The Year in Review & Dissecting the Offseason
September 2, 2002

Courtesy of: StrictlySportsWinners.Com
Story by: Frank Alulio

First instalment of a three part series to prepare fans for the 2002/03 NHL season.

As the days get shorter, the temperature begins to dip, and the leaves begin to change colour, it could only mean one thing. We are not far now from NHL hockey. Every hockey fan instantly becomes a general manager, coach and head scout during this time of year and will soon launch their opinion on what the season will bring. One thing is for sure. No matter what your opinion on any team is, or whom you stake your allegiance too, the hockey season is sure to bring another onslaught of excitement, surprises and entertainment. The fastest game on earth gets faster every year.

As the summer draws to a close I am pleased that HockeyLink.Ca has afforded me the opportunity to provide some insight from a professional prognosticators point of view. This is the first segment of a three part series where we will first review last year while dissecting the off season, followed by evaluating the preseason and finally make some bold predictions for the coming year.

A Brief Look Back:

It seemed just a short while ago we were all discussing the trade and possible impacts of Eric Lindros, Domenic Hasek and Jaromir Jagr. We were evaluating whether the Red Wings were too old, if the Avalanche could repeat and looking forward to the Olympic championship. Last season answered plenty of questions and provided some excellent hockey as the Canadian Olympic team and their opponents provided both drama and glory for Canadians and all hockey fans alike. The Red Wings destroyed teams in the regular season and rode that momentum to another Stanley Cup victory. New stars emerged as Jose Theodore almost single headedly carried the Habs to round 2 of the playoffs. Jerome Iginla had an MVP season while he was the only player to score 50 goals. New players supplanted aging veterans everywhere while controversial stories such as the two-referee system, Colin Campbell's suspensions and some surprising coach hiring and firings provided plenty of water cooler discussions.

From a Canadian perspective, one couldn't be prouder of the franchises. The Canucks and Oilers provided entertaining high scoring action. No one in Calgary could forget the amazing start the Flames provided their fans. The three Eastern conference teams all made the second round of the playoffs as the Senators exercised some demons, while the Canadians took a step back to glory and the Toronto Maple Leafs exemplified grit, determination and heart for 3 playoff rounds while ravaged by injuries. Despite the falling Canadian dollar, the Americanization of the game, in general these teams continue to put out a quality product and dismiss the phrase the "game is dead in Canada".

Despite a high bankroll, the Detroit Red Wing Stanley cup victory reaffirmed my belief that you cannot buy a Stanley cup. Yes, they did add some key free agents but the core of this team is still built from within with Steve Yzerman, Sergei Federov, Nic Lidstrom all being home-grown products while Domenic Hasek and Brendan Shanahan were key trade moves. It seems that championship teams must strike a balance when achieving the ultimate goal and despite the glitter that "bought" teams provide the true winners come from within. We will with hold our opinion for a Stanley cup championship at this point but it will be a team that exemplifies the aforementioned qualities. Good scouting, shrewd managing and key spending is the secret to success.

Dissecting the Offseason:

We could begin with the draft but as the year's progress the draft continues to have a smaller and smaller impact on the next season. Perhaps it would be in a our best interest to re-evaluate the draft from a few years back to see what kind of impact the entry draft will have. Some of the kids drafted will play, this season, but there impact will be nil if any. As always there is the promise from the first round selections, hope of finding that diamond in the rough but generally speaking no one in this years crop will make the difference between making the playoffs or not, winning the cup or being eliminated and success or failure. The draft is project and although it is a key component to overall franchise success it is not the shot in the arm to a team it once was.

The draft in fact has become more and more a sideshow for big trades. This season that did not transpire either. Some small moves were made but they were a far cry of movement seen in years past. Overall the draft was a disappointment as the lack of big player movement in general and the lack of a true number player made the event in Toronto a yawner to say the least. In hindsight though, it may be a good thing as we can focus our attention on the free agent market and its moves. A few teams made a big splash and those moves need to be examined.

Detroit: Lost Hasek and immediately replaced him with Curtis Joseph. They are no better but are definitely no worse and will once again contend.

Dallas: Bill Guerin and Scott Young add toughness upfront with a good scoring touch. The team should have 2 deep lines now and the defence remains solid. A return to the playoffs is likely.

Chicago: Picking up Fleury might be the biggest steal in the off-season. His comfort level with where he plays and solid relationship with his coach might be just what he needs. This team took another step forward and is probably the third best team in the conference.

Phoenix: Tony Amonte adds 30-40 goals instantly but the team is still very thin in the depth department. The always contend for a playoff spot and this season should be no different.

New York Rangers: Beside the fact they overpaid for their signing this team took another step forward. Is there enough foundation there and can the egos be checked at the door? These questions remain to be answered yet it is difficult to imagine this team not being better with Holik and Kasparitis being added.

Toronto: Losing Cujo was huge but Belfour could provide enough solid goaltending to keep them where they were. Missing out on Guerin, Amonte, Holik and Kasparitis questioned managements' true commitment to winning.

Despite these major signings and other smaller moves the balance of power has not shifted in the NHL at all in the off-season. The more things change the more they stay the same. The Western conference is still the powerhouse of the league and the only way to gauge your improvement is to try to beat Detroit or Colorado. Can it be done? Of course it is possible yet it seems unlikely. Some teams are close but it seems like they can't pull the trigger on the move that puts them over the top. Someone tell Bobby Clarke he still needs a goaltender. Lend Pat Quinn your opinion that the conflict of interest he has as GM and coach won't allow him to make the big move. Tell Mike Smith Chicago doesn't have to be a dumping ground for Leaf has been players. Get Lou Lamarillo a tissue as he constantly cries as free agents leave for greener pastures.

Want to make the finals? Get some depth in every department. 80 games in the regular season plus the playoffs is a lot of hockey. Overall depth has not shifted and the off-season moves by the brains of the franchises in NHL leaves plenty to be desired.

Preseason gets underway shortly and we will soon be able to jot down notes, watch some games get a better feel for what we can expect for the upcoming season. Check for next article segment in late August.

Your questions, comments or opinions on this or any other article authored by myself that appear on HockeyLink.ca are welcome. Please send them via the C.H.M.L. using the email address frank@hockeylink.ca