NHL pre-season takes shape
With the lockouts having a serious impact upon both the NBA and the NFL, along with the MLB, the NHL is the only league to go through the off-season knowing that hockey will definitely be played next season.
Knowing this, teams can be much more settled with player’s off-season training and bringing in new players can be an easier task. Along with this, franchises can complete a busy pre-season schedule to find formulas that will hopefully lead to success when the real season starts.
The hectic pre-season schedule will take place between September 19th and October 4th with a noticeable game taking place on the 20th as the Winnipeg Jets play their first game playing a split-squad game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. New boys Winnipeg play a total of six pre-season games all against fellow NHL sides.
The NHL has agreed to play a number of the pre-season games in cities and states that don’t usually have an NHL franchise. These include Baltimore, Bridgeport, Charlotte, Halifax, Kansas City and Las Vegas. I feel this is a great move as it will give a great opportunity for more people to watch the great sport who feel its too far to travel to watch the nearest team.
Four teams perhaps have a more exciting pre-season ahead of them than the rest as they travel to Europe to play seven games each including games in Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden and Finland. The teams making the long trip are the Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and the Anaheim Ducks.
The Rangers noticeably have a very tough schedule, playing four different sides in four different countries all in the space of just five days. This will test the players both physically and mentally and set them up well for the tough environment of the regular season. Interestingly, the other three sides travelling to Europe only play one game whilst they are out there.
With some exciting pre-season fixtures in store, excitement is starting to build just 40 days away from the first warm up game and 57 days until the start of the regular season. The usual teams like the Caps, Bolts, Bruins, Nucks and Pens will be favoured to lift the Stanley cup however after the pre-season schedule is complete, we may discover some new contenders. Be sure to lookout as an exciting season as ever is in store!
