It’s somehow appropriate the NHL season kicked off in delay.  Not that I think poorly of the little league that couldn’t quite get its head together, but rather because a smooth opener would have been somehow dishonest.  It’s just a shame the 11am (CST) tilt couldn’t quite crack the powerful Versus lineup.  Still a pair of ‘NHL Sellouts’ is great news, and with North America finally conquered for good, an obvious sign that cross-pond expansion is an excellent idea.

While Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne continue discussing their AARP options, several blue-chippers put on a show in England.  The rebuilding Kings got strong contributions from youngsters Mike Cammalleri, Anze Kopitar and 19 year-old goaltending wonderkid Jonathan Bernier.  For the Ducks, trivia answer Bobby Ryan – taken 2nd overall behind Sidney Crosby – picked up a consolation score for his 1st career NHL goal and the fresh-faced champions secured the split behind up and comers Corey Perry and Chris Kunitz.

Last week also saw Colin Campbell’s mighty wheel of punishment land on 20 games for Flyer Steve Downie.  It’s nice to see the league finally sending a message to anonymous grinders, it’s just disappointing because I hadn’t quite finished my yearly “Proactive League Sets Appropriate Benchmark” piece.  Maybe I’ll be able to fit in a kind word or two for Campbell before his mood shifts and I’m stuck dusting off the outraged section of my dictionary.  In the meantime, as Bryan Berard once told me, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.