NHL Facing Myriad Of Issues As Season Begins In Earnest

After two Ducks-Kings games at the O2 Arena in London this past weekend, the NHL's '07-08 season gets underway in earnest tonight with four games on the docket.  Three seasons removed from its cancelled campaign, the league still faces a number of issues as it tries to regain its relevancy in today's sports landscape.  Many feel that at the top of the list of challenges is the league's TV product, as the move from ESPN to Versus has cost the league major exposure at a time it needs it the most.  But perhaps more pressing, MSG, the owners of the Rangers, one of the NHL's marquee franchises, has filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league, claiming that it is illegally impeding the team's ability to make money by insisting that it control the franchise's Web site.  Additionally, the local group attempting to buy the Predators expressed doubt this week that the deal will get done, meaning the issue of relocating out of Nashville may once again be a hot topic.  Meanwhile, the NHLPA is narrowing its search to replace embattled former head Ted Saskin.  On the positive side, there are markets -- most notably Las Vegas and K.C. -- ready and willing to serve as home to a franchise; there is a mega-star on the rise in Pittsburgh named Sidney Crosby; and the strengthening of the Canadian dollar should greatly benefit the six teams north of the border.

PREVIEW ISSUE: Today, THE DAILY offers our first of two special season preview issues with a discussion with two veteran hockey writers, a peak at Versus' new promotional spots for its NHL coverage and a list of top NHL blogs.