NHL Ruining Excitement of Opening Night with European Games?

Home openers. They are what every true fan looks forward to, no matter the sport or level of competition.

They signify the start of the new season, with excitement and anticipation high. No matter what the outlook of the season seems to be, your team still has a chance to make something happen. Fans can see the new players on the team first-hand.

They are usually a guaranteed sellout, and the city is brimming with electricity for the beginning of the season.

That's why it's great that popular teams like Boston, San Jose, and Minnesota get to play their home opener...overseas!

The NHL has decided that its European games, aimed to increase awareness and bring more popularity to the league, must take place at the beginning of the season.

This is an idea that really does not make sense to me.

I understand that critics will say that it's important to have games in Europe, and I completely agree. But the amount of games being played there is beginning to get a bit ridiculous. This season will now feature six games in Europe: "Home and homes" between Carolina & Minnesota, Boston & Phoenix, and San Jose & Columbus.

I also understand critics will say that it's just two games, some teams will play two road games before their home opener, so what's the difference? Well, the difference is, fans may actually have the opportunity to watch those away games, and be able to continue building excitement.

The games in Europe are scheduled at either noon or 3:00 Eastern Time. Seeing as four of the teams are in the Western Conference, those games will be even earlier in the west. Fans simply won't be able to watch their team's first two games, whereas if the two road games were to be played in North America, fans could tune in, watch their team play, and get psyched for the home opener.

I know what the last argument from critics will be: "If you are in support of expanding awareness and popularity of the game into Europe, and you agree that games should be played overseas, when do you think they should take place?" The critic will then make points of how tired the teams will be from flying, and how it could affect their play having to switch back-and-forth in the middle of the season.

Well, what's wrong with having the games played as the final games before the All-Star break? It would decrease the risk of jet lag and confusion of playing on the bigger ice surfaces by allowing the players on these teams to rest up over the break, and get practice time in back on North American soil before playing in a game again.

Playing the games before the All-Star break could also bring attention to the All-Star Game in Europe, as here in North America, the game's popularity appears to be steadily declining.

In closing, I understand that playing games in Europe is important to help build the league overseas. I realize that the NBA is playing a game in Europe this season, that MLB has played games in Japan in the past, and that even the NFL has touched down in England in recent years. What I don't understand is why fans of these teams need to basically miss the first two games of their team's season.

It just doesn't make sense to me, to remove all of that buzz, excitement, and anticipation by having a team start its season on another continent. Maybe I'm the only one?