[Gaskal]

The logistics of balancing travel/personal lives / keeping in top shape for games would just be far too messy and disadvantageous for the team to deal with. And I think it is a little difficult to introduce newer Chinese fans to following NHL teams – while the games aren’t being played at an ungodly hour like it would be for Europe, it’s happening during the workday morning.

I think what they want more is access to the talent pool – with that kind of a population in Asia there is bound to be some gems in the rough that can find success at the NHL level. And with that local support, the fan viewership and business opportunities will eventually follow. Local benefits need to be realized first before others are considered.

The NHL knows China does very strongly at the summer Olympics; their training regimens and mentality, plus their huge population sets them up quite well for that. And with the Chinese economy the way it is now, the quality of training facilities, exposure and interest for winter sports are quickly catching up. They also understand that men's hockey is the marquee event of the Winter Olympics as well, and the amount of $$ being poured into the Chinese National Hockey Program is a testament to that recognition.