from Roy MacGregor of the Globe and Mail,

Rick Nash, who will be a new New York Ranger if there is a 2012-13 season, had his best scoring year in 2003-04 when he scored 41 goals and shared the Rocket Richard Trophy with Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk. The following season he played in Switzerland and counted 46 points in 44 games for HC Davos. Nash’s teammate, Joe Thornton, then a rising young star for the Boston Bruins, turned 25 just before the two headed off to play in Europe.

Kovalchuk was also entering his prime during the last lockout, having scored 87 points for the Atlanta Thrashers the year before and 98 points the year after.

Having found himself again last year with the New Jersey Devils – 83 points – Kovalchuk can hardly afford another lost season the year he enters his 30s.

The year Marian Hossa turned 25 there was no NHL hockey. He is now 33 and facing another lost year after a wonderful rebound season in which he scored 77 points for the Chicago Blackhawks. One day Hossa’s name may come up for consideration. Who can say what effect owners’ lockouts might have on the final assessment of what has been a most impressive career.

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