Top 5 NHL stories of 2012

Look back at the NHL in 2012, there is emptiness. There were the accomplishments of Evgeni Malkin, Steven Stamkos and Erik Karlsson; big moves like Rick Nash going from Columbus to Broadway; the endless Phoenix Coyotes saga. But what did we get this fall and early winter? Nothing. No hope. No anticipation. No build-up to the best stuff. Just labor battles and cancellations. As we count down the top five stories of 2012, we can only wonder what stories were never written and never will be. — By Nicholas J. Cotsonika

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5. Crosby, Crosby, Crosby — Love him or hate him, whether he's playing or not, Sidney Crosby continues to be one of the NHL's top stories. He made his second comeback from concussion and neck problems in March, and though he had played only eight games in more than 14 months, he put up 25 points in 14 contests. Still, Crosby finally seems healthy and ready to return to form, and the Pens seem poised to contend for the Cup again — if only the NHL ... more
5. Crosby, Crosby, Crosby — Love him or hate him, whether he's playing or not, Sidney Crosby continues to be one of the NHL's top stories. He made his second comeback from concussion and neck problems in March, and though he had played only eight games in more than 14 months, he put up 25 points in 14 contests. Still, Crosby finally seems healthy and ready to return to form, and the Pens seem poised to contend for the Cup again — if only the NHL were playing. Crosby, the face of the game, usually allergic to controversy, tried to broker a deal along with agent Pat Brisson and Penguins owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux. When that failed, he sounded as frustrated as any hockey fan: "It just doesn't make any sense," he told reporters. "Why can't they get in the room and keep talking?" Question of the year. less