The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
There wasn't a Stanley Cup winner for the first time in more than 80 years, but there was nevertheless no shortage of news out of the NHL this year. Here is a look back at the top stories of the year. * * * 1. You've Got Yourself A Deal The longest professional sports lockout in North American history finally ended in July when the NHL and its players' union found common ground at the bargaining table. The historic six-year collective bargaining agreement came after the entire 2004-05 season was wiped out as the two sides vowed never to budge from what they wanted. The owners were immediately declared the big winners, having at last pushed through their "cost certainty" in the form of a salary cap. However, it did not come without a price. Players will have earlier free agency, meaning fans might expect rosters to change more frequently than in years past. * * * 2. Hell Freezes Over Almost as significant as the new CBA was the crucial event that led up to its signing Ð the union's sudden acceptance of the salary cap concept. Month after month, players insisted that only when hell froze over would they agree to any sort of limitation on their multimillion-dollar salaries. So what happened? They simply folded, realizing the owners were prepared to wait as long as it took. Perhaps they also arrived at the conclusion that even the league's minimum salary of $450,000 isn't exactly chump change. * * * 3. Edge Of Their Seats Almost overlooked amid the excitement this season has been a very fundamental change to the game. After years of debate between traditionalists and modernists, the league took a major step by implementing shoot-outs to decide tied regular season games. Almost halfway through the season, the response has been phenomenal. Rinks that used to empty during overtime faster than a restaurant with a rat are now packed to the end. It's been a real crowd-pleaser Ð but don't even think about doing it in the playoffs. * * * 4. Open Up, Would You? It's been tried countless times, but never before has it stuck. Now, it would finally appear that the league is serious about its crackdown on hooking and holding, otherwise known as obstruction. With the game being played the way it should be, scoring is up and fans are excited again. The last few seasons had been so bogged down that even TV commentators who are supposed to hype the games openly called it dull. Please, NHL powers that be, don't let it go back to that! * * * 5. End Of An Era A season lost to a lockout was a season lost to some of the most talented athletes to ever lace 'em up. Mark Messier, second on the all-time points list, announced his retirement. The Moose is often referred to as one of the greatest leaders in sport, and rightfully so. Also signing off were Ron Francis, who quietly built a Hall of Fame career, sniper Brett Hull and longtime blueliners Scott Stevens and Al MacInnis. At no time in recent memory have a handful of such legendary players left the game at once. They will be missed but their legacy never forgotten. * * * 6. The Crosby Show Hockey fans had already known Sidney Crosby's name for years before he was drafted over the summer, going first overall to the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins. And Sid the Kid immediately began living up to the hype. It's only fitting that he shares the ice with captain/owner Mario Lemieux. Like Super Mario, Crosby will be a force in this game for the next 15 to 20 years. As good as he is now, at 18, he is only going to get better Ð a scary thought for opponents. * * * 7. Free Agent Frenzy Perhaps never before have NHL rosters undergone such a drastic change from one season to the next. Thanks to a new economic structure, the league's one-time wallflowers were able to participate in some major signings. The biggest included Chris Pronger with Edmonton, and Ziggy Palffy and Sergei Gonchar with Pittsburgh. The term "parity" may finally be back in the NHL vernacular. * * * 8. They're Back! Talking heads all over the tube were fearing the worst. What, they asked, if the fans simply don't come back when hockey does? They quite obviously underestimated the passion of the men, women and children who call themselves hockey fans. The first two months of the season saw new attendance records set. Sure, there are still plenty of empty seats in places like Washington and Florida, but they were never full at the best of times. Where hockey matters, hockey continues to strive. * * * 9. Sen. Stanley? First it was years as a laughing stalk. Then it was years of promise with no delivery. Now the Ottawa Senators are off not only to their best start ever, but one of the best starts in league history. With their first bona fide superstar goalie, Dominik Hasek, and a defense and forward corps that has reached its peak, could this finally be Ottawa's year? Fans are just hoping they won't have to face the Maple Leafs in the post-season. * * * 10. Welcome To The Big Leagues Sidney Crosby has soaked up all the attention, but there are in fact an entire crop of newcomers proving themselves in the new NHL. Washington's Alexander Ovechkin is an early favourite for the Calder. Colorado's Marek Svatos, Calgary's Dion Phaneuf, and the Rangers' Petr Prucha and Henrik Lundqvist are also stepping up, ready to accept the torch. With talents like these, NHL hockey promises to be as exciting in future years as it has been this season.
