VAIL, Colo. -- Goalie Alex Auld was amused when he saw the Panthers' preseason schedule.

"It reminds me of some of the AHL schedules," Auld said, smiling. "But I guess we won't be bussing too much."

Only for about two hours north from Calgary to Edmonton on Monday, then back that night after the game. But they will be flying all over North America ... and even to the Caribbean.

Forty-one players -- 24 forwards, 12 defensemen and five goalies -- reported for the Panthers' training camp on Thursday, and after physicals departed for Vail, Colo., to start their seven-city trip spanning 10 days. They'll play six games within eight days.

Veterans such as Joe Nieuwendyk, who has played 18 NHL seasons, and Martin Gelinas, who has played 16, can't recall ever making such a preseason trek.

"I don't mind going to Vail -- it's an opportunity to get away. Everything's just kind of rush-rush," Nieuwendyk said. "We're only there for a couple of days and then we're playing games, which is kind of crazy to me in a way. But I think it's good to get away and just kind of get to know each other."

The Panthers will take the ice for the first time today in nearby Eagle, then play games at Calgary on Sunday, at Edmonton on Monday, at Atlanta on Wednesday and at Chicago on Thursday. Saturday night, they'll play the Rangers in San Juan, Puerto Rico. They'll play in Detroit the next night, and finally fly home after the game.

"We're going from one side to the other side and back again," center Chris Gratton said. "It's unfortunate. You'd like to think they would have scheduled it a little better."

Added Gelinas: "I just know we'll be traveling enough during the year that I'm not sure I needed one more trip to start with. But that's just the way it is."

The Panthers' preseason itinerary is easily the NHL's most taxing. Only the Bruins will play as many away, but their six games against the Rangers, Islanders and Devils and Canadiens requires minimum travel. The Sabres and Senators will play five road games, but neither will travel west of the Mississippi River. Sixteen of the league's 30 teams will play three or fewer road games.

Coach and General Manager Jacques Martin said former General Manager Mike Keenan handled most of the scheduling.

"The key for us was to get some games early in camp," said Martin, who expects to have the regular-season roster mostly set by Sept. 24. While fatigue is a particular concern for veterans, Martin plans to give players certain games off on the trip.