If you could pick one player to build your team around for the next five years, who would it be? A sniper like Alexander Ovechkin? A playmaker like Sidney Crosby? Maybe a stalwart goaltender such as Roberto Luongo?
It's a tough choice, and it's one that TSN asked NHL general managers to make as part of a poll conducted for the NHL on TSN Season Preview Show, which airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt.
The answers to that question and others will be revealed on the preview show, a two-hour extravaganza of hockey coverage from TSN's experts. The GM's will also make their picks for the most improved team in each conference, the champions in each conference, and they'll make their pre-season Stanley Cup pick.
The third annual GM poll is just part of the stacked lineup designed to get Canadian hockey fans ready for the 2008-09 season.
Hosted by James Duthie, the show will also feature the talents of studio analysts Bob McKenzie, Pierre McGuire and newcomers John Tortorella and Ray Ferraro. Darren Dreger and Dave Hodge will also add their insight to the show, and TSN's reporters will provide an in-depth look at all six Canadian teams, including projected depth charts.
TSN's analysts will also unveil their consensus picks for the final standings in each conference, plus a Stanley Cup winner.
The NHL on TSN Season Preview Show will also feature interviews with Penguins star Sidney Crosby, new Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson and Mike Backcock, coach of the defending champion Detroit Red Wings.
Other highlights include a look at Ovechkin's rock star life, an introduction to The Hockey Theme, and McGuire's look-ahead to the 2010 Olympics, featuring his locks for the Canadian men's team.
In case you miss it, the NHL on TSN Season Preview Show will be available on demand at TSN.ca shortly after it airs on television. Various segments of the show will also be available for viewing online.
The first game on the NHL on TSN this season is Tuesday, October 14 at 9pm et/6pm pt when the Calgary Flames host the Colorado Avalanche. The complete broadcast schedules for TSN and TSN2 are available at tsn.ca/nhl.
The upcoming season will introduce a new look to the schedule as teams will play 24 games against their divisional rivals, 40 against the rest of their conference and 18 against teams in the other conferences, allowing every team to skate in each building in the league at least once every two seasons.
The season will also be a season-long celebration of the Montreal Canadiens' centennial season. Part of that celebration, the All-Star Game will be held at the Bell Centre on January 25 and the 2009 Entry Draft will be held in Montreal the weekend of June 26-27.
Chicago will play host to the Winter Classic on New Year's Day, which will feature an Original-Six matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroiot Red Wings at Wrigley Field. Last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins won a 2-1 shootout over the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y.
The game in Chicago will mark the third regular-season outdoor NHL contest. In 2003, Montreal edged Edmonton, 4-3, before 57,167 at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.