A consumer’s guide to the best and worst of sports media and merchandise. Ground rules: If it can be read, played, heard, observed, worn, viewed, dialed or downloaded, it’s in play here.

What: Monopoly: NHL Collector’s Edition

Price: $40 through www.nhl.com, $35 in local gift stores. Also available through www.usaopoly.com, or (888) 656-7306.

Tired of high-tech toys and games only computer-savvy kids can figure out? This no-tech alternative is a great gift for the hockey fan in the family. It’s the same Monopoly game you probably last played 20 years ago, but with a new twist.

Instead of the familiar streets and avenues of the original game, NHL teams are arrayed around the board in order of admission. The San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes are the lowest-rent district (Mediterranean and Baltic avenues, in the old game), and the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs are the equivalent of Park Place and Boardwalk. The railroads are replaced by the last four expansion classes, including 2000 newcomers Columbus and Minnesota in one space. The utilities are replaced by the league’s principal broadcast outlets, ABC and ESPN/ESPN2.

The hockey theme continues in the game pieces--a skate, a puck, a skater, a goalie, a goalie mask, a net, a Zamboni and a glove--and in the Chance and Community Chest cards. Those have become Western and Eastern Conference cards, respectively, illustrated with the familiar top-hatted figure wearing hockey gear. Some cards: cross checking penalty, pay $100; win trip to Stanley Cup finals, collect $100; trip your opponent on a breakaway, go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200. The “get out of jail free” card pictures a haloed Mr. Monopoly and says, “receive Lady Byng trophy for most sportsmanlike player award.”

Instead of houses, property owners can buy orange luxury boxes; after four boxes, you can buy a little black arena that vaguely resembles Maple Leaf Gardens.

The rules are the same, but you can add your own commentary. Land in jail? Pretend you’re visiting Bruce McNall. Buying the Colorado Avalanche? The last two real attempts fell through, so why shouldn’t you own the team?

The game is also available in NFL, golf, NASCAR, national parks, Star Trek and Marvel Comic themes, among other special interests.