Report: NHL hopes to have regular-season games in Europe next season

From 2007 to 2011, the National Hockey League began the regular season with a set of Premiere Games, with various teams facing off in arenas around Europe.

While the merits of beginning the regular season across the Atlantic are up for debate, it appears the NHL is intent on doing it again.

Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reports:

What possibly could also be part of a World Cup announcement - although it depends on the timing of it over the next few months - is the return of the Premiere Games. The NHL hopes to have regular-season games back across the pond next season, but no firm details are finalized on that front. 

The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks played a pair of games in London, England to start the 2007-08 season and kick off the European series. No fewer than 18 additional games were played over the next four years in Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland and Germany. 

The last of the Premiere Games were played on Oct. 8, 2011 - the Buffalo Sabres beat the Kings 4-2 in Berlin, and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the New York Rangers 2-1 (SO) in Stockholm.