Some news about the 2009-10 European games is surfacing with notions that the Florida Panthers and Chicago Blackhawks might meet in the Czech Republic to kick off their seasons."According to a report by Chris Kuc in the Chicago Tribune on New Year's Day, the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers have been invited to open the 2009-2010 season in Prague, Czech Republic. Blackhawks President John McDonough said the NHL has invited the Blackhawks to open in Europe, where the team's stable of emerging, young players like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will be on display to a European hockey audience."
Per NHL.com
I could think of a few other matchups that would be more interesting for the European market. One immediately comes to mind: Capitals vs. Penguins and try to hold it in Moscow.
Although I wonder if the KHL might prevent the NHL from ever attempting to put a game in its territory.
Caps vs Pens in Finland. Finnish hockey bosses would be kissing Bettman's feet next ten years for that.
ReplyDeleteAnd Finland has something like 1000 km border with Russia and it was part of Russia for about century, so it would be almost like the game were held in Russia.
The fact that I would be able to go to that game has nothing to do with my objective opinion
Oskar Osala might be a regular Capitals by then too, wasn't he Rookie of the Year in the SM-Liga? That'd be a great homecoming.
ReplyDeleteYes he was Rookie of the year 2007-08, but if that game were held in Finland it would be in Helsinki and Osala played in Espoo.
ReplyDeleteLepistö played (in the wrong team) in Helsinki, so if he made the team and the gane were held here, he would play in his former home arena
Although I wonder if the KHL might prevent the NHL from ever attempting to put a game in its territory.
ReplyDeleteBank on it.