Garth Snow’s towering leg pads were one of the reasons the NHL decided to limit pad height to 38 inches.
[AP photo]
Ed Olczyk goes from broadcast booth to coach.
[AP photo]
Teemu Selanne, left, and Paul Kariya took salary cuts to join the Avalanche and pursue the Stanley Cup together this season.
New behind the bench
ED OLCZYK, PENGUINS: The longtime NHL player was hired right out of the broadcast booth. He was creative with the telestrator. Can he transfer that talent to the chalkboard? More important, can he earn the respect of owner/player Mario Lemieux?
STEVE STIRLING, ISLANDERS: Charged with reinvigorating a team that underachieved last season using a counterattack style under former coach Peter Laviolette. Stirling's door is always open while Laviolette too often slammed his shut.
MIKE SULLIVAN, BRUINS: Fanatical about preparation and execution, Sullivan, who carved an 11-year NHL career as a checking forward, will stress defense. He'd better. Boston has questions with Felix Potvin in goal.
Keep an eye on
BRETT HULL, Red Wings: Needs two goals to pass Phil Esposito's 717 for fourth all-time.
MARIO LEMIEUX, Penguins: Needs 18 goals to reach 700 and eight points to reach 1,700.
MARK MESSIER, Rangers: Needs seven points to pass Gordie Howe's 1,850 for second all-time. Wayne Gretzky is out of reach at 2,857.
SCOTT STEVENS, Devils: Needs to play 19 games to pass Larry Murphy's record for defensemen of 1,615.
DARK UNIFORMS: First time home teams have gone dark since 1970-71.
Best offseason moves
1. PAUL KARIYA AND TEEMU SELANNE TO THE AVALANCHE: With Peter Forsberg, Joe Sakic, Milan Hejduk and Alex Tanguay, Colorado has the league's best top-six fowards.
2. VINNY PROSPAL AND SERGEI FEDOROV TO THE DUCKS: Remember what Prospal did for Vinny Lecavalier? Imagine what he can do for Fedorov.
3. DERIAN HATCHER TO THE RED WINGS: That means Detroit always will have either Hatcher, Chris Chelios or Nicklas Lidstrom on the ice. Dominik Hasek must be quite pleased. And speaking of the Dominator ...
4. HASEK TO THE RED WINGS: Playing for a round of beers in the Czech Republic just didn't cut it for Hasek. His return has made things a little tense in Detroit, what with Curtis Joseph still around. But if Hasek returns to form, the Wings return to the Stanley Cup final.
5. INACTIVE SENATORS: The team is one of the deepest and most talented. Why mess with a good thing?
WHAT'S NEW IN GOALIE FASHIONS
LEG PADS: Maximum length 38 inches; knee strap not to exceed 6 inches in length, 51/2 inches wide and 1 inch width; all flaps attached to the inside of the leg pads above the knee must be worn under the pant thigh pads.
PANTS: Raised ridge running the length of the pad is eliminated.
CHEST, ARM PADS: From NHL rule book - "If, when, the goalie assumes his normal crouch position, the shoulder and/or shoulder cap protection is pushed above the contour of the shoulder, the chest pad will be considered illegal."
GOALIES ALL THIS WILL AFFECT MOST: Garth Snow, Islanders (leg pads); J.S. Giguere, Ducks (leg pads, shoulder caps); Roberto Luongo, Panthers (knee straps).
5 teams on the rise
1. MIGHTY DUCKS: They lost Paul Kariya, who didn't bother to show up for the Cup final, anyway, but added offensive firepower with Vinny Prospal and Sergei Fedorov.
2. SENATORS: With all that talent, new ownership and a rejuvenated fan base, this has to be their year.
3. CANUCKS: The only question is, can goalie Dan Cloutier hold it together in the playoffs?
4. AVALANCHE: The only question is, will anyone show up in goal? If Colorado gets Phoenix's Sean Burke, as rumored, watch out.
5. RED WINGS: This season's best blue line and Dominik Hasek to boot.
5 teams going nowhere
1. PENGUINS: Imagine this team without Mario Lemieux.
2. BLACKHAWKS: No scoring, too small up front, not physical, can't win faceoffs.
3. SHARKS: A swift and painful fall made worse by the loss of Teemu Selanne.
4. COYOTES: The team is considering unloading goalie Sean Burke, 'nough said.
5. PANTHERS: The league's youngest team, conflict between the general manager and coach, and little physical presence.
Great places to watch a game
1. NASSAU COLISEUM, ISLANDERS: Small, and seats are close to the ice. Few amenities but ferocious fans make a great atmosphere.
2. EXCEL ENERGY CENTER, WILD: Always full, always loud with good sight lines and comfort.
3. HP PAVILION, SHARKS: Intimate space gets you close to the ice, yet 18,000 can fit inside.
4. ST. PETE TIMES FORUM, LIGHTNING: We know, gratuitous plug. But, really, the sight lines are great and the fans are always loud.
5. SAVVIS CENTER, BLUES: One of the league's loudest arenas.
