Star Search

The NHL has adopted a distinctly international theme as it prepares for its first league games in Japan, an All-Star game that matches North America against the rest of the world and a 17-day break in February that will allow its stars to participate in the Olympics for the first time.

However, problems on the home front cast a shadow over the league’s future as it prepares today to begin its 81st season.

More than 30 restricted free agents, including some of the NHL’s most dynamic young stars, were unsigned and not expected to play in their teams’ debuts. They include Mighty Duck left wing Paul Kariya, center Sergei Fedorov of the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings, Selke Trophy winner Michael Peca of Buffalo, 1996 rookie of the year Daniel Alfredsson of Ottawa, right wings Alexander Mogilny of Vancouver and Bill Guerin of New Jersey and defensemen Alex Zhitnik of Buffalo, Oleg Tverdovsky of Phoenix, Sergei Gonchar of Washington and Derian Hatcher of Dallas.

Having agreed to a system that prohibits unrestricted free agency until age 31, players began to use their strongest leverage--withholding their services--as a bargaining tactic. Commissioner Gary Bettman declared it “a shame” if Kariya misses games against the Vancouver Canucks in Tokyo on Friday and Saturday, but insisted he’s not unduly alarmed by the absence of so many marquee players.

“A couple of months ago, there was a lot of hand-wringing over our Group 2 restricted free agency and how it was too restrictive and unfair,” he said. “Now there are those who claim the sky is falling . . .

“These young, dynamic players may need to be more patient if they want to receive those levels of compensation. In the final analysis, I have confidence they will sign. Players still want to be paid as much as they can be paid and that’s their right. It’s a business decision. Teams have to decide what they’re willing to pay based on their budget and salary structure.”

Some other prominent figures will be absent this week, for other reasons.

Pittsburgh center Mario Lemieux, who won his sixth scoring title last season, retired after the Penguins’ playoff elimination. Chronic hip problems led to the retirement of Philadelphia Flyer center Dale Hawerchuk, who scored 518 goals. Sadly, Detroit defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and massage therapist Sergei Mnatsakanov are still in the rehabilitation unit of a hospital near Detroit, recovering from injuries they suffered in a limousine accident six days after the Red Wings’ Cup triumph. And the debut of top draft pick Joe Thornton of the Boston Bruins will be delayed a few weeks while he recovers from a fractured left wrist, incurred in an exhibition game.

A few key players have changed addresses. Most notable are center Mark Messier, who departed New York for Vancouver as a free agent, and goaltender Mike Vernon, the most valuable player in the playoffs, who was traded to San Jose. Ten teams have changed coaches and seven have new general managers.

Here’s how the season shapes up, in order of predicted finish in each conference.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

PACIFIC DIVISION

COLORADO AVALANCHE

* COACH: Marc Crawford, fourth season.

* 1996-97: 49-24-9, 107 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Right wing Jari Kurri (free agent).

* OUTLOOK: They matched the Rangers’ $21-million offer to Joe Sakic but might move some high-paid veterans to afford him. That won’t hurt because they’re so deep, starting at center with Sakic (22 goals, 74 points in 65 games) and Peter Forsberg (28 goals, 86 points) and extending to wingers Valeri Kamensky, Keith Jones and Adam Deadmarsh. Defenseman Uwe Krupp is ready after back surgery and rookie defenseman Wade Belak adds toughness. Patrick Roy (2.32 goals-against, .923 save percentage) is the NHL’s best money goalie.

*

EDMONTON OILERS

* COACH: Ron Low, third season.

* 1996-97: 36-37-9, 81 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Dan Lacouture (trade with Islanders), left wing Bill Huard (free agent), right wing Brantt Myhres (trade with Tampa Bay).

* OUTLOOK: They turned heads by upsetting Dallas and taking Colorado to five games in the playoffs. Their speed is well distributed and they’re solid up the middle with Doug Weight (21 goals, 82 points), Jason Arnott (19 goals, 57 points) and superb penalty killer Todd Marchant.

*

ANAHEIM MIGHTY DUCKS

* COACH: Pierre Page, first season.

* 1996-97: 36-33-13, 85 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Center Espen Knutsen (rights acquired in a trade with Hartford), right wing Scott Young (trade with Colorado), winger Tomas Sandstrom (free agent), defenseman Brent Severyn (waiver draft).

* OUTLOOK: With Paul Kariya, they’re dangerous. If he’s out a month or more, they’ll struggle. They have more threats up front, but Kariya is their heart. Young, a swift skater with a nice scoring touch and tenacity along the boards, was a terrific pickup from Colorado for a third-round pick. Sandstrom couldn’t score for the Red Wings in the playoffs but can bang bodies. The defense is decent but lacks a leader. Goalie Guy Hebert must be as good as last season (2.67 goals-against, .919 save percentage) especially until Kariya returns and their offense revs up.

*

VANCOUVER CANUCKS

* COACH: Tom Renney, second season.

* 1996-97: 35-40-7, 77 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Center Mark Messier, goalie Arturs Irbe, defenseman Grant Ledyard (free agents).

* OUTLOOK: Disrespect for Renney and defensive disarray kept them out of the playoffs last season. They may be more stable defensively with Ledyard, but that’s not enough. Messier, lured from New York with a $20-million offer, has a lot of miles on his 36-year-old body and wasn’t very effective late last season. Right wing Pavel Bure, who said he wanted to be traded, now wants to stay, but it’s not clear if he has recovered from the neck injury that limited him to 23 goals and 55 points last season. They need Alexander Mogilny (31 goals, 73 points) back to have a shot at the playoffs.

*

LOS ANGELES KINGS

* COACH: Larry Robinson, third season.

* 1996-97: 28-43-11, 67 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Luc Robitaille (trade with the New York Rangers), center Jozef Stumpel and right wing Sandy Moger (trade with Boston), defenseman Garry Galley (free agent), Olli Jokinen (first-round draft pick).

* OUTLOOK: They’re bigger and have more scoring potential, maybe enough to grab a playoff spot. The Rangers were disappointed with Robitaille’s 24 goals last season; the Kings would be delighted with that. The key is for Stumpel (21 goals, 76 points for Boston) to produce and give them a legitimate first line. The defense is potentially top-notch, with steady Mattias Norstrom, a more confident Aki Berg, rugged Doug Zmolek and an injury-free Rob Blake. Their hopes rest on Jokinen adjusting to the physical NHL game, generating some scoring from the right side and Galley jolting a power play that last season ranked 25th.

*

CALGARY FLAMES

* COACH: Brian Sutter, first season.

* 1996-97: 32-41-9, 73 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Center Andrew Cassels and goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (trade with Carolina), defenseman Eric Charron (trade with Washington), left wing Mike Peluso (waiver draft).

* OUTLOOK: They will miss center Dave Gagner, who left via free agency. Cassels (22 goals, 66 points) is adequate but not dominant. Their goaltending is so-so and their defense undistinguished.

*

SAN JOSE SHARKS

* COACH: Darryl Sutter, first season.

* 1996-97: 27-47-8, 62 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Murray Craven (trade with Chicago), left wing Stephane Matteau (trade with St. Louis), goalie Mike Vernon (trade with Detroit), defenseman Bill Houlder (free agent).

* OUTLOOK: Center Patrick Marleau, their first-round draft pick and second overall, may be their most talented player. Good for him, bad for them. Vernon (2.43 goals-against, .899 save percentage in 33 games) will solidify their goaltending, but their defense is awful.

CENTRAL DIVISION

DALLAS STARS

* COACH: Ken Hitchcock, third season.

* 1996-97: 48-26-8, 104 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Goalie Ed Belfour, defenseman Shawn Chambers, left wing Bob Errey (free agents).

* OUTLOOK: They upgraded their goaltending and have a brawny but skillful defense that might be the NHL’s best overall. They’ll win a lot of 3-2 games and will be in opponents’ faces. The keys are center Mike Modano, who is primed for a huge year after scoring 35 goals and 83 points, and Derian Hatcher, their defensive leader. More production on their power play, which ranked 19th at 14.6%, could put them over the top.

*

DETROIT RED WINGS

* COACH: Scotty Bowman, fifth season.

* 1996-97: 38-26-18, 94 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Brent Gilchrist (free agent).

* OUTLOOK: Vladimir Konstantinov’s accident devastated them emotionally and left a big hole on defense. Few players match his blend of muscle, nastiness and smarts. Aaron Ward and Jamie Pushor, semi-regulars last season, will vie for his spot and veterans Larry Murphy and Viacheslav Fetisov may play less to conserve energy for the playoffs. Power forward Brendan Shanahan (47 goals, 88 points) and veteran center Steve Yzerman (22 goals, 85 points) lead an offense that balances grinders and skill players, but Sergei Fedorov (30 goals, 63 points) is essential to their success.

*

PHOENIX COYOTES

* COACH: Jim Schoenfeld, first season.

* 1996-97: 38-37-7, 83 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Schoenfeld, who previously coached Buffalo; right wing Rick Tocchet (free agent); goalie Jimmy Waite (waiver draft).

* OUTLOOK: Left wing Keith Tkachuk, who led the NHL last season with 52 goals, was suspended for refusing to play an exhibition game while his contract was being renegotiated. He rejoined the team Tuesday, but that could still be a problem for the Coyotes, whose heart doesn’t match their talent. They depended too much last season on goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (2.83 goals-against, .908 save percentage) and will have to do it again because backup Darcy Wakaluk underwent knee surgery. Center Jeremy Roenick (29 goals, 69 points) and soon to be 38-year-old Mike Gartner (32 goals, 63 points) lead the offense. They must have Oleg Tverdovsky to quarterback the power play and be an offensive catalyst.

*

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

* COACH: Craig Hartsburg, third season.

* 1996-97: 34-35-13, 81 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Petri Varis (trade with San Jose).

* OUTLOOK: Their 28-year playoff streak could be in jeopardy. They’re thin up front after right wing Tony Amonte (41 goals, 77 points) and center Alexei Zhamnov (20 goals, 62 points), and Eric Daze (22 goals, 41 points) may never play as big as his 6-4, 215-pound stature. Defenseman Chris Chelios is a workhorse, but even he can’t pull this cart.

*

ST. LOUIS BLUES

* COACH: Joel Quenneville, first full season.

* 1996-97: 36-35-11, 83 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Center Darren Turcotte (trade with San Jose), defenseman Steve Duchesne (trade with Ottawa), defenseman Alexander Godynyuk (trade with Carolina), defenseman Rudy Poeschek (free agent).

* OUTLOOK: Right wing Brett Hull (42 goals, 82 points) wants a big new contract, but the Blues’ treasury was depleted by former GM Mike Keenan’s wasteful spending. Center Pierre Turgeon (26 goals, 85 points) has talent but is soft. There’s not enough offense here, and how much longer can Grant Fuhr (2.72 goals-against, .901 save percentage in 73 games) keep going?

*

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

* COACH: Mike Murphy, second season.

* 1996-97: 30-44-8, 68 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wings Kris King and Derek King, goalie Glenn Healy and center/left wing Mike Kennedy (free agents); General Manager Ken Dryden.

* OUTLOOK: Healy will provide fine relief for overworked Felix Potvin, who was shellshocked after facing 2,438 shots in 74 games. Mats Sundin (41 goals, 94 points) is a world-class center, but the dropoff after him is dramatic. Steve Sullivan is talented but small at 5-9. Derek King and Kris King (no relation) are gritty, but this team is too thin to be a threat.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ATLANTIC DIVISION

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

* COACH: Wayne Cashman, first season.

* 1996-97: 45-24-13, 103 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Defensemen Luke Richardson, Chris Joseph and Jamie Heward and center Chris Gratton (free agents).

* OUTLOOK: They’re beefier on defense with the bruising Richardson and they are formidable up the middle with Eric Lindros (32 goals, 79 points), Gratton (30 goals, 62 points for Tampa Bay) and Rod Brind’Amour (27 goals, 59 points). Right wing Dainius Zubrus will easily replace the traded Mikael Renberg on the Legion of Doom line with John LeClair (50 goals, 97 points) and Lindros. Their weakness is goaltending, as evidenced by the woeful playoff performances of Ron Hextall and Garth Snow.

*

NEW YORK RANGERS

* COACH: Colin Campbell, fourth season.

* 1996-97: 38-34-10, 86 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Right wing Mike Keane, center Brian Skrudland and defenseman Jeff Finley (free agents), left wing Kevin Stevens (trade with Kings), goalie Jason Muzzatti (trade with Carolina)

* OUTLOOK: They lost Mark Messier and couldn’t sign free agent Joe Sakic but have acquired Pat LaFontaine from Buffalo. There still are questions about him, however, because he sat out most of last season while recovering from a severe concussion. If he’s fit, he will be an ideal second-line center to take offensive pressure off Wayne Gretzky (25 goals, 97 points). They signed two superb grinders in Skrudland and Keane and should get an infusion of speed with right wing Alexei Kovalev’s return from knee surgery. Besides Norris Trophy winner Brian Leetch, their defense is creaky. Goalie Mike Richter (2.68 goals-against, .917 save percentage) is one of the NHL’s best. They’re not among the elite, but they’re not far off.

*

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

* COACH: Jacques Lemaire, fifth season.

* 1996-97: 45-23-14, 104 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Defenseman Vlastimil Kroupa (trade with San Jose.)

* OUTLOOK: Defense and the goaltending of Martin Brodeur (league-leading 1.88 goals-against, .927 save percentage) remain their strong suits, but players are frustrated in Lemaire’s restrictive system. They need more offense from Doug Gilmour, who had seven goals and 22 points in 20 games after being acquired from Toronto.

*

FLORIDA PANTHERS

* COACH: Doug MacLean, third season.

* 1996-97: 35-28-19, 89 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Center Dave Gagner, left wing Esa Tikkanen, defenseman Dallas Eakins (free agents).

* OUTLOOK: The tireless Gagner (27 goals, 60 points for Calgary) and the pesky Tikkanen are fine additions to a team that made it to the finals in 1996 but exited in the first round last spring. Kirk Muller, acquired from Toronto late in the season, has recovered from an ankle injury and should contribute more.

*

WASHINGTON CAPITALS

* COACH: Ron Wilson, first season.

* 1996-97: 33-40-9, 75 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Wilson, previously coach of the Ducks.

* OUTLOOK: Wilson and new GM George McPhee, previously assistant GM in Vancouver, bring a much-needed change of attitude. Steady but boring defense didn’t win them a playoff berth last season and Wilson might open things up and get away from the grinding game that wasted the Capitals’ offensive skills. Adam Oates (22 goals, 82 points) is a setup man in search of targets. The absences of Peter Bondra (46 goals, 77 points), suspended after demanding a new contract, and unsigned free agent Sergei Gonchar will hurt.

*

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

* COACH: Rick Bowness, first full season.

* 1996-97: 29-41-12, 70 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Mike Hough and center Sergei Nemchinov (free agents), right wing Mariusz Czerkawski (trade with Edmonton), left wing Tom Chorske (waiver draft).

* OUTLOOK: Nemchinov (eight goals, 24 points) and Czerkawski (26 goals, 47 points) make them deeper, but they’re in a tough conference. Right wing Ziggy Palffy (48 goals, 90 points) is a threat and defenseman Bryan Berard deserved rookie-of-the-year honors. They could use a few more goals from their wingers.

*

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

* COACH: Terry Crisp, sixth season.

* 1996-97: 32-40-10, 74 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Right wing Mikael Renberg and defenseman Karl Dykhuis (trade with Philadelphia), left wing Vladimir Vujtek (trade with Edmonton).

* OUTLOOK: The Lightning didn’t match Chris Gratton’s offer sheet from the Flyers but got Renberg (22 goals, 59 points) and the erratic Dykhuis in a related deal. They’re weak at center without Gratton, Brian Bradley (broken wrist) and John Cullen, who is undergoing cancer treatment. Right wing Dino Ciccarelli (35 goals, 60 points) keeps plugging away at 37. Crisp, the NHL’s longest-serving coach with his current club, avoided being fired several times last season but might not be as lucky this season.

NORTHEAST DIVISION

OTTAWA SENATORS

* COACH: Jacques Martin, second season.

* 1996-97: 31-36-15, 77 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Defenseman Chris Phillips (first overall draft pick in 1996), defenseman Igor Kravchuk (trade with St. Louis).

* OUTLOOK: No longer a joke, they pushed the Sabres to seven games before losing their first playoff series last spring. Alexei Yashin (35 goals, 75 points) is finally happy and former No. 1 overall pick Alexandre Daigle (26 goals, 51 points) has matured, but they need holdout Daniel Alfredsson (24 goals, 71 points) in order to duplicate last spring’s success. Phillips will fortify a young and mobile defense.

*

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

* COACH: Kevin Constantine, first season.

* 1996-97: 38-36-8, 84 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Defenseman Jiri Slegr (trade with Edmonton).

* OUTLOOK: While Mario Lemieux is playing golf, disciplinarian Constantine will be trying to teach a lazy, freewheeling team how to play defense. Good luck. Jaromir Jagr (47 goals, 95 points) is Lemieux’s heir as the Penguin leader, a role he has never enjoyed, but Ron Francis (27 goals, 90 points) is there to help. Goalie Tom Barrasso has recovered from shoulder surgery and will share time with Ken Wregget unless holdout Patrick Lalime returns. Darius Kasparaitis and Kevin Hatcher are their only above-average defensemen.

*

BUFFALO SABRES

* COACH: Lindy Ruff, first season.

* 1996-97: 40-30-12, 92 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Ruff, previously an assistant in Florida; GM Darcy Regier.

* OUTLOOK: The feud between GM John Muckler and coach of the year Ted Nolan led to both leaving town; goalie Dominik Hasek, winner of the Hart (MVP) and Vezina (best goalie) trophies for his 2.27 goals-against average and league-leading .930 save percentage, backed Muckler and was threatened by forward Matthew Barnaby. Their work ethic and toughness carried them last season, but they will have difficulty defending their division title. Derek Plante (27 goals, 53 points) and Brian Holzinger (22 goals, 51 points) are worth watching.

*

MONTREAL CANADIENS

* COACH: Alain Vigneault, first season.

* 1996-97: 31-36-15, 77 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Goalie Andy Moog (free agent).

* OUTLOOK: Their team defense, which ranked 23rd last season, will improve with the arrival of Moog (2.15 goals-against, .913 save percentage with Dallas). Center Vincent Damphousse (27 goals, 81 points), right wing Mark Recchi (34 goals, 80 points) and left wing Martin Rucinsky lead an offense that’s not bad but needs more balance. Their penalty killing was the NHL’s worst last season at 79.5% and must be more efficient.

*

BOSTON BRUINS

* COACH: Pat Burns, first season.

* 1996-97: 26-47-9, 61 points.

* WHO’S NEW: Goalie Byron Dafoe and forward Dimitri Khristich (trade with the Kings), forward Ken Baumgartner and defenseman Dave Ellett (free agents), centers Tim Taylor and Robert Lang (waiver draft).

* OUTLOOK: Joe Thornton was eclipsed in training camp by left wing Sergei Samsonov, the eighth overall draft pick. Small but quick and seasoned by a year in the International Hockey League, Samsonov will give fans reason to cheer after a horrible season in which the Bruins gave up a league-high 300 goals and missed the playoffs for the first time in 30 years. They’re weak at center after trading Jozef Stumpel for Khristich, who had 19 goals and 56 points playing mostly left wing for the Kings. Taylor is decent but Lang is inconsistent. A playoff return is several years away.

*

CAROLINA HURRICANES

* COACH: Paul Maurice, third season.

* 1996-97: 32-39-11, 75 points.

* WHAT’S NEW: Their home--Greensboro, N.C. The former Hartford Whalers will move to Raleigh after a new arena is built.

* WHO’S NEW: Left wing Gary Roberts and goalie Trevor Kidd (trade with Calgary), defenseman Enrico Ciccone (trade with Chicago), right wing Steve Leach (trade with St. Louis).

* OUTLOOK: They missed the playoffs by only three points and have a decent offense led by left wing Geoff Sanderson (36 goals, 67 points) and center Keith Primeau (26 goals, 51 points). Roberts, coming back from neck surgery, is a big if--if he holds up, he can score 30 goals. If not, they’re in trouble. They may be, anyway, with a relatively lightweight defense.