Forty-somethings

For an aging athlete, it's the toughest question to face: Is it time to retire? Future Hall of Famers Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Ron Francis and Scott Stevens made the hard call -- and the right one -- before this season, opting to bow out gracefully instead of returning to the new-world NHL

Some of their peers, however, remain in skates, perhaps refreshed by having the previous year off due to the lockout and re-energized by a league that wants to create more flow and cut down on the restrictive elements of the game.

Here's a look at the league's five top 40-and-over stars.

CHRIS CHELIOS, 43

The oldest active player in the NHL -- he turns 44 in January -- Chelios already seems negatively affected by the NHL's new enforcement on clutching and grabbing.

In the Red Wings' first four games, Chelios has been whistled for seven minor penalties, including four for interference. He also took a double-minor for high sticking in the third period of last week's game at St. Louis, as the Blues nearly rallied from a three-goal deficit.

Chelios has always racked up his share of penalty minutes, but many of those have been from overaggressive play. This season, it may be because he can't keep up with the "new" NHL. Chelios is smart enough to adjust, but teaching this old dog a few new tricks may be asking for too much.

DOMINIK HASEK, 40

Hasek already has one retirement in the books, that coming in the 2002-03 season after backstopping the Red Wings to the Cup. He then returned, only to wear out his welcome in Detroit by missing most of the season with a groin injury. At the time, it appeared Hasek's NHL career was over ... again.

But if we know anything about Hasek, he's as quirky and unorthodox and as unpredictable as they come. Just when you think he's finished, he returns -- and not only that, he's spectacular. He won his first three games as the Senators' No. 1 goalie, including a shutout of the Sabres.