NHL releases 2008-09 schedule
All you far-flung fans of your old hometown teams can begin circling the dates on your calendars, the NHL’s schedule has been released and is, at long last, back to the old format.
Sweden and the Czech Republic have opened their doors to the NHL for many years now by developing greats like Nicklas Lidstrom, Daniel Alfredsson, Henrik Lundqvist, Jaromir Jagr and Dominik Hasek.
So what will you do to make it up to them, NHL? Give them a bunch of money? Formalize an equitable transfer agreement with all European leagues to make sure that teams are adequately compensated for players they lose to the allure of the greatest league in the world? Nope, those ingrates will be repaid with
Jaromir Jagr still won't play for the Rangers. Quit sucking up.
Blair Betts, Ryan Craig, Cody Bass and Eric Godard.
The NHL will give back in early October when the first major event of what should be a star-studded 2008-09 season takes place. The New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will compete in the NHL Premiere on Oct. 4-5 in Prague and Stockholm.
Lucky them.
The press release goes on to state that a pair of “legendary franchises” will face off in Toronto on All-Star Weekend, and the NHL has clearly stretched its definition of “legendary” to include the Maple Leafs.
The season gets going on Oct. 4. Can’t wait.
