Euro league rivalling NHL?

[Chadd 916]

I mean if J. Bush bought his Presidency with Oil money, I think hockey is not even on the same level of comparison.

Jeb Bush isn't even the governor of Florida anymore, let alone the president of the US.

I believe what you are suggesting would be the worst possible thing to happen to hockey. Diluting the high end of the talent pool even further will all but kill the sport. Having games played in markets that make Winnipeg and Pittsburgh look like Tokyo aren't going to help matters either. I realize that ego is more important to these people than the overall health of the sport, but it will destroy the game worldwide.

[Ultimus 0]

Now European Hockey association can kill NHL in one or two meetings. If they all decide to make law in their countries that no one under the age of 25 is allowed to play overseas, and if they do play they loose their right to play for the National team and they can never play in any Pro European league. I know it might fall into some sort of human right act, but if the majority of the league is in Eastern Europe it will be an easy sell to the politicians especially in Russia where Fatisov & Tret'yak will sign that paper in a heart beat.

Cheers

*Cough* Red Army/USSR *cough*

So what your saying is "Fat"isov will go back to say you can only play for Russia and thats it? Now I know the demands were great(Tikhonov was abusive from what I've read) and the people were oppressed. How long before it would go back to that and what if the mafia is involved? That's going to be worse. I've read stories on the Russian mob as well.... somethings involving Bure and his family... So pretty soon we are going to be sneaking Euro's back over the boarders to play in America?

Yes the world has changed, the lifestyle alone in Russia and not playing under the Red Army team makes a huge difference but I don't think Fetisov's values have changed...

Quote from Fetisov

Fetisov: “The Soviet minister of defense tried to scare me, demanding that I apologize for asking to leave. He gave me an ultimatum: apologize or be sent to Siberia, where we will make life very difficult for you. I knew that if I took even a small step back, I would be in deep trouble. I faced a lot of intimidation; most of my friends were afraid to talk to me. It was the toughest time of my life, but I finally won the war. I was the first Soviet to sign a direct contract with the NHL, and I’m proud to say that not only hockey players followed me. The door opened for people in every profession.” Fetisov won so many medals and awards in his life, but this was the biggest victory. It was a victory against a whole system.

[Jason Harris 31]

I think the linked story illustrates a common fear that Russian hockey players have professed. Russian tennis star Anna Chakvetadze was robbed at gunpoint in her home today. "The robbers took about $106,000 in cash, as well as jewelry and other goods worth about $200,000."

I've read numerous Russian hockey players claim they are scared to return to Russian because of the mafia, so I can't imagine an Eastern European league attracting the top players in the world until the mob's power wanes.

[mrusse01 0]

5) Pussy, lets face it those of you who have spend some time in Europe can agree with me at least on this argument, if you play in Europe the quality and quantity of women is not even comparable to North America, it’s a joke actually. Why do you think they always comment on how Jagr loved playing so much in Russia, if you meet him personally and ask why, his smile will tell you everything there is to know.

I call shenanigans on that.

No way in hell the women in Eastern Europe are that much hotter than Cali...it's not possible.

Plus, these guys are pro hockey players, they can pull whoever they want, it's not like they need a lot of help in the form of a large talent pool.

[SR27 0]

Beleive him. Not that I´m particularly into slavic women but damn. Just spend one day in Prague or Budapest and you´ll be convinced.

5) Pussy, lets face it those of you who have spend some time in Europe can agree with me at least on this argument, if you play in Europe the quality and quantity of women is not even comparable to North America, it’s a joke actually. Why do you think they always comment on how Jagr loved playing so much in Russia, if you meet him personally and ask why, his smile will tell you everything there is to know.

I call shenanigans on that.

No way in hell the women in Eastern Europe are that much hotter than Cali...it's not possible.

Plus, these guys are pro hockey players, they can pull whoever they want, it's not like they need a lot of help in the form of a large talent pool.

[Jason Harris 31]

It is interesting that certain areas have better looking people. When we were in Toronto a couple of years ago, we were all remarking about how many beautiful women there were. (I've subsequently decided it's because they don't eat the fast food/hormones we do in America -- their skin was better.)

I kept having to tell myself, "I'm a happily married man....I'm a happily married man....I'm a...."

[mrusse01 0]

haha, really? Coming from a University town with 15,000 students roaming around to living in downtown TO and working in the Financial District has been a ruuude surprise.

[DarkStar50 679]

Ok, so now you have this Euro League which is a toy for some Russian gajillionaires who have signed players who only want more money and could care less about real competition. Next, just who do you expect to go watch this fake or real hockey? VladRussianHockeyFan has a few rubles to spend on dinner and the new Euro League has what kind of ticket prices? The NHL has trouble getting fannies in the seats in two of the richest countries in the world. Rubo, tell me the economics of Euro fans and where their disposable income is coming from to spend on the Euro League. Live hockey in North America will be around long after we are all dead and gone.

[Super Star 0]

while filling the seat in arenas is a good part of income owners can get more money if people don't go to the games but watch on TV if no one goes to Euro leagues games but a lot of people watch on TV the league can be more profitable then when no one watches but the house is packed.

[DarkStar50 679]

^^^^^^^^^^

??????????

Huh? Its better if arena is empty and people stay home to watch on TV? The NHL has that now in some cities and its not working out too good.

[Super Star 0]

The cities that your talking about the numbers of those watching is the same is that goes to the games. In those cities there is no market and everyone is watching football or baseball not hockey.

edit ps. look at NFL their major money is not in attendance but in beer commercials during halftime.

[Patrick67 1]

Good point regarding tv income...

Oh and to cover the Eastern Europe Women thing... they are fine as hell, but once they hit 40 they age like crazy, compared to western women.

[PWBIII 0]

Good point regarding tv income...

Oh and to cover the Eastern Europe Women thing... they are fine as hell, but once they hit 40 they age like crazy, compared to western women.

good call. rich cali girls like to spend the cash to keep themselves looking young.

[mack 44]

Diet factors in too. Why else do girls start periods when they're <12 over here.

[Spreedizzle 1]

Diet factors in too. Why else do girls start periods when they're <12 over here.

Growth hormones and steroids in beef and chicken. Periods earlier, "developing" much earlier now. They CERTAINLY didn't build them like that when I was in high school.

[DarkStar50 679]

Well, it took three days for the Euro League thread to die and turn to talk about babes. That's about how long I give the real Euro League to last if it ever happens.

Oh wait, I have to go to an NHL game tonight to catch the last glimpse of "live hockey in North America." "So my advise to you if you can afford it watch as many live games as possible while you're young" Thanks, rubo, but no thanks. :lol:

[Jason Harris 31]

Diet factors in too. Why else do girls start periods when they're <12 over here.

I coach my daughters' soccer team. Last spring, most of the girls were about 9 1/2 and I was shocked when I realized one of the girls was starting to sprout. My wife didn't believe me but saw for herself at the game. We're now having indoor soccer and maybe two other girls have joined the first girl.

There is no doubt that spurred me to try to buy organic foods whenever affordable.

[DarkStar50 679]

No problem, my home team is the NHL, the AHL, the ECHL, the CHA, the ECAC, the WCHA, and on and on. There will always be live hockey in North America. I think we can agree on that.

Cheers, mate.

[mack 44]

Diet factors in too. Why else do girls start periods when they're <12 over here.

I coach my daughters' soccer team. Last spring, most of the girls were about 9 1/2 and I was shocked when I realized one of the girls was starting to sprout. My wife didn't believe me but saw for herself at the game. We're now having indoor soccer and maybe two other girls have joined the first girl.

There is no doubt that spurred me to try to buy organic foods whenever affordable.

That's about all that's in our house anyway, though my wife's the only one that eats red meat still. I just don't want to have to buy my daughters Powerpuff Girl-themed Tampons when they're 8.

[gxc999 7]

I really think Europe could have a rival premier league if they are very cautious about the whole thing. They would need to start with perhaps 8 teams and simply attempt to keep superstars from Europe in Europe. Within 4 or 5 years, I think they could build up to 12, then 16 teams. I honestly think a lot of these young talents could be convinced, if the league was respectable, avoided corruption and intimidation etc etc.

Personally, I know some 18 or 19 yr. olds want to travel the world, but many would prefer to stay close to home. Besides, they could always hop into the NHL later, when they're 22 or 23 and fully developed and land an even bigger contract then.

Chadd had a really great suggestion, where the winner of the Stanley Cup plays the winner of the European Club for the World Championship. I would love to see that happen.

[Jason Harris 31]

Gouche added an interview with Alexander Medvedev that took place this week in Moscow, in which they discuss the proposed Euro league. From what I've read, Medvedev is the main proponent behind the league.