GDT: Leafs vs Wings: Friday in Sweden 2pm [TSN4]

[WF19]

I think that the league missed a really good opportunity to showcase the game properly with this event. Why not Toronto, Tampa, NYR and Pittsburgh? Big ticket Swedes in Willy, Hedman, Mika and Karlsson, plus all of the superstars on those 4 teams.

In an interview with Lucas Raymond from the Wings, Detroit is the most followed team in Sweden from their glory days when half of the team was from there.

 

[Squiffy]

I am pretty sure they will change to NHL size. Otherwise, it is pretty bush-league to make these teams play 2 REGULAR SEASON games on Olympic ice all of a sudden. Makes no sense. I am sure it will be made to NHL size.

Interesting question then I guess. Can't find any definite answers.

 

[namttebih]

In an interview with Lucas Raymond from the Wings, Detroit is the most followed team in Sweden from their glory days when half of the team was from there.

Sure, I can totally see that and meant to post that in my original post. Raymond himself is an exciting prospect/young player.

Ottawa and Minny though?

 

[Suntouchable13]

Interesting question then I guess. Can't find any definite answers.

I guess we will find out once we watch the game

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Ugh.

2pm, 8am, 2pm.

Going to take some work being skipped or ignored to catch the next few games.

Yup. Life is full of difficult decisions but once in awhile we get no brainers like blowing shifts to watch hockey.

 

[MSZ]

I am pretty sure they will change to NHL size. Otherwise, it is pretty bush-league to make these teams play 2 REGULAR SEASON games on Olympic ice all of a sudden. Makes no sense. I am sure it will be made to NHL size.

According to the SN article it is Olympic size as of now. Will they switch it to NHL size comes game day remains to be seen.

 

[Suntouchable13]

According to the SN article it is Olympic size as of now. Will they switch it to NHL size comes game day remains to be seen.

Strange. I am befuddled. These are NHL games, are they not? They should be played on NHL size rinks. Don't like this at all.

 

[ACC1224]

According to the SN article it is Olympic size as of now. Will they switch it to NHL size comes game day remains to be seen.

I would doubt it.

 

[Subway Schenn]

I stand corrected. It's on NHL ice.

 

[johan f]

The NHL sanctions the games overseas which means NA-size of rinks, NHL rules, refs and even NHL officials running the clock and what not.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

So, um, what is the purpose of these games? It would be completely untenable to expand to Europe would it not? So what is their end game?

 

[Apex Predator]

So, um, what is the purpose of these games? It would be completely untenable to expand to Europe would it not? So what is their end game?

Money

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

So, um, what is the purpose of these games? It would be completely untenable to expand to Europe would it not? So what is their end game?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[rojac]

Money

To be honest, that's the main reason professional sports and many other businesses exist.

But the NHL international games aren't really any different than those done by the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Most of these are played in areas where the game is already popular with the occasional series in new territory. And everybody goes to London. Everybody but the NHL goes to Mexico City -- but there's been talk that the NHL is looking at it as a possibility.

The main reason the leagues go to places where the game is already popular is because the leagues generally also have a lot of fans there and it gives those fans a chance to see actual games live.

 

[Incognito]

The NHL sanctions the games overseas which means NA-size of rinks, NHL rules, refs and even NHL officials running the clock and what not.

Yup, and it has to be this way. The results of games played under different rules from all the other games would be meaningless. Plus, the optics of the NHL essentially saying "these are the rules, until they aren't, because ... reasons" would come across as bush league even by their standards.

 

[PromisedLand]

 

[Evilhomer]

So, um, what is the purpose of these games? It would be completely untenable to expand to Europe would it not? So what is their end game?

As others have said, money. That's all it is. I hope they make a lot, because it's a silly gimmick. Put the games in China. At least I could understand that. But Sweden? It's like putting a game in Hamilton.

 

[crump]

John Tajarnquist

 

[PromisedLand]

Nice Articles on NHL. May be we should get LEAFS in Sweden thread going to post all Sweden news in there??

Maple Leafs of past, present attend premiere of Salming docuseries | NHL.com

Sundin, Tavares, Nylander among those on red carpet ahead of NHL games in Sweden

www.nhl.com

Nylander excited for opportunity to play in Sweden as part of Global Series | NHL.com

Maple Leafs forward 'never really dreamed that I'd get to play NHL games over there'

www.nhl.com

 

[Mr_Fun]

If they were letting Boston and Chicago host NHL hockey on their "mini" rinks before they got their new stadiums, then the NHL shouldn't really have a problem letting teams play on the larger Olympic sized ice surfaces. I'm probably in the minority here, but I would welcome a couple of games on the larger surface. Then again, I'm from a soccer background where every pitch I played on had different dimensions.

 

[johan f]

There will not be NHL games on Olympic sized rinks. Photos from practices are from the arena next to the actual one they will play on.

 

[Westlander]

The time change is a little more forgiving back to NA, I’m either staying up late for a midnight game time, or more usually watching the highlights first thing in the morning.

Luckily for this you get a Friday afternoon game, a free Friday evening, and an afternoon Sunday game.

Yeah it’s apples and oranges, having European football matches on Saturday or Sunday morning in NA isn’t exactly a hardship!
I’m just happy to be able to watch a couple of Leaf games at a normal time this weekend.

 

[barilko05]

My question is why are the NHL not giving the teams a "taxi squad" dispensation? Perhaps a 2 or 3 man group that doesn't count against the cap but who may not play unless an injury occurs. Seems fair to all teams, especially considering each teams farm team is thousands of miles away.

 

[ZEBROA]

This opened a whole new can of whiners...

You can afford to share 2 out of 80 games. Even if its the wrong time of day or big size ice(but is it?). Not a big deal.

Yes Hockey is big in sweden but NHL is not nearly as big as SHL. (Karlsson was not even nominated for best atlete in Sweden this year, NHL players almost never are, wich is insane). These games will probably inspire some Swedish kids who become NHL stars in the future. Nice of NHL to give back to the nation with third most active players in NHL.
Active NHL Players Totals by Nationality - Career Stats

Nylander gave away 90 tickets, including one to his Grandma who never seen him live. Dont know if he will feel the presure or play even better. Hope his pointstreak dont end here.

 

[leafs in five]

pretty excited for this stupid game