By Steve Keating
TORONTO, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Saturday's games in Stockholm and
Prague promise to light up the start of the NHL season.
The campaign, which launches in Europe for the second year
running, will be highlighted by an outdoor game at Chicago's
Wrigley Field on New Year's Day and a season-long party for the
Montreal Canadiens in the storied franchise's centenary year.
But after watching revenue, attendances and television
ratings climb in the last three seasons, the league is braced
for an impact from the worldwide credit crunch and the threat
posed by the Russian-backed Continental Hockey League (KHL).
Following the success of last season's start in London, the
NHL has returned to Europe to continue its push into
international markets.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators meet twice in
Stockholm this weekend while the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay
Lightning faceoff in Prague, both to sell-out crowds.
The Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings can also expect a
packed house on Oct. 9 when they open their season against
Toronto.
Unlike the NBA, NFL and MLB, the NHL is an attendance-driven
league, with only modest broadcast revenue leaving it more
exposed to possible fallout from the credit crunch.
While NHL gates and revenue have risen, so has the league's
salary cap which has gone from $39 million to more than $57
million in three seasons.
With teams forced to spend a minimum of $40 million this
season, struggling franchises in Phoenix, Nashville, Atlanta and
Florida can expect more fiscal challenges.
FLEDGLING KHL
Teams will also be keeping a close eye on the fledgling KHL,
a 24-team league with an ambitious agenda.
Headed by Russian billionaire Alexander Medvedev, the KHL
has already taken top talent from the NHL including former Most
Valuable Player (MVP) and five-times scoring champion Jaromir
Jagr, who left the New York Rangers in July for Omsk Vanguard
and $7 million a year.
The NHL, though, still boasts the world's two best players,
Pittsburgh Penguins playmaker Sidney Crosby and Alexander
Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals.
Away from the ice Crosby and Ovechkin remain the two
cornerstones of the league's marketing efforts.
Crosby, who last season surrendered his scoring crown and
Hart Trophy as league MVP to Ovechkin, will try to reclaim both
from the Russian sniper.
But after helping lead the Penguins to the Stanley Cup final
last year, it is the championship the Canadian covets more than
anything else.
Ovechkin, who agreed a 13-year, $124 million contract
extension with the Capitals in January, will be no less
motivated after getting his first taste of post-season hockey
last year.
With few changes to their roster and the addition of Marian
Hossa, the Red Wings start the season as Stanley Cup favourites.
The Canadiens will spend much of the season celebrating
their storied past and many pundits believe they have enough
talent to win a 25th Stanley Cup.
(Editing by Tony Jimenez)
