The New Original Six.(hockey)

Pronger on defense with Lidstrom. A line of Kariya, Forsberg, Hull. That's no All-Star team but what the NHL looked like when five G.M.s and a TSN managing editor squeezed today's players onto six teams--just like the old days.

SEE A different GAME

Expansion has diluted the talent level, without question. It has been said, in fact, that the third- and fourth-liners in today's league couldn't lace the skates of their peers from the glory days of the Original Six.

But exactly what would the league look like today if it had six teams instead of 30? Who would be the first overall pick if the rosters were filled in one draft? Who would be the last? Who wouldn't make the cut?

We wanted to answer those questions to help you See a Different Game. Heck, the idea would let you see an entirely different league.

Five NHL general managers agreed to help us out. A sixth participant could not be found, despite our better efforts. But really, how tough could it be to select a team from today's players? Any idiot could do it and still come up with a top-notch team.

That's where I come in. I filled in as the sixth G.M. for the project we were calling the New Original Six.