Penguins Among NHL Teams Which Could Open Next Season in Europe

Every major North American sports league continues to think globally.

The National Football League staged its game in London last month. Major League Baseball has started seasons with contests in in Japan, and the the NBA continues to have teams play exhibition games and host events overseas.

Now four NHL teams could officially get the green light to start next season in Europe, following the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks commencing this season with a pair of contests in London.

The Pittsburgh Penguins could get confirmation today or tomorrow they will start the 2008-09 hockey season with two games in Stockholm, Sweden, says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The subject could be finalized at the league's Board of Governors meetings in Pebble Beach, California.

The Stockholm games would match the Penguins and their star forward Sidney Crosby against the Ottawa Senators. The Penguins also are a candidate to compete in the Victoria Cup tournament in Europe during the final days of the preseason.

Photo of Sidney Crosby by Lou Capozzola/Sports Illustrated

That would be the inaugural Victoria Cup, which is supposed to include one National Hockey League team, the winner of the European Champions Cup and at least one other team from Europe. The tournament champion will receive $822,000.

The Penguins initially were in line to start next season with a two-game series against Tampa Bay in Prague, but the New York Rangers -- who have a major Czech presence in their lineup led by Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka - are expected to face the Lightning there instead.

Can an overseas franchise be far behind?