Vancouver Canucks release 2012-13 regular season schedule

In the end, today's (June 21) announcement may mean absolutely nothing.

However, if the National Hockey League and its Players Association can find labour peace and hammer out a new collective-bargaining agreement to avoid a work stoppage, Vancouver Canucks fans now know when their favourite team will take to the ice next season.

The Canucks have unveiled their 2012-13 schedule and it starts on October 11 in Calgary. Two nights later the Canucks play their home opener against the Edmonton Oilers.

Among the featured home games next season are visits from 60-goal man Steven Stamkos and the Tampa Lightning on October 28, the Montreal Canadiens on November 3, the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 15, and on December 29, the Boston Bruins make their first visit to Vancouver since winning the Stanley Cup here a year ago.

Willie Mitchell and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings come to town twice, first on February 17 and then two weeks later on February 28.

The Canucks longest homestand is five games from December 2 to 8, and the team is scheduled for a pair of five-game road trips both in the first six weeks of the season.

The Canucks' full schedule can be found at canucks.com.

You can follow Jeff Paterson on Twitter at www.twitter.com/patersonjeff/.