Coming off of record low U.S. ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals, the NHL has released its schedule for the 2007-08 season. National television schedules will be released later in the summer (though indications are that NBC will televise games on January 1, February 10 and 17, March 2, 9, 16 and 30 and April 6).
Of note:
- The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings will open up the season with two September games in London.
- The Stanley Cup Finals are scheduled to end on Monday, June 9 at the very latest, meaning that Game 1 is scheduled to occur on Memorial Day for the second straight season.
- The 2008 NHL All Star Game will take place on Sunday, January 27 — as opposed to a weeknight date for the 2007 edition. The television contract between the NHL, Versus and NBC stipulates that Versus has the rights to air the NHL All Star Game, meaning a move back to the weekend does not mean a move back to network television.
- While there has been no official announcement by either the NHL or NBC, the New Years Day outdoor hockey game that has been rumored for several months will likely involve the Penguins and Sabres; both Buffalo and Detroit had been rumored as possible locales for the “Ice Bowl”, and the Red Wings are not scheduled to play on New Years Day. The Pittsburgh/Buffalo game would be televised on NBC, with a 1:00 PM start.
