Quote:
Originally Posted by GioforPM
I don’t think they have to be “just as good”. Obviously Tkachuk in helps, but do this miss the POs without him? I think not. And he is looking to be paid like an indispensable man.
As for overseas teams, the KHL playing conditions are atrocious. And the living conditions are as well. Ask Commodore about life in the K. He can tell you about the team missing paycheques from time to time, and the crappy cities that he played in.
Switzerland living is better, but the league isn’t as good.
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No, the KHL is not great...agreed. (A lot of it depends where you are playing though)
But the Swiss and German leagues are terrific places to play and certainly in Sweden and Finland.
Even lower leagues in Britain and Italy are great landing spots for a bunch of guys.
Again, WAY less money but truly great places to go play if you dont have other NA options.
Just for giggles, here is one guy i have known for many many years who didnt want to play in NA unless it was in the NHL though there was no chance he would ever get a shot back then as good as he was. The numbers are staggering and it wasnt great hockey overall...no question.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/p....php?pid=48311
His lifestyle while there was awesome though. The team provided housing/food and a Europass. So his work week was... play Friday and Saturday night. Leave Sunday for Italy or Amsterdam or somewhere in France or where ever with the other North Americans. The rest of the team would practice during the week without them...then they would come back Thursday and rinse and repeat. Didnt make a bunch of money and it was a very short season, but loved his time there. Lots of guys are still doing this. Stajan as an example last year.