We get this, which includes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman as Mario, Mega Man, Snake, Cloud, Illidan, and...I think that's Johnny Napalm?  It's something like ten weeks until the start of hockey season, and as you call tell, we're all getting a bit antsy.  Then again, how cool would a pre-game intro with Illidan guarding the Stanley Cup, howling, "You are not prepared!" actually be?  I think we can all agree this would fucking rock, especially compared to the half-comical, half-awesome intro the Predators use right now.  And especially since Georges Laraque would totally bring his punk ass to the ground in about eight seconds flat.

In other news, how awesome is that vintage Pens sweater Big Georges is wearing?  EA has been all over themselves for finally including a proper slate of vintage sweaters (though this is rumoured to be their active third jersey for next season as well), and my question is, what the hell took so long?  The 2K series has had them in varying numbers since the beginning, according to my DreamCast acolyte friend, and I know I've seen probably 40 or 50 of them in various 2K games since my first in 2004.  I mean, it's great that we can now play as the 1970s Minnesota North Stars in NHL 09, but act like you've been there before, EA.  2K has.  Also, since at least 2K has included the Heritage Classic in the past, I wonder if the Winter Classic will appear in one or both games, especially since it looks to be an annual tradition at this point.  I mean, 2K already has Wrigley Field in its database, no?  They're the MLB rightsholders.  Left hand should be able to talk to right hand and get that sorted out, I would think.  Ralph Wilson might be a bit tougher, since the NFL 2K franchise died several years ago, but I'd definitely like to see that in there, too.