In what always equals some offseason excitement and drama, the NHL’s 2009-10 schedule is set to be released next week. According to Mike Harrington, hockey writer for the Buffalo News, the NHL will announce the release on either Wednesday (July 15) during the press conference at Fenway Park for the Winter Classic, or Thursday (July 16).
What makes this year different from most is the three week Olympic layoff in February. Harrington expects the league to compress the schedule before February, adding more games and less breaks. That should make the Flyers’ fans happy, who had to endure three to five day layoffs between games early in the 2008-09 season.
UPDATE: Schedule released
Phila.Bright 