Pumpkins, red and yellow leaves, double digits on the calendar and temperatures fluctuating between shorts and sweaters.

More than anything, October is the month of change.  For hockey players, it’s the month of fresh beginnings, new energy, good health and the belief that it is once again possible to have your name etched onto the Stanley Cup.

Most importantly, it allows players to change their reputations or improve their performance.  In some cases, it could mean reaching the game’s elite or simply holding onto an NHL career.

In 2009-10, the following players will be under such an intense spotlight they might leave an extra puddle of sweat behind when they hop over the boards:

10) Dion Phaneuf—D—Calgary Flames

After setting career highs in assists, penalty minutes and plus/minus in the 2007-08 season the Edmonton native was ready to join the league’s elite crop of defensemen.  Things were going so well, the new “Neon Dion” was starting to appeal to the mainstream with his relationship to Hollywood diva Elisha Cuthbert.  

But the 2008-09 campaign saw a dip in Phaneuf’s numbers across the board—most importantly in plus/minus where he had by far his worst season (-11).  Phaneuf still brings a hard shot and is a lock for a monster hit that becomes a weekly youtube sensation, but the Flames need him to get back in the plus where he spent the first three seasons of his career.

Luckily for Phaneuf, fellow defenseman Robyn Regehr will make up for plenty of his mistakes and free agent acquisition Jay Bouwmeester should take over any pressure from running the point on the power play.

9) Daniel Briere—RW—Philadelphia Flyers

An injury plagued 08-09 campaign was maddening for Briere and Flyers fans.  In just 29 games, the speedy winger recorded 11 goals and 14 assists.

Entering the third year of his 8-year, $52 million contract this becomes a critical time for his career and the Flyers organization.  A healthy Briere could push the team into a great race with the Capitals, Bruins and Penguins for the eastern conference title.  However, another injury will only add frustration in a city that doesn’t react kindly to disappointment.

With 3 goals in his first 4 games, Briere is off to the start both he and the team need.

Andrei & Sergei Kostitsyn—forwards—Montreal Canadiens

The comparisons to the Sedin twins following the 07-08 season may have been wishful thinking in Montreal.  Andrei’s play was down a bit last season, while Sergei has never taken off.  As a matter of fact, Sergei is now down—at the AHL level—and would like a trade out of Montreal altogether, which may not be a bad idea.

The brothers link to local mafia created a soap opera for a franchise looking to once again become one of the league’s elite.  Not only do the brothers need to start producing consistently on the ice for the team to succeed, they better start creating positive news for their careers on and off the ice.

Pretty soon, it may just be in the Canadiens best interest to trade the duo, this is a situation of addition by subtraction if the Kostitsyn’s don’t start making life difficult on play-by-play announcers.

7) Shane Doan—RW—Phoenix Coyotes

Since the turn of the century there hasn’t been a more consistent player than the soon-to-be 33-year-old.  A solid two-way player seemingly getting better with age (averaging 75 points the last two seasons), his pressure is completely selfish.

Doan has been in the desert since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg in 1996 and with the franchise in financial turmoil the Cup must look like a giant mirage.  If Doan can continue to perform at a high level he could finally get a ticket out of town as contending teams will be lining up to add him by the trade deadline.  Any team that lands this all-star could become a top contender for the Cup.

Any relocation for Doan would be a rare win.

6) Erik Johnson—D—St. Louis Blues

The number one overall pick in the 2006 draft, Johnson struggled a bit as a rookie before a torn ACL and MCL wiped out his entire sophomore season.

It will be interesting to see how the youngster adjusts this year after the injury—it could very well be a second rookie-type season.  If Johnson picks up where he left off, the Blues could quickly compete with the Blackhawks and Red Wings in the division.

However, if he struggles, it could seriously hurt the progress of the franchise in a city starving for winning hockey once again.  Johnson is still viewed as a cornerstone piece, but it would be bad if a fluke injury suffered on the golf course put a two-year dent into his career.

5) Edmonton Oilers young forwards

A trio of talented young players must begin to perform up to potential for their careers and the team’s success.

First and foremost, right wing Ales Hemsky must get to the next level.  A playmaker with talent pouring off him, Hemsky disappointed last year and still hasn’t cracked either the 25-goal or 60-assist mark.  Hemsky can be extremely frustrating, as you never know which player will show up.  On certain nights he establishes himself as a force while others he just disappears.  If Hemsky can’t come close to 100 points (he only had 66 last year) the Oilers won’t be going anywhere.

Andrew Cogliano—another first round pick—also took a step backward last season and has yet to crack the 20-goal plateau.  But it’s center Sam Gagner–the most recent first rounder–with the most pressure to succeed.  Gagner also slid in his second season and coach Pat Quinn demoted him to the fourth line recently.

The move might have worked—Gagner already has 2 goals in the Oilers first 3 games.

4) Jason Spezza—center—Ottawa Senators

It’s hard to say a 26-year-old averaging 33 goals per season over the last three must do more, but that’s the overwhelming thought in Canada.

With Dany Heatley gone and the franchise in apparent free fall, Spezza now needs to take his game to another level.  Down 19 points last season from 07-08, Spezza needs to approach the 40-goal/100-point marks or people will be calling for his head at the end of the season when the Senators miss the playoffs for the second straight year after qualifying for 11 straight.

3) Roberto Luongo—G—Vancouver Canucks

Maybe the biggest shock on the list, how can the goalie many regard as the games best be under pressure to perform better?

A 12-year, $64 million contract extension signed over the summer is a big reason.  After spending big bucks to re-sign both of the Sedins, Vancouver now has very little payroll flexibility for the next five years.

Already scoring challenged, Luongo must be the player to lead the way to the Cup.  While his career playoff numbers are fine, Luongo had a disastrous run last season—especially in the second round against the Blackhawks.  His .914 save percentage and 2.52 goals against average won’t get Vancouver to the promise land anytime soon.  His struggles have continued early this season where he’s started 1-3 with a .865 save percentage and 3.52 goals against average.

Luongo has the ability and talent to be the next Martin Brodeur, now it’s time to show why he was worth all the cash.

2) Vincent Lecavalier—C—Tampa Bay Lightning

Just two years removed from a 52-goal and 108-point season, Lecavalier’s 08-09 (29 goals, 67 points) was his worst since 02-03 and there is no doubt he needs a return to MVP form for the Lightning to once again make the playoffs.

With talent up front like Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, Tampa needs Lecavalier to find the scoring that put him among the elite centers in the league.

With the team’s defensive deficiencies, their success rests more on Lecavalier’s shoulders than maybe any other superstar in the NHL.

His new 11-year contract extension should ease much of the pressure he felt last season, but if the numbers don’t improve the Lightning might start to wonder if roughly 850 games played by season’s end are starting to show their wear and tear.

1) Cristobal Huet—G—Chicago Blackhawks

Everything is bright for a once dark and depressed franchise.  The young forwards—Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane– are talented and exciting.  The defense is solid– if not spectacular– and the addition of Marian Hossa could put the Hawks over the top.

But one large problem remains between the pipes. Goalie Cristobal Huet is a BIG question mark and could single-handedly determine whether the Hawks hoist the cup for the first time since 1961.

The Hawks gave Huet a huge contract before last season and he never took full control of the starting job.  With Nikolai Khabibulin departing as a free agent, Huet is firmly in the spotlight and needs to respond.

Some games he looks capable of challenging for the Vezina Trophy while other nights you wonder how he’s an NHL goaltender and hope he moves back to France soon.

If he plays close to his career averages (.917 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average) then it’s going to be a struggle all season.  Huet has to get these numbers down—his 2.53 goals against average last season won’t cut it.

If he seriously falters, look for 26-year-old Finland native Antti Niemi to step up.

Looking into the crystal ball and nothing good is in sight if these players don’t shine once again—or in some cases, like never before.