This time they really mean it.
The NHL and its on-ice officials claim to be unified in cracking down on obstruction, clutching and grabbing. The result, the league hopes, is more room for its stars to flourish and increase scoring and action.
Whether it lasts through the postseason is another matter, but all we care about right now is the 86th NHL season.
Page 2 has all you need to know about what's going to be hot and what's going to be ice cold in 2002-03, so you can impress your friends, co-workers and significant others at the water cooler, bar or night out on the town.
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What's Hot, What's Not for 2002-03 NHL season
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| Category |
Hot |
Not |
| Captain |
Joe Thornton (Bruins) |
Alexei Zhamnov (Blackhawks) |
| Goalie |
Curtis Joseph |
Olaf Kolzig |
| Goalie tactic |
Hypnotism |
Lunacy |
| Mask |
Steve Shields' tribute to "Cheesy" Cheevers |
Mikka Kiprusoff's straight off the shelf number |
| Figure skater's beau |
Bret Hedican
(Kristi Yamaguchi) |
Brad Ference
(Michelle Kwan) |
| Teammate |
Jarome Iginla (Flames) |
Bill Guerin (Stars) |
| Unstoppable force |
Todd Bertuzzi (Canucks) |
Brad Isbister (Islanders) |
| Contract brouhaha |
Ron MacLean and CBC |
Byron Dafoe and everyone |
| Souvenir |
Game-worn jerseys |
Bobblehead dolls |
| Traitor |
Bryan Trottier |
Bobby Holik |
| Offseason acquisition |
Chris Drury (Flames) |
Robert Lang (Capitals) |
| Twins |
Olsens |
Sedins |
| Rookie coach |
Dave Tippett (Stars) |
Bruce Cassidy (Capitals) |
| Coach on hot seat |
Pat Quinn (Maple Leafs) |
Curt Fraser (Thrashers) |
| Defenseman |
Niklas Lidstrom (Red Wings) |
Lyle Odelein (Blackhawks) |
Pending restricted free agent set
for big year |
Ed Jovonovski (Canucks) |
Chris Gratton (Sabres) |
Pending unrestricted free agent set
for big year |
Sergei Fedorov (Red Wings) |
Shawn McEachern (Thrashers) |
| Job stealer |
Mikka Kiprusoff (Sharks) |
Steve Shields (Bruins) |
| Troubled soul |
Theoren Fleury |
It's always Theo |
| Celeb fan |
Queen Elizabeth II |
Cuba Gooding Jr. |
| Rookie |
Jamie Lundmark (Rangers) |
Jay Bouwmeester (Panthers) |
| Pool pick |
Jason Allison (Kings) |
Sami Kapanen (Hurricanes) |
| Pool sleeper |
Alyn McCauley (Maple Leafs) |
Jan Hrdina (Penguins) |
| "He's due" player |
Adam Oates (Mighty Ducks) |
Dave Andreychuk (Lightning) |
| Young star set for breakout season |
Patrick Marleau (Sharks) |
David Legwand (Predators) |
| Young 'n' fun team |
Coyotes |
Thrashers |
| New rules effect |
Quicker faceoffs +
more power plays =
faster games and more scoring |
Penalty parade +
lack of scorers =
no change in scoring and length of games |
| Enforcer |
Georges Laraque (Oilers) |
Sandy McCarthy (Rangers) |
Anticipated
grudge match |
Peca vs. Tucker, Dec. 6 |
Zednik vs. McLaren, date TBD |
| Pest |
Matt Cooke (Canucks) |
Darcy Tucker (Maple Leafs) |
| Comeback |
Nirvana |
Alexandre Daigle (Penguins) |
| NHL concern |
Financially strapped
owners and numerous
teams up for sale |
End of collective
bargaining agreement
after 2003-04 |
Sweater to be
seen in |
Jarome Iglina's No. 12 |
John LeClair's No. 10 |
| Trade bait |
Peter Bondra (Capitals) |
Mike Dunham (Predators) |
| Hart front-runner |
Joe Sakic (Avalanche) |
Pavel Bure (Rangers) |
| Gutsy Stanley Cup finals prediction |
Sharks vs. Senators |
Red Wings vs. Hurricanes |
