The NHL season officially kicked off Saturday as the New York Rangers beat Tampa Bay 2-1 in the Czech Republic.

New York and Tampa Bay are two of four teams (Pittsburgh and Ottawa opened in Stockholm) to start this season in Europe, with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman saying that number could double in 2009.

If the Florida Panthers were to be asked, a number of players -- including their coach -- would be happy to make the trip.

Of the 30 teams in the league, six have visited Europe in the past two seasons, with Los Angeles and Anaheim starting the 2007-08 season in London. That means 23 teams are in the pool for next year's games -- assuming those who already have made the trek don't ask to return.

''Whatever the league decides, we'll do,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ``I've had the pleasure to go to Europe with a couple [of] world junior teams -- I've been to Russia, Finland, Sweden.

``It's a great experience and a great opportunity for team building. As long as we don't have to play six in six nights, I'll be OK with it. It's great for selling the game. I'd welcome the opportunity if it presents itself to us.''

With eight European players on the current roster, the Panthers should draw strong consideration from the league to appear in future European games. With the NHL making a strong push to raise its stature in hockey-mad Europe, it's apparent more games -- not less -- will be scheduled in the future. That means, one of these days, the Panthers are going to have to do their part and open their season somewhere other than North America.

The Panthers open the 2008-09 season Friday night in Raleigh, N.C. Last season, the Panthers opened in New York against the Rangers.

''I think it would be awesome to change things up, open up the season in Europe,'' said center Kamil Kreps, one of five Panthers from the Czech Republic. ``For the people over there, [Saturday] is a great day. They're going nuts over the games right now. For us, to play in front of family in friends would just be really special.''

Rostislav Olesz said the travel to Europe would be taxing, but he would love to finally play an NHL game in his native land. It might be old hat to Canadian-born players who are used to playing in front of friendly faces and returning to their hometowns as NHL players.

For European players, however, those chances have been few and far between.

''Everyone wants to play in their hometown as an NHL player,'' Olesz said. ``Hopefully, in a few years, we'll all be able to say we did that.''

NOTES

Winger Tanner Glass was sent to Florida's American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester, N.Y., after Saturday's practice. . . . The Panthers have Sunday off, and return to the ice Monday morning at BankAtlantic Center, where they also face the New York Islanders in their final preseason game at 7 p.m. Monday. . . . Center Stephen Weiss (groin) returned to practice for the first time since the team was in Canada. . . . Defenseman Karlis Skrastins is out with what was described as an upper back injury, although he did off-ice work Saturday.

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