This weekend, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Rangers all head to Europe, where they will begin their regular seasons. The Anaheim Ducks struggled last year after returning from London, England. Any advice from Ducks GM Brian Burke?
"They should schedule a day off," Burke told ESPN.com in an e-mail Friday. "Then, three practice days at least prior to playing again."
The Penguins, Senators and Lightning have six days off between their second game in Europe and their North American opener Oct. 11. The Rangers resume play Friday, Oct. 10. It's better than last season's scenario for the Ducks, who had to play at Detroit just three days after leaving England.
I leave Sunday for Stockholm, where the Pens and Sens clash Oct. 4-5. It'll be interesting to see how Swedish hockey fans react to Sidney Crosby's presence. Fellow ESPN.com NHL columnist Scott Burnside left for Prague, where the Rangers and Lightning meet, on Friday.
Funny thing about the Prague games is that local organizers really got sold on the idea of Jaromir Jagr and the Rangers playing in front of his native fans when the deal was struck last season. Oops.
Pierre LeBrun
