League attendance, thus far, is at near capacity

So much for the fans not coming back.

The Xcel Energy Center has only been sold out
for one of Minnesota's three home games.
Welcome home, Zach Parise!

Nearly every game in the NHL has sold out, though there have been a few exceptions.

The only home-opener not to sell out, thus far, has been the Lightning, who still played to 97.2-percent capacity.

The Islanders had 15,000 plus for Monday afternoon's game at the Coliseum.

And, of all ironies, the Minnesota Wild, which sold out its first game, was 1,000 and 2,000 under capacity for home games 2 and 3 at the Xcel Energy Center. (Yes, they've played three home games in a four-day-old season — the quirks of a shortened season).

I must admit to being very happy to see Zach Parise's new team has only been able to sell out one of three —with significant empties last night.