prime time just yet. But the Ducks and Wild may have given teams a blueprint as to how to nullify talent discrepancy in the postseason -- unfortunately their plan revolves around the less-than-thrilling-to-watch trap. Hey, they must've done something right if the Red Wings are talking about playing more defense this season.

End of the world as we know it?

With tensions running high between the NHL and the NHLPA, the 2003-04 season could be the last NHL action for awhile. The collective bargaining agreement expires on Sept. 15, 2004, one day after the championship game of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. The two feuding sides finally sat down to talk in Toronto last week, but just when it looked like as if some progress was being made, NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow said that the meeting just served to reinforce how significant their differences are.

Saying goodbye

It may be a crowded induction ceremony in Toronto in November of 2009. Mario Lemieux, Messier, Francis, Hull, Hasek, Joe Nieuwendyk, Sean Burke and Stevens are among those who may be playing their final season. If the owners lock out the players next September, the list of retirees could grown even more. Even younger stars like Peter Forsberg and Markus Naslund have hinted that they may return to Sweden to finish their career, an inevitability which would be hastened by a lockout.

Will the Cup come home?

Canada hasn't been home to a Stanley Cup winner since the Canadiens triumphed in 1993. With the Senators and Canucks both serious contenders, Canada's 11-year Cup drought could end. Ottawa won the Presidents' Trophy last season, but couldn't get past the eventual champion New Jersey Devils. Vancouver looked great for most of the regular season before fading in the final week and yielding the Northwest Division title to Colorado. But Dan Cloutier's postseason struggles resurfaced when the Canucks had a 3-1 series lead on Minnesota, and the Wild rallied to win in seven. A full season of Jason Spezza in Ottawa and Johan Hedberg to push Cloutier in Vancouver may lead to both teams being even better this year. Canadian fans would surely rejoice in the Cup heading back to the Great White North in either franchise's hands, but can you imagine the party if both teams reached the finals? That hasn't happened since the Flames and Habs played in 1989.

Outdoor game

The Edmonton Oilers will play host to the Montreal Canadiens in the Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium, in what will be the first outdoor regular-season game in NHL history on Nov. 22. A crowd of more than 55,000 is expected on the 86th anniversary of the league's inception in Montreal. The Habs and Oilers will wear throwback jerseys for the events, but the real throwback excitement will come from an old-timers game of Canadiens greats vs. Oilers greats. Guy Lafleur will lead the Montreal team, while Gretzky will make his first appearance in an old-timers game, and be joined by Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe on the Edmonton squad.

Jersey swap

For those of you who bought your favorite team's home jersey last season, get ready to plunk down another $100 this season for the new home togs. The NHL is introducing a new Vintage Hockey program (read: spend more money on jersey) this season. As a part of it, the Canadiens will wear a white jersey modeled after the one they wore in 1945-46, and a red jersey matching the style they wore in 1958-59. The Bruins (1967-68), Kings (1980-81), Rangers (1976-77), Blues (1979-80) and Canucks (1972-73) will also turn back the clock, with the debut of the throwbacks sweaters coming in the Blues-Kings game in Los Angeles on Nov. 15. While the Canucks' blue and green hockey stick uni was an OK choice, is anyone else wishing they would've chosen the garish flying V ones just so we all could've laughed at seeing Todd Bertuzzi in that? From a distance, of course.

New Jersey at Boston -- 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday

The defending champs won't raise their Stanley Cup banner at Continental Airlines Arena until Oct. 16, but they'll get things started on Opening Night with a rematch of their first-round playoff series. Joe Thornton probably has had nightmares about John Madden ever since, and the Beantown captain surely will get a pesky dose of Madden again.

Anaheim at Dallas -- 8 p.m. EDT Wednesday

The Stars will be looking for revenge after being knocked out of the playoffs by the Mighty Ducks in six games. Dallas was Jean-Sebastian Giguere's second victim en route to the Conn Smythe Trophy, but Jiggy wasn't facing a healthy Bill Guerin, which could make a difference for the Stars. This is also the 10th anniversary of Anaheim's first NHL game -- a 7-2 loss to Detroit at the Arrowhead Pond -- one in which Fedorov netted the game-winning goal.

Columbus at Atlanta -- 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday

The Thrashers will take the ice at Philips Arena for the first time since Snyder's tragic death. Season-opening games usually feature a party atmosphere, but Atlanta's home opener will be subdued. Bob Hartley turned around the Thrashers after taking over for Curt Fraser in January, but his coaching ability will be tested without his best player (Dany Heatley) and one of the team's emotional sparkplugs (Snyder) this season.

Chicago at Colorado -- 9 p.m. EDT Friday

The Avalanche's Sensational Six take the ice together for the first time. While Kariya and Selanne clicked with new center Joe Sakic from the stars, Colorado's top line of Milan Hejduk, Forsberg and Alex Tanguay struggled in the preseason with seven points in 16 combined games. The Blackhawks' porous defense should be a tonic for that in the Avs' season opener.

Detroit at Ottawa -- 7 p.m. EDT Saturday

Hockey Night in Canada is featuring the Canadiens-Maple Leafs matchup everywhere but in Ottawa, but the Red Wings-Senators is clearly the best game of the week. Detroit and Ottawa won't meet again this season ... unless it's in the Stanley Cup finals.

Edmonton at Vancouver -- 10 p.m. EDT Saturday

The Oilers and Canucks engaged in some epic battles on HNIC last season, averaging seven goals per game in their three Saturday night games. With two of the most exciting styles in the league, this will be another can't-miss game.

Plus: Steve Yzerman -- The Red Wings' captain is entering his 20th NHL season, and has spent all of those two decades in Motown. That marks the longest such tenure among active players, ahead of Brian Leetch's 16 seasons in Manhattan.

Minus: Labor strife -- Just split the difference and be done with it. The union is never going to accept a hard salary cap, so settle for a luxury tax. Hockey will ruin itself if the 2004-05 season is cancelled.

Plus: Jordin Tootoo -- The Predators are easily the most popular team in Nunavut, Rankin Inlet, as Tootoo is going to become the first Inuit to play in the NHL. As many as 100 people from Tootoo's hometown near the Arctic Circle are planning a two-hour flight to Winnipeg and a 23-hour bus ride to Nashville for his professional debut on Thursday against Anaheim.

Minus: The pad police -- The NHL placed 14-year-veteran forward Kris King in charge of policing a new rule that state that goaltenders' leg pads can't exceed 38 inches in length. But why do they need this rule anyway? Martin Brodeur won the Vezina Trophy last season while wearing 34-inch pads, proving it's the netminder, not the pads, that makes the real difference.

Plus: New Coyotes jerseys -- Phoenix thankfully has ditched its gaudy multicolored threads in favor of traditional red brick and white sweaters and pants. The crazy dancing coyote has been replace by a howling one. While most teams have lately tended toward the outlandish uniforms which are immediately identifiable on TV or from a distance, the Coyotes went with a classic look that is vaguely reminiscent of the Red Wings' sweaters.

"I didn't watch it. By that point I was watching my kids play soccer. I'd rather be doing that than watching somebody else play."  -- Kings head coach Andy Murray on his interest level in the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs after his team failed to make it.

"He's like me ... only he can skate." -- Hurricanes captain Ron Francis assessing Eric Staal, whom Carolina took with the second selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

"We thought we had a great chance last year. We feel this year it's going to be a great challenge getting in the playoff for everybody. There are no freebies. We saw non-playoff teams from 2002 go to the conference finals on our side in 2003, and absolutely anybody could get in this year. If you get things going your way in our game, you can be tough to beat." -- Blues head coach Joel Quenneville on how tough it is to make the playoffs in the Western Conference.

"Joe could score 40 or 50 goals, but he likes to pass a lot more. I'm not complaining at all, but Joe likes to pass more, which is great for me." -- Bruins right winger Glen Murray (85 goals in the past two seasons) assessing Joe Thornton's talents and his propensity for passing the puck.

"His work ethic is just contagious. Everyone just feeds off of that. The guys try as hard as they can to score and he tries as hard as he can to keep it out even in practice. And if you score, he wants you to shoot it again." -- Red Wings head coach Dave Lewis on Dominik Hasek's return from retirement.

"I'm all over the map musically. I'll listen to whatever is on the radio pretty much. ... I like some alternative stuff, like Tragically Hip and Our Lady Peace. I know some of the Eagles' stuff, but it is a little bit before my time. My parents will be more excited about the Eagles than I will." -- Senators center Jason Spezza on his excitement level leading up to The Eagles' performance at the Corel Centre, a special performance new owner Eugene Melnyk arranged for season ticket holders.

Penguins G Marc-Andre Fleury -- The Pens' last No. 1 pick worked out pretty well -- some guy named Lemieux. And now Lemieux will have a tenant in the Steel City, as Fleury made the Penguins with his impressive preseason and signed just four minutes before the Monday 3 p.m. deadline. He will live with Lemieux and his family, and if Super Mario has his way, Fleury will add babysitting duties to his puckstopping duties.

Fleury appeared in four preseason games and led the Pens' goalies with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. He is likely to split time with 2003 All-Rookie Team netminder Sebastien Caron.

The 6-foot-1 native of Sorel, Quebec is skinny as a rail (172 pounds) and could wear down as the season goes on. The most recent 18-year-old goalie to play in the NHL was Dan Blackburn, and he regressed over two seasons with the Rangers and likely will now play an entire season in the AHL. Fleury is more skilled than Blackburn, but the possibility of an 18-year-old getting frustrated and losing confidence exists, especially on a team as poor as the Penguins.

Fleury went 17-24-6 with a 3.36 goals-against average with Cape Breton of the QJMHL, but he was incredible at the World Junior Championships, finishing with a 1.28 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage to help Canada finish second behind Russia.

Fleury's agent, Allan Walsh, hammered out the agreement with Pens general manager Craig Patrick after a long weekend of negotiations. If Fleury hadn't been signed by 3 p.m. on Monday, he would've headed back to Cape Breton for a fourth season. But the two sides came to terms on a three-year deal that could be worth up to $15 million if all the incentives are reached. It is essentially a mirror of the deal that Rick DiPietro signed with the Islanders in 2000.

Regardless of the financial details, the Penguins are thrilled to have a future franchise goalie like Fleury under contract and ready to gain some valuable NHL experience.

.708 -- Opening-game winning percentage (14-4-6) for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche, the best in the NHL.

1.72 -- Marty Turco's goals-against average in 2002-03, the lowest by a starter since 1940.

5.31 -- Average goals per game last season.

8 -- Home wins by the Florida Panthers last season (8-21-7-5), four fewer than the next worst team at home, the Carolina Hurricanes (12-17-9-3).

+277 -- Fedorov's plus-minus since 1990-91, the best among NHL forwards, ahead of Jaromir Jagr (plus-212), John LeClair (plus-210), Peter Forsberg (plus-190) and Steve Yzerman (plus-184).

20,673 -- Montreal's league-leading average 2002-03 attendance at the Bell Centre.

35,849 -- Penalty minutes assessed in the NHL last season.

Our best guess at what the playoff seedings will look like.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS Eastern Conference Western Conference Ottawa Senators Detroit Red Wings New Jersey Devils Colorado Avalanche Tampa Bay Lightning Dallas Stars Philadelphia Flyers St. Louis Blues New York Rangers Vancouver Canucks Boston Bruins Anaheim Mighty Ducks Washington Capitals Los Angeles Kings Toronto Maple Leafs Edmonton Oilers

This will be updated weekly throughout the regular season.

Each week during the season, this space will be devoted to your comments on a particular issue.

This week's topic: Which team will win the Stanley Cup this season?

Send your opinion in the form at the right.

Jon A. Dolezar covers the NHL for SI.com. The "Week at a Glance" will appear each Sunday during the regular season.