I care. Maybe no one else does, but I do.

After a year of going through complete NHL withdrawal, the greatest sport on earth is set to return to the ice. And quite frankly, I can’t wait.

Maybe that’s the Detroit blood in me, despite having moved to Chicago when I was three. (Does anyone know if Chicago still has a team?) Maybe it’s the much-anticipated debut of Sydney Crosby, the stud drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins who’s already being called the next “Great One.” The point is, I care. And here’s a little hockey 101 to let you know why you should too:

No more ties

That’s right, ties in the NHL are about to become as common as Rex Grossman on gameday. The league has adopted a new system in which five minutes of four on four will be played. If the score still isn’t settled, a shootout will be used to determine the winner.

No more two-line passes

Cherry pickers around the league just arrived in heaven. The two-line pass, which was whistled when a pass was made from behind the defensive blue line to the attacking blue line, has been eliminated. This is meant to speed up play, allowing more odd-man rushes and breakaways. With goalies’ padding reduced approximately 11 percent, goals will be flying.

More room in the attack zone

The neutral zone is going to be reduced by four feet, allowing four additional feet in the attack zone. With more room for offensive players to spread out, the puck will move around much easier, providing more open ice and creating even more scoring chances.

And finally, the parity

Like it or not, the salary cap is here to stay. There’s no way to change it, so simply enjoy the competition that will follow.

Chicago (yes, the Blackhawks do still play there) picked up goalie Nikolai Khabibulin from the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, Columbus signed Colorado Avalanche star Adam Foote and Philadelphia signed Peter Forsberg and Derian Hatcher.

There’s no reason for hockey to continue in a downward spiral. The NHL has taken steps to ensure its longevity by saving money and preserving enough rules for the hockey purists to remain happy, while changing some to bring in new fans. Players have been shuffling around more than the 1985 Chicago Bears. Although ESPN dropped the TV contract, the NHL still managed to sign a contract with Comcast cable, who will broadcast on Monday and Tuesday nights on the Outdoor Life Network. (OK, so OLN is to ESPN what Splenda is to sugar, but at least it’s back on the screen.)

So come on out and pack the arenas. Grab that beverage of choice and chill in front of the plasma TV. You may be surprised at how entertained you are.