1998–99 NHL season
LeagueNational Hockey League
SportIce hockey
DurationOctober 9, 1998 – June 19, 1999
Number of games82
Number of teams27
TV partner(s)CBC, CTV Sportsnet, SRC (Canada)
ESPN, Fox (United States)
Draft
Top draft pickVincent Lecavalier
Picked byTampa Bay Lightning
Regular season
Presidents' TrophyDallas Stars
Season MVPJaromir Jagr (Penguins)
Top scorerJaromir Jagr (Penguins)
Playoffs
Playoffs MVPJoe Nieuwendyk (Stars)
Stanley Cup
ChampionsDallas Stars
  Runners-upBuffalo Sabres

The 1998–99 NHL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Hockey League. The league expanded to 27 teams with the addition of the Nashville Predators. The Dallas Stars finished first in regular season play, and won the Stanley Cup championship over the Buffalo Sabres on a controversial triple-overtime goal by Brett Hull.

League business

With the addition of the expansion Nashville Predators, the NHL realigned this year to a strictly geographic six-division structure (three per conference), erasing the last vestiges of the traditional Adams/Patrick/Norris/Smythe four-division structure abandoned in 1993–94. Other than the reassignment of Colorado to the Western Conference in 1995 due to its move from Quebec, the divisions' membership had remained static for five years although several franchises had relocated. As part of this realignment, the Toronto Maple Leafs moved from the Western Conference to the Eastern Conference. This put three of the Original Six teams in the Northeast Division (Boston, Montreal, and Toronto), and the three original cities of the NHL in the Northeast (Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto).[1][2][3][4][5]

The Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the most goals by a player in a season made its debut this year. The first winner was Teemu Selanne of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

Uniform changes

  • Anaheim: The third and fourth jerseys from 1997 got new socks.
  • Boston: The team wore a 75th-anniversary patch for their 75th season.
  • Calgary: New Black Alternates introduced. Crest has its alternate Flaming-Horse Logo.
  • Colorado: No updates in the regular season, but in the 1999 Playoffs, the Avalanche wore a CHS patch for the victims of the Columbine High School massacre on their left sleeve just above the number. The patch remained on the jerseys throughout the playoffs.
  • Florida: The names on the back become vertically arched, and a navy blue alternate jersey is introduced. On that jersey, the panther is breaking a stick in half.
  • Los Angeles: Jerseys Redesigned, Purple is Reintroduced.
  • Nashville: white jerseys include a Blue triangle for the Crest, and the blue ones do not. The team wore an Inaugural season patch that would later become the team's alternate logo.
  • New York Islanders: The jerseys reverted to its 1978–1995 design, retaining navy blue as its main color with a patch on the right shoulder featuring four diagonal stripes, symbolizing the team's four Stanley Cup titles in the 1980s.
  • New York Rangers: White Lady Liberty Jerseys.
  • Phoenix: The Coyotes introduce a new green alternate jersey, complete with a desertscape at the bottom and the sleeve ends
  • St Louis: Alternates are retired and adopt a new color scheme
  • San Jose: Alternates are retired and become the basis of the team's new uniforms.
  • Tampa Bay: All-Star Game Patches for the 1999 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa.
  • Toronto: Team wore alternate throwbacks and a patch to commemorate their final season at Maple Leaf Gardens.
  • Washington: For the first few games, the Capitals wore a patch celebrating their 25th season in the NHL. The patch was worn on the upper right chest.

Regular season

The 1998–99 season marked the retirement of Wayne Gretzky, the NHL's all-time leading scorer, who played his final three NHL seasons with the New York Rangers.[6]

This was the final season that Fox televised NHL games in the United States. It was also the final season for the Toronto Maple Leafs at Maple Leaf Gardens, before moving to the Air Canada Centre in February and marked Toronto's first post-season appearance since the 1995–96 season. 1998–99 was also the final year that the Carolina Hurricanes played at Greensboro Coliseum; they moved to the brand-new Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena in Raleigh for the next season. The Colorado Avalanche played their fourth and final season at McNichols Sports Arena and would move to Pepsi Center the following season. The Los Angeles Kings played their final season at the Great Western Forum after 32 seasons before subsequently moving to the Staples Center for the next season.

In an effort to reduce the number of disallowed goals due to the skate-in-the-crease violation, regulatory reforms were implemented resulting the goal crease shape and size being significantly reduced. In spite of this regulatory change, goaltenders and defensive systems continued to dominate the league, as only two teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New Jersey Devils,[7] averaged more than three goals scored per game. In addition, no player reached the 50-goal plateau.[8] A total of 160 shutouts were recorded for the second-straight regular season.[9]

Final standings

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
11New Jersey Devils82472411248196105
25Philadelphia Flyers8237261923119693
38Pittsburgh Penguins8238301424222590
410New York Rangers8233381121722777
513New York Islanders8224481019424458

[10]

Northeast Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
12Ottawa Senators82442315239179892103
24Toronto Maple Leafs8245307268231109597
36Boston Bruins82393013214181118291
47Buffalo Sabres82372817207175156191
511Montreal Canadiens82323911184209129975

[10]

Southeast Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
13Carolina Hurricanes82343018210202115886
29Florida Panthers82303418210228152278
312Washington Capitals8231456200218138168
414Tampa Bay Lightning8219549179292131647

[10]

Eastern Conference[11]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1y – New Jersey DevilsATL82472411248196105
2y – Ottawa SenatorsNE82442315239179103
3y – Carolina HurricanesSE8234301821020286
4Toronto Maple LeafsNE824530726823197
5Philadelphia FlyersATL8237261923119693
6Boston BruinsNE8239301321418191
7Buffalo SabresNE8237281720717591
8Pittsburgh PenguinsATL8238301424222590
9Florida PanthersSE8230341821022878
10New York RangersATL8233381121722777
11Montreal CanadiensNE8232391118420975
12Washington CapitalsSE823145620021868
13New York IslandersATL8224481019424458
14Tampa Bay LightningSE821954917929247

Divisions: ATL – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

bold – Qualified for playoffs; y – Won division

Western Conference

Central Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
13Detroit Red Wings8243327245202120293
25St. Louis Blues82373213237209130887
310Chicago Blackhawks82294112202248180770
412Nashville Predators8228477190261142063

[10]

Northwest Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA PIM Pts
12Colorado Avalanche82442810239205161998
28Edmonton Oilers82333712230226137378
39Calgary Flames82304012211234138972
413Vancouver Canucks82234712192258176458

[10]

Pacific Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
11Dallas Stars82511912236168114
24Phoenix Coyotes8239311220519790
36Mighty Ducks of Anaheim8235341321520683
47San Jose Sharks8231331819619180
511Los Angeles Kings823245518922269

[10]

Western Conference[12]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1p – Dallas StarsPAC82511912236168114
2y – Colorado AvalancheNW8244281023920598
3y – Detroit Red WingsCEN824332724520293
4Phoenix CoyotesPAC8239311220519790
5St. Louis BluesCEN8237321323720987
6Mighty Ducks of AnaheimPAC8235341321520683
7San Jose SharksPAC8231331819619180
8Edmonton OilersNW8233371223022678
9Calgary FlamesNW8230401221123472
10Chicago BlackhawksCEN8229411220224870
11Los Angeles KingsPAC823245518922269
12Nashville PredatorsCEN822847719026163
13Vancouver CanucksNW8223471219225858

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division

Playoffs

Bracket

Conference quarterfinals Conference semifinals Conference finals Stanley Cup Finals
            
1 New Jersey 3
8 Pittsburgh 4
4 Toronto 4
8 Pittsburgh 2
2 Ottawa 0
7 Buffalo 4
4 Toronto 1
Eastern Conference
7 Buffalo 4
3 Carolina 2
6 Boston 4
6 Boston 2
7 Buffalo 4
4 Toronto 4
5 Philadelphia 2
E7 Buffalo 2
W1 Dallas 4
1 Dallas 4
8 Edmonton 0
1 Dallas 4
5 St. Louis 2
2 Colorado 4
7 San Jose 2
1 Dallas 4
Western Conference
2 Colorado 3
3 Detroit 4
6 Anaheim 0
2 Colorado 4
3 Detroit 2
4 Phoenix 3
5 St. Louis 4

Awards

1998–99 NHL awards
AwardRecipient(s)
Presidents' Trophy:Dallas Stars
Prince of Wales Trophy:
(Eastern Conference playoff champion)		Buffalo Sabres
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl:
(Western Conference playoff champion)		Dallas Stars
Art Ross Trophy:Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy:John Cullen, Tampa Bay Lightning
Calder Memorial Trophy:Chris Drury, Colorado Avalanche
Conn Smythe Trophy:Joe Nieuwendyk, Dallas Stars
Frank J. Selke Trophy:Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Hart Memorial Trophy:Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Jack Adams Award:Jacques Martin, Ottawa Senators
James Norris Memorial Trophy:Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues
King Clancy Memorial Trophy:Rob Ray, Buffalo Sabres
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy:Wayne Gretzky, New York Rangers
Lester B. Pearson Award:Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy:Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
NHL Plus/Minus Award:John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers
Vezina Trophy:Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres
William M. Jennings Trophy:Ed Belfour and Roman Turek, Dallas Stars
Lester Patrick Trophy:Harry Sinden

All-Star teams

First team  Position  Second team
Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres G Byron Dafoe, Boston Bruins
Al MacInnis, St. Louis Blues D Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins
Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings D Eric Desjardins, Philadelphia Flyers
Peter Forsberg, Colorado Avalanche C Alexei Yashin, Ottawa Senators
Jaromir Jagr, Pittsburgh Penguins RW Teemu Selanne, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Paul Kariya, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim LW John LeClair, Philadelphia Flyers

Player statistics

Scoring leaders

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points

Player Team GP G A Pts PIM
Jaromir JagrPittsburgh Penguins81448312766
Teemu SelanneMighty Ducks of Anaheim75476010730
Paul KariyaMighty Ducks of Anaheim82396210140
Peter ForsbergColorado Avalanche78306797108
Joe SakicColorado Avalanche7341559629
Alexei YashinOttawa Senators8244509454
Eric LindrosPhiladelphia Flyers71405393120
Theoren FleuryCalgary Flames /Colorado Avalanche7540539386
John LeClairPhiladelphia Flyers7643479030
Pavol DemitraSt. Louis Blues8237528916

Source: NHL.[10]

Leading goaltenders

Regular season

Player Team GP MIN GA SO GAA SV%
Ron TugnuttOttawa4325087531.79.925
Dominik HasekBuffalo64381711991.87.937
Ed BelfourDallas61353611751.99.915
Byron DafoeBoston684001133101.99.926
Roman TurekDallas2613824812.08.915
Nikolai KhabibulinPhoenix63365713082.13.920
John VanbiesbrouckPhiladelphia62371213562.18.902
Steve ShieldsSan Jose3721628042.22.921
Arturs IrbeCarolina62364313562.22.923
Mike VernonSan Jose49283110742.27.911

[13]

Coaches

Eastern Conference

Western Conference

Milestones

Debuts

The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1998–99 (listed with their first team, an asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs):

Last games

The following is a list of players of note who played their last game in the NHL in 1998–99 (listed with their last team):

Broadcasting

Canada

This was the first season of the league's Canadian national broadcast rights deals with CBC and CTV Sportsnet. CBC continued to air Saturday night Hockey Night in Canada regular season games. The fledgling CTV Sportsnet replaced TSN as the league's cable broadcaster. Tuesday Night Hockey became CTV Sportsnet's signature weekly regular season telecasts. Coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs continued to primarily be on CBC, while CTV Sportsnet aired first round all-U.S. series.

United States

This was the fifth and final season of the league's U.S. national broadcast rights deals with Fox and ESPN. Both ESPN and ESPN2 aired weeknight games throughout the regular season, and Fox had the All-Star Game and weekly regional telecasts on 11 weekend afternoons between February and April. During the first two rounds of the playoffs, ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected games, while Fox had Sunday regional telecasts. Each U.S. team's regional broadcaster produced local coverage of first and second round games (except for those games on Fox). Fox's Sunday telecasts continued into the Conference Finals, while ESPN had the rest of the third round games. The Stanley Cup Finals were also split between Fox and ESPN.

The league then signed a new five-year deal with ESPN that also called for sister network ABC to become the new broadcast network partner.

See also

References

  • Diamond, Dan, ed. (2000). Total Hockey. Kingston, NY: Total Sports. ISBN 1-892129-85-X.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto, ON: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  • Dryden, Steve, ed. (2000). Century of hockey. Toronto, ON: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. ISBN 0-7710-4179-9.
  • Fischler, Stan; Fischler, Shirley; Hughes, Morgan; Romain, Joseph; Duplacey, James (2003). The Hockey Chronicle: Year-by-Year History of the National Hockey League. Lincolnwood, IL: Publications International Inc. ISBN 0-7853-9624-1.
Notes
  1. ↑ "NHL will skate into 4 new cities for 1997-98 season". Deseret News. Associated Press. June 26, 1997. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  2. ↑ "N.H.L. Names 4 Cities For Its New Franchises". The New York Times. Associated Press. June 18, 1997. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ El-Bashir, Tarik (July 9, 1998). "HOCKEY; Ice in July: Schedule Is Released". The New York Times. pp. C4. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  4. ↑ Alex, Rachel (June 18, 1997). "NHL proposes expansion and realignment". Washington Post. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ Thompson, Jack (June 26, 1997). "IT'S OFFICIAL: NHL APPROVES EXPANSION, REALIGNMENT". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  6. ↑ Dryden 2000, p. 101.
  7. ↑ "1998-99 NHL Summary - Hockey-Reference.com". Hockey-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  8. ↑ "1998-99 NHL Leaders - Hockey-Reference.com". Hockey-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  9. ↑ "1998-99 NHL Goalie Statistics - Hockey-Reference.com". Hockey-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  11. ↑ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  12. ↑ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  13. ↑ "1998-99 NHL Leaders - Hockey-Reference.com". Hockey-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
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