During the NHL’s big growth phase in the 1990s, the league made a concentrated effort to expand the game of hockey in the South, as evidenced by both expansion teams (Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992-1993, Florida Panthers in 1993-1994, Nashville Predators in 1998-1999, Atlanta Thrashers in 1999-2000) and relocations (Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix Coyotes in 1996-1997, Hartford Whalers to Carolina Hurricanes in 1997-1998). A decade later, the Lightning and Hurricanes hoisted the Stanley Cup in back-to-back NHL seasons (around the 2004-2005 lockout), spurred in large part by the stellar goaltending play of Nikolai Khabibulin and Cam Ward, respectively. Long-time starting goalies who both had up-and-down careers highlighted by their Cup triumphs, there are some strikingly parallels between their careers, which leads to the question:
The legendary Jerry Rice currently holds all the major NFL receiving records, whether it be receptions, yards, or touchdowns. However, turn the clock back to the end of the 1993 season and the record books looked very different – in particular, for receiving yards, the two names topping the charts were James Lofton (#1) and Steve Largent (#2). Despite very different playing styles, with Lofton being the speedster and Largent being the sure-handed pass-catcher, the duo were two of the most productive players of the 1980s; even with the explosion in passing statistics over the past couple of decades, they remain among the best receivers ever, thus prompting the comparison:
