Swan songs: with labor trouble looming, this could be the final season for a host of veteran players, including several legends and future Hall-of-Famers

Hockey Digest, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Barry Wilner

The impending labor Armageddon might rob hockey fans of more than part of next season. It could finish off the illustrious careers of a dozen or more players, most of them owners of a Stanley Cup ring or more.

While fortysomething players clog many other sports, they deserve the spotlight in the NHL. Igor Larionov, Mark Messier, Chris Chelios, Ron Francis, and Dave Andreychuk don't exactly embarrass themselves on the ice, despite their age.

Slightly younger performers such as Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Al MacInnis, Scott Stevens, Dominik Hasek, Ed Belfour, and Joe Nieuwendyk still have deserved places in the lineup. And then there's Mario Lemieux, who--can you believe it?--is 38.

But a lockout, or strike, or labor stop-page by any other name that would curtail the 2004-05 season could lead to the disappearance of these veterans. And other, already financially stable players such as Peter Forsberg, Teemu Selanne, Alexander Mogilny and Nikolai Khabibulin could return to Europe to finish their careers.

That would be a shame because, as Lemieux asserts, age means virtually nothing in pro sports these days. "It started four or five years ago where guys began training hard all summer and keeping themselves in good shape and watching what they eat," he says. "If you stay in shape year-round and you're able to stay you can play a long time in this league."

Not if there aren't any games, though. And one of the worst aspects of a projected labor stalemate would be the loss of so many stars and likely Hall-of-Famers all at once.

Only one of them, Larionov, already has said he will be done in the NHL next spring--although Messier and Yzerman are almost certain to leave, too. For the rest, there still is the desire to play and collect on the lucrative contracts they are playing under.

"That's not the reason, though," Larionov says. "If you think about the money, you forget about the main thing, playing the game. You have to play the game.

"You have to love the game, you have to commit yourself to the game. You sacrifice a lot of things. When you're successful, you climb to that summit and there is nothing else above that. Then you take a couple of days or a couple of weeks off and you feel hungry again, so you have to do it again ... That's what keeps me going."

Here's HOCKEY DIGEST'S look at the elders of the NHL who could say adios in 2004 (listed alphabetically).

Dave Andreychuk

Tampa Bay Lightning

His numbers make him Hall of Fame material, even though Andreychuk never has been considered one of the best forwards in the game: His knack for converting on power plays, his intelligence, and his leadership make him a perfect mentor for the developing Lightning. As long as he doesn't age rapidly, another year or two is possible for Andreychuk.

Ed Belfour

Toronto Maple Leafs

Belfour appeared to be washed up in Dallas and several teams lacking top-level goaltenders passed on him as a free agent during the summer of 2002. So he went to Toronto and reaffirmed his abilities. Goalies often can last into their 40s, particularly if they have a solid backup during the season. So if the Leafs come up with a second-stringer who can effectively play 30 games a season, Belfour should hang around.

Pavel Bure

New York Rangers

The knees are shot, and "the Russian Rocket" probably won't ever skate in the NHL again, regardless of strikes or lockouts. He might not even have enough left to make it in a lesser European league.

Chris Chelios

Detroit Red Wings

No longer the physical presence of his prime, Chelios' skills have declined. But his value to the Wings hasn't, and he still can run a power play, if needed. If there is no hockey next season--or a delay in its start--Chelios isn't likely to continue his career.

Peter Forsberg

Colorado Avalanche

Rich enough to retire now, he's only 30 and the reigning league MVP. But a lockout might chase Forsberg back to Sweden--probably to stay. That would be a shame, because he's the most versatile forward in the NHL and worth every penny he makes. Another Stanley Cup also could convince Forsberg to play the rest of his career in his home nation.

Ron Francis

Carolina Hurricanes

One of hockey's best leaders and smartest players, Francis' value was especially clear in the 2002 playoffs, when he guided the surprising Canes to the Finals. With no speed (he never really had any), Francis uses guile and experience, particularly on power plays. But to think he will return after this season might be stretching it.

Dominik Hasek

Detroit Red Wings

He's back! And next year, he'll be gone again. The mercurial Hasek is almost certain to leave the NHL if there is a job action: If labor peace is reached, however, he'll keep cashing those huge checks from the Wings for several seasons. Hasek's major objective, however, is another gold medal for the Czech Republic in the 2006 Olympics.

Brett Hull

Detroit Red Wings

Not nearly the sharpshooter he once was, Hull has prolonged his career by becoming more responsible defensively and willing to accept less ice time. But his value to anyone other than Detroit has been diminished, so he'll likely conclude his outstanding career with the Wings, quite possibly after this season.