Eastern Conference

CUP CONTENDERS

New Jersey Devils

Death Trap: Coach Jacques Lemaire isn't abandoning the neutral-zone trap, but he is reemphasizing its counterattacking possibilities, which carried New Jersey to the 1995 Stanley Cup. "I'm trying to change their minds," Lemaire says of his players, whose attitude toward the trap soured last season. "I don't hate offense. I love offense. But I'm not here to make a show. If I make a show and lose, I lose my job."

The Thick Blue Line: The Devils' defense-men—captain Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Lyle Odelein, Shawn Chambers, Ken Daneyko and Jason Smith—are as good as any in the NHL. Lemaire has to give them, especially Niedermayer, more freedom. But will he? He also must mend fences with Stevens, who took it personally when Lemaire, after a loss to the Ottawa Senators on the season's last day killed New Jersey's playoff chances, said the Devils "lacked leadership." In fact, New Jersey was the first Cup defender to miss the postseason in 25 years.

The Assistant: Robbie Ftorek is the Devils' best off-season acquisition, having moved from New Jersey's farm club in Albany to serve as a buffer between the exigent Lemaire and his players. Ftorek takes over the role that Larry Robinson, now the Kings' coach, played for the Devils in 1994-95.

Philadelphia Flyers

Big E: Center Eric Lindros showed he wasn't ready to carry a team to the Stanley Cup last spring, and he didn't enhance his stature as the Next One with his spotty play for Canada in the World Cup in September. Lindros can't figure out when he should try to hit and when he should try to score, when to play with discipline and when to go ballistic. General manager Bob Clarke and coach Terry Murray are trying to define his role explicitly.

Three-Year Hex: Some general managers say the Flyers won't win a Stanley Cup with Ron Hextall in goal; Clarke bet $7 million that they will. In August the 32-year-old Hextall signed a three-year deal with a no-trade clause, which marries the Flyers' chances to his fierce style.

The Trade: In '95-96 the Legion of Doom line—Lindros, John LeClair and Mikael Renberg—scored 43% of Philly's goals even though Renberg missed 28 of the final 31 games because of an abdominal strain. But Clarke doesn't think he can win a Cup without a better second line, so look for him to deal for a tough winger who can score.

New York Rangers