What if Eric Lindros didn't refuse to play for the Quebec Nordiques after they drafted him first overall in 1991? The evental Hall of Famer, who later said his sole issue was with owner Marcel Aubut, would've turned the Nords into a powerhouse and maybe even kept them from moving to Colorado in 1995.

The Nordiques traded "The Big E" to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he became a prototypical power forward and claimed the Hart Trophy in 1995. Yes, Quebec got the rights to Peter Forsberg in the trade, and he ultimately starred for the Avalanche. But Forsberg didn't arrive until 1994-95. Lindros produced two seasons of 40-plus goals and amassed 97 points in one of them before Forsberg even made his debut.

Considering Lindros' earlier dominance, Quebec may have sooner become the Stanley Cup-caliber squad it eventually was in Colorado, thereby staving off relocation. The Avalanche didn't land Patrick Roy until 1995, but with Joe Sakic, Lindros, and Mats Sundin up front, maybe they would've acquired a franchise goaltender sooner and been even more successful.

What if the league hadn't pushed so hard for a salary cap in 2004? The resulting lockout remains the only time an entire season has been canceled due to a labor dispute in North American pro sports. But this work stoppage also changed the NHL in several ways that still have a major impact on the league to this day.

The lockout stemmed primarily from the salary cap debate in 2004, and the implimentation of spending restrictions in 2005-06 significantly altered how teams were - and still are - constructed. The other huge change was the advent of the shootout and the accompanying point for an overtime or shootout loss. The NHL would clearly be very different now if not for this lockout and lost season. 

Few would argue with the notion that Bobby Orr is the second-best NHL player ever, and some would even say he's the best. But what if the legend hadn't been hampered by persistent knee problems? Orr revolutionized the defenseman position, but his career would've been even more incredible had he been luckier with injuries.

Orr underwent over a dozen knee surgeries in his 12-year career. The transcendent blue-liner had to retire at age 30 after playing only 36 games over his final four seasons and missed all of 1977-78. The Bruins won the Stanley Cup twice and made another final during his tenure, but Boston might have had a dynasty if Orr hadn't been so unfortunate.

What if the Edmonton Oilers never dealt "The Great One" to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988? The shocking swap forever changed the league, igniting the growth of hockey in California that spawned multiple franchises along with a generation of new fans and future NHL players.

The Oilers' dynasty would've surely achieved more than its lone subsequent Cup victory had the trade never happened. Gretzky landing in Hollywood also made the NHL relevant in American pop culture and proved any player could be shipped out at any time. The phrase, "Even Wayne Gretzky was traded" still resonates to this day.