In the first period of this week’s Puck Podcast we’ll get you caught up on the big stories from the past week including signings of not on the first day of free agency. In the second period recap all the signings team by team. In the third period we’ll read your e-mails.
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You both were commenting in this episode (I think) about the NHL beginning the season in Europe and how unfair it was to the teams. While I agree that you both have a point that teams should not take home games away from their fans, I disagree with the alternative that they should just play an exhibition game in Europe. The problem I see with an exhibition game is that while the NHL may tell the coaches to play their stars, the players will have no rational for playing or trying hard in the exhibition game, as it means nothing and they do not want to get injured. Basically, the exhibition game would be played like the NHL All-Star game, which I know you both hate.
I have two alternatives though. Number 1, how about turning the European exhibition games into a kind of tournament? Advertise it as the “European Classic”, give a trophy to the winning team, and establish a small purse to be split among the winning players.
Number 2, maybe hold a sort of Super Skills Competition and have the same events, hardest slapshot, best shootout moves, etc. That would show the European fans the skill of NHL players at their best.