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See What is Empty Net '83 ? for more details

NORRIS DIVISION

The Minnesota North Stars are the odds on favourites to top the Norris in the opening campaign. Their forwards are comprised of five of their top six potential skaters, keyed by the speedy Dino Ciccarelli and shrewd playmaker Neal Broten. Depending on which defencemen were chosen among the North Stars options, they could be very strong or very weak - in Season 1 they appear to be steady with offensive weapon Brad Maxwell and the reliable Curt Giles capably filling two of the three spots. The most likely challengers to Minnesota are the Blues and Red Wings. The Blues will be suiting up Rick Heinz in net instead of star Mike Liut, but appear to be well heeled in the more important winger positions with Joe Mullen and Jorgen Pettersson. The Blues are without their two stars (Federko & Ramage) in Season 1, a reality that's much different than the Red Wings who are icing all three of theirs in Reed Larson, Brad Park and a young Steve Yzerman. Notably absent in the contenders discussion are the Chicago Black Hawks; with an average looking forward unit and a backend that will be all but hopeless when Bob Murray's not in the lineup. Rounding out the Norris are the Leafs - who could surprise with the acrobatic goaltending of Mike Palmateer and the heavy shots of Rick Vaive and Walt Poddubny, and the Atlanta Firebirds who should find it too difficult to score goals to have much of a say in this playoff race.

SMYTHE DIVISION

Though not void of offensive firepower the Edmonton Oilers have more of an intimidating look than expected in Season 1. Expect a lot of fistacuffs with both Dave Semenko and John Blum taking turns in the lineup. Speed and offensive savvy however will never be fully absent from the Oilers, with Jari Kurri, Ken Linseman and Paul Coffey leading the way this campaign. Another speedy team could surprise as the class of the division this year - the Winnipeg Jets. Like their neighbours to the south in Minnesota, the Jets are loaded with many of their top offensive weapons in particular star Dale Hawerchuk and the quick Thomas Steen. Dave Babych should be an absolute force in the back-end, but the Jets will be extremely vulnerable on his nights off, with the achilles heel of Wade Campbell and Bobby Dollas rounding out their trio. Calgary and Los Angeles each have a pair of stars on their roster in Lanny McDonald, Paul Reinhart, Bernie Nicholls and Larry Murphy - but could struggle mightily on nights one or both are sitting - in particular the Kings who employ the ultimate all-or-nothing lineup in the NHL this season. Rounding out the circuit are the Canucks - a light-weight group who figure to be completely inept offensively when Thomas Gradin is not in the lineup, and the Colorado Rockies who will need big campaigns from Wilf Paiement, Tapio Levo and John van Boxmeer if they are to crack the Top 4 in the Smythe this year. It's difficult to imagine the Kings, Canucks or Rockies advancing past the first round of the playoffs this season.