Miikka Kiprusoff David E. Klutho/SI

Remember the Ice Age? It's back. After throwing away last season due to a labor dispute, the NHL has returned, with new rules, a redrawn rink and a salary cap that levels the playing surface for all 30 teams.

Due to those cap adjustments, few teams will resemble what we remember of them when the 2003-04 season ended. Big names will be wearing new sweaters (see Peter Forsberg in Philadelphia, Paul Kariya in Nashville, Dominik Hasek in Ottawa and Jeremy Roenick in L.A.). Other big names have retired (Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Ron Francis and Scott Stevens). One Great name is back on his team's bench -- or rather behind it, as Wayne Gretzky takes over as coach in Phoenix. But no one may receive more attention than Sidney Crosby, this year's top overall draft pick who will be playing alongside Mario Lemieux in Pittsburgh.

How will it play out? Click on any of the team names below to read a scouting report on each club.

SI's Rankings
1. Calgary Flames 2. Philadelphia Flyers 3. Ottawa Senators 4. Tampa Bay Lightning 5. Nashville Predators 6. Vancouver Canucks 7. Detroit Red Wings 8. San Jose Sharks 9. Edmonton Oilers 10. Florida Panthers 11. New Jersey Devils 12. Boston Bruins 13. Pittsburgh Penguins 14. Columbus Blue Jackets 15. Atlanta Thrashers		16. Chicago Blackhawks 17. Montreal Canadiens 18. Colorado Avalanche 19. New York Islanders 20. Toronto Maple Leafs 21. Dallas Stars 22. Anaheim Mighty Ducks 23. St. Louis Blues 24. Los Angeles Kings 25. Buffalo Sabres 26. Minnesota Wild 27. Phoenix Coyotes 28. Carolina Hurricanes 29. Washington Capitals 30. New York Rangers

Issue date: October 3, 2004