Blues fans can finally chart out their autumns, now that the 2008-09 NHL schedule has been released.

The good news: Blues fans will get a long look at this young team early on.

The bad news: This schedule is not conducive to making the playoffs.

Hoxkey Guy has a few thoughts on what faces the Blues:

• It’s hard to get fired up for Predators-Blues games, Opening Night is still Opening Night. Blues fans are hoping young Preds scorer Alexander Radulov will still be mired in his international contract dispute on Oct. 10.
• The Blues play eight of their first 10 games at home. This could help them get to the high side of .500 early on, but pre-Thanksgiving tickets tend to be a much tougher sell here – especially if the Rams cling to mathematical life in the NFC West.
• But don’t miss the Nov. 1 game against Pittsburgh at Scottrade Center. The Penguins have the best ice show going.
• Thanks to the more balanced NHL schedule, the Blues don’t host the Blue Jackets until ’09. Nothing against the city of Columbus, but bringing that team in every other week made the Blues’ marketing challenge greater in recent years.
• If the Blues are in the playoff hunt at the end of the season, they won’t enjoy playing six of their last seven games on the road. Since the Blues own their own building, why can’t the franchise arrange a more favorable finish?

AROUND THE RINKS: Hockey Buzz reports that the Note could yet swing a deal or two this winter, with defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and supplemental scorer Antoine Vermette among the possible targets . . . The Blues have shored up their depth at Peoria via free agency, but not much has been added to help the big club. Defenseman Andy Wozniewski is another example of that. Rookie forwards T.J.Oshie, Patrick Bergland and Chris Porter will get every chance to make an impact . . . Great to see Kings management think “outside the box” and hire Terry Murray as its new head coach. How many teams hasn’t Murray worked for?