The Norris Division will sport two of the NHL's top teams for the 1981-82 season as the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota North Stars became neighbors in the division most affected by the divisional re-alignment.
They'll not only be neighbors, but they'll probably be next door neighbors at the top of the perhaps the weakest division overall with the Chicago Black Hawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and the Winnipeg Jets battling for the spot near their coattails.
The North Stars, who made it to the finals last season and were knocked off by the two-time Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders, had a lackluster regular season, finishing ninth overall. The highlight of their season came in the semifinals when they beat the Montreal Canadiens in seven games -- the last triumph coming at the hallowed Forum.
The experience will not hurt the young North Stars who are led by 23-year old Bobby Smith, 29 goals, 64 assists for 93 points, 26-year-old Tim Young (25-41-66), Al MacAdam (21-39-60), Steve Payne (30-28-58), and Gordie Roberts (8-42-50).
Dino Ciccarelli, fully recovered from a leg injury, came up in mid-year and developed into the North Stars best scorer in the playoffs, 14 goals and seven assists.
The goaltending is solid with veteran Gilles Meloche and 20-year-old Don Beaupre, in his second year. The defense is also tough with Craig Hartsburg, Brad Maxwell, Fred Barrett, Curt Giles, Gordie Roberts, Greg Smith and Don Jackson. Gary Sargent can also help if he is healthy.
The St. Louis Blues, who finished a surprising second overall with 107 points but were stomped in the quarterfinals by the New York Rangers, are well ahead of the rebuilding schedule set by third-year general manager Emile Francis.
Their success in big part is due to goalie sensation Mike Luit, who played in 61 games last season and had a 3.34 goals against average. The offense is well balanced with 35-year-old Bernie Federko (31-73-104), 23-year-old Wayne Babych (54-42-96), Blake Dunlop (20-67-87), Jorgen Pettersson (37-36-73) and Brian Sutter (35-34-69).
The Blues are in good shape on defense with Rick LaPointe, Ed Kea, Gerry Hart, Bryan Maxwell, Joe Micheletti and Jack Brownschidle.
Maturity is the answer to the Blues' problems, especially in the playoffs where Luit was tired after his 61 appearences.
Veteran goalie Tony Esposito, 38, almost guarantees the Chicago Black Hawks respectability. Tom Lysiak, still promising the stardom that made him the No. 2 pick in the 1972 entry draft, scored only 21 goals last year. Without the 40 goals produced by Darryl Sutter and the 30 by Reg Kerr, the lackluster Hawk attack would have even been worse. Dennis Savard, entering his second year, contributed a healthy 28-47-75.
A comeback by captain and center Terry Ruskowski, a good season from Minnesota acquisition Glen Sharpley and the continued development of 21-year-old defensman Keith Brown, are the keys to a better season.
The struggling Toronto Maple leafs were further beset just before training camp when their general manager Punch Imlach suffered his fourth heart attack, leaving the direction of the team to controversial owner Harold Ballard.
The Leafs, who finished 16th, will go with Michel 'Bunny' Larocque in goal. Larocque was obtained from the Canadiens last March.
The Leafs need a comback from Swedish import Borje Salming, whose sinus problems have created two bad seasons in a row. Ian Turnbull is Toronto's other defensive leader. Wilf Paiement led the Toronto scoring last year with 97 points and captain Darryl Sittler had 96 points and 43 goals.
Coach Wayne Maxner, who took over in mid-year, hopes his Detroit Red Wings can score more than the 252 goals they did last year and give up less than the 339 they yielded.
The Wings do have some scoring talent, led by captain Dale McCourt (30-56-86), John Ogrodnick (35-35-70) and Mike Foligno (28-35-63). Reed Larson and Willie Huber create a mobile defense which joins in the attack. The addition of Don Murdoch, the one time problem child star of the New York Rangers, who set a Central Hockey League playoff goal scoring record last year, also should help.
Thw woeful Winnipeg Jets (9-57-14), whose personnel is being gradually upgraded by general manager John Ferguson, hope that No. 1 entry draft choice Dale Hawerchuk, can step in and play regularly. Two other newcomers are Swedish forwards Bengt Lunholm and Thomas Steen.
Dave Christian centered one line and led with 28-43-71. Morris Lukowich had 33-34-67 and Norm Dupont 27-26-53. Ed Staniowski, acquired from St. Louis and Doug Soetaert, obtained from the Rangers, will fight it out for the top goalie spot.
