1. Is Detroit done?
Is this the end of the reign of the Detroit Red Wings? The Wings have been bounced early in the playoffs the last two seasons, and while a year off may have saved the legs of their senior citizens, they are still another year older and are now playing in a more up-tempo league. Add to that a No. 1 goalie, Chris Osgood, who makes less money than a backup, Manny Legace, who doesn’t want to be the No. 1.
2. Nashville rising
Will Paul Kariya put hockey on the map in Nashville? The Predators took a step to ingrain themselves in the city by making the playoffs and taking Detroit to six games in the first round in 2003-04. Kariya can be an electrifying player and the type a novice NHL city can embrace.
3. Turning the tide
Have the meek inherited the West? Calgary, Nashville, San Jose, Anaheim and the Hawks in the playoffs? Colorado and Dallas sitting out? A slow transition may pick up speed this season, forcing former heavyweights to reassess their plans.
4. J.R. does L.A.
How will Jeremy Roenick take to Los Angeles? Like a fish to water, a pig to mud–we can go on and on. Needless to say, Roenick will be the most quoted King whether he plays or not, and a few more concussions may have Roenick doing more talking than playing.
5. A streak in peril
Will St. Louis be singing the Blues? St. Louis has made the playoffs for 25 straight seasons, the longest streak in the NHL. That probably will come to an end this season. The Blues are a mess. Their two top players, Pavol Demitra and Chris Pronger, are gone. Captain Keith Tkachuk was suspended for a time after showing up in training camp looking like the Michelin Man. And the club is about to be sold.