The NHL will open the 2008-09 season in Europe, NHL.com reported. The players’ organization has yet to ratify the league's decision, which will affect four eastern conference teams. I apologize about not posting this story two days ago, when it was first announced. I just returned from winter vacation and I had to revert to my academia. The league will attempt to replicate its success with Anaheim and Los Angeles opening the current season with two games in London.

“On Oct. 4-5, 2008, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning will play a pair of games at Sazka Arena in Prague, Czech Republic, while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Ottawa Senators will play two games on the same days at Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden."

All four teams are expected to compete in preseason contests as well.

I think the league is making a conscientious decision to expand to Europe. I hope commissioner Gary Bettman does not get carried away and award, say, Sweden an All-Star Game, although this year's event in Atlanta was incomplete and boring. I am suggesting that the league designs an alternate to the All Star extravaganza, at least more reminiscent of the Winter Classic. Then again, I am asking Bettman to make an intelligent decision, which was not stated in his contract when he joined the NHL in the early nineties.

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