NHL PREVIEW : Lemieux’s 500th Goal, Avalanche Are Early-Season Focus

Having survived a lockout that reduced last season to a 48-game scramble, the NHL returns to normalcy today with a full schedule and with Mario Lemieux in a Pittsburgh Penguin uniform for the first time in nearly 18 months.

The four-time scoring champion resumes his career after taking a season off to recover from back surgery and the effects of treatment for Hodgkin’s disease. He’s in time to benefit from an NHL directive ordering referees to crack down on obstruction fouls, including the clutch-and-grab tactics Lemieux once said might drive him to retire. Lemieux has scored 494 goals in 599 games and would join Wayne Gretzky (who scored his 500th goal in his 575th game) as the fastest 500-goal scorers in NHL history.

To afford the rest of Lemieux’s $42-million contract, the Penguins slashed their payroll and retooled with younger players. The Buffalo Sabres also cut costs after their $24-million payroll bought them a first-round playoff exit.

Success threatened to break up the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils, when playoff MVP Claude Lemieux (no relation to Mario) challenged the validity of a contract he signed last spring and refused to report to training camp. After the Devils prevailed in arbitration, they traded him to the Islanders for Steve Thomas. (The Islanders then sent Lemieux to the Colorado Avalanche). Goaltender Martin Brodeur and defenseman Scott Niedermayer held out for--and got--big contracts after sitting out most of camp.

The Western Conference landscape has changed. Thirteen years after the Rockies left Denver, the NHL returns with the Avalanche, formerly the Quebec Nordiques. With an explosive offense, Colorado looms as the chief rival to the Detroit Red Wings, who had the NHL’s best record last season but were swept by the Devils in the finals.

Here’s a look at what to expect this season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

PACIFIC DIVISION

COLORADO AVALANCHE

(formerly Quebec Nordiques)

* Coach: Marc Crawford, second season.

* 1994-95: 30-13-5, 65 points.

* Outlook: Uncertainty over their future hurt them last season, but that excuse is gone. After trading holdout Wendel Clark for the pesky Claude Lemieux, they might have the best forward corps in the NHL, led by rookie of the year Peter Forsberg, Owen Nolan, Mike Ricci, Scott Young and the under-appreciated Joe Sakic. Their defense should generate more offensive chances--their most prolific defenseman, Uwe Krupp, ranked only 10th in team scoring--but that’s a minor problem.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

* Coach: Rick Ley, second season.

* 1994-95: 18-18-12, 48 points.

* Outlook: Alexander Mogilny will fortify the Canucks’ offense, but will one puck be enough for him and Pavel Bure? Both Russians are considered temperamental, but they might be happy and productive playing together. General Manager Pat Quinn was smart to trade Sergio Momesso for Mike Ridley, who centered for Mogilny and Bure in exhibition games, but Quinn’s best decision was re-signing gutsy center Trevor Linden late in camp. The Canucks have a mobile and skilled defense and a steady goalie in Kirk McLean.

CALGARY FLAMES

* Coach: Pierre Page, first season.

* 1994-95: 24-17-7, 55 points.

* Outlook: Only for the Flames was last season normal, ending with their third successive first-round playoff loss. They’ve made no major additions and lost two key players when center Joel Otto became a free agent and Robert Reichel went to Germany. They signed the fiery Theo Fleury after he sat out much of camp. Gary Roberts hasn’t recovered from surgery to repair nerve damage in his neck and shoulder, leaving the Flames primed for a big fall.

SAN JOSE SHARKS

* Coach: Kevin Constantine, third season.

* 1994-95: 19-25-4, 42 points.

* Outlook: Goalie Arturs Irbe, sensational two seasons ago, lost his job to Wade Flaherty last season. Irbe underwent hand surgery and must prove himself again. The Sharks expect leadership from center Craig Janney, but he’s a playmaker, not a scorer, and he has few decent wingers to set up. Jeff Friesen (15 goals) was impressive as a rookie and 6-5 left wing Viktor Kozlov is promising, but Pat Falloon must end his scoring decline. Talented defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh rejoined them Wednesday after a contract squabble.

EDMONTON OILERS

* Coach: Ron Low, first season.

* 1994-95: 17-27-4, 38 points.

* Outlook: General Manager Glen Sather has assembled a group of swift, young forwards led by Jason Arnott (15 goals), Todd Marchant (13 goals), David Oliver (16 goals) and Doug Weight (40 points). Also worth watching: swift Swedish winger Mats Lindgren. The defense is sluggish but Sather can improve the mix, if need be, by trading spare goalie Curtis Joseph.

KINGS

* Coach: Larry Robinson, first season.

* 1994-95: 16-23-9, 41 points.

* Outlook: Robinson is instilling a defensive conscience on a team that abandoned its goalies to face a league-worst 1,668 shots last season. He will help defensemen Rob Blake and Darryl Sydor, but he might need miracles to get consistent scoring. Wayne Gretzky must rebound from a nightmarish season in which he scored 11 goals and had a plus-minus of -20. Rick Tocchet’s back was fine in camp, but will it hold up? Rugged winger Eric Lacroix is a find but the Kings need a dependable second-line center.

MIGHTY DUCKS

* Coach: Ron Wilson, third season.

* 1994-95: 16-27-5, 37 points.

* Outlook: They have more skill but still lack depth up front. Rookie Chad Kilger, impressive at center with Paul Kariya and Todd Krygier in exhibition play, is big enough (6-feet-4, 215 pounds) and mature enough to make the jump from juniors. Defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky, no longer hampered by foot problems, should boost their power play from a league-low 11.4%. They’re on the right track but remain a couple of players away from the playoffs.

CENTRAL DIVISION

DETROIT RED WINGS

* Coach: Scotty Bowman, third season.

* 1994-95: 33-11-4, 70 points.

* Outlook: All the octopuses in Detroit couldn’t carry the Red Wings to the Cup last spring. Bowman sold them on the value of team defense, and they can’t let up. Their offense will be formidable, especially if Sergei Fedorov clicks with speedy rookie right wing Mathieu Dandenault. Defenseman Paul Coffey appears to have many brilliant seasons left and Nicklas Lidstrom showed more confidence in camp but they need a muscular defenseman. Goalie Mike Vernon lost his arbitration case but later signed a two-year deal worth up to $5 million.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

* Coach: Craig Hartsburg, first season.

* 1994-95: 24-19-5, 53 points.

* Outlook: Center Jeremy Roenick battled both a knee injury and Coach Darryl Sutter. He won the latter fight when Sutter retired. However, the Hawks are considering trading Roenick instead of signing him to a long-term contract. Their team goals-against average was the NHL’s best last season, but their offense is spotty. Bernie Nicholls was invisible in the second half and they can’t count on more magic from 34-year-old Denis Savard. They need young left wings Eric Daze and Patrick Poulin to step up. Ed Belfour, who won the Jennings Trophy as the NHL’s stingiest goalie with a 2.28 goals-against average, and defenseman Chris Chelios, are dependable.

ST. LOUIS BLUES

* Coach: Mike Keenan, second season.

* 1994-95: 28-15-5, 61 points.

* Outlook: As he did in New York, Keenan used his club’s fat checkbook to stockpile stars, spending $18.4 million on Dale Hawerchuk, Geoff Courtnall, Grant Fuhr and Brian Noonan. Fuhr, a bust with the Kings last season, came to camp overweight and couldn’t complete his physical because of shoulder and knee woes. He was booed in his first exhibition appearances but won his last two games. Keenan is predicting stardom for defenseman Chris Pronger, acquired from Hartford for Brendan Shanahan, but Pronger’s intensity is questionable. That’s true of many Blues. With Brett Hull (whose 29 goals last season projects to 54 over a full season) and Al MacInnis, their power play should have been sharper than 16.4%, which ranked 16th.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

* Coach: Pat Burns, fourth season.

* 1994-95: 21-19-8, 50 points.

* Outlook: Mats Sundin (47 points) replaced Doug Gilmour as the Leafs’ offensive leader, but Gilmour’s recovery from foot and back injuries will determine the Leafs’ fate. He’s still a fiery competitor, but he has many hard miles on him at 32. General Manager Cliff Fletcher did well to add Larry Murphy from Pittsburgh but has too many older defensemen. Second-year defenseman Kenny Jonsson will be counted on heavily. The play of goalie Felix Potvin will be another pivotal factor.

WINNIPEG JETS

* Coach: Terry Simpson, first full season.

* 1994-95: 16-25-7, 39 points.

* Outlook: Players are renting houses, not buying, because the club’s move after the season is all but set. That’s why right wing Teemu Selanne signed only a one-year deal. To keep left wing Keith Tkachuk after Chicago signed him to an offer sheet, the Jets had to pay him $17 million over five years. He’s a terrific power forward, but he won’t carry them to the Cup. Center Alexei Zhamnov, a clever puck-handler, was third in league scoring last season with a career-high 30 goals and 65 points. Defense is still their glaring weakness and they must find a decent goalie because Tim Cheveldae doesn’t cut it.

DALLAS STARS

* Coach: Bob Gainey, sixth season.

* 1994-95: 17-23-8, 42 points.

* Outlook: As Mike Modano goes, so go the Stars. His ankle injury last season killed their playoff chances. He’s their only threat among a bunch of pluggers. Brothers Kevin and Derian Hatcher lead a big and physical defense, but that won’t be enough to get the Stars far, even in a weak conference.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

NORTHEAST DIVISION

BOSTON BRUINS

* Coach: Steve Kasper, first season.

* 1994-95: 27-18-3, 57 points.

* Outlook: The Bruins’ personality matched the grungy, old Boston Garden: They weren’t fancy, but they got the job done. They’ve taken on a new identity in the cushy, new FleetCenter--flash and dash. Two-time 50-goal scorer Kevin Stevens, acquired from Pittsburgh, is a commanding presence. He will ease the pressure on right wing Cam Neely, who scored 27 goals on balky knees. Free-agent forwards Todd Elik and Joe Mullen add depth and character. The Bruins may need to find another defenseman because Al Iafrate is hurt again. Ray Bourque is still splendid, but there’s only so much he can do.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

* Coach: Ed Johnston, third season.

* 1994-95: 29-16-3, 61 points.

* Outlook: Mario Lemieux hopes to play 65 to 70 games. He breezed through camp and scored seven goals, but he must prove his back can take sustained hits. The Penguins are loaded with skilled forwards: Jaromir Jagr (32 goals, 70 points) won the scoring title last season, center Ron Francis scored 59 points in 44 games, and winger Tomas Sandstrom is always dangerous. But they traded Ulf Samuelsson and let Kjell Samuelsson go as a free agent, weakening an already suspect defense. Goalie Tom Barrasso, idled by a wrist injury most of last season, will see a lot of shots.

HARTFORD WHALERS

* Coach: Paul Holmgren, second season.

* 1994-95: 19-24-5, 43 points.

* Outlook: Left wing Brendan Shanahan will add life to their offense and their outlook. He’s a leader and a proven scorer, averaging 39 goals the last four seasons. He’s an ideal captain for a young team that has some talent, notably in two-time 40-goal scorer Geoff Sanderson, rookie center Jeff O’Neill and goalie Sean Burke (2.68 goals-against average and .912 save percentage). If defenseman Glen Wesley becomes more assertive, they’ll be in the playoffs.

MONTREAL CANADIENS

* Coach: Jacques Demers, fourth season.

* 1994-95: 18-23-7, 43 points.

* Outlook: Coach Jacques Demers survived the Canadiens’ failure to make the playoffs only because fans blame General Manager Serge Savard for trading John LeClair and Eric Desjardins to the Flyers. Mark Recchi’s 43 points in 39 games didn’t mollify the mob. Finnish sensation Saku Koivu will help their feeble offense, but their defense is undistinguished. They were the NHL’s worst road team (3-18-3) last season and one of the best at home--but they’ll be moving to a new Forum in March.

BUFFALO SABRES

* Coach: Ted Nolan, first season.

* 1994-95: 22-19-7, 51 points.

* Outlook: The Sabres couldn’t win the Cup with a $24-million payroll, so they’ll try the economy route. They cut about $4 million by trading Mogilny and not re-signing Hawerchuk and may pare more by trading Dominik Hasek, winner of the last two Vezina trophies as the NHL’s best goalie. Center Pat LaFontaine has recovered from the knee problems that limited him to 38 games the past two seasons, but winger Donald Audette will be idled by knee surgery and their other forwards are unimpressive. They need a big season from defenseman Alex Zhitnik after losing Richard Smehlik to a knee injury.

OTTAWA SENATORS

* Coach: Rick Bowness, fourth season.

* 1994-95: 9-34-5, 23 points.

* Outlook: Top draft pick Bryan Berard won’t play for them. Center Alexei Yashin, their top scorer the past two seasons, wants to be traded. Radek Bonk, a star in the International Hockey League, scored only three goals in 42 games for them last season. The Senators keep getting top draft picks but they’re getting nowhere. Defenseman Steve Duchesne will help their power play, but their defense is generally hapless. Another dismal season is in store.

ATLANTIC DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

* Coach: Terry Murray, second season.

* 1994-95: 28-16-4, 60 points.

* Outlook: Eric Lindros came of age last season, centering the “Legion of Doom” line and leading the Flyers to the Eastern finals. Lindros--who tied Jagr for the scoring title but had fewer goals--and wingers Mikael Renberg and John LeClair (26 goals each) blend size and skill in devastating quantities. Free-agent signee Joel Otto will take some offensive pressure off them and allow Rod Brind’Amour to stay at left wing. LeClair was the gem in General Manager Bob Clarke’s trade with Montreal, but defenseman Eric Desjardins was equally valuable. If goalie Ron Hextall remains sharp and right wing Patrik Juhlin produces, the Flyers could be menacing.

NEW YORK RANGERS

* Coach: Colin Campbell, second season.

* 1994-95: 22-23-3, 47 points.

* Outlook: The 1994 Cup winners are going all out to win again while 34-year-old Mark Messier can still lead by example. Acquiring Ulf Samuelsson and left wing Luc Robitaille from the Penguins could put them over the top. Samuelsson adds muscle and meanness on defense and Robitaille is a prolific scorer. Mattias Norstrom and Brian Leetch are the only defensemen younger than 30, but General Manager Neil Smith has the resources to make a deal if he needs to.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

* Coach: Jacques Lemaire, third season.

* 1994-95: 22-18-8, 52 points.

* Outlook: They won the Cup with more than just a nasty neutral-zone trap. Lemaire convinced his team that playing sound defense would create offensive chances. Stephane Richer (23 goals) and John MacLean (17 goals) were the top threats, supported by Neal Broten (eight goals in 30 games), Bill Guerin (12 goals) and Bobby Holik (10 goals). They’re deep enough to not miss playoff MVP Claude Lemieux, whom they traded for Steve Thomas. Goalie Martin Brodeur was splendid and defenseman Scott Niedermayer has immense potential. They can do it again.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

* Coach: Jim Schoenfeld, third season.

* 1994-95: 22-18-8, 52 points.

* Outlook: Jim Carey (2.13 goals-against, .913 save percentage) took the Caps from oblivion to the playoffs as a rookie, and he must be at least that good again. Without holdouts Peter Bondra, whose 34 goals led the NHL last season, and Michal Pivonka (33 points), they will be in trouble. Even with them in the lineup, the low-scoring Caps face tough going.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

* Coach: Mike Milbury, first season.

* 1994-95: 15-28-5, 35 points.

* Outlook: Milbury pushed the Islanders hard in camp and won’t let them float. He has good material on defense in Mathieu Schneider, Scott Lachance and No. 2 draft pick Wade Redden, but goalie Tommy Salo is unproven. Top scorer Ray Ferraro’s defection to the Rangers leaves them dependent on Kirk Muller, who hasn’t adjusted to being traded from Montreal to New York. Wendel Clark will help, but offense will be their big worry.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

* Coach: Terry Crisp, fourth season.

* 1994-95: 17-28-3, 37 points.

* Outlook: Defenseman Roman Hamrlik, the top pick in the 1992 draft, began to look the part last season after recovering from a knee injury. He can carry the puck and score, and the Lightning--whose 120 goals was third-lowest in the NHL last season--will welcome every point he records. The defense is otherwise mediocre and the forwards are no better than journeymen.

FLORIDA PANTHERS

* Coach: Doug MacLean, first season.

* 1994-95: 20-22-6, 46 points.

* Outlook: Roger Neilson got the Panthers within a point of the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, but was fired by General Manager Bryan Murray anyway. Murray’s decision to rely on youngsters--and hire longtime friend MacLean--won’t help much. Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck will have little room for error because the Panthers’ offense, which scored a league-low 115 goals last season, was changed only by the addition of rookie center Radek Dvorak. They will open without defenseman Ed Jovanovski (broken finger).