Say what you will about the NHL (and Gary Bettman in particular,) but they're going for bear this upcoming season when it comes to national TV scheduling.
And they should.
With the NBA in a lockout that could eliminate the entire season, casual sports fans will be looking for their sports fix, especially in 2012.
Puck Daddy recently did a "winners and losers of the 2011/12 hockey schedule," but more important than Edmonton not being televised nationally in the U.S., is the way the NHL is jumping upon this opportunity for national exposure.
The NHL and NBC/Versus/NBC Sports Network (which will be Versus' new name come Jan. 2) kick off their record 10-year partnership with 100 nationally televised games in the 2011/12 season.
They've expanded their coverage on Versus/NBC Sports Network from 56 nights last season to 90 nights of NHL coverage this season.
The Winter Classic will be back as a part of Hockey Day in America and in addition, they've added a "Black Friday" national broadcast the day after Thanksgiving kicking it off with the Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings.
The league will also be getting additional national coverage on Versus/NBC Sports Network Wednesday and Sunday nights.
And, the kicker, during the final week of the season, 10 games will be played, including an unprecedented triple-header on April 7.
Unfortunately for Sabres fans in Buffalo, 12 nationally televised games for the Sabres will mean less of Rick Jeanneret. But for displaced Sabres fans all across the country, it means more access to their team as Pegulaville takes hold for it's first full season.
All-in-all, solid.
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