I don't claim to be to everything about hockey, but I've followed the past few seasons and this is what I gather for a few of the top teams in the 2002-03 NHL season.

This season should prove to be exciting if the Stanley Cup playoffs from this past summer were any indication. Although the Detroit Red Wings walked away with the Cup in the finals, several teams were strong at the end of last season.

The Red Wings finished up last season with a 51-17-10 record, showing a statistical strength that can't be ignored. And with many of their key players returning to the ice this season, it should be another great season. New signees Stacey Roest, Bryan Adams, Mark Mowers, Patrick Bouleau, Curtis Joseph along with free agents like Darren McCarty, Chris Chelios, Mathieu Dandenault, and Igor Larionov are sure to carry the wings back for a 11th cup in 2003.

But the 'Wings will return without Dominik Hasek, who has retired after collecting another cup ring to his trophy case.  A trophy case which already included 6 venzia trophies (top goalie), two Hart trophy (mvp), 2 Jennings Trophy (lowest gaa), 2 Pearson trophies (players mvp), as well as a 1998 Olympic gold medal. Joseph will replace Hasek in front of the net.  Also, and head coach Scotty Bowman retired too, after winning his nine Stanley Cup.

The Carolina Hurricanes did well last season and advanced to the finals from the Southeast division of the Eastern Conference.  To be honest, however, if they were in the western conference they wouldn't have gone to the finals; probably not even the playoffs. A 35-26-16 record shouldn't get anyone to the finals, but a showing at the Cup is a big accomplishment for those guys in the Southeast division. I mean, hockey isn't a natural sport in the heat of the south.

The Eastern Conference Northeast Division leader, the Boston Bruins, are sure to show strongly this year with 43-24-6 season last year. But as championship playoffs often show, the Montreal Canadians made mincemeat of the Bruins, and sent them packing for Beantown in the first round.

The Washington Capitals have made a lot of changes to both their bench, and their coaching staff. The introduction of Butch Cassidy as head coach, the return of Robert Lang to the Caps, the signing of Jason Doig, Owen Fussey, twin brothers Chris and Peter Ferraro should add some fresh flair to the team.  Also after spending the playoffs last year watching from their couches, the Caps are sure to push hard to get back into the Cup race once again.

Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping to be back in action this coming year. They have re-signed defenseman Michal Rozsival and goaltender Robbie Tallas, but one of their younger stars almost missed the start of the season due to a terrible back injury. Center Martin Straka was injured while training in the Czech Republic over the summer.

Colorado really tried to make it, but goalie Patrick Roy made a few bad moves and they just missed the finals. Hopefully they can regroup and bring the Avalanche back into the game.

The Phoenix Coyotes will be a team from last years playoffs to watch for since they acquired Tony Amonte. But the preseason has seen defenseman Drake Berehowsky to the injured list indefinitely, which may dampen the Coyotes' spirit for the open of the regular season.

Much like last year, expect strength from the western conference. And with six of the last ten cups going to a western conference member, it's likely to produce many good games. Of those six, three went to Detroit, two to Colorado, and a single Cup to Dallas.

Check out next issue for more on the open of the 2002-03 season.