Bettman Loves the Caps

In his State of the NHL address on Friday, Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed two things that we already know: the Caps are playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Heinz Field (this guy probably won't be there, though) and the Caps have ascended to one of the league's premier franchises.

Not only will a Winter Classic will be held locally over the next "two or three years," but Bettman announced that the Caps will be part of "Hockey Day in America" along with the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks.

Also, next year's schedule will be announced on June 22 and the salary cap should increase for the 2010-11 campaign.

Considering the Winter Classic visiting team has made it to the Stanley Cup finals in each of the event's three years (going 0-2, with this year's outcome not yet finalized), it could be a long upcoming season for the red, white and blue.