Legends before the fall.(NHL)

This is a catch-them-while-you-can column. No, it's not about labor strife or mismanaged resources or why-can't-we-all-get-alongisms. The abbreviation CBA will not appear once, after this paragraph. Just so we're clear, this is a CBA-free zone.

A radical idea, to be sure, but it's time for a hockey column.

It is, after all, about the players. The World Cup will be the last chance to catch such hockey legends as Mario Lemieux, Chris Chelios, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, et al., performing together and against each other on an international stage.

Lemieux, 38, showed that his dazzling skill will never rust when he strapped on the blades against Team USA in a pretournament game last week, his first game since November 1. His touch, style and seemingly effortless movements make him the player to watch in this tournament.

He's so good, even his non-touches can be impressive, as shown in a play that went unrewarded on the scoresheet. Breaking into the Team USA high slot during the gold medal game of the 2002 Olympics, Lemieux glanced back and let a pass from Chris Pronger slide between his legs--imagine the discipline it took for one of the game's most prolific scorers to avoid a juicy pass through the slot--to winger Paul Kariya, who snapped the puck home for Canada's first goal. Everyone in the building was checking Lemieux, so Kariya was open. The game, again, will be a poorer place when he's gone. So catch him while you can.

Chelios, 42, is at the opposite point of the spectrum, not in ability, but in intent: This guy will unconscionably make you eat colored ice after a subtle hack to the unprotected area behind the knees. A former Norris Trophy winner as best defenseman and a Stanley Cup winner, Chelios is a trench-warfare specialist if there ever was one. These games will be his last chance to pop people, including Red Wings teammates Nicklas Lidstrom, Kirk Maltby and Kris Draper, just because he can. Because he's wearing a different jersey. Because that's who he is. Catch him while you can.

Because Team USA has more gray-haired veterans than a Wal-Mart greeters convention, you could pick any number of older players to watch for the last time in this type of setting. Hull, 40, he of the rocket shot from the stick and the lip, bears watching to see whether being dumped by the Red Wings will motivate him. Does he have anything left in the tank? Were Wayne Gretzky and the Coyotes crazy for signing him?