NHL to open 08-09 in Prague/Stockholm

[ianmonsta]

The NHL is set to open next season with two games in Europe, a source has told The Canadian Press.

The 2008-'09 season will begin with the Ottawa Senators playing the Pittsburgh Penguins twice in Stockholm and New York Rangers facing the Tampa Bay Lightning in two games in Prague.

Those games will be played before the NHL season begins in North America, just as Los Angeles and Anaheim did this season in London.

All four teams are expected to play pre-season games in Europe as well.

http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?articleid...e&service=page

[TooCool]

Ooh.. 4 teams instead of 2. Too bad they couldn't mix and match. Would have been more fun for the fans over there.

[Dr. Naysay]

lame.

[KingsPride]

Atleast they are letting them play their pre-season there as well , but then that sucks for the fans that remain in the states.

[Watti]

I want to go back to Stockholm...



...that has nothing to do with hockey though. I just like it there.

[Hipcheck]

So the NHL figured out when playing in Europe its better to send 2 East Coast Teams-Bravo for learning from your mistakes. I would think the Rangers vs Canadians/Leafs makes more sense but theyre getting closer.

[DiehardKingsFan]

at least it's not the Kings this time around

[taz42]

NHL is having enough problems attracting new fans in the US. Makes sense they go out of the country!!!! NOT

[Bandit]

If you can find a way to make it out to any of these games, DO IT. I don't think they should be regular season games, but they are fun to attend and highly recommended.

[ASUcruz]

Pretty slick planning by the NHL.

Rangers have a nice sized Czech contingent on their team and the Senators of course have Alfredsson.

I'm sure they won't have any trouble selling out these games but it's smart planning by the NHL.

[taz42]

NHL and the new Players rep seem to be having a little problem with this announcement. Seems the NHL announced a game with a Russian team without consulting the new players rep. More on this to come.