NHL Prepares To Start '08-09 Season In Earnest

The ’08-09 NHL season gets underway in North America tonight, and THE DAILY presents our annual season preview package. Buoyed by young stars like Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, the league hopes to capitalize on the momentum from last season’s Stanley Cup Finals. However, amid the struggling economy the league may be challenged to match last year's success. Gary Bettman claims the league has yet to feel the effects of the economy, but warns, “We don't think any business or industry will be immune.” Today’s issue also includes a roundtable of NHL experts discussing the state of the league, a review of new ad campaigns on Versus and several RSNs, a look at each team’s marketing slogans for the season and a discussion with omnipresent analyst Mike Milbury.

Bank Shot
Pistons sign second-ever presenting sponsor, securing National City to multi-year deal.

The Million Dollar Question
Could the plummeting economy, which so far has been kind to sports, force a franchise into bankruptcy in early '09?

Stand & Deliver 
NASCAR scrapping plans for annual N.Y. victory lap in December, opting instead for a block party.

Closing Time
Yankees pull the plug on a planned sendoff celebration for Yankee Stadium after reportedly struggling to land big-name musical acts.

A New Olympic Standard
BBC steps up effort for 2012 London Games after witnessing "colossal" Beijing Olympics.

Punching Bagged 
ESPN cuts struggling "Wednesday Night Fights," another hit to boxing's weakened popularity.

We Got Game
Donna Orender says WNBA "speaks to America's values," deserves more credit.

Lipstick Jungle
America's most ubiquitous hockey mom Sarah Palin to help kick off NHL season Saturday night.