Your NHL Schedule For 2009-10 + Quick Highlights!

The 2009-2010 National Hockey League regular season schedule was just released.

Here are some quick highlights...

Season begins on October 1st
With a three-week break to accommodate Olympic participants, the season starts roughly a week earlier than usual and has a more compact schedule before and after that time off.

NHL Premiere series on October 2nd and October 3rd
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland
Detroit Red Wings vs. St. Louis Blues in Stockholm, Sweden

Stanley Cup championship defense
The Pittsburgh Penguins open their new season on October 3rd against the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. It will also mark the NHL debut of 2009 #1 overall draft pick John Tavares in an Islanders uniform.

November 28th indoor stadium game
Mentioned in Monday night's online edition of The Globe and Mail, the NHL approved a plan to have the Montréal Canadiens host the Washington Capitals at Olympic Stadium.

3rd edition of Winter Classic game (4th overall in NHL history)
The game is on January 1, 2010 at Fenway Park in Boston. In an old-time hockey matchup, the Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers.

National television contract with NBC extended 2 years
During the Winter Classic announcement today, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the league's national television contract with NBC has been extended 2 years, effective January 1, 2010 and through the 2010-2011 season.

"Hockey Day in Canada"
It is a day in the regular season schedule that has a tripleheader of games with just Canadian team participants. It will take place on January 30, 2010.

The national television schedules will be released at a later date.