This volume investigates the professional landscape and performance metrics of the National Hockey League during the 1988-1989 season. Stan and Shirley Fischler, veteran hockey journalists, utilize their extensive access to league data and player profiles to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the sport. The text serves as a diagnostic tool for understanding the competitive dynamics, team standings, and individual athlete trajectories that defined this specific era of professional hockey.

The subject matter points to a specialized reference text intended for hockey enthusiasts and sports historians seeking a granular record of the 1988-1989 season. The framing suggests a data-heavy, journalistic approach that prioritizes factual reporting and professional insight over narrative prose.