To know list: 8 is enough—unless you're talking Oregon and turnovers, in which case it's nine

Sporting News, The, Oct 6, 2003

(1) NHL PREVIEW It could be curtains for these stars

It's likely NHL play will disappear for a while after the 2003-04 season because owners and players won't be able to reach a new collective-bargaining agreement. That means this season could be the last chance to watch some players who have Hall of Fame credentials. At last season's All-Star Game, for instance, the Avalanche's Rob Blake admitted he didn't know whether he'd come back after a temporary shutdown.

Other prominent players who could hang up the blades after this season: Chris Chelios, Dominik Hasek (again) and Steve Yzerman of the Red Wings; Ed Belfour, Alexander Mogilny and Joe Nieuwendyk of the Maple Leafs; Igor Larionov and Scott Stevens of the Devils; Dave Andreychuk of the Lightning; Ron Francis of the Hurricanes; Mario Lemieux (again) of the Penguins; Al MacInnis of the Blues, and Mark Messier of the Rangers.--Kara Yorio

(2) ACROSS THE FROZEN POND Have stick, will travel

The possible shutdown has some players considering overseas options for 2004-05. Sweden's Peter Forsberg and Magnus Arvedson and Finland's Teemu Selanne are expected to play in their home countries. For others, such as Paul Kariya, whose contract is up after this season and who might follow Selanne to Finland, playing overseas is a professional option and a European mini-vacation.

The recruiting started this summer. Teams in the Russian Elite League made offers too good to refuse to goalie Peter Skudra and defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky. Defenseman Dmitry Yushkevich and goalie Jamie Storr--a Canadian--also will play this season in Russia. Skudra's agent says the economic climate of the NHL was not the main reason Skudra signed with the Russian club, but it was one of them. Skudra's two-year deal means he will play, make good money and not have to deal with the looming apocalypse. After the 2004-05 season, he can return to the NHL--if a new CBA has been signed by then.--K.Y.

(3) PUCKS PICKS

The forecast calls for reign in Ottawa

                      Kara Yorio,              Ray Slover,
                      NHL Insider              associate editor

Atlantic              Flyers                   Islanders
Northeast             Senators                 Senators
Southeast             Lightning                Panthers
Eastern champions     Senators                 Senators
Central               Red Wings                Blues
Northwest             Canucks                  Avalanche
Pacific               Sharks                   Stars
Western champions     Canucks                  Red Wings
Stanley Cup           Senators                 Senators
Hart Trophy           Marian Hossa, Senators   Daniel Alfredsson,
                                                 Senators
Trophy lock           Tuomo Ruutu,             Dominik Hasek,
                        Blackhawks, Calder       Red Wings, Vezina
Overrated             Maple Leafs              Flyers
Underrated            Sabres                   Islanders
Fearless prediction   The Thrashers will       Avalanche G.M. Pierre
                        make the playoffs.     Lacroix will trade for
                                                 Sabres goalie Martin
                                                 Biron.

                      Don Cherry,               Phil Esposito,
                      Hockey Night in Canada    FOX Sports Net

Atlantic              Devils                    Flyers
Northeast             Senators                  Senators
Southeast             Capitals                  Lightning
Eastern champions     Devils                    Senators
Central               Red Wings                 Red Wings
Northwest             Avalanche                 Avalanche
Pacific               Stars                     Stars
Western champions     Red Wings                 Red Wings
Stanley Cup           Red Wings                 Senators
Hart Trophy           Martin Brodeur, Devils    Chris Pronger, Blues
Trophy lock           Brodeur, Hart             Pronger, Norris
Overrated             Jaromir Jagr, Capitals    Flyers
Underrated            Milan Hejduk, Avalanche   Lightning
Fearless prediction   Eric Lindros will have    The Rangers will
                        a big comeback            make the playoffs
                        season, and his           and be a force.
                        Rangers will make the
                        playoffs.

                      Paul Grant,
                      managing editor

Atlantic              Flyers
Northeast             Senators
Southeast             Lightning
Eastern champions     Senators
Central               Red Wings
Northwest             Avalanche
Pacific               Mighty Ducks
Western champions     Avalanche
Stanley Cup           Senators
Hart Trophy           Markus Naslund, Canucks
Trophy lock           Martin Brodeur,
                        Devils, Vezina
Overrated             Jaromir Jagr, Capitals
Underrated            Mike Dunham, Rangers
Fearless prediction   The Maple Leafs will
                        make the playoffs--on the
                        last day of the season.