Welcome to the NHL season

Yes, the NHL is back for its second full season in a row, starting tonight. The CBC and TSN will offer coverage throughout Canada. Versus, previously known as OLN, has the U.S. coverage with NBC coming along in 2007 for its broadcasts. There will even be an All-Star Game this year.

Versus doesn't look like it will offer much in the way of Canadian teams once again. One major problem with having Versus as the flagship network is that hockey fans (such as myself) don't normally watch Versus, so I don't always know when hockey is on.

As for who is going to win this year, even the experts aren't sure. Who would have predicted that Edmonton would barely make the playoffs and come within one game of the Stanley Cup? So the only thing for sure is that there will likely be another Edmonton this season.

So in the U.S., you will need to pay more attention. From Versus' Web site, here is the tentative coverage of Canadian teams on the channel.
* Exclusive coverage of hockey on Versus. All times Eastern.

Oct. 23 7p Buffalo at Montreal
Dec. 4* 7p Boston at Montreal
Jan. 1* 7p Boston at Toronto
Jan. 15* 7p Montreal at Detroit