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Where would the NHL be without Lemieux?(Chicago Tribune)
CHICAGO _ Bob Pulford is aware that the Blackhawks' recent six-game undefeated streak wasn't the magnetic force primarily responsible for pulling a standing-room-only crowd of 22,135 through the gates of the United Center when the Pittsburgh Penguins made their only appearance of the season last month.
"Mario Lemieux is what you call a superstar," the Hawks' senior vice president said. "When he comes into your building, people will come to see him."
As the NHL prepares for Sunday's All-Star Game in Denver, it is reveling in the sold-out buildings and renewed interest Lemieux's return to the game has sparked in the last month. Since he came out of retirement Dec. 27, he has 16 goals and 16 assists in 16 games.
He has reclaimed his position as the NHL's No. 1 attraction, a role he inherited from Wayne Gretzky.
But without him, where would the NHL be as it tries to reinforce its presence? And because Lemieux is 35, the NHL will be looking for another marquee attraction again soon.
There is no shortage of quality talent, most notably Jaromir Jagr, Lemieux's teammate. St. Louis' Chris Pronger, the reigning most valuable player, and Los Angeles' Rob Blake attract attention, but they are not surpassing talents. Colorado goaltender Patrick Roy often is considered the best at the NHL's glamour position. Colorado's Joe Sakic and Dallas' Brett Hull also are popular figures.
When Lemieux retired after the 1996-97 season, Jagr, his linemate from the Czech Republic, was considered his heir apparent. He acted accordingly, leading the league in scoring the last three seasons and leading some to declare him the best player in the world.
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