Drop the puck it’s Hockey season!

Wednesday night brings joy from coast to coast to coast, as hockey fans across the continent settle in for the next seven months as their favourite teams jockey for positions and a shot at the Holy Grail of hockey the Stanley Cup.

The teams have made their final cuts, they’ve assigned their line combinations and all that is left is to get that first game under their belts. While the season seems to never end when they’re toiling through the cold months (well in some cities) of January and February, there’s nothing like an opening night, with the exception perhaps of the final game of the Stanley Cup and the chance to hoist the fabled trophy.

Over at the league office, Gary Bettman took some questions from the Canadian Press on the eve of the season debut, providing his take on such issues as US television ratings, the length of Rick DiPietro’s contract (15 flippin’ years??), how he thinks year number two of the new CBA will work out, where he sees attendance going and his overall impression of the state of the game heading into 2006-07, were just some of the questions posed by Pierre Lebrun.

Canadian puck fans have a bounty of options ahead of them this season, with the CBC increasing their schedule of games, Sportsnet hosting regional games, TSN offering a wide schedule of action (including an opening night doubleheader) and even pay per view games for those with extra bucks to chase their puck.

The "experts" have made their calls, predictions from TSN, Sportsnet and Hockey Night in Canada to name a few providing the ammunition for many an office hockey pool.

So settle into the recliner, lay in the pretzels, popcorn and refreshments and set up your clicker for scan. It’s time to jump on board for the season long road trip.

For the record below is the way that your servant at HockeyNation sees the standings shaping up when the regular season will wind down next spring. Teams in Blue will be feeling blue, as they miss out on the post season chase for Lord Stanley’s Mug.

WESTERN DIVISION

Calgary
Anaheim
San Jose
Nashville
Detroit
Edmonton
Dallas
Minnesota
Columbus
Vancouver
Colorado
Los Angeles
Phoenix
St. Louis
Chicago

EASTERN DIVISION

Ottawa
Carolina
Buffalo
Philadelphia
New York Rangers
New Jersey
Montreal
Boston
Atlanta
Toronto
Washington
Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh
Florida
New York Islanders

While we're sounding like a broken record, for the record we'll once again select the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames to meet in the face off circle. When the final goal is counted, the Senators will be hoisting up the Cup and the parade will be heading down Bank Street.

The above post first appeared on my HockeyNation blog, for more items about Hockey all season long, check it out!