How do you feel about these games overseas?

[BOSSMANPC]

I hope I'm not sounding like a whinny {sp} bitch about this just wondering. I guess we will see how these four teams start the season to get some indication of how it works.

For me , I get screwed up for a few days just flying to the west coast.

 

[DChero]

Well I agree with #3. But it's not only the evaluation of talent it's working on the teams chemistry like defensive and forward pairings along with special teams. A lot of this is done in practice and if you don't get the practice time it makes it harder.

Again these are just my thought's and that's why I'm curious to hear what others have to say about it.

I probably should have put up a poll asking if people wanted their teams to participate in these games but from what I see the general consensus would be no. Am I wrong?

I certainly understand what you mean. It's best to see the highest level of play, no doubt. I just don't mind a little shake-up. I like seeing the chemistry built before my eyes. I like seeing musical chairs with linemates. I also believe it would be fair as all of the other teams are going through the same challenge. It puts more on the coaches and creates some entertaining plays.

The other way you guys can look at the condensed preseason is a longer time to rest your newly named starters. Sure, the travel's tough, but your team will be closer for it.

I'm sure that I'm the loud minority here, but chalk that up as one that is pro-overseas play.

 

[flyersfan4706]

IMO they really are not that special. Same indoor looking rink, different country. I guess it is good for the game, but I would prefer the Flyers didnt play in them also.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I certainly understand what you mean. It's best to see the highest level of play, no doubt. I just don't mind a little shake-up. I like seeing the chemistry built before my eyes. I like seeing musical chairs with linemates. I also believe it would be fair as all of the other teams are going through the same challenge. It puts more on the coaches and creates some entertaining plays.

The other way you guys can look at the condensed preseason is a longer time to rest your newly named starters. Sure, the travel's tough, but your team will be closer for it.

I'm sure that I'm the loud minority here, but chalk that up as one that is pro-overseas play.

Not at all. The idea was to get posters feelings about these games, pro's and con's and you did just that.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

sabresfan, Didn't you attend the game in Stockholm when you were over there?

No, I didn't make it.

The tickets were very expensive and I didn't particularly care about any of the teams playing there those years.

Spent my hockey money on a Sweden v. Finland national team game and a bunch of Swedish Elite League games instead.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Yep, just checked it.....

Oct 14 CAR 7:30 PM
Oct 15 @PIT 7:00 PM
Oct 18 @MON 7:30 PM
Oct 20 @FLA 7:30 PM
Oct 22 @TB 7:00 PM

I'm perhaps in the minority here, but I like a road-heavy schedule early on.

That means home-heavy later in the season and down the stretch. I think it also gives you a picture of what a team is really like with the early challenge.

 

[awaz]

i dont see why they are trying to grow the game in europe, especially in the countries they are going to.. i'm not an expert, but i'm guessing places like sweden and finland already like hockey more than americans do.. plus one of the best times to grow the game in america is at the beginning of the season (probably 3rd best time after the playoffs and winter classic, 4th i guess if you include the olympics), and you want to send a bunch of the games overseas? just doesn't seem like a sound marketing strategy to me, especially when you're sending some of your strongest markets overseas

why grow the game in europe when there is so much room to grow in america? the nfl has reason to play games in canada and europe because they've pretty well saturated the american appeal. the nhl has a long way to go before they can claim that

 

[puckhead]

I'm perhaps in the minority here, but I like a road-heavy schedule early on.

That means home-heavy later in the season and down the stretch. I think it also gives you a picture of what a team is really like with the early challenge.

I'm also a believer in a team bonding on the road. get away of the wife and kids, concentrate on the teammates (and groupies)
if that happens early in the year, it could make for a stronger group earlier on.

 

[sabresfaninthesouth]

i dont see why they are trying to grow the game in europe, especially in the countries they are going to.. i'm not an expert, but i'm guessing places like sweden and finland already like hockey more than americans do.. plus one of the best times to grow the game in america is at the beginning of the season (probably 3rd best time after the playoffs and winter classic, 4th i guess if you include the olympics), and you want to send a bunch of the games overseas? just doesn't seem like a sound marketing strategy to me, especially when you're sending some of your strongest markets overseas

why grow the game in europe when there is so much room to grow in america? the nfl has reason to play games in canada and europe because they've pretty well saturated the american appeal. the nhl has a long way to go before they can claim that

Sweden and Finland like hockey more, but not NHL hockey.

That's the key here I think. There are European cable networks, such as ESPN America and CANAL + (and it's various namesakes and offshoots) that currently do not have or have only a small contract with the NHL.

I'm assuming it's these untapped sources of revenue that are driving this.

 

[beantownmaniac]

Just wondering what everyone thinks of these games

THEY SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is all

 

[4thstreet]

i dont see why they are trying to grow the game in europe, especially in the countries they are going to.. i'm not an expert, but i'm guessing places like sweden and finland already like hockey more than americans do.. plus one of the best times to grow the game in america is at the beginning of the season (probably 3rd best time after the playoffs and winter classic, 4th i guess if you include the olympics), and you want to send a bunch of the games overseas? just doesn't seem like a sound marketing strategy to me, especially when you're sending some of your strongest markets overseas

why grow the game in europe when there is so much room to grow in america? the nfl has reason to play games in canada and europe because they've pretty well saturated the american appeal. the nhl has a long way to go before they can claim that

Very well put.

I agree that it makes no sense to play games over there,espescially when they're in popular markets.

You're also giving teams an excuse to bitch about thier performance on their return.
Here's a thought(take note Bettman,you dumbass)-play some goddamn exhibition games in cities you might be considering for a team and see what the response is like.

 

[awaz]

Sweden and Finland like hockey more, but not NHL hockey.

That's the key here I think. There are European cable networks, such as ESPN America and CANAL + (and it's various namesakes and offshoots) that currently do not have or have only a small contract with the NHL.

I'm assuming it's these untapped sources of revenue that are driving this.

ya i'm sure thats why they're doing it.. i'm sure they've done more research than i have.. but it just doesnt seem like its a worth while ploy to put teams through that for a game or two in cities that already like hockey.. i dont see having a couple NHL games in a city is going to do to market an NHL deal with european broadcasting companies.. 5-10 games maybe, but i dont think such a small sample size will do much

i wonder if there's any way to tell if that helps or hurts growth in the american cities that are involved in those games.. because i'm sure it effects it.. take the sabres for example, i'm guessing they've been in the news a lot more this summer than past summers, and i'm sure there would be a bunch of people tuning in to the first couple games to see what they are like (opportunity for growth).. but they aren't going to tune in when the games start at noon and you lose that opportunity (assuming they are at some sort of primetime in europe, which i'm not sure of)

 

[awaz]

Very well put.

I agree that it makes no sense to play games over there,espescially when they're in popular markets.

You're also giving teams an excuse to bitch about thier performance on their return.
Here's a thought(take note Bettman,you dumbass)-play some goddamn exhibition games in cities you might be considering for a team and see what the response is like.

thats a really good idea.. even just any city, doesn't have to be one that your considering moving to.. but just to gauge the fan-bases of cities so you know in the future, and to spark some intrigue in non-NHL cities

i'm guessing they dont do it because they dont want to look like they are scouting places to move failing franchises to.. but if you market it properly you could probably make it look a different way

(although they have been doing that with London, ONT)

 

[beantownmaniac]

Very well put.

I agree that it makes no sense to play games over there,espescially when they're in popular markets.

You're also giving teams an excuse to bitch about thier performance on their return.
Here's a thought(take note Bettman,you dumbass)-play some goddamn exhibition games in cities you might be considering for a team and see what the response is like.

That's a great idea!!! Maybe they'll schedule some in Philly where they already have a minor league team.

 

[flyersfan4706]

That's a great idea!!! Maybe they'll schedule some in Philly where they already have a minor league team.

And a goalie.

 

[Automattic]

I'm pretty sure I bitched a ton about it when we dropped the first two games of the year to St. Louis overseas.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

I think it would have probably been a good thing for the Islanders if they had been invited for a few reasons.

1.They're already a tight group. So I really think they'd have a lot of fun playing overseas.

2.They play in front of small crowds all the time at home. Worst attendance in the league last year. So if it's a big crowd, great. If not it's no big deal.:

3.They're a young team. I figure they'd be able to bounce back from the travel better than an older one.

4.Chuck has been promoting hockey in China for awhile. I think Europe would be a perfect place for him to promote the Isles. If I were Bettman I'd have them play at least 1 game in Switzerland. The more the better. Trust me the fans would fill the arena. Streit is a GOD their. With Nino it would be even BIGGER.

5.I figure there aren't that many teams who really want to go. The Isles would be a solid choice.

 

[Comeds]

I dont like them, I think they are almost as silly as outdoor games. Almost.