The Stanley Cup was awarded less than a month ago, but already planning for the next NHL season is well underway. Yesterday, the league released next season’s schedule. Highlights for the Capitals include a visit from defending Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, on opening night as well as some traditional home games on and around holidays.

Like the 2005-06 season, the Capitals will face the other teams in the Southeast Division eight times each and other Eastern Conference opponents four times each. Washington will host the five teams in the Pacific Division – the Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes and San Jose Sharks – for one game each while paying a visit to each of the teams in the Northwest Division.

More than half of the Capitals’ 41 home games at Verizon Center fall on weekends, including 12 Saturday games, seven Friday games and three Sunday games. The schedule features holiday home games on the day before and after Thanksgiving (Nov. 22 against Atlanta, Nov. 24 against Toronto) and New Year’s Day (Phoenix) as well as an early afternoon game on Super Bowl Sunday (New York Islanders).

No word yet on what tickets will cost or when they will go on sale. Off Wing Opinion has a little fun breaking down the schedule.

In other Caps news (all from The Wash. Times), there are discussions about naming Alex Ovechkin captain, even though he is only entering his second season and is not even old enough to buy alcohol yet. Also, the Caps reacquired Richard Zednik from Montreal for a third round pick. Lastly, the new practice facility the team is building in Ballston has fallen behind schedule, forcing the Caps to look elsewhere for training camp.

Check out Japers Rink for more Caps coverage.