Senators owner Eugene Melnyk believes that the NHL will expand to Europe, it's only a matter of when. "It's happening, it's going to happen," Melnyk said Sunday. "A question of time, a question of how we can set up a schedule, but you can see here in Sweden, fan response been absolutely ... almost as crazy as us Canadians. "In Gothenburg, crazier than anywhere. In Sweden, it's absolutely wild. They consider it one of national sports. There are other countries where the product can be marketed. We can take a run at it. ... My vote's in for European expansion." Ottawa played a pair of games against Pittsburgh in Europe as part of a four-game set to kick off the regular season overseas this weekend. Commissioner Gary Bettman is still skeptical about the league expanding to Europe. "Mr. Melnyk was not voicing an official league position," Bettman said. "He may be right, he may be wrong. We know the importance of our game internationally. What I have repeatedly said ? is that we want to develop a more permanent, more regular presence in Europe. Permanent doesn't necessarily mean franchises on the ground any time soon or ever. That might happen at some point in the future, it might not. It's not on the drawing board. ? "Mr. Melnyk may be of the view that it is inevitable as the world continues to shrink, that we will get to that place, and as I said, he may be right. But it isn't anything that is consistent with any plans that we've developed or any current intentions that we have."