Here's a look at various season ticket offerings around the National Hockey League.

The following perks are standard league-wide:

- Access to the same seat for all pre-season, regular season and playoff games
- Access to tickets before they go on sale to the general public
- Personal access to ticket sales staff for all account related matters
- Team Yearbook, Media Guide and other publications
- Ticket Exchange and Ticket Donation Programs

Atlanta Thrashers

Cheapest Seat – $440 ($10 per game)

Other Benefits:

- Kids Hockey Clinic
- Town Hall Meetings with Team Executives
- Eight Month Interest Free Payment

Thoughts

Thrashers Season Ticket Holders had the option to purchase All Star Game tickets with their 2007-08 plans. No such incentive to buy exists this season.

Boston Bruins

Cheapest Seat – $645 ($16.50 per game)

Of Note – The club will introduce a $39 “Hungry for Hockey” Season Ticket with select food and beverage items included.

Other Benefits:

- First Option to Purchase Discounted Playoff Strips
- Business to Business Directory
- Autographed Items
- Free Scoreboard Welcome Messages

Thoughts

The option to buy discounted playoff strips would be pivotal if the team was good enough to contend for a title. The club has introduced a “Pick Your Benefits” package on 2008-09 tickets, catering to families, businesses and fanatics with unique items. Also, it will be interesting to see how an All You Can Eat ticket works in the land of Jacobs.

Carolina Hurricanes

Cheapest Seat - $569.75 ($12.12 per game for 47 games)

Other Benefits:

- Season Ticket Holder Pre-game Skate
- Limited Edition Lithograph
- Season Ticket Holder Party

Thoughts

The 'Canes use a Season Ticket Holder Point System for some of their more exclusive gifts, including specific STH jerseys. What the club doesn’t have, but should is a Student Season Ticket Plan given the club’s proximity to North Carolina State, Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sure, they’ve done a good job offering discounted seats, but if the club were to create a consistent group of rowdy, younger fans, it would be a great asset to the future of Redneck Hockey.

Chicago Blackhawks

Cheapest Seat - $675 ($15 per game)

Other Benefits:

- Season Ticket Holder Party
- Weekly Red and White Email

The Blackhawks Season Ticket Package is very standard. That's expected given the ownership over the last couple of decades. Still, as the club starts to play their way in the right direction, it might not be a bad buy. Those $15 dollar seats can be found in the upper levels, even between the blue lines. The club’s Platinum and Lexus Club Season Ticket Holders have the opportunity to purchase tickets to other United Center events.

Florida Panthers

Cheapest Seat - $387 ($9 per game)

Other Benefits:

- Team Calendar Signing
- Priority Access to Concert and Event Tickets
- Access to Arena Clubs and Lounges

Thoughts

The Panthers offer a Private Meet and Greet for Panther Club seat holders. And let’s not underestimate the Priority Access to Concert and Event Tickets, let’s say that Hannah Montana comes to the Bank Atlantic Center and there’s a pre-sale. That’s like printing money right there.

Los Angeles Kings

Cheapest Seat - $462 ($11 per game)

Other Benefits:

- Free Alternate Jersey
- Kings Business Alliance
- Three Payment Plans
- Referral Program

Thoughts

The Kings have a Royal theme when it comes to treating their season ticket holders. The Business Alliance is a new idea and we’ll see how it all plays out. A concierge service may be the best bet offering members the chance to buy team merchandise and have it delivered to their clients on game night.

Ottawa Senators

Cheapest Seat - $1,092 CDN ($26 CDN per game)

Other Benefits:

- Premium Parking Access and Discounts
- Season Ticket Holder Skates
- Nine Month Payment Plan

Thoughts

We had to do one of the Canadian teams, and seeing as season tickets are almost impossible to get in the likes of Toronto, Montreal and Edmonton, let’s go with Ottawa, who made the Stanley Cup final in 2007. Among the benefits for 100 and 200 level owners is a Personal or Business Nameplate on their seats. Senators ticket holders also had priority access to 2008 NHL draft tickets, if they had renewed their seats by that time.

Washington Capitals

Cheapest Seat - $425 ($10 per game)

Other Benefits:

- Pay by the Month
- Game Notes via Email
- Opportunity to Purchase Discounted Parking
- Private Skating Event at the Verizon Center

Thoughts

To break it down, $425 equals $36 per month. You split that with a few buddies and you’re talking about a case or two of Bud Light or a season ticket. It’s affordable until the big playoff deposit bill comes near the beginning of March.