Reasons to be Excited for the Season

In no particular order. Can't be tempting a lawsuit from David Letterman now, can we?

- The Czar's goal celebrations. Kovy and Ovie have brought enthusiasm to a new level in the NHL. Players have always been excited to score a goal (see Brendan Shanahan kiss the guy who assisted his first NHL goal, or Jeff Odgers scream like a little girl when he lit the lamp) The exuberant Russians however, love scoring so much, they must have been taught as a kid that every time a red light flashes, the spot on Gorbachev's head grows larger.

- That Voodoo that You Do! Not since Braveheart stopped frequenting Philips Arena have we enjoyed a film clip on the jumbotron as much as the pump-up video late in the third that culminates with Kurt Russel as Wyatt Earp, followed by the villain from Blazing Saddles.

- Bogo the Bogosian, Bogo the Destructor. All signs point to Zach Bogosian getting significant playing time in the NHL this season. He may not be called on to play in all 82 games with the big club now that Schneider gives us another servicable vet, but there's no doubt that he'll be ballistically imprinting faces of Thrashers' foes into the plexiglass at some point in the 08-09 campaign.

- All you can eat seats. A hockey game with all you can eat nachos, hot dogs, and cokes? I hope they installed wider seats in that section of the arena. Not to mention extra structural support under them.

- Taco Mac and Gorin's. Quality or quantity? Actually, Gorin's already has pretty dang good quality with their enormous servings of Newcastle, Heinican (I don't care enough to look up the correct spelling), Bass, Amstel, etc. But Taco Mac offers a much wider selection of beers from around the world, though in smaller sizes.

- The Ice Girls. Ah, the ice girls...

- Escallating rivalries. Ok, the Panthers got even worse. Other than them, the rest of the Southeast Division is stronger than last season, and competition will be higher. The Caps made a terrible move saying goodbye to Olie Kolzig and replacing him with a francophone pretty-boy who hasn't been impressive since his rookie season, so every game against Washington will be a run and gun with Ovie, Semin, and Backstrom desparately trying to pot more than Jose lets in. The Canes look to be as frustrating as ever, and as for the Bolts, you can look at their sky-high expectations and new Hollywood style, then read Shooter's post below and think about how the Czar and Kari are going to bring them back to reality.

- MOOOOOOOOOOOOSE! From now on, every time Johan Hedburg steps on to the ice, all of us from the Chronicle will be intoning the Swedish Chef's "Hun noo, de moose! Moosemoose!"

- A resurrection of biblical proportions. At least we hope to see life once again in our dearly departed Slava Kozlov. Igor! Bring me a brain and some lightning rods!

- Thrash. The league's best mascot. What will he be for Halloween this year?

- The National Anthem. I don't know about you, but it just doesn't feel right to me anymore to hear the Star Spangled Banner without anyone yelling KNIGHTS! While at the same time it infuriates me to hear someone yell STARS or Os!