...the Bad News

And here are the five biggest disappointments from the first half of the season

J.S. GIGUERE'S FREE FALL
Last season's playoff MVP has crashed to earth (6-17-4, 2.75 goals-against average) for the equally disappointing Mighty Ducks.

DOMINIK HASEK'S COMEBACK
The Dominator's celebrated return to Detroit fizzled because a nagging groin injury kept him out of 28 of the first 45 games.

LABOR FOOT-DRAGGING
The owners and players have yet to begin serious talks on a new collective bargaining agreement, and a lockout on Sept. 15 seems inevitable.

THE DECLINE AND FALL OF ERIC LINDROS
His MVP days (1994-95) are ancient history, and the Rangers' fragile 30-year-old center has become little more than a role player (eight goals and 26 points).

WHERE'S THE OFFENSE?
Overall scoring (4.95 goals-per-game) had hit its lowest level since 1954-55, and the supposed crackdown on obstruction hasn't happened. Too often the world's fastest game looks as if it's being played in slow motion.