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Toronto needs it for national pride. Eric Lindros needs it for personal salvation. St. Louis needs it because it's the new Titletown? Warner-Bruce, make room for Pronger-MacInnis. And nice guy Ray Bourque's Avs need it so Ray doesn't have to be remembered as hockey's Dan Marino. Sixteen teams have a chance at the Cup, but if you're looking for a really good story, root for this Final Four.

Philadelphia Flyers
Redemption
Ripping the C off, now that was cold. That was gutless. That was the last straw. Eric Lindros is out with a concussion, recuperating at home in Toronto, and he finds out from his father--who finds out from a media guy looking for a quote--that he is no longer captain of the Flyers. Eric Desjardins is a "top-quality person," Flyers GM Bobby Clarke says in a press release announcing his team's new captain. Desjardins is "important" to the team. He's very "competitive." Lindros is not mentioned in the release. Brrrr.

It is true that Eric Lindros came into the NHL as the Next Great One, expected to dominate the league like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux did. He was the NHL's version of Shaq, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound man playing with boys. He was a skilled skater, shooter, goal scorer -- the second coming of Gordie Howe. That is all true.

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