FOR NOW, NHL MEANS NOT HIP LEAGUE.

Byline: ROGER PHILLIPS

We're less than 15 months from the end of the millennium and the National Hockey League still isn't the sport of the year, the decade, the century or even the moment.

Despite glowing predictions, glowing hopes for a marketing bounce from the Winter Olympics and even glowing pucks, the NHL remains fourth among the major team spectator sports played in North America.

Nothing that happened in the summer months is likely to change that anytime soon, but it doesn't mean the offseason was all bad. Along with a few other odds and ends, here's a look at some of what's happened off the ice since the Detroit Red Wings skated off with their second consecutive Stanley Cup five months ago:

Cashing in: Despite its puny and declining Nielsen ratings, the NHL capitalized on the grudge match between Disney and Fox with a five-year, $600-million television rights deal that will put games on ABC beginning next season.

It's better than anything the league previously had, but trifling by the standards set by baseball, the NBA and, particularly, the NFL. With the average NHL salary well above $1 million and 30 teams dividing the loot within a couple of years, it's easy to see $600 million doesn't buy what it used to.

Coming soon: The $600-million loge ticket.

Leaving soon (thankfully): Fox's glowing vulcanized rubber disk.

Sad farewell: The sport lost Pat LaFontaine, whose outstanding 15-year career was halted this summer by post-concussion syndrome.

What a waste. At 33, LaFontaine should have had a few good years remaining. The collision with a teammate that ended his career could not be avoided. The cheap shot by Pittsburgh defenseman Francois Leroux that began LaFontaine's problems could and should have been.

Hockey cannot afford to prematurely lose players such as LaFontaine and Mario Lemieux, who retired a year ago at 31.

Fortunately, Mighty Ducks star Paul Kariya - hockey's most exciting player - didn't call it quits after his concussion last year.

Launching pad: Spurred into action because the man it is honoring has stomach cancer, the NHL announced in June it will issue the Maurice ``Rocket'' Richard Award to this year's leading goal scorer.

Had the league issued the award last season, it would have been shared by Teemu Selanne of the Ducks and Washington's Peter Bondra, who each scored 52 goals. Selanne or Kariya may well win it this year, putting a Disney imprint on an award named after a hallowed member of the Montreal Canadiens, hockey's New York Yankees.

It's a sign of the times, and for hockey purists, one more small step away from the good old days of the six-team league.

Remember these names: The new coaches this year are Craig Hartsburg (Ducks), Dirk Graham (Chicago), Bob Hartley (Colorado), Terry Murray (Florida), Barry Trotz (expansion Nashville), ex-Kings coach Robbie Ftorek (New Jersey) and ex-Kings coach Pat Quinn (Toronto).

After Detroit's Scotty Bowman and Edmonton's Ron Low, the Kings' Larry Robinson is third in tenure with his current team, and he's only entering his fourth year.

Best story: The return of Tampa Bay center John Cullen after a bout with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. After lengthy chemotherapy, he's been deemed cancer-free. Even if he doesn't play in another game, call this comeback a success.

Pettiest story: Would it have killed the Ducks to give leukemia survivor Milos Holan one measly shift in an exhibition game before letting him go?

Rules of the game: The NHL has tested the two-referee system during the exhibition season, and each team will play 20 games with two referees during the regular season.

If exhibitions have been any indication, it appears to be a change for the better, with nonsensical behind-the-play mischief now under much closer scrutiny. The much-feared procession to the penalty box has yet to materialize.

Also, in an effort to open up the game offensively, the goal line has been moved two feet further from the end boards to 13, adding more maneuvering room; the size of the neutral zone has been accordingly reduced, and the league is cracking down on oversized goalie equipment.

Will all the changes add up to a dramatic increase in scoring? Probably not. But that doesn't mean the changes aren't worth a try, and too much scoring would be just as unattractive as not enough.

Old faces, new places: The biggest name to change uniforms during the summer was right wing Brett Hull, who left St. Louis to sign as a free agent with Dallas. Chicago, rumored to be pursuing Hull, instead added New Jersey's Doug Gilmour and Philadelphia's Paul Coffey. Toronto added goalie Curtis Joseph and Philadelphia signed goalie John Vanbiesbrouck.

But a move with the potential to have as big an impact as any may have been made by the Kings. If defenseman Steve Duchesne has the desired effect on the Kings' often lifeless power play, they should be improved. If they had a better power play a year ago, they might have won their division.

Same old story: The Red Wings remain the class of the league. They may not win the regular-season crown, but when it matters in April, May and June, they'll be the team to beat.

Even the occasionally shaky goaltending of Chris Osgood couldn't derail the Red Wings last season. No team can match the depth of their skill.

The Red Wings should make it three Stanley Cups in a row. In a hockey era of short-lived powers, they look like a dynasty.

BLUE LINES By Roger Phillips

PRESEASON TOP FIVE

1. Red Wings: Best team since the Oilers of the late 1980s.

2. Stars: Summer signing of Brett Hull adds needed firepower.

3. Flyers: Big year from Lindros and solid goaltending from Beezer a must.

4. Sabres: Hasek's brilliance overshadows underrated team.

5. Avalanche: Can talented lineup put first-round ouster behind it?

THROW AWAY THE KEY

The longer the NBA lockout continues and the Lakers' season is on hold, the more the Kings will get to practice at the Forum rather than at Iceoplex in North Hills. Considering almost all the Kings' men live in the South Bay, an extended lockout will save lots of driving time. ``It's always better to practice in the rink you play in,'' Kings coach Larry Robinson said. ``You get to know all the bounces and the corners.''

EXTRA MAN

Each team will play 20 games this season with two referees instead of the traditional one, which should save wear and tear on the officials. According to the NHL, one referee skates nine miles in a game, but with two refs, each skates only 5.67 miles. With two refs, the heart rate is reduced by 20 beats a minute.

THREE-PEAT

The Detroit Red Wings are trying to become the sixth team in NHL history to win three or more consecutive Stanley Cups. Montreal won five straight from 1956-60, the New York Islanders (1980-83) and Canadiens (1976-79) won four straight and Toronto won three straight in 1962-64 and 1947-49.

THE LIST

Pro athletes with the longest current tenure with their original teams:

Ray Bourque, Boston Bruins (NHL), debuted Oct. 11, 1979

Cal Ripken, Baltimore Orioles (MLB), Aug. 10, 1981

Tony Gwynn, San Diego Padres (MLB), July 19, 1982

John Elway, Denver Broncos (NFL), Sept. 4, 1983

Bruce Matthews, Tennessee Oilers (NFL), Sept. 4, 1983

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BOX: BLUE LINES By Roger Phillips (see text)