Dear Mr. Commissioner Gary Bettman,

You don't know me (even though you should) but I have a crackpot idea that might be of interest to My New NHL (MNNHL).

First, as commissioner of the MNNHL in Gotham City does Batman flash the Bat-signal or use the Bat-phone often? Ha, ha.

Seriously. There's been quite a bit of talk among smart journalists (you know, the ones who write a lot) talking about the possible expansion of the NHL. Not just in places like Kansas City and Reno but far away places like Europe too. Wow. It's so romantic.

They talk about eventually seeing a European division in the NHL. Alas, the costs and logistics of this would prove to be a nightmare. You can barely set the schedule right as it stands. Imagine adding other countries in different times zones to the mix! You're scheduling people will quit on you!

At best you'd have to set up a division of 8, 10 or perhaps 12 teams to compete amongst each other to have the honors to play either in the MNNHL playoffs or face the Stanley Cup champions. I know. Which teams get to be part of the NHL? The ones that pay, Gary. The ones that pay the up front fee. Then again, you know all about that - wink.

Anyway, it would sort of be like what you see in Major League baseball with the Pennant winners of the American and National leagues facing each other in the World Series.

What a dilemma for those who have a vision of one day bridging the great teams of Europe with the NHL.

Well, wait no more. I'm flashing the Bat-signal.

Why not simply have yearly tournaments? Think of it as a complimentary compromise. Not only do you get to play European teams, but think of the added revenues! This stuff works in Europe.

I model mine after the Champions League in soccer. The Champions League is a yearly, prestigious tournament that pits all of Europe's best teams against one another in one major competition to see who will have bragging rights as supreme champions of Europe.

You can do the same for the NHL. Approach each league interested in a tournament and ask them if they would want to partake in such a tournament. You would have to work out exactly who gets to play which countries get assigned teams but that's all petty details.

In summary, you'd have teams from Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, the NHL, and others — all fighting for hockey supremacy. It can be a springboard to bigger dreams! Or nightmares.

If you wish to discuss this further you can reach me here at BC Magazine. I would be glad to go over any questions you may have over cocktails and steaks.

Best... no, Warm Regards,

Alessandro Nicolo

PS: Don't steal my idea. I know who you are.