4 teams played overseas last year. 2 were just fine (1 actually overachieved), 1 regressed under a coach that had already experienced 2nd year failure and 1 was rebuilding anyway.
We need to stop looking for things to worry about 4 months in advance.
But how many had a brand new coaching staff? That's my biggest worry.
It could be a blessing though, this could really galvanize the team since it'll mostly be the opening day roster that is going.
It could be a blessing though, this could really galvanize the team since it'll mostly be the opening day roster that is going.
I am of this opinion. Far less mixing-in of AHL tweeners, hopeful maybes, and prospects who are 99.9% returning to the CHL after camp anyway. More "team-time" for the actual NHL squad to bond, more scrimmage/practices together without the training camp roster lineup experimentation.
__________________
Until the Flames make the Western Finals again, this signature shall remain frozen.
Exactly. I think the idea is that the Flames will take what they believe will be close to an opening day roster to China with them leaving a bunch of AHL/ PTO/Prospects in Calgary. The coach will be with his group the entirety of that time. If anything they get a head start on other teams (aside from Boston).
The Following User Says Thank You to Toonage For This Useful Post:
Count me as one who thinks this is awful timing for this team - first training camp for Peters and he has to deal with an NHL sideshow circus to China. This team is under a lot of pressure this coming season ... why the @#$# would Edwards et al agree to this.
They agreed to this months ago. Look at the interviews that were posted yesterday, the interviews with Gaudreau and Smith were obviously shot at the All-Star Game.
The Flames were solidly in a playoff spot when the decision was made.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Otto-matic
But how many had a brand new coaching staff? That's my biggest worry.
It could be a blessing though, this could really galvanize the team since it'll mostly be the opening day roster that is going.
Both Vancouver and Los Angeles had new coaching staffs last year. They went to China and both had strong starts to the season. Vancouver went 6-3-2 in October and LA went 9-2-1.
This year's China trip is also about a week earlier than last year's, so they won't be go right in the middle of training camp like last year's teams did.
__________________
Turn up the good, turn down the suck!
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to getbak For This Useful Post:
I think it will be great for the Flames if for no other reason than as a team building exercise. If the season starts just into October like last year there should be no concern about jet lag but the group will most definitely be tighter knit to start the season IMO.
Just another excuse along with the new coach for the slow start amirite?
I think going to China for a game would be cool. I wonder what sort of expansion plan the NHL has for China. I know the major sports leagues want to tap that market, but I guess the question is how do you do it?
My brother who lives just outside Shanghai is pissed that there are no games in Shanghai.
Why be pissed about that? He's got a quick train or plane ride to see the Flames! I live in the Middle East and I'm almost giddy they're coming to my hemisphere.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to JD For This Useful Post:
LOL if you think its really just a matter of icing a team for 2 games in China. There is a A LOT of organization needed for this, and it is very disruptive for a new coach looking to imprint his plan onto this team to have his roster fly halfway across the globe for a couple meaningless games.
i didn't say it would sink our season. But its a kick in the pants to Peters for sure.
On the other hand, it's a long trip for the vets with the new coach, who would otherwise be splitting his time with prospects and such. Maybe on the trip, he gets buy in from the vets, and they come back excited. Tough to say, I think it's a coin toss. I like the team bonding angle though. There were times last year when the boys seemed like they weren't on the same planet, let alone the same team.
Just another excuse along with the new coach for the slow start amirite?
I think going to China for a game would be cool. I wonder what sort of expansion plan the NHL has for China. I know the major sports leagues want to tap that market, but I guess the question is how do you do it?
Sending NHL players to the 2022 olympics in China would certainly help
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.
__________________
Until the Flames make the Western Finals again, this signature shall remain frozen.
At the STH info session tonight, Treliving mentioned that the Flames will be playing 3 preseason games here while the main team is in China.
Oh yeah, they won't give up that free revenue from season ticket holders. There'll be no NHL players and probably 4k buts in seats and not a single non STH sale, but they'll get 15k season ticket sales. Total sham, but no reason for them not to do it.
