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As we flip the switch from 2002 to 2003, many will take a moment to make a New Year's resolution. The chubby will promise to get skinny. The lazy will vow to get busy. And the Rangers will commit to playing in both ends of the rink.
In the spirit of new beginnings, here are 15 New Year's resolutions that might be worthwhile for some of our friends around the NHL:
Commissioner Gary Bettman ... to put on a sweater and a pair of jeans and sit in the crowd (with some regular hockey fans) for both the bronze and gold medal games at the World Junior Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hey, commish, this is an easy one. The games will be played on Sunday (Jan. 5) and it's just a short flight from New York. Plus, you can root for Colin Campbell's son, Gregory, who is playing for Team Canada.
NHLPA president Bob Goodenow ... to meet Gary Bettman's public challenge to begin talks about a new collective bargaining agreement. After all, these talks have to start somewhere, right?
Stars center Mike Modano ... to never again turn his back on my good friend Jeremy Roenick.
Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice ... to take his team back to the finals this spring. This smart and resilient coach -- who has a sly sense of humor -- deserves another shot at the Cup.
NHL vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell ... to get a coaching or general manager's job in the next 365 days. Colie, you're too nice a guy for your current job. Plus, you know you want to get back into the fight. Here's hoping this resolution comes to pass.
Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux ... to do whatever it takes to bring management and the players together before 2004. Of all people, you two legends know this league MUST avoid a lockout/work stoppage.
Canucks goalie Dan Cloutier ... to have a much better birthday this spring. Last year, on the night before his birthday, Cloutier fanned on Nick Lidstrom's center ice slap shot in Game 3 of the Canucks' first round playoff series against the Wings. Well… you know the rest.
Predators coach Barry Trotz ... to figure out why we are 5-3-1 against the powerful Stars, Wings, Sens and Avs, but just 5-14-5-4 against everyone else. Of course, for some things, there are no reasonable explanations.
Bruins GM Mike O'Connell ... to trade defenseman Kyle McLaren as soon as possible. The Bruins, especially now that they've leveled off a bit, need to put this behind them. I'm sure O'Connell would like to be done with it, too.
Blackhawks defenseman Boris Mironov ... to stop acting like a spoiled three-year-old. Remember, Boris, you'll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Then, you can go anywhere you want ... if anyone still wants you.
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello ... to not fire Pat Burns, even if the team falls into second place, and to acquire another goal scorer before the trade deadline. Marty Brodeur can't win 1-0 or 2-1 every night, can he?
Avalanche coach Tony Granato ... to not pay attention to the critics who will continue to remind you that you have no previous coaching experience. As Scotty Bowman once said, the key to coaching is the ability to get on the bus with the best players. In Colorado, the bus is still full of some pretty good players.
Rangers defenseman Darius Kasparaitis ... to stop chasing opponents all over the ice looking for the big hit and start taking care of business in front of my net. If you do that, Darius, your game (and your plus-minus) will come back to Earth.
Oilers forward Mike York ... to be more thankful that the Rangers traded me. Hey Mike; just look at the standings. You should be thrilled to be out of that mess.
Sabres' players ... to rent, not buy. Despite what the league or the local officials say, there's no better than a 50-50 chance that the club will stay in Western New York.
To everyone else, Happy New Year and good luck with your own resolutions.
E.J. Hradek writes hockey for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at ej.hradek@espnmag.com.
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