Life on the road for NHL teams. A look at back to backs.

[curves2000]

I came across this well-written article regarding the Capitals and a back to back road trip they had to Toronto. I always find this behind the scenes stuff fascinating.

http://www.si.com/nhl/2016/01/28/was...-feature-story

Reading some of the grueling stuff it makes you appreciate the effort involved for the equipment guys, especially for teams like Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver etc. These cities probably have the worst travel and also have to deal with yucky weather conditions at the same time.

There was an interesting sentence regarding a few of the Capital players waiting around for a massage from the team therapist which I found interesting. I am a firm believer in the future that the wealthy teams are going to start to spend a lot more money on giving their players a competitive advantage on the health side since there isn't a limit they can spend on it, such as the salary cap. If you look at a league like the NFL, they have massive teams of medical personnel looking after their players injuries, muscles, recovery etc.

I am aware of the difference in the economics of the NHL vs NFL but in the end an extra $2 mil a year or so in added expenses to have a handful of Dr's, therapists, multiple strength coaches etc on payroll for ROAD games is small for the larger pocketed teams like NY, Toronto, Montreal and even Calgary.

I recall reading another sports article talking about how the ownership, management and leadership of the Vancouver Canucks had met with the New England Patriots and specifically Tom Brady to discuss their strength, recovery and training program. For those who are interested Tom Brady is alleged to have a very unique training program for his off-field, on field, in season and off season/ His diet is also very very very unique. A lot of NFL people and fans think its wacky but he claims it works for him. At almost 39 years of age he doesn't appear to be slowing down either.

Anyhow I just find this stuff interesting. Also if anyone cares the Flames strength coach Ryan Van Asten posts some cool links and info on his twitter feed if your ever looking for cool tips.

Sorry about the long post.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by curves2000

For those who are interested Tom Brady is alleged to have a very unique training program for his off-field, on field, in season and off season/ His diet is also very very very unique.

Interesting read, thank you.

By the way, it is either unique, or it's not. It can't be sort of unique, a little unique, or very very very unique. It can be very, very, very rare, different, weird, etc.

[domingo]

Great read. Thank you so much.

I wonder how the Flames measure up.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by domingo

Great read. Thank you so much.

I wonder how the Flames measure up.

I don't know what the Flames really do WRT "perks" (obviously they have a few dozen time of staff for skating, skills, yogaga, they even have life coaches now) but over the past month its been pretty cool to hear what kind of simplier appreciation things the Flames have done for Regehr and Glencross. Probably not as fancy, but its cool to know the Flames ownership and management are seen as among the best in class from former players.

(OT, but pretty cool that Regehr plays in a beer league now, as does Glencross and Jim Vandermeer. These guys really seem to love the game, despite being "grumpy" or "lazy" as some say they are, which they are not)