Fasel warns NHL over European expansion

I can't see a European division anyways.

I don't think there is enough skilled players to fill another six or eight teams (which would all have to start in the same season to lower travel costs). The skill level in the NHL already is too low IMHO.

The cost involved in flying teams back and forth would also be prohibitive (unless like the SJ Sharks every team leased their own plane), and visiting teams would always be at a disadvantage (in terms of jet lag).

Bettman might dream of it, but fans here in North America sure don't.

Unless, they pattern it along the lines of MLB and only have the champions of the two leagues/divisions play in the finals. The only other time they would have travel issues would be in an all star game.

Not worth it. The NHL should clean up its own issues - Phoenix, Atlanta, looming CBA - before worrying about expansion. And that work out last time in NA?

Not gonna happen, so dont worry about it.

just the time zone changes is enough to kill it.


The championship teams playing each other might be good for a laugh,

but I cant see any team owner agreeing to what amounts to nothing serious.



Some pre season exhibition games would work though.

Leave it to the Buttman to even think up something as stupid like this. No new teams at all in Winnipeg, Hamiliton, or Quebec City, even though at any given time you can easliy find at least three US franchises veering wildly towards insolvency or outright collapse that should be moved to Canada. But we'll spend some money studying the possbility for a team in Brataslava or Minsk. Riiiiiiiight.

Like Don Cherry once said: NHL hockey, the best game in the world despite the people running it.